Abstract:
An anchor for lightning protection systems include a base and pad that extend over a sufficient area and a sufficient bearing length to hold in shear and in tension against the weight, shear force, and moment of cables, points, and other components of a lightning protection systems. The mounting anchor is non-penetrating, and adheres to a vertical surface almost immediately without requiring damage to structures, long term support over days waiting for cure, and works in overhang situations as well. An integrated clip may be constructed with the base from sheet material. Adhesion of the base to a cover material on a wall or parapet may be promptly followed by snapping cable into clips formed monolithically with the base.

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to lightning protection systems and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for anchoring cables and points thereof. 
       2. BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Lightning arresters are central to power systems. Typical power delivery and transmission systems involve towers or power poles holding long expanses of power-carrying cables high above the surface of the earth and across large tract of land. The power delivery systems of the public utilities create a grid across the country connecting cities, power plants, substations, generators, dams, and so forth. 
         [0003]    Surge arresters or lightning arresters are responsible for drawing the current from lightning into conductors that will conduct the energy to ground. Accordingly, they may involve wires and air terminals above the level of the power carrier cables. Meanwhile, addition surge protection may be provided to assure that no breakdown occurs in the insulators that insulate the main power carrier lines from their towers or poles that suspend them above the earth. 
         [0004]    Buildings have a similar problem. They stand above the earth and tend to draw lightning. Thus, lightning rods date from very early days in America. Basic lightning rod systems of yesteryear involved an air terminal or “point” that was typically fastened to extend above the highest point of a building. This air terminal or point was connected to a cable that conducted electricity from the point down to ground, literally the surface of the earth. 
         [0005]    With modern architecture and modern buildings, the problem has become more complex in that multiple air terminals or points may be attached to a building, and a building may not have a single highest location. Often, with false fronts, parapets, and other architectural features, a rather large expanse of a building architecture may be located at the “highest” location. 
         [0006]    Lightning protection for buildings has progressed according to certain standards. Typically, cables of a suitable size will be connected, anchored at approximately every three feet along their length, and run from point to point, where a “point” indicates an air terminal or a lightning “point” as that term is used in the art. Typically, all the points on a building will be connected to one another and to a grounding cable that carries any electrical power received from the points down to the ground. 
         [0007]    Nevertheless, interfacing hardware with a building presents a design question. For example, buildings may be constructed of wood, masonry, concrete, steel, glass, combinations and so forth. The range of materials and their material properties vary widely. Similarly, lightning protection is not the only consideration in designing a building. 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, lightning protection may often be provided retroactively. Buildings may already exist, and lightning protection may not have been designed into them. By the same token, even when lightning protection is contemplated during the architectural phase of a building, the attachment scheme of a lightning protection system is a consideration that must be dealt with in view of the other architectural features of the building. 
         [0009]    At present, electrical fasteners are connected by any suitable means, which usually involves fastening to a structural portion of the building. Thus, protective covers, plates, caps, sheeting, flashing, or other mechanisms for protecting the upper reaches of a building from weather may be damaged, penetrated, breached, or otherwise compromised by the fasteners of a lightning protection system. What is needed is a less invasive lightning protection system. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including an anchor suitable for supporting the weight of a cable, a point, or other accessories associated with a lightning arrester system. In certain embodiments, an anchor in accordance with the invention may include a base or plate from which a stud extends. In this embodiment, the base or plate and the stud together form a mounting system to which to secure a bracket or other device designed to secure a cable, point, or the like. 
         [0011]    For example, an adhesive pad or interface pad may be secured to the flat, back side of the plate, opposite the stud on the other side. The pad may provide differential strain and stress between a portion of the building or a location of the building where the anchor is mounted, and the material of the base. 
         [0012]    Likewise, the material of the pad may be selected to provide shock resistance, sealing, flexibility, impact resistance, adhesion, and a reconciliation of differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the material of the building and the base of the anchor secured thereto. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the stud may be threaded to receive a nut or other keeper. Similarly, ratchets, binding slides, keys, pins, and other types of fasteners may be used to secure brackets to the stud in order to anchor points, cables, or both to the anchor, which in turn secures them to the building. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, a building may include a parapet, wall, or other architectural feature that acts as the extremum the maximum distance away from the ground. Accordingly, this parapet or wall may have a flashing, cap, protection, seal, coating, or the like protecting it from the elements. Accordingly, the pad may be provided with a structural adhesive that secures the pad to the flashing, seal, cover, cap, or the like of the building. Thus, the anchor need not penetrate the protection provided against weather on the building. In certain embodiments, the stud may hold a bracket of any suitable type that will secure a point, a standoff, a bracket, a clip, or other holder suitable for holding a component of the lightning protection system. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, an integrated or universal anchor may be formed from sheet metal to have arms that extend away from the base or plate a certain distance, cantilevering with respect thereto and deflecting in a response to force. The arms may extend and be bent or otherwise formed into guides, which may terminate in retainers. In certain embodiments, the cables may be pushed against the guides, which act as springs and also push against the arms, such that the guides and arms together deflect away from the cable, thus opening a gap suitable for receiving the cable against the base. In response to the cable snapping in past the guides, the arms and guides may return to their unstressed positions, capturing the cable by a retainer connected thereto. Thus, the cable may be held permanently, in a very simple system that snaps the cable into place. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of a process in accordance with the invention, a user may select parameters controlling the performance of an anchor, and select properties of materials and structures. Securements may be selected, after which materials meeting the parameters, properties, and structures may be selected. Stock may be cut and anchors may be assembled, fabricated or otherwise manufactured. 
