Multiple tap ground connection

Abstract: The present invention discloses several configurations of compression ground connectors to allow for one, two, three or more taps from a single ground connector to an installation requiring grounding. The installation is completed using a single crimping stroke.

Description: The present invention relates to a ground connector according to the preamble portion of claim 1. A ground connector according to the invention particularly can be used for perimeter ground systems in telecommunications installations. Compression ground systems have been used for many years with a complete system consisting of a cable grid having taps, splices, cable to ground rod, ground plates and terminations. The cable grid is interconnected by use of compression ground connectors in which ground rods and cables are bound together by the connectors after they are crimped or compressed into place utilizing known hydraulic compression installation tools. These compression ground systems are typically employed in the telecommunications field as for example grounding microwave towers- or as perimeter grounds for buildings accommodating telecommunications equipment. The grounding includes lightning grounds for microwave towers and other structures and for equipment grounds for electronic equipment used in telecommunications buildings. The US-A-3 060 258 shows a compression connector cap realizing a connection between a ground rod and ground wires by providing a cap having a central cylindrical bore opening at the bottom thereof and terminating preferably in a flat seat portion within the cap. Furthermore, in the cap there are provided one or more smaller diameter internal cylindrical or semi-circular grooved portions with a gradually increasing depth. For performing a connection between the connector, the ground rod and the at least one ground wires, the ground rod is forced into the cylindrical bore so that the wire between the cap and the rod is compressed to achieve a firm mechanical and electrical connection. The US-A-3 236 938 shows a further electrical connector having two openings for receiving each a conductor. The openings are provided with opposite extensions which can be compressed onto the respective connector with a compression tool. The prior art fails to suggest a ground connector which is able to receive a plurality of ground wires and can be compressed by a single crimping action for providing a safe contact between the ground wires, the ground rod and the ground connector. It is an object of the invention to provide a single ground connector capable of receiving a plurality of taps or ground connectors. It is a further object of the invention to provide ground connectors allowing for a plurality of taps in which the ground conductor is spliced or cut. It is a further object of the invention to provide ground connectors for accommodating a plurality of taps (1 or more) in continuous run configuration. Another object is to provide a connector for accommodating a plurality of taps in which the installation is completed in a single crimp. Other and further objects of the invention will occur to one skilled in the art upon the employment of the invention in practice or upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the invention. The present invention is directed to compression connectors in which ground rods can be connected to one or more taps using a single connector. In one embodiment of the invention the connector is a so-called figure-8 connector having one opening for receiving a ground rod for connection to a perimeter ground grid and a plurality of openings for connecting conductors to the particular installation to be grounded such as microwave tower legs, building equipment, and so forth. In this embodiment of the invention, the connector conductor openings are within the perimeter of the figure-8 configuration such that ground conductors are cut in each case during installation of a grounding connection. In another configuration of figure-8 connector, the conductor openings are accessible from the periphery of the conductor in order to establish continuous tap connections which avoid the need for any cutting or splicing ground wires. The invention also includes continuous run and tap connectors involving an open figure-8 in which the connector may be hooked on the ground rod and crimped into place together with peripheral access along the surface of the connector for continuous run and tap conductors. The invention also includes several figure-6 configurations with conductor connections for both cut and continuous taps. A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of description and is shown in the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a figure-8 connector according to the invention for receiving a plurality of cut conductors. FIGURE 2 is a perspective view thereof. FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of a figure-8 continuous tap connector. FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a figure-8 continuous run and tap connector. FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of a figure-6 connector in which there are a multiple of connections for cut conductors. FIGURE 6 is a perspective view thereof. FIGURE 7 is an elevational view of a figure-6 type connector which can accommodate spliced and continuous run conductors. FIGURES 8 and 9 are figure-6 type connectors which can accommodate continuous run conductors. Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a figure 8 connector 10 which is preferably extruded copper with or without electro-tinplating and has upper 12 and lower 14 body portions for receiving respectively a ground rod and ground conductors. Ground rods are copper clad, stainless steel, or galvanized steel. An upper opening 16 typically receives a ground rod of 5/8" (15,9 mm) diameter. The opening can be sized to accommodate ground rods of from 3/8 to 1 inch (9,5 to 25,4 mm) diameter according to particular applications. The lower portion of the figure-8 connector is provided with a plurality of openings 18 located within the perimeter 20 of the connector being of lesser diameter than the ground rod opening and extending through the front 22 and rear 24 faces of the connector. Typically the ground conductor openings receive #2 solid tinned copper conductors for connection to the installation or equipment being grounded. In this embodiment of the invention the connectors are cut terminating one end at the connector and the other end at the installation or equipment grounded. For completing the installation, the assembly of ground wire and ground rod positioned in the connector is compressed by means of a known hydraulic compression tool for purposes of completing the fitting. A single crimping operation completes an installation. FIG. 3 illustrates a figure-8 continuous tap connector 26 having upper 28 and lower 30 body portions with the upper body portion having a ground rod opening 32 substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The lower body portion is provided with a plurality of channels 34 extending generally radially from the connector side wall perimeter 36 to the interior of the connector and being open at the front 38 and (not shown) rear faces for accommodating a plurality of ground conductors without the need for cutting the ground conductors. For example, a ground conductor 40 may be connected at opposite ends to different items requiring grounding such as equipment installed in a telecommunications building in which the continuous ground wire extends from one piece of equipment through the connector to the other piece of equipment occupying two channels in the connector without the need to cut the ground wire when applying it to each piece of equipment. This simplifies installation in that multiple pieces of equipment can be grounded quickly and through a single crimping step. FIG. 4 discloses a figure-8-type continuous run and tap ground connector 42 in which the upper portion 44 of the connector body includes a channel 46 open at the front 48 and rear (not shown) faces of the connector and along the side wall 50 so that the conductor may be hooked on and crimped in place over a ground rod for ease of application thereto. The lower portion of the connector has a plurality of radially extending channels 52 for application to ground conductors 54 substantially in the same mode as the connector shown and described in FIG. 3. The invention also embraces several modifications in the form of figure-6 ground connectors 60-63 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. In each of these configurations the upper portions 65 of the connector body is provided with a generally c-shaped cavity 70 occupying substantially the upper half portion of the connector and being used to receive and be crimped to a ground rod. The lower body portion of the connector receives the grounding conductors. For example, in the case of FIGS. 5 and 6 there are openings 72 located interiorly in the lower portion 74 of the connector extending through the front and rear faces for receiving cut ground conductors which are crimped in place. In FIG. 7 the connector 61 receives a spliced ground conductor in an interior opening 76 and a continuous run conductor 77 in the open channel 78 located at the bottom surface of the conductor. Similarly, in FIGS. 8 and 9 a figure-6-shaped connector accommodates continuous taps in the channels 79-81 occurring in the lower portion of the connector.

Claims: Ground connector made from a conductive material and capable of being compressed, with a first body portion (12) having a first opening (16, 46, 70) and a second body portion (14) having a second opening (18, 34, 52, 72, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81), the first and the second body portions (12, 14) are provided for realizing a mechanical connection between the ground rod, the ground conductor and the first and second body portions (12, 14) by a single crimping operation, characterized in that the second body portion (14) is provided with a plurality of second openings (18, 34, 52, 72, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81) and the first body portion (12) is provided for receiving a ground rod and the second body portion (14) for receiving ground wires. Ground connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first body portion (12) and the second body portion (14) are provided generally cylindrical and are constituting an integral body member (10, 23, 42) in a figure 8 configuration, the first opening (16) and the second openings (18, 34, 52) are extending from the front face through the rear face of the body portions (12, 14). Ground connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second openings (18) are constituted by a plurality of cylindrical bores being located within the periphery of the figure 8 configuration. Ground connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second openings (34, 52) are constituted by a plurality of channels extending from the periphery of the figure 8 configuration radially toward the center thereof and extending from the front face to the rear face of the connector. Ground connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the first opening (16) is also open along the side wall of the connector between front and rear faces thereof. Ground connector according to claim 1, comprising a figure 6 configuration by a C-shaped first body portion (65) integral with the generally solid second body portion (74), the first opening (70) is C-shaped and adapted for receiving the ground rod, the second body portion (74) having plurality of second openings (72, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81) extending between the front and rear faces of the connector for receiving a plurality of tap wires, so that the connector secures ground rod and tap wires in a single crimping action. Ground connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of second openings (72, 76) are generally cylindrical extending through the front and rear faces of the connector. Ground connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of openings (78-81) are channels extending through the front and rear faces of the connector and being open at the side wall periphery of the second body portion (14). Ground connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of openings (76, 81) comprises at least one cylindrical bore extending between front and rear faces, and at least one channel (81) extending between rear and front faces and being open at the connector side wall.

Inventors: NELSON H THOMAS, SCHRADER GARY E, NELSON, H. THOMAS, SCHRADER, GARY E.
Applicants: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS USA INC, FRAMATOME CONNECTORS USA INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: H01R4
IPC codes: H01R9, H01R4