Abstract:
By providing a single housing incorporating a central passageway or channel formed therein which is constructed for receiving and retaining a typical grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor and constructing the housing for being quickly and easily mounted and secured in a knockout hole formed in any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or similar enclosure, an efficient, easily manufactured and easily assembled bonding and grounding clamp/connector is realized. Preferably, the housing of the clamp/connector of the present invention incorporates a locking screw threadedly mounted to the housing and positioned for quickly and easily securely affixing the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor in the channel or passageway of the housing once positioned therein.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/655,376 filed on Dec. 30, 2009 and is claiming domestic priority under all applicable sections of 35 U.S.C. §120. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to electrical clamps or connectors constructed for bonding and securing grounding electrode conductors to the housing of an electrical service box, meter box, or other electrical enclosure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of wiring homes and buildings, whether for new construction or for improvements or expansion, substantial development and product improvements have been made. Typically, these improvements are directed to enabling installers to securely and safely mount any desired wiring to any desired location in the most efficient and quickest manner. 
     In any particular installation or location, various conduits or cables must be interconnected to each other as well as connected to the primary power supply in a suitable power distributing outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure. In these instances, flexible metal conduit and/or armor or metalclad cables within which the electrical power carrying wires are contained, must be securely mounted to the housing of a junction box or outlet box, or connected to an appropriate solid or rigid metal tubing or conduit. 
     In addition, in order to assure that the installed conduits or cables and the electrical power carrying wires contained therein are properly and safely installed for operation, power distributing outlet boxes, junction boxes, meter boxes, and other similar enclosures typically incorporate grounding electrode conductors which are interconnected to the power supply and extend from the particular box to a properly installed grounding rod or remote grounded location. In this way, all of the power carrying wires installed in the particular home or building are properly connected to a grounded location. 
     Although the requirement for properly securing a grounding rod or grounding electrode conductor to the power distributing outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other similar enclosure, in which the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor is interconnected to the power carrying wires, commercially available products which are capable of achieving the desired mounted connection are both limited and expensive. Typically, these prior art products incorporate components which are expensive to manufacture due to tolerance requirements for enabling these components to peripherally surround and secure the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor to the housing of the clamp or connector. Consequently, a need exists in the industry for the production of bonding and grounding clamp/connectors which are capable of being manufactured inexpensively, while also providing a high quality, highly effective and easily employed product. 
     Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a bonding and grounding clamp/connector which is capable of being easily installed in any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or similar enclosure for securing the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor thereto. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bonding and grounding clamp/connector having the characteristic features described above which is manufactured from easily produced components, thereby achieving a safe, effective, and cost efficient product. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bonding and grounding clamp/connector having the characteristic features described above which virtually eliminates complicated installation techniques and achieves an easily installed product which is capable of being used by individuals of widely varied experiences. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bonding and grounding clamp/connector having the characteristic features described above which enables the entire assembly and mounted engagement to be achieved quickly and easily by a single individual. 
     Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and drawbacks of prior art systems have been eliminated and an efficient, easily manufactured and easily assembled bonding and grounding clamp/connector is realized. In accordance with the present invention, a single housing is constructed incorporating a central passageway or channel formed therein which is constructed for receiving and retaining a typical grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor. In addition, the housing is constructed for being quickly and easily mounted and secured in a knockout hole formed in any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or similar enclosure. In this way, the clamp/conductor of the present invention is quickly and easily installed and secured in any desired location in any required electrical box. 
     Furthermore, the housing of the clamp/connector of the present invention incorporates a locking screw threadedly mounted to the housing and positioned for quickly and easily securely affixing the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor in the channel or passageway of the housing once positioned therein. As a result, the entire installation of the clamp/connector of the present invention is achieved by longitudinally advancing any desired grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor through the channel or passageway of the housing of the clamp/connector, and then securing the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor to the clamp/connector by threadedly advancing the locking screw into secure engagement with the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor. Finally, the entire clamp/connector is inserted through a knockout hole formed in the desired electrical box and then securely mounted in the desired position. 
     In order to enable the clamp/connector of the present invention to be quickly and easily securely mounted to any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure, the clamp/connector preferably comprises a housing having a generally cylindrical shape and incorporates an enlarged flange formed at one end of the housing. In the preferred construction, the diameter of the enlarged flange is constructed for being greater than the diameter of a typical knockout hole of a typical electrical box. Furthermore, the housing incorporates a threaded zone formed on the outer surface thereof directly adjacent the enlarged flange, with the threaded zone being constructed for mating engagement with a locking ring. 
     In this way, the clamp/connector of the present invention is quickly and easily securely affixed to any desired junction box, meter box, outlet box, electrical box, and the like, by telescopicly advancing the housing through a knockout hole formed in the particular box until the enlarged flange contacts the surface of the box, typically an inside surface. Then, the locking ring is advanced onto the housing in threaded engagement with the threaded zone of the housing of the clamp/connector, with the locking ring being threadedly advanced until secure affixation of the clamp/connector with the box is achieved. 