         [0017]    Providing an instruction for installation procedures and operating procedures with a packaging for the anchors, a manufacturer may distribute the anchors to installers. Installers may then analyze specifications for their installation, select sizes, materials, and processes suitable and apply the anchors to a building. Thereafter, the cables and points may be installed with other ancillary equipment, secured by the anchors. 
         [0018]    For example, in one embodiment one may size the anchors in order to minimize the leverage, moment, or couple (engineering terms, used here as known in the engineering art) to support the weight of cables. The cables need to be supported not only against their own dead weight, but also against the weight of pulling or tensioning to which installers will subject the cables in order to minimize the sag in the cables. 
         [0019]    Selecting a pad material may be done at the time of manufacture of an anchor, or may be done at a different time. Typically, pads will be sized, cut, and applied to anchors in a manufacturing situation. The pads will then be applied to a building as part of the anchor. An installer may remove a protective coating, such as a polymer film attached to an adhesive layer of the pad or on the pad in order to expose the pad for use. An installer may select a location on a building, and may need to clean that location. 
         [0020]    For example, dust, debris, oxidized base material, and the like may interfere with adhesion. Therefore, a location on a building may be cleaned by solvents, scrubbing, wiping, or the like. Removing any protective layer will expose the pad such that the anchor can then be applied. 
         [0021]    Applying a cure condition may be required for one of several reasons. For example, polymers may need time, heat, ultraviolet light, or other chemical effects in order to cure. In certain embodiments, where materials are adhesives that do not rely on the chemistry of their base material or of the location to which attached, materials may simply need time in order to fully flow, creep, or otherwise secure to an anchoring location. By whatever means required, application of a cure condition may be followed by positioning cables, including tensioning them in order to reduce sag. Thereafter, the cables may be bound to the anchors by brackets, whether integrated, bolted on, or the like. 
         [0022]    Such a system provides many benefits. The load is distributed over a much larger area by anchors in accordance with the invention. The actual cross sectional area of material from the cover or wall protection to which an anchor may be secured is substantially larger than that of a threaded-in fastener, which penetrates and engages a small fraction of a square inch of area of building material. Moreover, there is no penetrating whatsoever of the seal, cap, flashing, or other protection materials and structures of the building. Thus, capillary action is absent to damage the building covered by the protection of the cap, seal, or the like. 
         [0023]    Moreover, there is no caulking step to put a washer, caulk, putty, or the like around the area where a penetration has been put through a protective layer, into a wall, or both. Rather, the pad may form a seal to survive many freeze and thaw cycles. It may be selected of a material that will not harden with time, temperature extremes, or the like. 
         [0024]    Likewise, there will be no need to set up a system of anchors limited to proceeding along horizontal surfaces at the top of a building. There need be no waiting for a period of days before they will sufficiently cure to hold. If some systems are used on vertical surfaces, they must be maintained above a minimum temperature, typically around fifty degrees Fahrenheit, and maintained for several days, typically two to three, before they are sufficiently cured to hold. Even then, they may have wide spread failures. 
         [0025]    In accordance with the invention, non-penetrating, comparatively rapidly mounted, supports may be installed as anchors on vertical surfaces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-penetrating anchor for a lightning arrester cable support in accordance with events; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the anchor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a left elevation view thereof; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment relying on a circular base plate for the anchor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view thereof; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  a front elevation view thereof; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17A  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment relying on an oval shape for the base plate of the anchor of  FIGS. 1 and 9 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17B  is a rear perspective view of the anchor of  FIG. 17A ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18A  is a front elevation view thereof; 
           [0045]      FIG. 18B  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0046]      FIG. 18C  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18D  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0048]      FIG. 18E  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0049]      FIG. 18F  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0050]      FIG. 19A  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment relying on a diamond shape for the base plate of the anchor; 
           [0051]      FIG. 19B  is a rear perspective view thereof; 
           [0052]      FIG. 19C  is a front elevation view thereof; 
           [0053]      FIG. 19D  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0054]      FIG. 19E  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0055]      FIG. 19F  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0056]      FIG. 19G  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0057]      FIG. 19H  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0058]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of one embodiment of an anchor in accordance with the invention, this having two studs rather than a single stud as in  FIGS. 1-19 , and including an exemplary bracket with fasteners, a point, and so forth; 
           [0059]      FIG. 21  is a partially cut away, exploded view and assembly view of two embodiments of brackets for anchoring cables with the anchors in accordance with the invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 22  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a universal anchor providing quick insertion and retention of cables in an anchor system in accordance with the invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 23A  is a front elevation view thereof; 
           [0062]      FIG. 23B  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0063]      FIG. 23C  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0064]      FIG. 23D  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0065]      FIG. 23E  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0066]      FIG. 23F  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0067]      FIG. 24  is an exploded view of the anchor of  FIG. 22  illustrating the presence of the securant pad behind the base plate thereof and the cable to be inserted therein; 
           [0068]      FIG. 25  is an assembled view of the anchor of  FIGS. 22-24 , secured to a covering or cap such as a flashing over a wall or parapet at the top of a building; 
           [0069]      FIG. 26A  is a frontal perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a universal anchor, this having an ability to completely cover the front of the secured cable; 
           [0070]      FIG. 26B  is a frontal perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 26   a , illustrating a cable, shown in a partially cut away view and retained therein; 
           [0071]      FIG. 27A  is a front elevation view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 26A-26B ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 27B  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0073]      FIG. 27C  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0074]      FIG. 27D  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0075]      FIG. 27E  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0076]      FIG. 27F  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0077]      FIG. 28  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a method for manufacturing and installing anchors in accordance with the invention, such as the anchors of  FIGS. 1-27 ; and 
           [0078]      FIG. 29  is a schematic block diagram of the details of one alternative embodiment of a method for using an anchor in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , and generally to  FIGS. 1-21 , an anchor  10  may be formed to have a base plate  12 . The base plate  12  will typically be secured to a building in order to support lightning protection cabling interconnecting several points or rods extending upward to cause a high voltage stress field around the distal end or tip thereof. 
