Abstract:
A ground rod includes first and second ends connected by a shaft portion. The first end has an auger configuration permitting it to be drilled into the ground. The opposite end is adapted to attached to either an electric drill or an impact wrench. This drastically reduces the time required to drive the ground rod into the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the ground rod also adapted to attach to a handle which allows it to be manually inserted or removed from the ground.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/445,955, filed Feb. 7, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Ground rods are used in a variety of situations for safety. Ground rods are attached to the electrical system of a building to prevent electrical shock of equipment or individuals. 
   Utility workers constantly face the risk of electrocution when working with high voltage electric wires. When using a lift truck there is also the possibility that the truck will strike a hot wire. To reduce these risks, the truck should be grounded. Some locations have permanent grounds to which the truck can attach. However, in many locations there are no such grounds. Therefore, the electrical worker, in order to ensure safety, should install a temporary ground rod and connect the truck to the ground rod. 
   To be effective, the ground rod must be inserted a minimum distance into the ground usually about six feet. This will assure adequate contact with moist dirt and allow for conduction. To install a temporary ground rod, the utility workers would use a device as shown in  FIG. 1 . This is a typical removable ground rod  10  which has a permanently attached handle  11  connected to a shaft  12 , in turn connected to an auger  13  or helical pointed member. The worker simply rotates the rod  10  using the handle  11  forcing it into the ground. 
   Because it is so difficult, utility workers tend to either not use the ground rods or not insert them far enough into the ground. 
   Permanent ground rods are generally just metal rods. Permanent ground rods are pounded into the ground and are connected to a building&#39;s electrical system. The electrician can use a hammer or a rod driver to force the rod into the ground. This can be difficult and time consuming. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a ground rod that is easy to install. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ground rod which can be driven by a power tool. 
   The objects and advantages of the present invention are provided by a ground rod which has a head member that is adapted to connect to a rotating powered driver, such as an electric drill, impact wrench or electric threader. 
   In one embodiment, the present invention is a ground rod to which a handle can be temporarily attached to the head and which also provides a method for manually driving the ground rod. This is ideal for use as a temporary ground rod by utility workers. 
   The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a prior art temporary ground rod. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view partially exploded and partially broken away of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the present invention diagrammatically depicting an impact wrench and how it attaches to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present invention is a ground rod  14  which is adapted to be driven into the ground by an electric drill  15  or an impact wrench. The ground rod  14  includes an auger tip section  16 , a shaft section  17  and a head  18  which is adapted to mate with a drill. The end  19  can be adapted to mate with an electric drill or impact srench in a number of ways. The head can simply be faceted like the end of a drill bit. This will allow the chuck of the drill bit to grasp the head. The head can be enlarged and faceted, like the head of a bolt. This will allow a socket to mate with and engage the head. The socket would be driven by a quarter, half or three quarter inch standard drive which would be held in the drill&#39;s chuck or by the impact wrench. The head can also be enlarged and have a square recess adapted to receive the socket drive directly, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Generally, the ground rod  14  is made from a conductive material, in particular copper clad steel. The auger end  16  can be molded brass and can be welded to the shaft portion  17 , or it may be machined, or the like. It is also possible for the shaft to be separable from the auger tip connected by, for example, inter-engaging threads. The length of the ground rod will be about 7 to 8 feet. Generally, for use in the present invention, the diameter of the shaft  17  will be about 0.5 to 1 inch. The diameter of the auger will be about ⅜ to ½ inch larger than the shaft diameter. These dimensions are adequate for grounding purposes, particularly in homes and, further, is sufficiently thin to permit use of an electric drill. 
   To use the ground rod of the present invention as shown, one merely places the tip  16  into the ground and attaches the drill  15  with a socket  19  to the faceted head  18 . Generally, a ½-inch electric drill, impact wrench or electric threader is adequate to drive the ground rod. The drill is turned on, causing the ground rod  14  to rotate and driving it into the ground. The ground rod should be driven at least 6 feet into the ground. Conductivity tests can be done to determine if the ground rod is driven far enough into the ground. The ground rod is then attached to the ground circuit from a building electrical system with a thick copper wire, permanently grounding the electrical system for the building. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is a temporary ground rod  21  typically used by utility workers Rod  21  includes a first end  22 , a shaft  23 , and a second end  24 . The first end  22  comprises an auger tip which typically is a cast bronze material which is strong and adapted to be driven into the ground. This is welded to a copper clad steel shaft  23  which extends from the auger up to the second end. 
   The second end in turn has an enlarged portion  25  which incorporates a rectangular female portion  26  adapted to receive the drive  27  of an impact wrench  28 . This head portion further includes a transverse hole  29  having a size adapted to receive a rod  30  which can slide in and out of hole  29  providing a temporary handle. The enlarged head portion  25  is formed from, for example, brass or steel and is simply welded on to the shaft  23 . Alternatively, the head configuration shown in  FIG. 2  can be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , to drive the temporary ground rod  21  into the earth, one simply fixes the drive  27  of an impact wrench  28  into female member  26  and activates the impact wrench  28 . This will cause the ground rod  21  to rotate. The first end  22  comprising an auger tip will dig into the ground pulling the rod with it. This will enable the utility worker to quickly insert the ground rod to a depth necessary to effect the necessary conduction through the ground rod. Once inserted, a ground wire would be attached to the utility truck through a clip (not shown) thus protecting the occupants from electrical current. To remove the rod  21 , the impact wrench is simply reversed and the rod removed from the ground. 
   Alternately, if the ground is soft, handle  30  can be inserted into hole  29  and this can be rotated by hand to insert the ground rod into the earth in the same manner as previously described or to remove the ground rod. 
   Thus, the present invention allows one to quickly and easily insert a ground rod either for permanent use attached to the electrical system of a building, or for temporary use attached to electrical utilities. Further, tests conducted indicate that the ground rod of the present invention provides the same grounding effect as a straight shaft even though the ground rod of the present invention disturbs the soil as it is inserted. Thus, over time, as the soil recompacts, it is expected that the grounding efficacy of the present invention will actually exceed a standard rod. 
   This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims wherein