Ground washer

• US 6,939,097 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Carr, Scott H., Edwards, Dale H. Jr., Parker, Eric G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US10/647,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20040101383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 411/155, 411/156, 411/160, 411/161, 411/368, 411/531, 411/533, 411/542, 411/544, 411/545
• US Class Current: 411/368
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/93 Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/00 Washers or equivalent devices; Other devices for supporting bolt-heads or nuts circlips F16B21/18; for indicating tensile load F16B31/02; forming a whole with the bolt or nut F16B33/00; locking bolts or nuts by means of a fixed plate or ring, or washer-like resilient plates F16B39/10, F16B39/24
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/304 having means for improving contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/34 Conductive members located under head of screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail

Abstract

A ground washer is disclosed for attachment by a grounding screw to a grounding terminal. The washer device includes a disc-shaped member which defines an opening for the reception therethrough of the grounding screw. The member has an annular portion having a first and a second surface, the annular portion surrounding the opening. The annular portion cooperates with a plurality of teeth extending from the grounding terminal towards the annular portion of the member. A conical portion having a first and a second end, is disposed concentrically around the annular portion. A raised annular ridge is disposed between the annular portion and the conical portion, the ridge cooperating with the grounding screw such that when the grounding screw is turned, the ridge urges the annular portion into contact with the plurality of teeth of the grounding element. An annular flange is disposed concentrically around the conical portion, the flange mating with the grounding terminal. The arrangement is structured such that when the grounding screw is turned, the conical portion resiliently biases the annular ridge and the annular portion towards the plurality of teeth extending towards the annular portion while the flange stablilizes the biasing of the annular ridge so that an even contact between the plurality of teeth and the annular portion is facilitated.

Claims

1. A ground washer for attachment by a grounding screw to a grounding terminal, said washer comprising:

a disc-shaped member which defines an opening for the reception therethrough of the grounding screw, said member including an annular portion surrounding said opening and being in a first plane, said annular portion being a flat surface having a first end adjacent to said opening and a second end spaced from said first end;

a conical portion having a first and a second end, said conical portion being disposed concentrically around said annular portion;

a raised annular ridge disposed between said annular portion and said conical portion so as to provide an engagement surface for the grounding screw, wherein said raised annular ridge extends from said first end of said conical portion to said second end of said annular portion; and

an annular flange disposed concentrically around said conical portion and being in a second plane which is spaced from, but is generally parallel with, said first plane;

such that when the grounding screw is tightened down, the grounding screw pushes against said annular ridge so as to cause said conical portion of said washer to be compressed between the grounding screw and the grounding terminal thereby urging said first plane towards said second plan and forcing said disc-shaped member into contact with the grounding terminal so that said annular portion and said annular flange both make grounding contact with the grounding terminal.

2. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said washer is metallic.

3. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening is of a circular configuration.

4. A ground washer as set forth in claim 3, wherein said annular portion, said raised annular ridge, said conical portion and said annular flange are disposed concentrically relative to said opening.

5. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opening is of an oval configuration.

6. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said annular portion includes a first surface and a second surface which is adapted to contact a plurality of teeth on the grounding terminal.

7. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first end of said conical portion extends from said raised annular ridge.

8. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said raised annular ridge extends from said first end of said conical portion to said annular portion.

9. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said annular flange extends from said second end of said conical portion.

10. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said annular portion and said annular flange both make grounding contact with the grounding terminal.

11. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conical portion and said ridge are of a “

J”

or hooked shaped configuration.

12. A ground washer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said washer is configured in such a manner so as to allow the grounding screw to extend over the raised annular ridge and above said conical portion.