         [0080]    Accordingly, such points are typically formed of rod of a suitable diameter, and having a length of from about 8 to about 24 inches. Accordingly, each of these points tends to cause a stress concentration field of voltage potential about the distal end thereof. This preferentially causes each of these tips of these points or rods to be the first items struck by lightning, rather than having other structural or electrical components of the building take such a risk. 
         [0081]    Anchors  10  in accordance with the invention may be distributed around walls, parapets, cupolas, or other extremities of a building. Typically, a ridge line, a parapet around a roof region, or the like may receive the anchors  10 . The anchors  10  will support various fasteners (a term of art in lightning protection technology), which may be thought of as mechanical brackets, or other securement mechanisms to hold cables, the points, and so forth. 
         [0082]    The base plate  12  may be fabricated with a stud  16 , in a manufacturing process similar to that of manufacturing a bolt, a nail, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the studs  16  may be attached to the base  12  after individual fabrication of each  12 ,  16 . 
         [0083]    The base plate  12  may be provided with a pad  14  that operates as a seal, and adhesive mechanism, a thermal expansion attenuator, a strain attenuator, and so forth. 
         [0084]    That is, between the base plate  12  and a corresponding portion of a building, a differential in coefficience of thermal expansion may exist. Similarly, temperature variations may change properties. 
         [0085]    Likewise, freezing and thawing may intervene in capillary spaces between the base plate  12  and a building. A freeze-thaw cycle will eventually separate the base plate  12  of the anchor  10  from the building. Accordingly, the pad  14  may be, for example, a closed-cell foam of a particular type suitable for the task to form a seal Likewise, the pad  14  may be provided with an adhesive material on the opposing surfaces faces in order to bond to a building and to the base plate  12 . 
         [0086]    In certain embodiments, the pad  14  has been found to serve well if fabricated of an acrylic expanded foam or expanded acrylic, commonly known as a foam Likewise, various acrylate adhesives have been found suitable for rendering the pad  14  pressure sensitive, curable or both in bonding to the base  14 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , as well as  FIGS. 3-19  (including  19 A- 19 C) illustrate various embodiments of an anchor  10 . In these embodiments, the stud  16  protrudes at a right angle or perpendicularly with respect to the front face  18  or surface  18  of the base plate  12 . Meanwhile, the back face  20  or surface  20  of the plate  12  receives the pad  14 . The pad  14  is mechanically adhered thereto to support the stress, strain, tension, compression, and shear that may be applied to the pad  14  by loads introduces through the studs  16  to the base  12 . 
         [0088]    Meanwhile, the face  22  or front face  22  of the pad  14  adheres by way of an adhesive applied thereon or forming the face  22  thereof. This will bond to the back face  20  of the base plate  12 . Similarly, the rear face  24  or surface  24  of the pad  14  is also provided with an adhesive quality, whether applied as a separate material, or as an integral part of the pad  14 . The face  24  may be covered with a protective layer, not shown, in order to protect the face  24  against debris, and maintain it completely clean and operable. Removing the layer exposes the adhesive for adhering the rear face  24  to a suitable surface in a building. 
         [0089]    The studs  16  may include a tip  26  formed as a screw or bolt. Typically, the tip  26  will be slightly tapered, in order to pilot the studs  16  into a threaded fastener or keeper, such as a nut. 
