FLOW DRILL SCREW ATTACHED GROUNDING BLOCK

• US 20150087168A1
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: SAJE, ROBERT N., JENSEN, CHARLES E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,437,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/97
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/648 Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices , e.g. anti-static shielding coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/66 Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin

Abstract

A grounding block is provided. The grounding block includes a means for fastening and a formed metallic block. The formed metallic block further comprises two or more flanges, where each flange is configured to accept the means for fastening. The formed metal block further comprises a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges and a hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept a bolt. Various embodiments include angled surfaces to optimize assembly ergonomics and variable depth to optimize the mass of the blocks.

Claims

1. A grounding block with a top surface and underside comprising:

a means for fastening; and

a formed metallic block, wherein the formed metallic block further comprises;

two or more flanges;

a first hole through each of the two or more flanges configured to accept the means for fastening;

a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges; and

a second hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept one of a bolt or a screw.

2. The grounding block of claim 1, wherein the grounding block varies in a thickness between an underside of the grounding block and the top surface of the grounding block along its length.

3. The grounding block of claim 2, wherein the grounding block is attached to a surface by a flow screw.

4. The grounding block if claim 3 wherein the top surface is planar.

5. The grounding block of claim 3, wherein the grounding block also comprises two side surfaces.

6. The grounding block of claim 5, wherein each of the two side surfaces comprises a hole normal to each side surface, each hole configured to receive one of a bolt or a screw.

7. The grounding block of claim 3, wherein the top surface is triangular.

8. The grounding block of claim 7, wherein a surface of the triangular top surface comprises a hole normal to the top surface that is configured to receive one of a bolt or a screw.

9. The grounding block of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the grounding block comprises at least two different, parallel, flat surfaces.

10. The grounding block of claim 9, wherein each of the planar, flat surfaces comprises a hole normal to each surface that is configured to receive one of a bolt and a screw, wherein the surface with the larger height accommodates a larger bolt or screw.

11. The grounding block of claim 10, wherein one bolt is insertable from each of the top surfaces.

12. The grounding block of claim 1, wherein the formed metallic block is comprised of aluminum.

13. A vehicle body portion comprising:

a chassis/body; and

a grounding block with a top surface and underside, the grounding block further comprising;

a means for fastening, and

a formed metallic block, wherein the formed metallic block further comprises;

two or more flanges,

a first hole through each of the two or more flanges configured to accept the means for fastening,

a uniform clearance formed into the underside of the grounding block between the flanges, and

a second hole formed through the grounding block configured to accept a bolt.

14. The vehicle body portion of claim 13, wherein the grounding block varies in a thickness between an underside of the grounding block and the top surface of the grounding block along its length.

15. The vehicle body portion of claim 14, wherein the grounding block is attached to a surface by a flow screw.

16. The vehicle body portion if claim 15 wherein the top surface is planar.

17. The vehicle body portion of claim 15, wherein the grounding block also comprises two side surfaces.

18. The vehicle body portion of claim 17, wherein each of the two side surfaces comprises a hole normal to each side surface, each hole configured to receive a bolt.

19. The vehicle body portion of claim 15, wherein the top surface is triangular.

20. The vehicle body portion of claim 19, wherein a surface of the triangular top surface comprises a hole normal to the top surface that is configured to receive a bolt.