Electricity: conductors and insulators – Earth grounds
Reexamination Certificate
1995-05-26
2001-09-11
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Earth grounds
C174S003000, C174S0050SG
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288327
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a grounding device, particularly such a device for rapid employment in a temporary installation.
Grounding devices for conducting current into the earth are well known in the art. For permanent installations having water or sewer pipes, various types of clamps can be used on such pipes to provide a low resistance ground. Such pipes are not usually installed for temporary installations and therefore other types of grounding devices must be utilized.
Well known temporary grounding devices fall into two general categories, those that make subsurface contact with the earth and those that make surface contact with the earth. Of the subsurface types, the simplest and best known is the metal stake which is driven into the earth. The peripheral size of the stake and the subsurface characteristics of the earth at the particular grounding location, determine the depth to which the stake must be driven. A wire buried in a shallow ditch constitutes another subsurface type. The ditch is plowed into the earth and the length thereof is determined by the diameter of the wire and the subsurface characteristics of the earth at the particular grounding location. Of the surface types, the simplest is a mat of interwoven wire, which generally conforms to the contour of the earth's surface when disposed thereon. The area of the mat is determined by the weave mesh thereof and the surface characteristics of the earth at the particular grounding location. To improve the mats electrical contact with the earth's surface, metal pegs are driven into the earth to press parts of the mat there-against. In another surface type, a wire is disposed on the earth and held thereagainst with metal pegs that are driven thereinto. The length of the wire is determined mostly by the surface characteristics of the earth at the particular grounding location and the number of pegs utilized.
Of course, use of either a surface or subsurface type of grounding device requires time which is a precious commodity in urgent situations, such as the establishment of a temporary military installation in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the general object of the present invention to conduct current into the earth through a grounding device that is quickly employed and unemployed.
It is a specific object of the present invention to sustain a bearing pressure against the earth when employing a grounding device in accordance with the general object.
It is more specific object of the present invention to utilize a grounding device in accordance with the general object for grounding a motor vehicle with which the device is employed.
These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention, by structuring the grounding device to have a plurality of electrically conductive protrusions integrally affixed to and extending from one side of an electrically conductive base plate. In many preferred embodiments, the protrusions are tapered to have conical or wedge configurations. When practical, the protrusion taper is in accordance with both the surface and subsurface characteristics of the earth at the location where current is to be conducted thereinto. Many preferred embodiments also sustain a bearing pressure between the protrusions and the earth, which enhances electrical conductivity therebetween. Various structural aspects may be incorporated into the base plate to provided a flexure therein which enhances the sustained bearing pressure. For a particular embodiment, the grounding device is employed by driving a motor vehicle thereover in a temporary grounding system for the vehicle.
The scope of the present invention is only limited by the appended claims for which support is predicated on the preferred embodiments hereafter set forth in the following description and the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4324301 (1982-04-01), Eyerly
O'Meara John M.
Paladini Albert W.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Zelenka Michael
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