         [0090]    At the opposite end of the studs  16  is the root  28  and or root portion  28 . The root portion  28  may or may not be threaded. That is, threads  30  near the tip  26  may receive a fastener, such as a keeper, nut, or the like. Meanwhile, if the threads  30  continue all the way to the root  28 , then very thin materials may be held snugly against the front face  18  of the plate  12  by such fasteners. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the threads  30  need not proceed all the way to the root  28  of the studs  16 . 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-19 , note that trailing letters indicate drawings or figures in a set, having some relationship. Thus, herein, the text may refer to  FIG. 19 , to include  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B,  19 C, and so forth.  FIGS. 3-8  illustrate the orthogonal views of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a partially cut away pad  14  in order to illustrate the back surface  20  of the plate  12 . In some embodiments illustrated herein, the pad  14  will be removed, and only the plate  12  and stud  16  of the anchor  10  will be illustrated. In other embodiments, or illustrations the pad  14  will be in place. In  FIGS. 3-8 , the various orthogonal embodiments illustrate the rectangular, or square plate  12  with its associated studs  16 . 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , a perspective view from the front and rear of an alternative embodiment is shown, relying on a circular plate  12 . One advantage of a circular plate  12  is that orientation of the plate  12  becomes less significant. For example, with a rectangular or otherwise cornered plate  12 , orientation will be obvious to the eye of a casual observer. In contrast, a circular plate  12  is point symmetric and need not be oriented in a specific manner in order to operate and yet to appear aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-16 , the various orthogonal views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-10  look very similar to those of  FIGS. 3-8 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 17A-17B , a frontal and rear perspective view of an oval embodiment of a base plate  12  needs to be oriented, but the precision required of straight lines may not be required. In this embodiment, the long axis of the elliptical or oval shape will typically be oriented vertically in order to provide more leverage advantage by the base plate  12 , and particularly, a pad  14 . In this way, the leverage of the studs  16  will be reduced against peeling or tipping the base plate  12  and pad  14  away from a wall to which it is attached. 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIGS. 18A-18F , the orthogonal views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 17A-17B  are illustrated. Again, these views appear very similar to those of  FIGS. 11-16 , with a major and minor axis, rather than a single diameter. 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIGS. 19A-19B , a diamond shape may be suitable for one embodiment of a plate  12  in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the vertical dimension is a maximum, again providing additional leverage, compared to a square embodiment. Even if the square embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2  were installed in a diamond configuration, the maximum vertical dimension of the installed plate  12  would have about 40% more length. This may provide, accordingly, more leverage, and a greater supporting “moment” as that terms is used in engineering. 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 19C , a front elevation view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 19A-19B  illustrates that the other orthogonal views are unnecessary in order to have a clear understanding of the shape from each direction. Again, this embodiment militates in favor of a comparatively precise orientation. This is not so much for mechanical strength, which would very little with a matter of a few degrees of rotation of the plate  12  against the surface. Rather, it is valuable for aesthetics, where any orientation away from vertical would be immediately noticeable to a casual observer. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , an exploded view of one embodiment of an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention illustrates the pad  14  backing the base plate  12  to which the studs  16  are secured, fabricated, attached, or integrally manufactured. In this embodiment, a keeper  32 , such as a nut  32  is used to thread onto the threads  30  of the stud  16 . This will secure a fastener  34  to the plate  12 , and thus to the mounting surface  35  of a building. 
         [0099]    In this embodiment, the studs  16  pass through apertures  36 , thus making themselves available for receiving the keeper  32  or the nut  32 . As each nut  32  is threaded toward the root  28 , beginning at the tip  26  of the stud  16 , the fastener  34  is drawn toward the front face  18  of the base plate  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, a stand off  38  extends away from the base plate  12 , in order to support a point  40 . The point  40  is shown in engineering style with the intermediate length continuing as the portions illustrated. 
         [0100]    In this embodiment, the point  40  may be secured by a securement  42  such as a set screw  42  threaded into a receiver  44  that mounts the point  40  to support it in a vertical orientation. As described hereinabove, the point  40  operates to draw lightning, by increasing the voltage stress field near the distal end thereof (farthest from the building). 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 21 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-29 , an installation of an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention may include attachment of an anchor  10  by a pad  14  to a surface  35  of a building. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface  35  is part of a covered wall  52  or parapet  52 . The parapet  52  or wall  52  is simply used by way of example. 
         [0102]    In other embodiments, the surface  35  may be part of a covering on a ridge line or ridge cap from a building, a cupola, gable, eave, or other architectural feature that represents a high point in the structure of a building. Accordingly, the parapet  52  or wall  52  represents allocation that permits the point  40  to be the high point of the building by selecting a surface  35  to which the anchor  10  may be installed. 
         [0103]    Thus, the installation  50  or assembly  50  may include, for example, an anchor  10  secured by a pad  14  against a surface  35  of a flashing  54  or cap  54  covering a portion of a wall  52 . 
         [0104]    In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  54  or flashing  54 , may include a drip edge  55 . The drip edge  55  is instructive. Significant effort is taken to assure protection of the wall  52  against the elements, particularly rain, and the freeze-thaw cycle of winter moisture. Accordingly, the drip edge  54  proceeds away from the wall  52 , in order to assure that water striking the flashing  54  or cap  54  is conducted away therefrom. This may assure that it drips elsewhere, rather than feeding capillary spaces between the wall  52  and the flashing  54 . Likewise, the drip edge  55  militates against water dripping directly from the flashing  54  onto the wall  52 . 
