Dual-sectioned grounding bushing assembly

A dual-sectioned, grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section hinge end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section hinge end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section hinge end and the second section latch end;
• hinge means, the hinge means comprising first section hinge knuckle structure, second section hinge knuckle structure and a hinge pin, the first section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section hinge end, the second section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section hinge end, the first and second hinge knuckle structures each comprising hinge pin-receiving structure, the hinge pin-receiving structure having a hinge pin axis, the hinge pin insertable into the hinge pin-receiving structure for pivotally connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section, the first bushing section and the second bushing section being pivotable about a pivot axis when pivotally connected, the pivot axis being collinear with the hinge pin axis;
• latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch structure, second section latch structure and a latch pin, the first section latch structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin removably insertable into the latch pin-receiving structure for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis, the bushing axis being substantially parallel to the hinge pin axis, the inner annular surface comprising a circumferential seat flange, the seat flange being intermediate the conductor inlet end and the conductor outlet end;
• a dual-sectioned, insulative bushing member, the insulative bushing member comprising a first insulative section and a second insulative section, the first and second insulative sections each comprising a first insulative end, a second insulative end, and an insulative arc length intermediate the first insulative end and the second insulative end, the first and second insulative sections thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned bushing member, the bushing member being sized and shaped to snugly seat upon the seat flange, the conductor inlet end for receiving at least one electrical conductor, the electrical conductor exiting a conduit terminus, the conductor inlet end for removable attachment to the conduit terminus, the electrical conductor for finalized electrical connectivity to structure adjacent the conduit terminus, the grounding bushing assembly thus enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A dual-sectioned, grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section hinge end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section hinge end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section hinge end and the second section latch end;
• hinge means, the hinge means comprising first section hinge knuckle structure, second section hinge knuckle structure, and a fixed hinge post, the first section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section hinge end, the second section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section hinge end, the hinge post being integrally formed with the second section hinge knuckle structure, the hinge post having a hinge post axis, the first section hinge knuckle structure comprising hinge post-receiving structure, the hinge post-receiving structure being cooperatively associated with the hinge post for pivotally connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section, the first bushing section and the second bushing section being pivotable about a pivot axis when pivotally connected, the pivot axis being collinear with the hinge post axis;
• latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch structure, second section latch structure and a latch pin, the first section latch structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin removably insertable into the latch pin-receiving structure for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis, the bushing axis being substantially parallel to the hinge post axis, the conductor inlet end for receiving at least one electrical conductor, the electrical conductor exiting a conduit terminus, the conductor inlet end for removable attachment to the conduit terminus, the electrical conductor for finalized electrical connectivity to structure adjacent the conduit terminus, the grounding bushing assembly thus enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A dual-sectioned grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section hinge end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section hinge end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section hinge end and the second section latch end;
• hinge means, the hinge means comprising first section hinge knuckle structure, second section hinge knuckle structure and a hinge pin, the first section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section hinge end, the second section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section hinge end, the first and second hinge knuckle structures each comprising hinge pin-receiving structure, the hinge pin-receiving structure having a hinge pin axis, the hinge pin insertable into the hinge pin-receiving structures for pivotally connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section, the first bushing section and the second bushing section being pivotable about a pivot axis when pivotally connected, the pivot axis being collinear with the hinge pin axis;
• latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch structure, second section latch structure and at least one latch pin, the first section latch structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin removably insertable into the latch pin-receiving structure for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis, the bushing axis being substantially parallel to the hinge pin axis, the conductor inlet end for receiving at least one electrical conductor, the electrical conductor exiting a conduit terminus, the conductor inlet end for removable attachment to the conduit terminus, the electrical conductor for finalized electrical connectivity to structure adjacent the conduit terminus, the grounding bushing assembly thus enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A dual-sectioned grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section hinge end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section hinge end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section hinge end and the second section latch end;
• pivot means, the pivot means comprising first section pivot structure and second section pivot structure, the first section pivot structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section pivot end, the second section pivot structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section pivot end, the first and second pivot structures cooperatively associated with one another for movably connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section, the first bushing section being triaxially movable with respect to the second bushing section when movably connected thereto;
• latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch structure, second section latch structure and latch pin means, the first section latch structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin means removably insertable into the latch pin-receiving structure for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis, the conductor inlet end for receiving at least one electrical conductor, the electrical conductor exiting a conduit terminus, the conductor inlet end for removable attachment to the conduit terminus, the electrical conductor for finalized electrical connectivity to structure adjacent the conduit terminus, the grounding bushing assembly thus enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A dual-sectioned grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section hinge end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section hinge end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section hinge end and the second section latch end;
• hinge means, the hinge means comprising first section hinge knuckle structure, second section hinge knuckle structure and a hinge pin, the first section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section hinge end, the second section hinge knuckle structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section hinge end, the first and second hinge knuckle structures each comprising hinge pin-receiving structure, the hinge pin-receiving structure having a hinge pin axis, the hinge pin insertable into the hinge pin-receiving structures for pivotally connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section, the first bushing section and the second bushing section being pivotable about a pivot axis when pivotally connected, the pivot axis being collinear with the hinge pin axis;
• latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch structure, second section latch structure and a latch pin, the first section latch structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin removably insertable into the latch pin-receiving structures for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis, the inner annular surface comprising at least one spring member-receiving structure, the spring member-receiving structure being intermediate the conductor inlet end and the conductor outlet end;
• at least one spring member, the conductor inlet end for receiving at least one electrical conductor, the electrical conductor exiting a conduit terminus, the conductor inlet end for removable attachment to the conduit terminus, the spring member being insertable into the spring member-receiving structure for increasing electrical communication with the conduit terminus, the electrical conductor for finalized electrical connectivity to structure adjacent the conduit terminus, the grounding bushing assembly thus enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section pivot end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section pivot end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section pivot end and the second section latch end;
• select pivot means, the select pivot means being selected from the group consisting of insertable-pin hinge means, fixed-post hinge means, and triaxial pivot means, the select pivot means for movably connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section;
• select latch means, the select latch means being selected from the group consisting of axially-orthogonal latch means and select axially-parallel latch means, the select axially-parallel latch means being selected from the group consisting of ball-plunger knuckle latch means and latch-pin knuckle latch means, the select latch means for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis;
• and
• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.

A grounding bushing assembly, the grounding bushing assembly for enabling an installer to install the grounding bushing assembly either before or after electrical connections are finalized, the grounding bushing assembly comprising:

• a first bushing section and a second bushing section, the first bushing section comprising a first section pivot end, a first section latch end, and a first section arc length intermediate the first section hinge end and the first section latch end, the second bushing section comprising a second section pivot end, a second section latch end, and a second section arc length intermediate the second section pivot end and the second section latch end;
• pivot means, the pivot means for movably connecting the first bushing section to the second bushing section;
• latch means, the latch means for removably fastening the first section latch end to the second section latch end, the first and second section arc lengths thus cooperatively forming an annular, dual-sectioned grounding bushing, the grounding bushing comprising an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and a bushing axis;
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• a substantially C-shaped ground conductor-receiving structure, the conductor-receiving structure for removably attaching a ground conductor to the grounding bushing, the conductor-receiving structure comprising a spine, a superior C portion, an inferior C portion, the spine being fixedly attached to the outer annular surface, the spine, superior C portion, and inferior C portion together defining a ground conductor-receiving groove, the conductor-receiving groove being sized and shaped to receive a ground conductor.