Ground clamp adapter

Abstract

A ground clamp adapter for grounding electrical wire. The ground clamp adapter comprises a first section. The first section comprises a body having a platform extending laterally from the body. The platform having a lateral recess and a transverse recess orthogonally integrally formed in the platform. At least one bracket is adjustably coupled to the platform proximate one of the lateral recess and the transverse recess. The bracket and one of the lateral recess and the transverse recess are configured to clamp a grounding wire. A second section has a coupling portion configured to adjustably couple with the first section. The second section is configured to clamp onto a pipe shaped object to conduct electricity to ground.

Claims

1. A ground clamp adapter comprising: a first section, said first section comprising a body having a unitary platform extending laterally from said body, wherein said unitary platform is formed as one-piece; said unitary platform having a lateral recess and a transverse recess orthogonally integrally formed in said unitary platform, said lateral recess and said transverse recess configured to receive a wire; at least one removable bracket adjustably coupled to said unitary platform proximate one of said lateral recess and said transverse recess, said at least one removable bracket configured to secure said wire in one of said lateral recess and said transverse recess; a second section, said second section having a coupling portion configured to adjustably couple with said first section, said second section configured to clamp onto a pipe shaped object.

2. The ground clamp of claim 1, wherein said lateral recess and said at least one bracket form a lateral retainer configured to secure said wire for electrical grounding.

3. The ground clamp of claim 1, wherein said transverse recess and said at least one bracket form a transverse retainer configured to secure said wire for electrical grounding.

4. The ground clamp of claim 1, wherein first section and said second section are configured to conduct electricity to ground.

5. The ground clamp of claim 2, wherein the lateral retainer is configured to securely clamp a wire in a terminated manner, that is, the specific point at which the wire ends or starts.

6. The ground clamp of claim 3, wherein said transverse retainer is configured to securely clamp a wire in a continuous manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art electrical ground clamp with the first section and the second section disassembled.

(2) FIG. 2 is an illustration of a prior art electrical ground clamp coupled to a pipe and a wire.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic of a prior art electrical ground clamp first section coupled to a wire.

(4) FIG. 4 is an illustration of an improved electrical ground clamp first section.

(5) FIG. 5 is an illustration of the electrical ground clamp with the first section clamped to a wire in a continuous manner and the second section disassembled.

(6) FIG. 6 is a mechanical drawing with three views of the improved electrical ground clamp first section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated an improved ground clamp 110 first section 112. The ground clamp 110 includes the first section 112 and similar to the above described clamp 10 a second section 114. The second section 114 of clamp 110 is similar to the above described second section 14.

(8) The first section 112 is configured to clamp onto wire 116, preferably grounding wire 116 that is designed to electrically ground electrical circuits (not shown). The first section 112 and second section 114 are constructed of electrically conductive material, so that an electrical circuit can be grounded.

(9) The first section 112 includes a lateral retainer 118 at FIG. 4, and a transverse retainer 120, at FIG. 5. The first section 112 includes a body portion 122 having a platform 124 extending laterally from the body portion 122. One or more straps or wire clamp brackets 126 are coupled to the first section 112 at the platform 124. In a preferred embodiment, two brackets 126 are utilized. Threaded fasteners 128 can be used, allowing the brackets 126 to be removable and adjustable. The wire clamp brackets 126 cover the wire 116 and are tightened to compress the wire 116 in a secured fashion. The brackets 126 are shaped to fit over a variety of wire diameter sizes. The brackets 126 can have a U-shaped cross section or a V-shaped cross section as shown the FIGS. 4, 5.

(10) The platform 124 of the improved ground clamp 110 has additional features that the previous design failed to contemplate. The platform 124 includes a lateral recess 130. The lateral recess 130 extends along the length of the platform 124 and terminates at the body 122 proximate to a central passage 132. The central passage 132 receives the screw 134 that secures the first section 112 to the second section 114. The lateral recess 130 is configured as a V-shaped or U-shaped recess that receives the wire 116. The lateral recess 130 cooperates with the wire clamp brackets 126 to enable the lateral retainer 118 to secure the wire 116. The wire 116 is retained and aligned in the lateral retainer 118 in a lateral fashion, that is, parallel to the platform 124. The wire 116 is retained in the first section 112 lateral retainer 118 similarly to the above described embodiment of the retainer 18 of the ground clamp 10.

(11) The first section 112 includes an additional retainer, the transverse retainer 120. The transverse retainer 120 is formed by the wire clamp brackets 126 and a transverse recess 136 formed in the platform 124 orthogonal to the lateral recess 130. The transverse recess 136 can have a similar cross-section as the lateral recess 130, that is, a V-shape or U-shape cross-section. The transverse recess 136 is configured to cooperate with the wire clamp brackets 126 to enable the transverse retainer 120 to secure the wire 116, as shown in FIG. 5. The transverse retainer 120 secures the wire 116 orthogonal to, i.e., transverse to the platform 124. The transverse retainer 120 also clamps the wire 116 in an orthogonal fashion, the wire 116 is extendable through the transverse retainer 120. The wire 116 does not have to be dead-ended, i.e., terminated, at the transverse retainer 120. The wire 116 can pass through the clamp 110 extending in both directions, in a continuous manner, away from the clamp 110.

(12) The first retainer 118 is configured to secure the wire 116 similarly to the above described retainer 18, such that the wire 116 is inserted and clamped laterally, substantially parallel to the axis of the wire 116.

(13) However, with the inventive addition of the transverse retainer, the ground clamp 110 can be adjusted easily, to clamp a continuous wire 116. Of course a wire 116 could also be terminated with the transverse retainer 120.

(14) The wire clamp brackets 126 being detachable can be shifted to either align with the lateral recess 130 or the transverse recess 136 utilizing the same two pairs of threaded receivers 138.

(15) The first section 112 is coupled to the second section 114 via the screw 134. The body 122 of the first section 114 has a top portion 140 and bottom portion 142. The top portion 140 receives the screw 134 inserted through a passage 132 that extends the length of the body 122. The first section 112 body 122 includes a cavity 144, (FIG. 6) having a cylindrical shape and configured to nest with the second section 114.

(16) The ground clamp adaptor has the advantages of being configured to clamp a ground wire to a ground pipe in multiple orientations. The ground clamp adaptor is capable of clamping a ground wire in a terminated manner. The clamp can also be easily adjusted to clamp a wire so that the wire can pass through in a continuous manner. The first section and second section are capable of being adjusted in a rotary fashion, allowing for the first section to swivel relative to the second section. This feature allows the ground wire to be secured to the ground pipe in multiple orientations. The lateral retainer and transverse retainer can be configured to accept a wide variety of gauges and wire styles.

(17) There has been provided a ground clamp adapter. While the ground clamp adapter has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseen alternatives, modifications, and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.