Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-03-20
Arbes, Carl J. (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C029S857000, C439S799000, C439S813000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202300
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to electrical grounding clamps. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for electrical grounding of vehicular components. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for electrical grounding of vehicular components for reduction of frequencies which may adversely effect radio operation.
2. Discussion
Grounding clamps are utilized to provide an electrical ground for pipes and conduits, for example, to dissipate static electricity. In effecting such grounding, generally a solid copper wire is appropriately terminated to ground and then connected to the pipe or conduit by a clamp to effect grounding. The coupling of the terminated ground wire to the pipe or conduit to be grounded must be done in a manner to ensure an effective electrical connection between the pipe or conduit and the terminated ground wire. This coupling or connection must be maintained free from corrosion and mechanical failure, both at the connection with the terminated ground wire, and at the connection to the pipe or conduit.
To ensure suitable grounding for a pipe or conduit that is covered with paint, rust, or other material over a base metal, it is known to clean the pipe or conduit surface, for example by sanding. While such a practice is typically effective in ensuring a properly conditioned surface for grounding, it is labor intensive. To a more limited extent, it is also known to provide a grounding clamp having a strap with a plurality of abrading points for engaging an object to be grounded and cutting or scraping through an outer surface thereof as the clamping strap is tightened to ensure electrical contact. One example of such a clamping strap is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,096 to Franks, Jr. The grounding clamp disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,096 includes one or more terminated ground wires identified at reference numeral
40
for grounding a pipe.
While known devices for electrically grounding, including but not limited to the arrangement shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,096 have proven to be acceptable for certain applications, they are all associated with disadvantages. In this regard, known devices typically include multiple components which is undesirable for many applications, for example, automotive assembly applications. Additionally, known devices are not effective for grounding higher frequencies (e.g., greater than 15 Mhz) which typically interfere with FM band radio.
In the field of motor vehicles, it is recognized that isolated metallic vehicular components may become parasitic resonators if not sufficiently grounded. For example, a vehicle tail pipe may pick up energy from the engine compartment and resonate. Transmitted frequencies may ultimately couple with the vehicle antenna and adversely effect radio operation.
In certain known applications, wires are used to electrically interconnect such isolated metallic vehicular components with body sheet metal or the vehicle frame. While often time consuming and expensive due to the multiple part assemblies conventionally employed, this known technique is effective for lower frequencies which may effect AM radio operation. However, higher frequencies which effect FM radio operation remain problemsome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for grounding metallic vehicular components to eliminate radio interference.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus incorporating a one-piece assembly for grounding metallic vehicular components.
It is another related object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus incorporating a grounding strap for effectively transmitting frequencies which may otherwise be disruptive to radio operation, particularly FM band radio operation.
In one form, the present invention provides a method for electrically grounding a metallic component of a motor vehicle to a ground surface. The method includes the general steps of providing a band having a first end and a second end, and providing a clamping mechanism. The first end of the band is fixedly attached to the clamping mechanism and the second end of the band is adjustably attached to the clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is operated to tighten the band about the metallic component. The method additionally includes the step of electrically interconnecting the clamping mechanism and the ground surface.
In a more preferred form, the present invention provides a method for radio frequency bonding a metallic component of a motor vehicle to a ground surface. The method includes the general steps of providing a conductive metallic band having a first end and a second end, and providing a conductive clamping mechanism including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a threaded member for adjusting the first end of the grounding strap relative to the second end of the grounding strap. The second portion is adapted for engaging the first end of the grounding strap.
The method of the present invention further includes the steps of fixedly attaching the first end of the band to the first portion of the clamping mechanism and adjustably engaging the threaded member with the second end of the band. The threaded member is rotated so as to adjust the second end of the band relative to the first end of the band and thereby tighten the band about the metallic component of the motor vehicle. The second portion of the clamping mechanism is crimped to the first end of the grounding strap and the second end of the grounding strap is attached to the ground surface.
In another form, the present invention provides an aperture for electrical grounding a metal component of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a ground surface. The apparatus includes a conductive clamping mechanism having a first portion having a housing which rotatably supports a threaded member. The housing defines an opening passing therethrough. The apparatus additionally includes a conductive metal band having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly attached to the metal housing. The second end passes through the opening and is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member in a first direction tightens the conductive metal band around the metal component of the motor vehicle. The apparatus further includes a grounding strap having a first end attached to the clamping mechanism and a second end interconnected to the ground surface of the motor vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3435126 (1969-03-01), Hamilton
patent: 4626051 (1986-12-01), Franks, Jr.
patent: 4780096 (1988-10-01), Franks, Jr.
patent: 4873763 (1989-10-01), Volonta et al.
patent: 2271688 (1975-12-01), None
Arbes Carl J.
Chrysler Corporation
MacLean Kenneth H.
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