     In this way, the clamp/connector of the present invention is securely affixed to any desired box. Furthermore, the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor is securely mounted to the clamp/connector either before the clamp/connector is securely affixed to the desired box, or after its securement to the desired box, depending upon the particular type of installation being achieved or the desires of the installer. 
     The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the clamp/connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of the clamp/connector of  FIG. 1  shown fully assembled; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the clamp/connector of the present invention taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation view, partially broken away, of a conventional electrical enclosure depicting the clamp/connector of  FIG. 1  mounted therein; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the clamp/connector of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of the clamp/connector of  FIG. 5  shown fully assembled; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view, partially broken away, of a conventional electrical enclosure depicting the clamp/connector of  FIG. 5  mounted therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     By referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction and operation of two preferred alternate embodiments of the bonding and grounding clamp/connector of the present invention can best be understood. Although the following disclosure fully details each of the two alternate embodiments and presents the best mode for implementing the present invention, the bonding and grounding clamp/connector of the present invention can be constructed in further alternate configurations. Consequently, it is to be understood that the embodiments detailed herein are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not intended as a limitation of the present invention. 
     By referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction and operation of one preferred embodiment of bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  of the present invention can best be understood. As clearly depicted in these figures, bonding/grounding clamp/connector  20  comprises a housing member  21  which incorporates a generally cylindrical shaped portion  22  terminating at one end with enlarged flange  23 . 
     As it more fully detailed below, enlarged flange  23  is constructed with an overall diameter which is greater than the diameter typically found in knockout holes formed in electrical outlet boxes, junction boxes, meter boxes, or similar enclosures. In this way, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  is easily positioned in the knockout hole formed in such electrical enclosures and securely mounted therein, with assurance that enlarged flange  23  will contact a surface of the enclosure and clamp/connector  20  will not pass completely through the knockout holes. As a result, an easily achieved, trouble free mounting of clamp/connector  20  with any desired electrical enclosure is attained. 
     As depicted in the figures, clamp/connector  20  also incorporates threaded zone  24  formed on the outer surface of cylindrical portion  22  of housing  21 , preferably directly adjacent enlarged flange  23 . In addition, central passageway or channel  25  is formed in housing the  21  axially extending completely through housing  21  from flange  23  to the opposed terminating end  26 . 
     In order to achieve the desired goals and objectives of the present invention, central passageway/channel  25  comprises a diameter which enables any conventional grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to be easily inserted into passageway/channel  25  and axially advanced therethrough. In this way, grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  associated with electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure  38  is quickly and easily passed completely through passageway/channel  25  for enabling grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to be quickly and easily secured to bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20 . 
     Bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  also incorporates threaded aperture  30  formed in cylindrical portion  22  of housing  21 , with threaded aperture  30  extending from the outer surface of cylindrical portion  22  and terminating at the juncture with passageway/channel  25 . Furthermore, clamp/connector  20  incorporates threaded locking screw  31  which is mounted in threaded aperture  30  for enabling locking screw  31  to be axially moved in aperture  30  into and out of clamping engagement with any grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  mounted in passageway/channel  25 . 
     As is evident from the foregoing disclosure, once grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is axially passed through central passageway/channel  25  of bonding and grounding clamp/conductor  20 , the grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is securely mounted in clamped engagement with clamp/connector  20  by threadedly advancing locking screw  31  in threaded aperture  30  until locking screw  31  is brought into clamping engagement of grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  in passageway/channel  25 , as clearly depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     As discussed above, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  is employed to securely mount grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure  38  which is required to complete a particular installation. In this regard, in order to enable bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  to be quickly and easily securely affixed to enclosure  38 , clamp/connector  20  incorporates locking ring  34 , which is constructed for being threadedly engaged with threaded zone  24  of cylindrical portion  22 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  is quickly and easily inserted into knockout hole  39  formed in enclosure  38  and advanced therethrough until enlarged flange  23  contacts the surface of the enclosure  38 . Thereafter, locking ring  34  is threadedly advanced on threaded zone  24  until locking ring  34  contacts the surface of enclosure  38 , simultaneously bringing enlarged flange  23  into secure a abutting contact with the surface of enclosure  38 , effectively clamping and securely mounting clamp/connector  20  in the desired position with enclosure  38 . In this quick, simple, and straightforward manner, any desired grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  associated with enclosure  38  is quickly and easily securely affixed to enclosure  38 . 
     As discussed above, clamp/connector  20  may be mounted to enclosure  38  either prior to or after grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is secured to clamp/connector  20 . If desired by the particular procedures of the installer, grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  may be axially advanced through passageway/channel  25  of clamp/connector  20  prior to securing clamp/connector  20  to enclosure  38  as detailed above. Alternatively, if desired, clamp/connector  20  may be securely affixed to enclosure  38  followed by the axial advancement of grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  through passageway/channel  25  of clamp/connector  20 . 
     Regardless of which procedure is employed, the use of clamp/connector  20  of the present invention enables grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  associated with any particular enclosure  38  to be securely affixed in the precisely desired position with bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  quickly and easily. Furthermore, once mounted in position, the terminating end of grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is affixed to an appropriately installed ground clamp or ground rod clamp, in order to assure that the wiring of the particular building is properly installed. 
