Compression grounding connector for rail and structural steel

Electrical connectors – With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C238S315000, C238S014140

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186799

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector which is compressed onto another member.
2. Prior Art
Compression connectors are generally well known in the art. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,164 which describes a compression ground connector for connecting one or more taps from a single connector to an installation requiring grounding. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,423 which shows a grounding connector capable of being clamped to a tapered metallic flange of an I-beam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a first member and at least one second member. The first member comprises a center section and two arms extending from the center section forming a first receiving area between the two arms. The second member is located in the first receiving area. The second member comprises at least one protrusion for piercing into a member located in the first receiving area when the connector is compressed onto the member.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a frame and at least one piercing insert. The frame has a general U-shaped cross-section with a center section, two arms extending from the center section, and a receiving area between the two arms for receiving a member to be connected to the connector. The at least one piercing insert is located in the receiving area of the frame. The piercing insert has two spaced sections with arm contacting surfaces contacting inner surfaces of the two arms. The piercing insert is comprised of a sheet metal member and has at least one protrusion for piercing into the member located in the receiving area when the frame is compressed onto the member.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector is provided comprising steps of providing a frame having a general U-shaped cross-section with two spaced arms and a receiving area between the two spaced arms; and connecting a piercing insert to the frame, the piercing insert being located in the receiving area and having at least one projection for piercing into a member located in the receiving area when the frame is compressed onto the member.


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patent: 1-117070 (1969-08-01), None

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