Universal ground strap assembly

Abstract

A universal ground strap assembly including a strap having a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the ground strap assembly onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections is provided. A stud, through which the strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. The stud includes a curved surface to engage the elongated strap with smooth transition. The stud may be captivated on the strap by at least one projection extending into the hole in the strap within which the stud is held. A curved sliding nut supported upon the strap and a curved surface of the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. The curved sliding nut is also captivated on the strap with stops and defines a hole to receive the stud. The strap may also include an abrading surface to penetrate the outer surface layer of the structure.

1 . A universal ground clamp for structures with different cross-sectional shape, comprising: 
 an elongated strap defining at least a first hole and a second hole; and    a securing stud mechanism to extend through at least the first hole and the second hole to attach the elongated strap about the structure;    the securing stud mechanism including a stud having a curved surface to engage the elongated strap with a smooth transition, wherein the curved surface is attached to and rotates with the stud.    
   
   
       2 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A universal ground clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the stud includes a head and a shank and the head includes the curved surface.  
   
   
       31 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the elongated strap includes an abrasive surface for engaging an electrically conductive structure.  
   
   
       32 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the abrasive surface includes at least one projection.  
   
   
       33 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 32 , wherein the at least one projection is formed by piercing the elongated strap with a pointed object.  
   
   
       34 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein the pointed object has an X-shaped point.  
   
   
       35 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the stud is captured at the at least a first hole and capable of being received by the second hole after the elongated strap has been positioned about at least a portion of an electrically conductive structure.  
   
   
       36 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the elongated strap defines a plurality of holes.  
   
   
       37 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein the plurality of holes are sized to receive the stud.  
   
   
       38 . An electrical connector in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein the second hole is one of the plurality of holes.