         [0105]    In the illustrated such as the one embodiments, illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a cable  56  is secured by the anchor  10  to run along the wall  52 , attached to the surface  35  of the cap  54  or flashing  54 . In the far left embodiment, as illustrated, the anchor  10  includes a base plate  12 . Thus, the anchor  10   a  shows an assembled configuration of the anchor  10   b  also illustrated. 
         [0106]    For example, a cable  56  is secured directly against the base plate  12  by tabs  58  that operate as extensions of the base plate  12 . Tabs  58  fold over to hold the cable  56  in place. In some embodiments, such a simple, straightforward attachment mechanism may be operable without tools. 
         [0107]    With the tabs  58  fully open, and extending as if within the plane of the base  12 , an installer may press the pad  14  against the surface  35  of the flashing  54 . This anchoring of the base  12  and pad  14  secures them to the surface  35  and may be used to secure them to each other. After applying pressure and waiting, or otherwise curing the securement of the pad  14  to the surface  35 , an installer may then run the cable across the plate. Cable  56  may be fastened in place by bending the tabs  58  over the cable  56  and plate  12 , and specifically over the front face  18  of the plate  12 . 
         [0108]    In the alternative embodiment of the anchor  10   c , a location  60  may be selected, as shown in the exploded view, for receiving a pad  14  after suitable cleaning. Typically, the pad  14  here may be preinstalled on the anchor  10  at a factory, being secured to the base plate  12 . Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the pad  14  may be applied in the field. 
         [0109]    By whatever mechanism, the rear face  20  or back face  20  of the base plate  12  adheres to the pad  14 , by being fastened to the front face  22  thereof. Meanwhile, the back face  24  of the pad  14 , after a suitable cleaning of the surface  35  at the location  60 , is adhered to the surface  35  at the location  60 . 
         [0110]    In the embodiments of the anchors  10   c , and  10   d , a stud  16  protruding from the base  12  receives a fastener  36 , which fastener  36  actually holds the cable  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  34  is provided with an aperture  36  to receive the stud  16  therethrough. Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a nut  32  or other keeper  32  may secure to the stud  16 , thus capturing the fastener  34 , and the cable  56  held by the fastener  34  to the base plate  12 . Of course other embodiments of brackets may simply include loops, clamps, and the like simply supported by the stud  16  and base plate  12 . 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , which is detailed in  FIGS. 22-25 , a universal anchor  10  may provide a clip mechanism for quickly securing a cable  56  to a building wall  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the universal anchor  10  includes arms  62  that operate as springs, being able to deflect. 
         [0112]    Near the center of the anchor  10 , shown here in a vertical orientation, the arms  62  support a horizontal cable captured thereby. The anchor  10  may include a guide  64  or guide portion extending from the arm  62 . Cable pushed between opposing guides  64 , will tend to deflect the guides  64 , and the arms  62  as cantilever springs. Upon opening a gap between the guides  64 , a cable pressed into the guides  64  will move the guides  64  and arms  62  outboard. Moving in an outboard direction opens up a gap to receive the cable  56 . 
         [0113]    The retainers  66  will hold a cable  56  in place after the cable passes into the cable region  68 . That is, after passing the guides  64 , the cable no longer exerts the outboard pressure on the guides  64 . The guides  64  and arms  62  may again return to their unstressed, unstrained positions, locking the cable  56  in place  68 . 
         [0114]    Typically, the vertex  69  tends to restrict the gap  63 , thus requiring the guides  64  to push the arms  62  as cantilevers. The arms  62 , acting as cantilever springs against the base  12 , are moved away (outboard) until the vertex  69  of each guide  64  passes over a center line or center diameter of the cable  56 . Thereafter, the retainers  66  tend to ride up on the cable  56 , once in the cable region  68 , thus drawing the cable in against the base plate  12 . This occurs as the arms  62  close back over the cable  56  to their  62  original position. Thus, the retainers  66  operate to draw the cable in, against the plate  12  by force of the spring loads presented by the arms  62  and guides  64 . 
         [0115]    The anchor  10  may be referred to as a combined anchor and bracket  70  or a universal anchor  70 . Thus, a particular embodiment of an anchor  10  that includes both the base  12  integrated with a mechanism for bracketing, without requiring an extra piece distinct from the base  12  as a fastener  34 , may be considered a universal or integrated anchor  10 . 
         [0116]    Referring to Figures to  23 A- 23 F, the various orthogonal views of the embodiment of  FIG. 22  illustrate the details and approximate aspect ratios or relationships between dimensions. Meanwhile, these orthogonal views may be seen to present a universal anchor  70  or integrated anchor  70  that may be formed by simply cutting and bending a sheet of material. Thus, the material of the integrated bracket  70  or universal bracket  70  may typically be metal, although other materials may be suitable. For example, certain composite materials, polymeric materials, such as certain industrial plastics, and the like, may serve as the material for forming a universal bracket  70  as illustrated. 
         [0117]    Referring to  FIGS. 24-25 , while continuing to refer to  FIGS. 22-23 , and  FIGS. 1-29  generally, the integrated bracket  70  of  FIG. 22  is illustrated in an exploded view with the pad  14  and cable  56  not secured. In  FIG. 25 , the assembly  50  includes the universal bracket  70  of  FIGS. 22-24  in place, having the cable  56  installed, and the anchor  10  or universal anchor  70  installed on the surface  35  of a cover  54  of a wall  52 . As mentioned hereinabove, the integrated anchor  70  or universal anchor  70  is a particular embodiment of an anchor  10 . 
