Electrical connectors – With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision – Grounding to conductive sheath of cable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-28
2001-07-03
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision
Grounding to conductive sheath of cable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254404
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ground tie and more particularly to an inexpensive flexible electrically conductive strip for connecting a shield of a shielded cable to a ground terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is often a need to ground the shield of a shielded electrical cable. Typically this is done by removing an outer insulative cover to expose the shield, then cutting or splitting the tubular shield in a longitudinal direction and attaching an electrically conductive clip to one of the cut portions or flaps of the shield. The shield typically is very thin and relatively delicate aluminum so that the already cut shield is prone to tear during handling.
One existing ground device consists of a braided strap which is ultrasonically welded at one end to an electrically conductive tube. The other end may be connected to a clip where the clip is constructed to be crimped onto one of the flaps of the shield.
There are a number of drawbacks to this device and the manner in which it is attached to the shield. First, the grounding device is relatively expensive since it is constructed of three different elements which must be connected together. Also, as mentioned, the manner of connection to the shield is less than ideal because there is a need to cut the shield thereby creating a location of high stress which will fail should a sufficient pulling force be applied to the shield. Another device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,532. There, a device is disclosed which clamps to the cable shield. While the clamp lessens the stress on the cable shield when compared to a cut, the device is relatively expensive and relatively large. It is also cumbersome in use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The difficulties and disadvantages encountered by previous grounding devices and their method of attachment to a shielded cable have been overcome by the present invention. What is described here is an electrical conductor for connecting a shield of a shielded cable to a ground terminal comprising an elongated flexible strip of electrically conductive material having first and second end portions, a pair of oppositely disposed tabs integrally connected to the elongated flexible strip at the first end portion for connecting the first end portion to the strip at a region spaced from the first end portion, means integrally connected to the elongated flexible strip at the second end portion for connection to a ground terminal, and a region of projections located on the strip adjacent to the first end portion. The invention also includes a method for connecting an electrically conductive strip to a shield of a shielded cable for helping ground the shielded cable comprising the steps of providing a shielded cable, providing an elongated flexible strip of electrically conductive material having oppositely disposed tabs at a first end portion, means for connecting the strip to a ground terminal and projections in a region near the first end portion, exposing the shield of the shielded cable, wrapping the strip with the projections around the shield, and crimping the tabs to the strip wherein the projections engage the shield and make electrical contact.
An object of the present invention is to provide a simply constructed and inexpensive ground tie between a shield of a shielded cable and a ground terminal. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a ground tie which is easy to use and which does not need a predetermined orientation during connection of the ground tie and the shielded cable. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a ground tie that makes a robust connection to the shield of the cable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ground tie that allows connection to the shields of many different sized cables. Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a ground tie with an end to connect to a ground terminal that may be formed in any convenient shape.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, aspects, aims and advantages thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided herein.
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patent: 4291934 (1981-09-01), Kund
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patent: 5429532 (1995-07-01), Auclair
patent: 5432301 (1995-07-01), Gehring
patent: 5554825 (1996-09-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5597314 (1997-01-01), Auclair et al.
patent: 5769661 (1998-06-01), Nealis
Abrams Neil
Duverne J. F.
Jones Day Reavis & Pogue
Marconi Communications Inc.
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