# US 9,437,939 B2 · Flow drill screw attached grounding block

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- Number: US 9,437,939 B2
- Document ID: US9437939B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/036,593
- Filed: 2013-09-25
- Published: 2015-03-26
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-25
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Robert N. Saje; Charles E. Jensen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437939B2

## CPC

- H01R 4/64: Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
- H01R 4/66: Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin
- H01R 13/648: Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices {, e.g. anti-static shielding} (coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38)
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A grounding block is provided. The grounding block includes a means for fastening and a formed metallic block. The formed metallic block further comprises two or more flanges, where each flange is configured to accept the means for fastening. The formed metal block further comprises a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges and a hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept a bolt. Various embodiments include angled surfaces to optimize assembly ergonomics and variable depth to optimize the mass of the blocks.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A grounding block with a top surface and underside comprising:
a means for fastening; and
a contiguous formed metallic block, wherein the formed metallic block further comprises:
two or more flanges;
a first hole through each of the two or more flanges configured to accept the means for fastening;
a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges; and
a second hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept one of a bolt or a screw, wherein:
the grounding block varies in a thickness between the underside of the grounding block and the top surface of the grounding block along a length thereof;
the grounding block is attached to a surface by a flow screw; and
the top surface is triangular.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The grounding block of claim 1, wherein the top surface is planar.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The grounding block of claim 1, wherein a surface of the triangular top surface comprises a hole normal to the top surface that is configured to receive one of a bolt or a screw.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The grounding block of claim 1, wherein the formed metallic block is comprised of aluminum.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The grounding block of claim 1, wherein:
the grounding block has a body having a body top surface and a body underside;
the two or more flanges extend from the body, specifically from the body top surface and the body underside; and
each of the two or more flanges has a respective flange top surface and a flange bottom surface, the flange top surface extending from and aligned with the body top surface, and the flange underside extending from and aligned with the body underside.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The grounding block of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the grounding block comprises at least two different, parallel, flat surfaces.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The grounding block of claim 6, wherein the at least two different, parallel, flat surfaces each comprise a hole normal to each of the at least two surfaces that is configured to receive one of a bolt and a screw, wherein the surface with a larger height accommodates a larger bolt or screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The grounding block of claim 7, wherein one bolt is insertable from each of the at least two different, parallel, flat surfaces.

### Claim 9

A vehicle body portion comprising:
a chassis/body; and
a grounding block with a top surface and underside, the grounding block further comprising:
a means for fastening, and
a contiguous formed metallic block, wherein the formed metallic block further comprises:
two or more flanges,
a first hole through each of the two or more flanges configured to accept the means for fastening,
a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the two or more flanges, and
a second hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept a bolt,
wherein:
the grounding block varies in a thickness between an underside of the grounding block and the top surface of the grounding block along a length thereof;
the grounding block is attached to a surface by a flow screw; and
the top surface is triangular.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle body portion if claim 9, wherein the top surface is planar.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The vehicle body portion of claim 9, wherein a surface of the triangular top surface comprises a hole normal to the top surface that is configured to receive a bolt.

### Claim 12

A grounding block comprising:
a triangular top surface; and
an underside comprising:
a means for fastening; and
a formed metallic block, wherein the formed metallic block further comprises:
two or more flanges;
a first hole through each of the two or more flanges configured to accept the means for fastening;
a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges; and
a second hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept one of a bolt or a screw.