Abstract:
An equipotential grounding tool adapted to provide a temporary grounding and bonding point for establishing an equipotential work area for electrical linemen. The tool has has a variety of attachment fastening means for securing the tool to a fixed point. Once secured the tool provides common grounding and bonding contact points for interconnecting the surrounding surfaces and/or devices.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/994,329, filed May 16, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus adapted to provide a temporary grounding and bonding point for establishing an equipotential work area for electrical linemen. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As anyone who performs a great deal of physical work will attest, nothing beats having the proper tool for a job. The proper tool can save time, money, produce a higher quality work product, reduce equipment damage, and provide for increased worker safety. Each field of physical work has its own type of specialty tools, each of which performing a specialized task. One (1) such field is high voltage work in the electrical industry. As one can imagine, the risk of electrocution when working around live equipment is ever present and extremely high. To ensure workers&#39; safety, it is paramount that all surfaces they touch, or are likely to come in contact with, are at the same potential or voltage. Also, the high voltage nature of nearby lines can induce dangerous voltages even in de-energized lines. In most cases, workers attach to nearby structures using spring clamps or bolt clamps to ensure there safety. However, often times these connections are not low resistance and in other cases are even non-existent, thus sacrificing worker safety. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which high reliability and low resistance grounding connections can be provided for equipotential grounding used in high voltage work. The use of the equipotential grounding tool provides enhanced grounding ability for workers performing maintenance or repair work around high voltage lines in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but vastly improves safety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventors have recognized the aforementioned issues and inherent problems and observed that there is a lack in the prior art for a means to provide an equipotential grounding tool. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a tool comprising a shaft which has a first end, a tee-shaft attached at a center to the first end and extending perpendicularly therefrom, and an attachment region at a second end opposite the first end. The tool also comprises a shaft stop located at and circumscribing an outer diameter of the shaft at an intermediate position and a plurality of first flat features circumscribing the outer diameter of the shaft between the shaft stop and the tee-shaft. The attachment region is configured to removably receive a fastening feature. The tee-shaft is an integral portion of the shaft. The tee-shaft further comprises integral disc-shaped attachment keepers at both distal ends, each extending perpendicularly outward therefrom. The attachment keepers are adapted to safely retain grounding and bonding lines. 
     The attachment region may either be a male threaded fastener and a female threaded fastener and a plurality of second flat features, or a male threaded fastener or a spiked end having a male threaded region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an equipotential grounding device  10  depicting installation upon a power pole  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the equipotential grounding device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment  200  of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  equipotential grounding device 
               20  shaft 
               22  ‘d’ dimension 
               25  male threaded region 
               26  nut fastener 
               27  shaft stop 
               28  wrench flats 
               30  tee-shaft 
               32  attachment cable keeper 
               100  power pole 
               102  aperture 
               103  male threaded fastener 
               105  grounding/bonding line 
               110  wooden pole 
               200  first alternate embodiment 
               220  first alternate shaft 
               227  female threaded region 
               300  second alternate embodiment 
               320  second alternate shaft 
               322  spike end 
               325  alternate male threaded region 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and in terms of alternate embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an equipotential grounding device (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for field applied attachment by a lineman for equipotential grounding work in the high-voltage industry. The device  10  would preferably be installed below a line worker&#39;s feet and used to attach grounding/bonding lines  105 , nets, structures, and other similar devices which provide multiple equipotential surfaces to protect high-voltage workers. A plurality of embodiments  10 ,  200 ,  300  are described herein which provide an attachment means to varying surfaces on existing electrical power structures such as towers, buildings, power poles  100 , and wooden poles  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10  depicting installation upon a power pole  100 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  includes a shaft  20  having an integral tee-shaft  30  which extends perpendicularly from one (1) end, and a male threaded region  25  at an opposite end. The shaft  20  is illustrated here being inserted through opposing drilled or formed apertures  102  through an existing hollow metal power pole  100 . The existing power pole  100  is envisioned being previously prepared with the apertures  102  so as to insertingly receive the shaft portion  20  of the device  10 . The shaft  20  is inserted through the apertures  102  and secured to the power pole  100  via engagement of a nut fastener  26  upon the protruding male threaded region  25  of the shaft  20 . The shaft  20  also provides integral portions located approximately six inches (6 in.) from the tee-shaft  30  including a shaft stop  27  and a plurality of wrench flats  28 . The shaft stop  27  provides a perpendicularly extending surface having a shape similar to a disc, or the like, which acts as a mechanical limitation as the shaft  20  is inserted into the power pole  100 . The wrench flats  28  may also utilize an integral nut fastener, or similar form, enabling a user to stabilize the device  10  during installation of a nut fastener  26  upon the male threaded region  25 . A user may utilize tool such as wrenches upon the wrench flats  28  and nut fastener  26  to tighten and secure the device  10  to the power pole  100 . The device  10  would then be ready for attachment of grounding/bonding lines  105  or similar safety equipment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The shaft  20  and tee-shaft  30  portions are envisioned to be welded together at right angles and made using a copper-coated steel rod material to maximize conductivity. The shaft  20  and tee-shaft  30  portions are envisioned to be introduced in various diameters such as, but not limited to: five-eighths of an inch (⅝ in.), three-quarters of an inch (¾ in.), and seven-eighths of an inch (⅞ in.). The shaft  20  is envisioned to be introduced in various lengths which correspond to different diametrical sizes of metal power poles  100 , as indicated by dimension ‘d’  22 , such as, but not limited to: one inch (1 in.), two inches (2 in.), ten inches (10 in.), twelve inches (12 in.), fourteen inches (14 in.), sixteen inches (16 in.), eighteen inches (18 in.), twenty inches (20 in.), twenty-two inches (22 in.), twenty-four inches (24 in.), and twenty-six inches (26 in.). The tee-shaft  30  is attached at its center point to the end of the shaft  20 . The tee-shaft  30  is envisioned to provide integral disc-shaped attachment keepers  32  at both end portions which extend perpendicularly outward and aid to safely retain the grounding/bonding lines  105  attached thereto, as well as provide a smooth and safe appendage to avoid possible impact injuries to linemen. 