         [0118]    Referring to  FIGS. 26A-26B , in an alternative embodiment of a universal anchor  70 , a base  12  may include arms  62  and guides  64  that are not necessarily symmetrical with one another. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower arms  62  may be longer, or may be the same length as the upper arms of  62 . Meanwhile, the guides  64  are typically not symmetrical, and may be shaped differently to fulfill different purposes. 
         [0119]    For example, the lower guides  64  operate as guides, tending to bend or deflect away from a cable  58  inserted between the guides  64 . Bending the arms  62  away from the cable  58 . The upper arms  62 , and the upper guides  64   b  operate similarly. As cantilever springs, each pull away from or draws away from the center or unloaded position according to the force applied by a cable  58  being forced between the guides  64 . 
         [0120]    However, unlike previous embodiments, the upper guide  64  terminates in a different shape than does the lower guide  64   a . Thus, the lower guide  64   a  is a continuation or continues on as the retainer  66   a . Meanwhile, the lip  66   b  is not so large, and simply provides a transition for the guide  64   b . Herein, throughout this text, a trailing letter behind a reference numeral simply indicates a specific instance of the item identified by that reference numeral. Thus, a guide  64  is also capable of being a guide  64   a , or guide  64   b . Put another way, a guide  64   a  is a specific instance of a guide  64  generally, and all may be designated as a guide  64 . Similarly, a guide  64   b  is a specific instance of a generic guide  64 . In similar fashion, the retainer  66   a  provides an actual receiver  66   a  to hold and to completely cover a cable  58  when placed in the cable  56  when received in the cable region  68 . 
         [0121]    As illustrated, the cable  56 , when forced toward the base plate  12  between the guides  64 , tends to drive the guides  64  apart, acting as cantilever springs. Meanwhile, the guides  64 , in turn, drive the arms  62  apart, also operating as cantilever springs with respect to the base  12 . Once the gap  63  between the guides  64  has been traversed, the cable  56  may be drawn in by the retainers  66  as they close in together. 
         [0122]    The spring force of the guide  64   b  pushes the detent  66  toward the cable  56 . Accordingly, once the cable  56 , driven in between the guides  64   a ,  64   b  has sufficient clearance, then the diameter of the cable  56  tends to drive the guide  64   a  upward, as the detent  66   b  and the arms  62  drive the guides  64   b  toward the cable  56 , and toward the arms  62   a . In this way, the upper arm  62   b  tends to drive the cable  56  into the retainer  66   a.    
         [0123]    In summary, an installer forces the cable  56  between the guides  64   a ,  64   b . The guides  64   a ,  64   b , acting as springs, deflect, also applying and transmitting force to their respective arms  62   a ,  62   b . The combined deflection of the guides  64  and the arms  62  opens the gap  63  between the guides  64 , thus receiving the cable  56 . Upon the passage of the guide  64   a  over the central diameter or maximum diameter of the cable  56 , the cable  56  is seated within the retainer  66   a . Meanwhile, the combined forces of the guide  64   b  pushing the cable into the cable position  68  under the retainer  66   a , is augmented by the force of the arms  62   b  driving the guides  64   b  and detent  66   b  against the cable  56 , until the cable  56 , is well into the retainer  66   a.    
         [0124]    Referring to  FIGS. 27A-27F , while continuing to refer to  FIGS. 26A-26B , one can see that the integrated anchor  70  provides a cover  66  or a retainer  66  over the outermost surface of the cable  56 . Notwithstanding the embodiment of  FIGS. 22-25 , which can easily retain the cable  56 , the embodiment of  FIGS. 26A-27F  provides a positive element  66  covering the outside of the cable  56 . 
         [0125]    Referring to  FIG. 28 , a process  80  of using an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention may include both a manufacturing process  82  and an installation process  84 . For example, in certain embodiments, the anchor  10  may actually be assembled onsite. In other embodiments, the anchor may be completely manufactured, assembled, and simply applied to a wall. 
         [0126]    As discussed hereinabove, in certain embodiments brackets  34  may be selected according to a specific need. They may be used to support a cable, a point, or a specialty item in a lightning-protection circuit. In certain embodiments of an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention, brackets  34  may be conventional. They may be mounted to support cables, points, or the like on a structure of a building by an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention. In other embodiments, an integrated anchor  70  may actually include all bracketing and anchoring in a single piece, even a monolithic piece  70  of a simple homogeneous material. 
         [0127]    By any mode, a method  80  for using anchors  10  in accordance with the invention may include manufacturing and providing 82, followed by a process  84  of installation. 
         [0128]    Selecting  85  may involve selecting parameters that will govern the performance of an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention. For example, in certain embodiments, the specific material properties may be significant. Thus, selecting values corresponding to material properties may be important. 
         [0129]    In some embodiments, determining whether a material property requires a metal, a polymer, a composite, or the like may hinge on the specific performance characteristics in terms of strength, spring constant, yield values of stress, deflection, maximum working strength, stiffness, and so forth. 
