Patent ID: 8742254

Claim:
An apparatus for providing grounding of a structure at least a part of which is conductive comprising: a. the structure having a lower section at least partially inserted into the earth and a conductive upper end extending above the surface of the earth; b. an earth grounding electrode having a lower portion attached, affixed, or integrated to or into the lower section of the structure wherein the lower portion comprises plural electrode portions each in the form of a rod, a wire, a braided rope, or a multi-branch material; c. the lower portion of the electrode elongated along the lower section of the structure; d. a conductive collar attached to the structure above the lower portion of the electrode and in contact with the conductive upper end of the structure; e. and the upper portion of the electrode comprising a conductor connected between the lower portion of the electrode and the conductive collar; f. so that an earth ground path is provided from the conductive upper end of the structure through the conductive collar and the electrode.