Compression grounding connector for rail and structural steel
AssigneeFci USA LLC
InventorKeith F Mello
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical connector comprising a first member and at least one second member. The first member comprises a center section and two arms extending from the center section forming a first receiving area between the two arms. The second member is located in the first receiving area. The second member comprises at least one protrusion for piercing into a member located in the first receiving area when the connector is compressed onto the member.
Claims25
An electrical connector and flanged conductive member assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive member comprising at least one flange;
- and
- and electrical connector connected to the flange, the electrical connector comprising:
- a first member comprising a center section and two arms extending from the center section forming a first receiving area between the two arms;
- and
- at least one second member located in the first receiving area, the second member comprising at least one protrusion for indenting into the flange located in the first receiving area.
An electrical connector and flanged conductive member assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive member comprising at least one flange;
- and
- an electrical connector connected to the flange, the electrical connector comprising:
- a frame having a general U-shaped cross-section with a center section, two arms extending from the center section, and a receiving area between the two arms for receiving the flange;
- and
- at least one insert located in the receiving area of the frame, the insert having two spaced sections with arm contacting surfaces contacting inner surfaces of the two arms, the insert being comprised of a sheet metal member and having at least one protrusion for indenting into the flange located in the receiving area when the frame is compressed onto the flange, and at least one piercer for piercing into the frame when the frame is compressed onto the flange.
A method of manufacturing an electrical connector and conductive member assembly comprising steps of:
- providing an electrical connector frame having a general U-shaped cross-section with two spaced arms and a receiving area between the two spaced arms;
- connecting an insert to the frame, the insert being located in the receiving area and having at least one projection for indenting, the at least one projection being located in the receiving area;
- locating a flange of an electrically conductive member in the receiving area;
- and
- compressing the frame onto the flange, the insert forming indentations into the electrically conductive member at the flange to increase pulloff forces of the frame and insert from the flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.