     The device  10  provides a low cost design which may remain upon the power pole  100  after maintenance or repair work has been completed, if desired, and used again at a future time. The features of the device  10  ensure that all surfaces are at ground potential to ensure safety as well as providing for the temporary bonding of power lines being worked on to avoid induced currents. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment  200  of the present invention, is disclosed. The first alternate embodiment  200  includes a first alternate shaft  220  and a tee-shaft  30 . The first alternate shaft  220  is adapted for attachment to an existing male threaded fastener  103  having been previously installed upon the existing metal power pole  100  or similar structure. The first alternate shaft  220  provides integral portions including a female threaded region  227  formed within an end portion opposite the tee-shaft  30 . The first alternate shaft  220  also includes a plurality of wrench flats  28  to aid in tightening of the female threaded region  227  upon the existing male threaded fastener  103  using a tool such as a wrench. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  of the present invention, is disclosed. The second alternate embodiment  300  is particularly designed for installation upon a wooden-type power pole  110  via penetration of a pointed spike end portion  322  into a wooden pole  110 . The spike end  322  is located opposite the tee-shaft  30 . It is further envisioned that a user would provide a necessary number of striking blows, using a hammer or similar tool, against the tee-shaft  30  so as to drive the spike end  322  into a top center portion of the wood-type power pole  110 , thereby utilizing moisture contained within a core portion of the wooden pole  110  as a grounding path. Adjacent to the spike end  322  is an alternate male threaded region  325 . The alternate male threaded region  325  is envisioned to provide a coarse thread to aid in rotation and removal of the second alternate embodiment  300  from the wooden power pole  110 , when necessary. Additionally, the second alternate embodiment  300  includes wrench flats  28  and a shaft stop  27 , also to aid in removal. The spike end  322  and alternate male threaded region  325  portions are envisioned to be approximately one-half inch (½ in.) in diameter and provide a combined length of approximately four inches (4 in.). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  having a particular length shaft  20  (dimension ‘d’  22 ), which corresponds to an outside diameter of a power pole  100  onto which the device  10  is to be installed; preparing the power pole  110  for installation of the device  10  by drilling opposing apertures  102  through, if not previously modified; inserting the shaft  20  through the apertures  102  until the shaft stop  27  contacts the outer surface of the power pole  100 ; orientating the tee-shaft  30  horizontally or vertically, as desired; engaging the wrench flats  28  with a wrench or similar tool; threading and tightening a nut fastener  26  into a protruding male threaded region portion  25  of the shaft  20  using a wrench or similar tool; attaching grounding/bonding lines  105 , nets, structures, and other safety devices to the shaft  20  and tee-shaft  30  portions of the device  10 , as needed; removing the device  10  from the power pole  100  following a service task, if desired, by removing the nut fastener portion  26  and removing the shaft portion  20  of the device  10  from the aperture portions  102  of the power pole  100 ; and, benefiting from available areas for equipotential connection by lineman for protection from possible induced currents, afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the first alternate embodiment  200  may be achieved by performing the following steps: preparing an existing power pole  100  to attach the first alternate embodiment  200 , if not previously modified, by welding or otherwise installing a male threaded fastener  103  at a location upon the power pole  100  being convenient for connection thereto by a working lineman; attaching the first alternate embodiment  200  by threadingly engaging a female threaded region portion  227  onto the aforementioned male threaded fastener  103 ; tightening the first alternate embodiment  200  using the wrench flats  28  and a tool such as a wrench; utilizing the portions of the alternate embodiment  200  for attachment of grounding/bonding lines  105 , nets, structures, and other similar safety devices; removing the first alternate embodiment  200  from the power pole  100 , if desired, by engaging the wrench flats  28  using a tool such as a wrench; and, rotating and removing the female threaded region portion  227  from the male threaded fastener  103 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the second alternate embodiment  300  may be achieved by performing the following steps: positioning the spike end portion  322  of the second alternate embodiment  300  against a top center portion of a wood-type power pole  110 ; providing a necessary number of striking blows against the tee-shaft portion  30  of the second alternate embodiment  300  using a hammer or similar tool until the shaft stop  27  contacts the wooden pole  110 ; utilizing moisture contained within the wooden pole  110  to act as a grounding path to the second alternate embodiment  300 ; and, using the wrench flats  28  and alternate male threaded region  325  portions to aid in rotation and removal of the second alternate embodiment  300  from the wooden pole  110  using a tool such as a wrench, if desired. The apparatus  10  may also be used within a user&#39;s home, during travel within a motor vehicle, while on vacation, camping, or similar ventures away from home. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.