U.S. patent application number 12/380512 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for ground connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to FCI Americas Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Rzasa, Peter M. Wason.
Application Number | 20100221935 12/380512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42663748 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100221935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rzasa; Michael ; et
al. |
September 2, 2010 |
GROUND CONNECTOR
Abstract
A ground connector including a first section and a second
section. The first section includes a first member with a threaded
post, a second member pivotably connected to the first member, and
a pusher on the first member. The second member includes a stepped
surface configured to be engaged by the pusher to clamp a pedestal
directly between the first and second members. The second section
is movably located on the threaded post and configured to directly
contact and clamp a conductor towards the pedestal.
Inventors: |
Rzasa; Michael; (Nashua,
NH) ; Wason; Peter M.; (Manchester, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRINGTON & SMITH
4 RESEARCH DRIVE, Suite 202
SHELTON
CT
06484-6212
US
|
Assignee: |
FCI Americas Technology,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42663748 |
Appl. No.: |
12/380512 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/100 ;
29/747 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1461 20150115;
Y10T 29/49947 20150115; Y10T 24/1471 20150115; Y10T 24/1469
20150115; Y10T 29/49948 20150115; Y10T 29/49963 20150115; Y10T
29/53209 20150115; H01R 4/643 20130101; Y10T 24/1457 20150115; Y10T
24/34 20150115; Y10T 24/14 20150115; Y10T 24/1463 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/100 ;
29/747 |
International
Class: |
H01R 4/66 20060101
H01R004/66; H01R 43/20 20060101 H01R043/20 |
Claims
1. A ground connector comprising: a first section comprising a
first member with a threaded post, a second member pivotably
connected to the first member, and a pusher on the first member,
wherein the second member comprises a stepped surface configured to
be engaged by the pusher to clamp a pedestal directly between the
first and second members; and a second section movably located on
the threaded post and configured to directly contact and clamp a
conductor towards the pedestal.
2. A ground connector as in claim 1 wherein the first member
comprises a general V shaped member with an inner surface sized and
shaped to directly contact the pedestal, and outer surfaces having
conductor receiving grooves.
3. A ground connector as in claim 2 wherein the outer surfaces of
the first member comprises two surfaces which are generally
orthogonal to each other.
4. A ground connector as in claim 1 wherein the second section
comprises a one piece member having a general V shape with two
generally orthogonal sections and a through-hole between the two
generally orthogonal sections, wherein the post extends through the
through-hole.
5. A ground connector as in claim 4 wherein the two generally
orthogonal sections have inward facing sides with conductor
receiving grooves therealong.
6. A ground connector as in claim 4 further comprising a fastener
on the post configured to press the one piece member towards the
pedestal.
7. A ground connector as in claim 6 wherein the first member
comprises a general V shaped member with an inner surface sized and
shaped to directly contact the pedestal, and outer surfaces having
conductor receiving grooves.
8. A ground connector as in claim 1 wherein the second member is a
one piece member having a general curved shape with a first end
pivotably connected to a first end of the first member, and a
second end having the stepped surface thereon, and wherein the
pusher is rotatably connected to a second end of the first
member.
9. A ground connector as in claim 1 wherein the pusher comprises a
screw theadingly connected to the first member.
10. A ground connector as in claim 9 wherein an end surface of the
screw directly contacts the stepped surface.
11. A ground connector comprising: a first section comprising a
first member with a threaded post, and a clamping system comprising
a screw rotatably connected to the first member, wherein the screw
has an end tip which is configured to apply a compression force to
assist in clamping the first section against opposite sides of a
support; and a second section movably located on the threaded post
and configured to directly contact and clamp a conductor towards
the support.
12. A ground connector as in claim 11 wherein the first member
comprises a general V shaped member with an inner surface sized and
shaped to directly contact the support, and outer surfaces having
conductor receiving grooves.
13. A ground connector as in claim 12 wherein the outer surfaces of
the first member comprise two surfaces which are generally
orthogonal to each other.
14. A ground connector as in claim 11 wherein the second section
comprises a one piece member having a general V shape with two
generally orthogonal sections and a through-hole between the two
generally orthogonal sections, wherein the post extends through the
through-hole.
15. A ground connector as in claim 14 wherein the two generally
orthogonal sections have inward facing sides with conductor
receiving grooves therealong.
16. A ground connector as in claim 14 further comprising a fastener
on the post configured to directly press the one piece member
towards the support.
17. A ground connector as in claim 16 wherein the first member
comprises a general V shaped member with an inner surface sized and
shaped to directly contact the support, and outer surfaces having
conductor receiving grooves.
