Access floor grounding fastener

Abstract

A fastener for connecting a panel to a support, comprising at least one projection for penetrating said panel surface upon fastenings of panel to said support and make electrical contact thereto

1 . A fastener for connecting a panel to a support, comprising at least one projection for penetrating said panel surface upon fastenings of panel to said support and make electrical contact thereto.  
   
   
       2 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the projection includes at least two teeth for penetrating said panel surface.  
   
   
       3 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said panel and support are metallic and have a protective surface.  
   
   
       4 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said protective surface is selected from the group of paint, enamel or epoxy powdered coat.  
   
   
       5 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said projections comprise a protective surface removing means.  
   
   
       6 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said fastener is a screw.  
   
   
       7 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said protective surface removing means comprise teeth.  
   
   
       8 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said teeth are disposed in the direction of rotation of said screw.  
   
   
       9 . Access floor comprising: 
 (a) a pedestal    (b) a floor panel supported by said pedestal    (c) rotatable fastener having at least one surface penetrating projection to remove a protective coating when fastening said panel to said pedestal and make electrical contact between said panel and pedestal.    
   
   
       10 . An access floor as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said rotatable fastener is a screw having two teeth for biting into said protective coating.  
   
   
       11 . An access floor as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said panel and pedestal is metallic having said protective coating.  
   
   
       12 . An access floor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said screw is recessed into said panel.  
   
   
       13 . An access floor as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said screw is countersunk into said panel.  
   
   
       14 . An access floor as claimed in  claim 13  comprising a plurality of panels and pedestals and side by side relation, where each corner of said panel rests on a pedestal, said screws disposed through said corners of said panel into said pedestal to fasten said panels to said pedestal for metal to metal contact and have a positive continuous ground of less than 1 Ohm resistance.  
   
   
       15 . A method of grounding a floor panel in a grid defined by a plurality of raised floor panels each having a protective coating in side by side relation supported at their corners by a pedestal comprising: 
 (a) rotating fastener having a projection into the said corner and fastening said panel to said pedestal    (b) removing said protective coating in the vicinity of said fastener    to produce a continuous electrical contact with said panels and pedestals.    
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  for producing a continuous ground of less than 1 Ohm resistance.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said panels and pedestal are metallic and have a protective coating, and said fastener produces metal to metal contact between said panel and pedestals.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  for clamping and grounding said panels and pedestals together.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said fasteners have teeth and said teeth removes the protective coating.