Patent ID: 6840782
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. 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; and latch means, the latch means comprising first section latch knuckle structure, second section latch knuckle structure and latch pin means, the first section latch knuckle structure integrally formed with the first bushing section adjacent the first section latch end, the second section latch knuckle structure integrally formed with the second bushing section adjacent the second section latch end, the first and second latch knuckle structures each comprising latch pin-receiving structure, the latch pin-receiving structure having a latch pin axis, the latch pin axis being substantially parallel to the hinge pin axis, the latch pin means 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 latch pin axis and 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.