     In  FIGS. 5-7 , a second preferred embodiment for bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  of the present invention is depicted. By referring to these FIGURES, along with the following detailed discussion, the construction and operation of this alternate preferred embodiment can best be understood. 
     In this alternate embodiment, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  is constructed for enabling grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to be secured to any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure  38  wherein grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  extending outwardly from enclosure  38  is mounted in a metallic or nonmetallic conduit or raceway. In order to achieve this construction, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  employs an alternate construction, while possessing all of the same attributes and construction elements detailed above in reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In this alternate embodiment, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  incorporates a generally cylindrically shaped housing member  21  which comprises first section  50  defining an upper portion of clamp/connector  20  and second section  51  defining the lower portion of clamp/connector  20 . In addition, clamp/connector  20  incorporates enlarged flange  23  mounted substantially midway along the length of housing member  21  positioned between first section  50  and second section  51 , effectively separating and defining sections  50  and  51 . As with the embodiment detailed above, enlarged flange  23  comprises a diameter greater than the diameter typically found in knockout holes formed in electrical outlet boxes, junction box, meter boxes, or similar enclosures  38  in order to enable clamp/connector  20  to be quickly and easily mounted in a desired enclosure  38  with assurance that flange  23  will contact a surface of enclosure  38  and will not pass completely through the knockout hole associated therewith. 
     In addition, this alternate preferred embodiment also comprises central passageway/channel  25  formed in housing member  21  which axially extends completely through housing member  21  from one end to the opposed end thereof. As discussed above, the diameter of central passageway/channel  25  is constructed to enable any grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to be easily inserted into passageway/channel  25  and axially advanced therethrough for enabling grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to be quickly and easily secured to bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20 . 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present invention, bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  incorporates threaded zone  24  formed in the outer surface of second section  51  directly adjacent enlarged flange  23 . Threaded zone  24  is constructed for cooperating with locking ring  34  to enable locking ring  34  to be threadedly advanced onto threaded zone  24  of second section  51 , in order to enable clamp/connector  20  to be quickly and easily securely affixed to any desired enclosure  38 , in the manner detailed above. 
     As with the embodiment detailed above, this alternate embodiment of clamp/connector  20  incorporates threaded aperture  30  which is constructed for cooperating with locking screw  31  for securely affixing grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  in elongated passageway/channel  25 . In this embodiment, threaded aperture  30  is formed in first section  50 , extending from the outer surface of first section  50  and terminating with central passageway/channel  25 . In this way, locking screw  31  is movable in threaded aperture  30 , enabling locking screw  31  to be advanced into and out of secure, abutting, clamping interengagement with grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  for securely clamping and effectively locking grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  in central passageway/channel  25 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , this embodiment of the present invention is employed for securely mounting grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to any desired electrical outlet box, junction box, meter box, or other enclosure  38  which is required to complete a particular installation wherein grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  exiting from enclosure  38  is to be positioned in a metallic or nonmetallic fitting, conduit, or raceway. In order to enable bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  to be quickly and easily securely affixed to enclosure  38  with grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  securely clamped thereto, clamp/connector  20  is constructed for being quickly and easily inserted into knockout hole  39  formed in enclosure  38  and securely mounted in the desired position. As discussed above, grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  can be axially advanced into and securely affixed to clamp/connector  20  either before or after clamp/connector  20  is secured to enclosure  38 . 
     In order to securely mount clamp/connector  20  to enclosure  38 , this embodiment of clamp/connector  20  is advanced through knockout hole  39  of enclosure  38  from the inside of enclosure  38  in a manner which enables threaded zone  24  of second section  51  to pass through knockout hole  39  until enlarged flange  23  is brought into direct contact with an inside surface of enclosure  38 . Then, locking ring  34  is threadedly advanced onto threaded zone  24  of second section  51  and securely tightened in position, causing flange  23  and locking ring  34  to be securely mounted in position with enclosure  38 . 
     Once this embodiment of clamp/connector  20  has been mounted in the manner detailed above, threaded zone  24  of second section  51  extends outwardly from housing  38 . As a result, grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is quickly and easily peripherally surrounded or inserted into metallic or nonmetallic conduit or raceway  57  to which fitting  56  is securely affixed. In addition, one end of coupling  55  is threadedly mounted to threaded zone  24  of second section  51 , while the opposed end thereof is securely affixed to fitting  56 . In this way, grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  is quickly and easily installed in protective, surrounding relationship with the desired conduit or raceway for assuring the required affixation of grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  to the installed grounding components. 
     In order to assure that both preferred embodiments of bonding and grounding clamp/connector  20  of the present invention operates in the desired manner, both embodiments of clamp/connector  20  are preferably constructed from materials which will provide the desired electrical conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, alloys thereof, and other similar materials. In addition, the components forming clamp/connector  20  are constructed to provide secure affixation and locked interengagement of grounding rod/grounding electrode conductor  28  in central passageway/channel  25  of clamp/connector  20  in a manner which will meet or exceed all code requirements. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.