         [0130]    Based on the parameters that are selected  85 , selecting  86  the material properties may be done by specifying what values the parameters must meet. Thus, operational parameters may result in the characteristic properties, such as mass, density, maximum tensile stress, maximum strain, weight, dielectric or conduction properties, and so forth. Likewise, structural strength, coefficience of thermal expansion with temperature, resistance to corrosion, and so forth may be selected  86  as material properties that will govern construction of an anchor  10 . 
         [0131]    Selecting  87  securement systems may involve securements at opposite extremes ends of each anchor  10 . For example, a securement mechanism to secure a base  12  to a wall  52  of a building may be one securement, while the securement by way of a fastener  34 , keeper  32 , or integrated arms  62  and guides  64  may also be considered securements. Accordingly, selecting  87  the types and numbers, as well as the operating mechanisms for various securements may determine what form of anchor  10 , and what mechanical configuration may be required. 
         [0132]    Ultimately, selecting  88  materials for each of the components included in an anchor  10 , may result directly or indirectly the previous selections  85 ,  86 ,  87 . Moreover, selecting  85 ,  86 ,  87 ,  88  may also include, and in an overall context will include, selecting the materials that will be used in the overall lightning protection system. 
         [0133]    For example, cables may be fabricated of copper, aluminum, or other materials. Typically, the duty cycle, weight, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and so forth do not require gold. Circuits exist that are fabricated using gold as the conducting material. Nevertheless, typically, aluminum tends to be lighter than copper, whereas copper tends to be a better conductor based on area, mass, and various other parameters. By the same token, aluminum is considered more economical. Thus, selecting  88  a material for a cable  56 , anchors  10 , brackets  34 , integrated anchors  70 , points  40 , and so forth may significant considerations of material properties, fabrication methods, and so forth. 
         [0134]    Cutting  89  stock into the materials and components to be used applies to both the components of the installation, as well as the anchors  10  and their associated or corresponding parts. For example, cutting the pad  14 , that has been selected  88 , at the dimensions specified will constitute one element. By the same token, cutting  89  anchors  10 , or base plates  12 , or studs  16 , or otherwise fabricating them may be another consideration. Similarly, folding of metal sheets after cutting  89  to size, and possibly cutting  89  with separation lines for appropriate folding may also be included. Likewise, methods of making and using brackets  34  to support cables  56 , points  40 , or the like may be considered. 
         [0135]    In one embodiment, cutting  89  integrated anchors  70  may involve stamping a blank, and cutting certain separation lines in that blank to be followed by other manufacturing processes. 
         [0136]    Another manufacturing process  90  or step  90  may include assembly, fabrication, or both for an anchor. For example, in certain embodiments, the stud  16  may be formed as part and parcel of an anchor  10 , as a monolithic, homogeneous, integral portion of the anchor. Thus, like a nail, bolt, or the like, the anchor  10  may be formed with a base  12  and stud  16  of a single material, formed, stamped, forged, or otherwise manufactured in a single step, or single process, as a suitable manufacturing method. 
         [0137]    By the same token, bases  12  and studs  16  may be cut from flat stock and round stock and welded, pressed, threaded, or otherwise fabricated to bond together. Likewise, the entire anchor  10  may be fabricated of a polymer material in a molding process or by other suitable approach. 
         [0138]    Other components to be assembled  90 , fabricated 90, or otherwise manufactured  90  may include a nut  32  or other type of keeper  32 , a fastener  34 , adapted to securely holding a point  40  or cable  56 , or the like. 
         [0139]    In one fabrication  90 , contemplated within the scope of the present invention, a flat material bender may fold past a yield point the middle of a blank for an integrated anchor  70 . Various bends may be required in order to form all the distinct arms  62 , guides  64 , retainers  66 , detents  67 , vertices 69, and so forth with the appropriate gaps  63 , angles, clearances, or the like Likewise, other manufacturing processes, such as quality control, buffing, blasting, painting, heat treating, and so forth may be important to the material properties selected  86 . Some process steps may also be done with blanks, finished parts  10 , or the like. 
         [0140]    Packaging  92  the individual anchors  10  or components for the anchor system may be adapted to the ultimate use thereof. For example, in assembling  90  an anchor  10 , the pad  14  may be manufactured, provided, cut  89 , and assembled  90  to go into a packaging step  92  as a system ready to be installed with virtually no tools. In other embodiments, the pads  14  may each be provided as a separate article or a supply to be secured to a base  12  of an anchor  10  at the time of installation. 
         [0141]    Accordingly, providing 91 procedures to installers may include printed instructions, downloadable files, website instructions, or the like. In fact, written procedures that will be packaged  92  with the anchors  10  may be included, while online instructions may also be provided 91 as a back up. 
         [0142]    Finally, distributing  93  the anchors  10  through secondary distribution channels, direct to users, to installers, or the like may be done in a suitable manner. Typically, packaging  92  may include warnings, which may also be part of providing 91 procedures. 
         [0143]    A process  84  or method  84  for installing an anchor  10  in accordance with the invention may begin with accumulating or otherwise gathering specifications for the performance of a lighting-protection system. Based on distances, sizes, topography, geology, urbanization, and so forth, one may analyze  94  the specifications for a particular project. This may lead to the consequent points  40  to be supported and cables  56  to be carried by the anchors  10 . 