18. A ground connector as in claim 11 wherein the first section
comprises a one piece second member having a general curved shape
with a first end pivotably connected to a first end of the first
member, and a second end having stepped surfaces thereon, and
wherein the end tip of the screw is located to apply the
compression force against one of the stepped surfaces.
19. A ground connector as in claim 11 wherein the first member is a
one-piece member with a general C shaped section and the threaded
post extending from one end of the C shaped section, and wherein
the screw is connected to an opposite second end of the general C
shaped section, and wherein an end of the screw is located to
directly contact the support.
20. A method comprising: connecting a first section of a ground
connector to a pedestal, wherein the first section comprises a
first member with a threaded post, a second member pivotably
connected to the first member, and a screw on the first member,
wherein the second member comprises teeth, and wherein one of the
teeth is engaged by an end tip of the screw to clamp a pedestal
directly between the first and second members; and positioning a
second section on the threaded post to directly contact and clamp a
conductor towards the pedestal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a raised floor system and, more
particularly, to grounding in a raised floor system.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
[0004] It is known in raised floor structures, used in a building
having numerous computer or telephone or electrical devices, to
provide a grounding network. The understructure of a raised floor
system includes multiple pedestals and perhaps stringers and
seismic supports. Floor panels are located on top of the pedestals.
The panels can include, for example, aluminum panels, or steel
panels such as hollow, perforated, grated, concrete filled, wood
filled and calcium chloride filled.
[0005] A grounding network of a raised floor system can comprise
ground conductors or cables arranged in a parallel grid or a
perpendicular grid. A ground connector is used to connect the cable
to the pedestal of the raised floor system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,211
discloses a ground connector where conductors can be clamped
directly against a post in two orthogonal orientations. There is a
desire for a faster and less expensive way to connect a ground
conductor to a pedestal of a raised floor system.
SUMMARY
[0006] The following summary is merely intended to be exemplary.
The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed
invention.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a ground
connector is provided including a first section and a second
section. The first section includes a first member with a threaded
post, a second member pivotably connected to the first member, and
a pusher on the first member. The second member includes a stepped
surface configured to be engaged by the pusher to clamp a pedestal
directly between the first and second members. The second section
is movably located on the threaded post and configured to directly
contact and clamp a conductor towards the pedestal.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a ground
connector is provided comprising a first section and a second
section. The first section comprises a first member with a threaded
post, and a clamping system comprising a screw rotatably connected
to the first member. The screw has an end tip which is configured
to apply a compression force to assist in clamping the first
section against opposite sides of a support. The second section is
movably located on the threaded post and configured to directly
contact and clamp a conductor towards the support.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method
is provided comprising connecting a first section of a ground
connector to a pedestal, wherein the first section comprises a
first member with a threaded post, a second member pivotably
connected to the first member, and a screw on the first member,
wherein the second member comprises teeth, and wherein one of the
teeth is engaged by an end tip of the screw to clamp a pedestal
directly between the first and second members; and positioning a
second section on the threaded post to directly contact and clamp a
conductor towards the pedestal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention
are explained in the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a raised floor system
comprising features of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical connector
attached to one of the pedestals;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical connector
shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the members of the
connector shown in FIGS. 2-3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another one of the members
of the connector shown in FIGS. 2-3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the connector shown in
FIGS. 2-3 attached to the pedestal;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector
shown in FIG. 6; and
[0018] FIGS. 8-11 are perspective views an alternate embodiment of
one of the sections of the connector shown in FIGS. 2-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of a raised floor
system 10 incorporating features of the invention. Although the
invention will be described with reference to the example
embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the
invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments.
In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or
materials could be used.
[0020] The system 10 generally comprises pedestals 12 and panels
14. The panels 14 are conventional panels of a raised floor system.
Each pedestal 12 generally comprises a first section 16 and a
second section 18. The second section 18 is adjustably connected to
the first section 16 in this embodiment. However, in alternate
embodiments the second section might not be movably connected to
the first section. The first section 16 comprises a base 20 and a
post 22. The base and post are preferably comprised of metal. In
this embodiment the post 22 is stationarily attached to the base,
such as by welding. However, in alternate embodiments the base and
post could be integrally formed or connected in any other suitable
method.
[0021] The base 20 is sized and shaped to sit or rest on a floor,
such as a concrete floor of an office building for example. The
base 20 has a general square or rectangular planar shape, but could
have other shapes. In an alternate embodiment the base could be
sized and shaped to connect to another member.
[0022] The post 22 extends upward from the base 20. The post 22 has
a general tube shape. In the embodiment shown the tube shape is
generally circular in cross section, but could have alternative
cross sectional shapes. An aperture extends into the top end of the
post 22 into the central channel of the tube shape.
