Abstract:
A grounding system in which can be adapted for both horizontal or vertical configurations. The system can directly attach to a structure or can create an alternative grounding path depending on the components chosen. Additionally, various mounting clamps can be utilized depending on the structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to provisional patent application 61/971,124 which was filed on Mar. 27, 2014, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The need to protect highly sensitive electronic components, such as radios, on elevated structures, requires a comprehensive grounding system. A grounding system protects the components from surge events including voltage surges, lightning strikes, and transient voltages. In the evolving telecommunications area, certain standards are required by the industry regarding the components of the grounding system and the components attached to towers. 
         [0003]    Grounding systems can be attached directly to a structure or can include an isolator which then directs the surge through an alternative path. Depending on the setup of the structure, components of the grounding system may need to be adapted to either horizontal or vertical configurations. Additionally, the materials used in the components may be critical to the efficiency of the system, and also play a role in the costs associated with the components and the overall grounding system. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the invention to provide a grounding system which can be utilized on a variety of tower configurations and to prevent rotation of the grounding system. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a grounding system which can prevent rotation from the torque of multiple conductors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A variety of base components can be selected to form a grounding system which does not rotate when attached to a structure such as a cell tower. There are two basic grounding systems, one without an isolator that can be attached directly to a structure or one which can include an isolator which then directs the surge through an alternative path. The aspects of the invention allow vertical and horizontal applications to be achieved in a relative confined space. 
         [0007]    A bus bar having a plurality of openings, namely a series of four openings spaced ninety degrees apart from one another allow the bus bar to be connected to a grounding system and prevent rotational movement while also allowing vertical or horizontal placement of the bus bar. 
         [0008]    An isolating member or block has a pair of openings on at least two faces of the block such that they can be connected to the bus bar and/or an adapter as part of the system. 
         [0009]    A grounding clamp has several embodiments, however, the pattern of openings of the clamps is similar to the bus bar pattern and allows the grounding clamp to be connected to the bus bar. The grounding clamp is then connected to a structure such as a cell tower. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a bus bar; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an isolating member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a grounding clamp; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an adapter; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a grounding system with an isolating member; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is top view of a second embodiment of grounding system with an isolating member; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a grounding system without an isolating member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a second embodiment of a grounding system without an isolating member; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a grounding system that allows wires to be clamped. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Now referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a bus bar  20  with a plurality of openings  22 . in particular, a pair of openings  23  near or at a center  24  of the bus bar  20  are positioned such that they are equal distant from the center  24 . The openings  22  are round and lead from a first side  26  of the bus bar  20  to a second side  28  of the bus bar  20 . The pair of openings  23  form a pattern of four openings in which a center of each opening  23  are equal distant from the center  24  of the bus bar $ 0 . Seeing the pair of openings  23  as a circle, each of the four openings is ninety degrees from the adjacent opening  23 . This configuration or pattern allows the bus bar  20  to be utilized in vertical and horizontal applications and to prevent rotational movement of the bus bar when utilized in a grounding system. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an isolating member  30  which is preferably in the shape of a block and is made of a non-conductive material such as fiberglass. At least two of the sides  33  have openings  34 . The openings  34  are sized and figured such that they can align with the pair of openings  23  of the bus bar  20 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a grounding clamp  40  which can be a variety of shapes depending on the structure it Will be attached. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the grounding clamp  40  is C-shaped with one side  41  having a pair of openings  42 . The openings  42  are in the same pattern as those of the bus bar  20  openings  23  to accommodate vertical and horizontal applications and allow easy connection to a bus bar. A second side  44  has an opening  45  which is used in connection with a fastening device to anchor the grounding clamp  40  to a structure such as cell tower. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an angle adapter  50  which can be a variety of shapes depending on the structure it will be attached. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the adapter  50  is C-shaped with one side  51  having a pair of openings  52 . The openings  52  allow the adapter  50  to be secured to other parts of a grounding system. The other sides  55 ,  56  can also have openings  57  which are used in connection with a fastening device to anchor the adapter  50  to a structure such as a cell tower. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a first embodiment of a grounding system  120  which includes an isolating member  30 , bus bar  20 , and an angle adapter  50 . Although a variety of fasteners could be used in the grounding system  120 , bolts  122  along with washers  123  are driven into a pair of the bus bar openings  23 , through the bus bar  20  and into the isolating member  30  via openings  34 . The pair of bolts  122  through the openings  23  and  34  prevent rotational movement of the grounding system  120 . 
         [0024]    A second pair of bolts (not shown) attach the adapter  50  to the isolating member  30  by way of the openings  34  on a second side of the isolating member  30  and the openings  52  of the adapter  50 . Finally, a fastening mechanism, another bolt  37 , goes through an opening  57  in adapter  50  and then makes contact with the structure the system  120  will be attached to, which can be a metal structure such as a cell tower. The structure is shown in  FIG. 5  as number  39 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment of a grounding system  220  with an isolating member  30 . The system  220  also includes a grounding damp  40  and a fastening device, a u-bolt  62 . The system  220  has a grounding, damp  40  which is shaped to accommodate a cylindrical structure  222  such as a component of a cell tower. The grounding damp  40  has a plurality of flat surfaces  252 . Each surface has a pair of openings which allow the damp  40  to be attached to the isolating member  30  or the u-bolt  62 . The bus bar  20  is attached to the system in the same way as in  FIG. 5 . A pair of bolts  222  are used to attach the bus bar  20  to the isolating member  30 , although the view of  FIG. 6  only has one bolt due to the limitation of the top view perspective. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a first embodiment of a grounding system  330  which does not contain an isolating member  30 . Instead the bus bar  20  is connected directly to the grounding damp  40 . A fastening device Of mechanism, here bolts  322 , serve to connect the bus bar  20  and clamp  40 . Again, the bolts  322  enter openings of the bus bar  20  and grounding clamp  40 . The particular openings chosen depend on the application, however, the use of two bolts prevents rotational movement of the components of the system  330 . Similar to other embodiments, a fastening mechanism  357  is used to attach the system  330  to a structure such as a cell tower. 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a second embodiment of a grounding system  420  which does not have an isolating member  30 . Instead, this system  420  is attached in the same way, sans the isolating member  30 , as the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . As to the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 8 , changing the shape of the grounding clamp  40  or the bolt  62  can accommodate structures with different shapes. For instance, a rectangular shaped bolt could be used to accommodate a rectangular structure. 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  shows a grounding system  520  which has a pair of clamping members  532  and  534 . The clamping members  532  and  534  have openings (not shown) which are similar to the openings in the other embodiments and accommodate bolts  522 . A set of openings  536  is formed when the clamping members are connected via bolts  522  and can accommodate a wire. The size of the openings  536  can be varied by the shape and size of the clamping members  532  and  534 . Again, rotational movement is prohibited by using a pair of bolts through the openings of the components. 
         [0029]    It is an aspect of the invention that the systems can be used in tight spaces, therefore, the distance between openings on the components  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  50  are one inch when measured from the center of one opening to the center of a second opening. 
         [0030]    Additionally, the components  30 ,  40  and  50  are preferably made of bronze which is less expensive than stainless steel. 
         [0031]    Having thus described the invention in connection with the several embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the several embodiments described herein with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included with in the scope of the following claims. Any elements of any embodiments disclosed herein can be used in combination with any elements of other embodiments disclosed herein in any manner to create different embodiments.