         [0144]    Selecting  95  sizes, materials, and processes for assembling and installing the anchors  10  and their associated points  40  and cables  56  will appropriately follow. Sizes in certain embodiments are standardized and established by building codes. Building protection codes for arresting lightning exist in many jurisdictions, and may be determinative of selecting  95  the sizes, materials, and processes for installation. In other jurisdictions, cost, contemplated conditions, and the like may also factor into the selection  95  of materials, their sizes, and their processes for installation. 
         [0145]    An installer may then apply the systems  96  by obtaining from distribution  93  the quantities of anchors  10 , keepers  32 , points  40 , cables  56 , other fasteners, and install them. Typically, anchors  10  will be installed near the highest extrema of a building, thereby protecting the building, it&#39;s metallic components, its structure, and so forth from the high voltages, currents, heating, and the like associated with lightning strikes. 
         [0146]    In general, lightning protection systems will be grounded to earth. Points  40  will extend at their distal ends to increase the voltage stress or provide a stress concentration point at the distal end of a point  40 . Thereby, dielectric breakdown in the surrounding air will occur first at a point  40 , and particularly at the distal end of the point  40 . Thus, following the initial corona effect that is typical of electrically active atmospheres, the electrical breakdown by lightning will occur at the distal end of a point  40 , sending electrical current through the point  40 , its anchor  10 , and to the associated cables  56  carrying current to a grounding cable  56  that eventually is anchored in the earth. 
         [0147]    Referring to  FIG. 29 , in one embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention, an application process  100  may involve sizing  101  anchors  10  for use in an installation. Therefore, selecting  102  a material for the pad  14  may be conducted. Sizing  103  the pads  14  may include consideration of surrounding materials, clearances, thicknesses, areas, sealing, offsets, or the like. Thickness may be governed by structural (stress, strain) requirements, installation to tolerances, and relative coefficients of thermal expansion of surfaces  35 , bases  12 , and pads  14 . In certain embodiments, sizing  103  the pads may be dictated by the sizing of the base plate  12  to which each pad  14  will connect. 
         [0148]    Cutting  104  the pads and applying 105 the pads  14  to a base plate  12  may be done at the time of installation, or may be done in a manufacturing process  100  at a factory shipping completed anchors  10 . Likewise, applying 105 the pad may involve cutting  104  a pad to size. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, applying 105 the pads  14  to the base plates  12  may occur in a factory. 
         [0149]    Installation may then include selecting  106  a location  60  on a building. Typically, the location  60  will be near the top of the building, and therefore on a flashing  54  or cap  54  covering a parapet  52  or a wall  52 . Cleaning  107  the location  60  may involve mechanical abrasion, chemical cleaning, or simply a solvent wash. Typically, slight scrubbing with a solvent will clean off residues. In some embodiments, cleaning  107  may involve removing oxidized material having poor adhesion to the surface  35  of the base material at the location  60 . 
         [0150]    Exposing  108  the pad  14  may involve removing a polymeric film that has low adhesion forces with respect to the adhesive pad  14 . Thus, exposing  108  the pad  14  by removing a film, for example, permits a user or installer to apply  109  the anchor  10  by pressing the anchor  10 , and the underlying pad  14  against the location  60  on the surface  35 . In this manner, the adhesive properties of the pad  14  may bond to the surface  35  as an adhesive process. 
         [0151]    In certain embodiments, it has been found that a pressure sensitive adhesive operates well. Structural adhesives exist, and pressure sensitive adhesives exist. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the pad  14  is provided with, or as part of a pressure sensitive adhesive system having an expanded polymeric material (polymer foam) having adhesive front face  22  and rear face  24 . Upon application of pressure, the adhesive may adhere, or actually cure. 
         [0152]    That is, for example, certain acrylates require a lack of oxygen to cure. Other materials, such as epoxies and other materials may cure by heat, light, reagents, other chemicals, or the like. Accordingly, the adhesive may be applied as multi-part, single-part, heat-curable, pressure-sensitive, or otherwise. Applying 109 an anchor  10  may provide sufficient strength in the bond between the pad  14  and the surface  35  to immediately mount the remainder of the lightning-protection system. 
         [0153]    In certain embodiments, it may be required to apply  110  a cure condition. For example, time, heat, light, chemicals, or the like may be required to cure the adhesive of the pad  14 . Accordingly, applying 110 the condition required to effect a cure may require time, an additional step  110 , or the like. In certain embodiments, applying 110 to cure condition may be simply a matter of waiting for passage of time with or without pressure. 
         [0154]    Finally, positioning  111   a  cable  56  in the anchor  10 , or in a position to be supported by the anchor may be followed by binding  112  the cable to the anchors  10  as discussed hereinabove. Typically, binding  112  the cable  56  may involve tensioning the cables by binding  112  and end of a segment of cable  56  at one clamp, and pulling a tensile load in the cable  56 , in order to reduce sag, before binding  112  the cable  56  at the next or certain intermediate anchors  10 . 
         [0155]    What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: