Kenny clamp

Abstract

A grounding electrode conductor bonded to the metallic surface of a panel board by a press sleeve connector mounted on said panel board. A clamp is used to contact and secure the conductor to the connector. Both grounding electrode conductor and connector are in conformance with the 1996 National Electrical Code.

I claim:  
     
       1. A device for bonding a grounding electrode conductor to the enclosure of an electric service box in conformance to the National Electric Code comprising: 
       a) a grounding electrode having a grounding electrode conductor affixed thereto, said conductor extending from said grounding electrode to said enclosure,  
       b) said enclosure having an inlet to which a metal press sleeve connector can be affixed, said connector having a top and bottom with an aperture thereat for receiving said conductor, said top of said connector being threaded and secured to said inlet by a lock nut, said conductor having an end that passes through said aperture in said top and being fastened to a bus bar in said enclosure,  
       c) compression means for clamping and securing said grounding electrode conductor to said metal press sleeve in electrical contact at the region of clamping,  
       d) said sleeve being in the form of a funnel having a lower, bifurcated, narrow end and a wider upper end having a cylindrical extension that threads into said inlet said enclosure, said funnel having a threaded exterior surface and said compression means includes a threaded ring having an internal diameter that corresponds to that of said narrow bifurcated end, said ring being rotated so as to compress said bifurcated end of said funnel around said conductor,  
       e) said press sleeve and said grounding electrode conductor being rated for available fault current.  
     
     
       2. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said connector and said conductor are made of aluminum. 
     
     
       3. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said connector and said conductor are made of copper. 
     
     
       4. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said lower end of said funnel is divided into four legs. 
     
     
       5. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said connector and said conductor are adapted for a household or commercial wiring system. 
     
     
       6. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve has a diameter of ½″ or ¾″ and said conductor has a dimension within the range of #8-#2 for a ½″ sleeve and within the range of #1-3/0 for a ¾″ sleeve. 
     
     
       7. A device for bonding a grounding electrode conductor to the enclosure of an electric service box in conformance to the National Electric Code comprising: 
         a )  A grounding electrode having a grounding electrode conductor affixed there to, said conductor extending from said grounding electrode to said enclosure,    
         b )  said enclosure having an inlet to which a metal press sleeve connector can be affixed, said connector having a top and bottom with an aperture there at for receiving said conductor, said top of said connector being threaded and secured to said inlet by a locked nut, said conductor having an end that passes through said aperture in said top and being fastened to a bus bar in said enclosure,    
         c )  compression means for clamping and securing said grounding electrode conductor to said metal press sleeve in electrical contact at the region of clamping,    
         d )  said sleeve being substantially in the form of a cylinder having an extension that threads into said inlet of said enclosure, said cylinder having spaced indents, said compression means includes a long handled plier havng one toothed arm and another arm having a corresponding groove, said plier grasping said sleeve at said spaced indents to compress said sleeve,    
         e )  said press sleeve and said grounding electrode conductor being rated for available fault current.   
     
     
       8. A device as in  claim 7  wherein said connector and said conductor are made from a metal selected from copper and aluminum. 
     
     
       9. A device as in  claim 7  wherein said connector and said conductor are adapted for a household or commercial wiring system. 
     
     
       10. A device as in  claim 7  wherein said sleeve has a diameter of {fraction ( 1 / 2 )}″ or {fraction ( 3 / 4 )}″, said conductor has a dimension within the range of # 8 -# 2  for a {fraction ( 1 / 2 )}″ sleeve and within the range of # 1 -   3 / 0  for a {fraction ( 3 / 4 )}″ sleeve.