[0023] The second section 18 generally comprises a post 26 and a
top support 28. The post 26 and top support 28 are conventional in
this embodiment. The post 26 is a threaded post with threads on its
exterior side. The top support 28 is connected to the top end of
the post 26. The top side of the top support 28 is adapted to
support the panels 14 thereon.
[0024] The second section 18 comprises an adjuster, such as a nut.
The adjuster is connected to the threads of the post 26. The bottom
side of the nut rests on the top end of the post 22. In alternate
embodiments any suitable type of height adjustment system between
the first and second sections could be provided.
[0025] The bottom end of the post 26 extends into the center
channel of the post 22 through the open top end of the post 22.
With the nut resting on the top support surface of the post 22,
when the nut is turned the post 26 can move up and down relative to
the post 22. Thus, the height of the top support 28 relative to the
base 20 can be adjusted.
[0026] Referring also to FIG. 2, the system 10 includes a grounding
system which is used to ground the raised floor system to ground.
The grounding system includes electrical conductors 30, 32 and
electrical ground connectors 34. Referring also to FIG. 3, the
connector 34 generally comprises a first section 36 and a second
section 38. The first section 36 generally comprises a first member
40, a second member 42 and a pusher 44.
[0027] Referring also to FIG. 4, the first member 40 is a one-piece
substantially rigid metal member. The first member 40 has a general
V shaped member 48 and a threaded post 46. The member 48 has two
sections 50, 52 which are generally orthogonal to each other.
Exterior facing sides of the sections 50, 52 each have two
conductor receiving grooves 54, 56 therealong. In this embodiment
the grooves have different sizes, but they could have the same
size. As shown in FIG. 6, the opposite facing side 58 is configured
to be located directly against the exterior surface of the post
22.
[0028] Referring also to FIGS. 6-7, the second member 42 is
pivotably connected to a first end 60 of the first member 40 at
pivot connection 62. The second member 42 is a one-piece
substantially rigid metal member having a general curved shape.
However, the member 42 might not be completely rigid. A first end
64 is pivotably connected at the pivot connection 62. A side of the
second member 42 has teeth or stepped surfaces 66 which extend to a
second end 68 of the second member 42.
[0029] The pusher 44 is located at the second end 70 of the first
member 40. The pusher 44 comprises a screw in this embodiment, but
in alternate embodiments the pusher might comprise a different type
of member. The end 70 has an aperture 76 to allow the second end 68
of the second member 42 to pass therethrough. The screw 44 is
threadingly connected to the second end 70 and has an end tip 45
which can project into the aperture 76.
[0030] When the screw 44 is rotated by a user, the second member 42
can be moved inward into the aperture 76. The tip 45 presses on one
of the teeth 66 in direction 67 (see FIG. 7). Thus, the space
between opposite sides of the surface 58 of the first member 40 and
the inward facing surface of the second member 42 can be decreased.
When decreased, the members 40, 42 can clamp the post 22 directly
therebetween to mechanically and electrically connect the first
section 36 to the post 22. Although only one tooth or stepped
surface is used, multiple teeth 66 are provided to allow the first
section to connect to different size posts 22.
[0031] The second section 38 has a one-piece member 78 and a
fastener 81 (see FIG. 2), such as a nut. Referring also to FIG. 5,
the one-piece member 78 is preferably made of metal and comprises a
general V shape with two generally orthogonal sections 80, 82 and a
through-hole 84 between the two generally orthogonal sections. The
post 46 is located through the through-hole 84. The inner facing
sides of the sections 80, 82 comprise conductor receiving grooves
86, 88.
[0032] The conductors 30, 32 can be located in the grooves 54, 56,
86, 88 and the nut 81 tightened to clamp the conductors directly
between the members 40, 78. Thus, the conductors 30, 32 can be
electrically connected to each other and to the post 22.
[0033] Referring also to FIGS. 8-11, an alternate embodiment of the
first section is shown connected to the post 22. In this embodiment
the first section has a one-piece metal member 90 comprising a
threaded post 92 and a general C shaped section 94. The threaded
post 92 is located at a first end of the C shaped section 94. A
screw 96 is connected to an opposite second end of the C shaped
section 94. A tip of the screw 96 can be tightened directly onto
post 22 to attached the member 90 to the post. The member 78 and
nut 81 can be used on the threaded post 92 to clamp the conductors
30, 32 directly against the exterior side of the post 22.
[0034] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. For example, features recited in the
various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any
suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different
embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a
new embodiment. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *