Patent Abstract:
A system and apparatus for providing a temporary electrical bonding/grounding connection. The apparatus includes an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends. The first conductive coupling is electrically coupled to the first end of the cable and a first magnetic assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple surfaces which cooperate with an arcuate surface of a first conductive member to be grounded, with respective surfaces of the multiple surfaces being configured to properly mount to respective arcuate surfaces of respective first conductive members having different radiuses of curvature. The first magnetic component is detachably and electrically coupled to the first conductive coupling. The first magnetic component is configured to be electrically and magnetically coupled to the first conductive member. A second conductive coupling is electrically coupled to the second end of the cable, the second conductive coupling configured to be detachably and electrically coupled to a second conductive member.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a temporary electrical bonding or grounding system to protect utility workers and the like from stray electrical current. In particular, the invention is directed to temporary electrical bonding or grounding system which has at least one magnet which attaches to a pipe to provide electrical grounding to the area of a pipe on which work is being performed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Municipal water distribution systems are designed to provide water from a central distribution facility to individual service locations. In these systems, water is often pumped through pipes buried in the ground. These pipes often require maintenance and repair due to age, damage or other reasons. Repairing buried water pipes requires crewman to excavate the pipes and disconnect and reconnect pipe connections. 
     Some residential homes have electrical service that is grounded on the water pipes, which are often made of metal and therefore are electrically conductive. In these circumstances, there is occasionally stray electrical current passing through the pipes and the main distribution lines, as well as the junction between the two, a location known as a “curb stop.” Service crews excavating pipes to repair, replace or update them must handle the exposed metal pipes and can be electrically shocked by the stray current traveling through the pipes. 
     While there are currently arcane grounding systems and procedures in place, the systems and procedures are difficult to implement and are not routinely followed. It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide a grounding system and components which are easy and effective to use. It would also be beneficial to provide a grounding system and components which can be easily transported and minimizes the time and effort to set up and take down the system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the bonding/grounding system of the present invention is to prevent any utility worker from getting shocked by stray electrical current, whether the stray electrical current is a result of grounding the electrical system to water pipes in a home, insufficient grounding of the home when constructed or the aging of our current infrastructure. 
     An object of the bonding/grounding system of the present invention is to prevent workers from being exposed to stray electrical current in metallic piping, the system comprising a temporary electrical bonding/grounding system which allows the stray electrical current to continue to pass through the temporary ground and bypass the area to be worked on. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a magnet assembly for use with a temporary electrical bonding/grounding system, the magnet assembly comprising multiple surfaces which cooperate with an arcuate surface of a conductive member, with respective surfaces being used properly mount to arcuate surfaces of different radiuses of curvature. 
     An embodiment is directed to an apparatus for providing a temporary electrical bonding/grounding connection. The apparatus includes an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends. The first conductive coupling is electrically coupled to the first end of the cable and a first magnetic assembly. The magnet assembly includes multiple surfaces which cooperate with an arcuate surface of a first conductive member to be grounded, with respective surfaces of the multiple surfaces being configured to properly mount to respective arcuate surfaces of respective first conductive members having different radiuses of curvature. The first magnetic component is detachably and electrically coupled to the first conductive coupling. The first magnetic component is configured to be electrically and magnetically coupled to the first conductive member. A second conductive coupling is electrically coupled to the second end of the cable, the second conductive coupling configured to be detachably and electrically coupled to a second conductive member. 
     An embodiment is directed to a bonding/grounding system which prevents workers from being exposed to stray electrical current in conductive piping. The system includes an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends. A first conductive coupling of the conductive cable is configured to be electrically coupled to a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly includes a removable conductive post which is dimensioned to receive the first conductive coupling. The magnetic assembly is configured to be electrically and magnetically coupled to a first conductive member. A second conductive coupling of the conductive cable is configured to be electrically coupled to a second conductive surface. The temporary electrical bonding/grounding system allows stray electrical current in the conductive piping to pass through the conductive cable, the magnetic assembly, the first conductive coupling and the second conductive coupling to allow the stray electrical current to bypass an area of the conductive piping to be worked on. 
     An embodiment is directed to a bonding/grounding system which prevents workers from being exposed to stray electrical current in conductive piping. The system includes an electrically conductive cable having first and second ends. A first conductive member of the conductive cable is configured to be electrically coupled to a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly includes multiple surfaces which cooperate with an arcuate surface of a first conductive member to be grounded, with respective surfaces of the multiple surfaces being configured to properly mount to respective arcuate surfaces of respective first conductive members having different radiuses of curvature. The first magnetic component is detachably coupled to the first conductive coupling. The first magnetic component is configured to be electrically and magnetically coupled to the first conductive member. The magnetic assembly includes a removable post which can be positioned in different locations depending upon the orientation of the magnetic assembly relative to the first conductive surface. The post is dimensioned to receive the first conductive coupling. A second conductive member of the conductive cable is configured to be detachably and electrically coupled to a second conductive surface. The temporary electrical bonding/grounding system allows stray electrical current in the conductive piping to pass through the conductive cable, the magnetic assembly, the first conductive coupling and the second conductive coupling to allow the stray electrical current to bypass an area of the conductive piping to be worked on. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an illustrative first embodiment of a temporary electrical bonding/grounding system of the present invention, the system which includes a magnetic component. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an illustrative magnetic component used in the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an illustrative clamp used to connect to a pipe in the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an illustrative clamp used to connect to the magnet component in the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system comprising having two magnetic components. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system having multiple magnetic component and multiple cables. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first illustrative embodiment  100  of a temporary electrical bonding/grounding system is shown. The system allows stray electrical current to be circumvented or detoured around an area of a pipe to be repaired, thereby preventing electrical shock to the personnel repairing the pipe. 
     A first electrically conductive cable  102 , having a first end  108  and a second end  110 , is electrically coupled to a first conductive coupling  104  at the first end  108  and a second conductive coupling  106  at the second end  110 . The first conductive coupling  104  is electrically coupled to a first magnetic assembly or component  112  using a first conductive member or magnet clamp  118  secured to a conductive mount or post  114 . The post  114  is positioned on the first magnetic component  112  at one of a plurality of locations  142 . The magnet clamp  118  includes a first half  130  and a second half  132  which are brought together when the magnet clamp  118  is closed, thereby electrically coupling and securing the magnet clamp  118  to the post  114 . The first half  130  of the magnet clamp  118  retains the first conductive coupling  104 , and the second half  132  of the magnetic clamp  118  retains a saddle  138 , which work together to engage and retain the post  114  when the magnet clamp  118  is closed. The first magnetic component  112  includes a curved contour  144  that matches the curved contour of the pipe. The second conductive coupling  106  comprises a second conductive member or pipe clamp  116 . The pipe clamp  116  includes a first half  134  and a second half  136 . The first half  134  of the pipe clamp  116  retains the second conductive coupling  106  and the second half  136  of the pipe clamp  116  retains a pipe saddle  140 . When the pipe clamp  116  is closed the first and second halves  134  and  136  are brought together to engage and secure a pipe. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the magnetic component  112  is shown. The magnetic component  112  includes a magnet  120 , shoes  122 ,  124 , a positioning handle  126  and the post  114  positioned at one of a plurality of locations  142  on the shoes  122 ,  124 . Each of the shoes  122 ,  124  has a first curved surface  144 , a second curved surface  146  and third curved surface  148 . The first curved surfaces  144  of each of the shoes  122 ,  124  of the magnetic component  112  are positioned to extend in the same direction. The second curved surfaces  146  of each of the shoes  122 ,  124  of the magnetic component  112  are positioned to extend in the same direction, which is in a different direction than the first curved surfaces  144 . The third curved surfaces  148  of each of the shoes  122 ,  124  of the magnetic component  112  are positioned to extend in the same direction, which is in a different direction than the first curved surfaces  144  and the second curved surface  146 . The first, second and third curved surfaces  144 ,  146 ,  148  have different contours or radius of curvature, thereby allowing the first, second and third curved surfaces  144 ,  146 , and  148  to engage and make electrical connection with different sized pipes or different pipe diameter ranges (such as, but not limited to, pipes greater than 2 inches, 4-8 inches, 10-12 inches, 16+ inches). For example, the third curved surface may be minimally curved or substantially flat to engage the side of a large diameter pipe. Any number or size of curved surfaces may be selected for the shoes  122 ,  124 , based on the design needs. In the embodiment shown, the magnet  120  has generally planar sides, as the shoes  122 ,  124  are configured to accommodate the different diameters or sizes of the pipe. The shoes  122 ,  124  are made from material which is attracted to the magnet  120 , thereby facilitating the physical and electrical connection between the shoes  122 ,  124  and the magnet  120 . Alternatively, or in addition, the shoes  122 ,  124  may be fixed to the magnets  120  using known fastening means, such as, but not limited to, bolts. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown, the locations  142  are openings provided on the shoes  122 ,  124 . The positioning of the openings  142  may vary depending upon the configuration of the shoes  122 ,  124 . In order to facilitate ease of operation, openings  142  are positioned to multiple side surfaces of the shoe  122 ,  124 . This allows for the proper insertion of the post  114  into a respective opening  142 , regardless of which of the curved surface  144 ,  146 ,  148  is placed in engagement with the pipe. While threaded openings  142  are shown, the locations may be other types of openings or surface which can maintain the post  114  in position and provide the required electrical connection between the post  114  and the shoes  122 ,  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pipe clamp  116  configured to connect a conductive coupling to a pipe is shown. The pipe clamp  116  and the magnet clamp  118  may be similar, and may in fact be the same clamp, with the post  114  similar in size and shape to a small copper pipe to which clamp  116  would attach. In this regard, the clamps  116 ,  118  may be selected and designed to be interchangeable.  FIG. 3  shows a pipe clamp  116  with the first half  134  and the second half  136  configured to engage and secure a small pipe. The first half  134  includes the first conductive coupling  106  and the second half  136  includes the post saddle  140  for grasping the pipe. The first end  108  of the electrically conductive cable  102  is shown electrically coupled to the first conductive coupling  106  which is affixed to the first half  134  of the pipe clamp  116 . A crank or tightening member  133  may be provided on the handle  135  to facilitate the attachment and adjustment of the pipe clamp  116  to pipes of various diameters or sizes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the magnetic clamp  118  is configured to connect a first conductive coupling  104  to the magnetic component  112  as shown. The magnet clamp  118  includes a first half  130  and a second half  132 . The first half  130  secures and retains the first conductive coupling  104  and the second half  132  secures and retains the post saddle  138 . The post saddle  138  is configured to grasp the post  114  and hold it against the first conductive coupling  104  when the magnet clamp  118  is closed around the post  114 , providing a secure and stable electrical connection between the first conductive coupling  104  and the post  114 . The first conductive coupling  104  further includes a connection point  151  for an additional cable connection. A crank or tightening member  137  may be provided on the handle  139  to facilitate the attachment and adjustment of the magnetic clamp  118  to posts  114  of various diameters or sizes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment  200  of the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system is shown. The system includes a first magnetic component  112 A and a second magnetic component  112 B which are shown electrically coupled to provide an electrical bypass between conductive surfaces of the pipe. The magnetic components  112 A,  112 B are similar to the magnetic component  112  described above and are coupled together using the first electrically conductive cable  102 . As the operation of the magnetic components  112 A,  112 B are as described above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a third embodiment  300  of the temporary electrical bonding/grounding system is shown. In  FIG. 6 , multiple conductive elements  302  are joined to provide an electrical bypass. Any combination of clamps and magnetic components described herein can be used, and the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  is not limited to the elements shown or only three elements.  FIG. 6  depicts one configuration in which a pipe clamp  116  is electrically coupled to a first magnetic clamp  118 A through a first electrically conductive cable  102 , and a second magnetic clamp  118 B is electrically coupled to a third magnetic clamp  118 C through a second electrically conductive cable  184 . 
     In use, when attaching to a service line pipe, the following illustrative procedure can be used: i) excavate and expose service line on the house side of a curb stop; ii) clean off service line pipe to bare metal to allow pipe clamp  116  to make metal to metal contact; iii) excavate and expose portion of water main; iv) clean off water main pipe to bare metal to allow magnetic component  112  to be physically and electrically attached to the water main pipe; v) attach pipe clamp  116  to service line pipe and tighten; vi) attach magnetic component  118  to water main pipe; and vii) attach magnetic clamp  118  to post  114  of magnetic component  112  and tighten. Other illustrative procedures, which include additional steps or which install the components in a different order may be used. 
     In use, when attaching to a water main pipe, the following illustrative procedure can be used: i) excavate and expose water main on both sides of the area to be worked on; ii) clean off water main pipe to bare metal on either side to allow magnetic components  112  to be physically and electrically attached to the water main pipe; iii) attach magnetic components  118  to water main pipe on both sides of the area to be worked on; and iv) attach magnetic clamps  118  to posts  114  of each magnetic component  112  and tighten. Other illustrative procedures, which include additional steps or which install the components in a different order may be used. 
     In use, when attaching to a service line pipe and a water main pipe, the following illustrative procedure can be used: i) excavate and expose water main on both sides of the area to be worked on; ii) clean off water main pipe to bare metal on either side to allow magnetic components  112  to be physically and electrically attached to the water main pipe; iii) excavate and expose service line on the house side of a curb stop; iv) clean off service line pipe to bare metal to allow pipe clamp  116  to make metal to metal contact; v) attach magnetic components  118  to water main pipe on both sides of the area to be worked on; vi) attach magnetic clamps  118  to posts  114  of each magnetic component  112  and tighten; and vii) attach pipe clamp  116  to service line pipe and tighten. Other illustrative procedures, which include additional steps or which install the components in a different order may be used. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7