Beam clamp

• US 8,096,816 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2011
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Kossak, Robert W., Sokol, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US13/114,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20110223814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 439/92, 439/803, 174/94.S, 174/94.R
• US Class Current: 439/92
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/26 End pieces terminating in a screw clamp, screw or nut
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/366 intermediate part attached to the tip of the 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

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member.

Claims

1. A clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member, the clamp comprising:

a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and an open side section, the open side section receiving the structural member,

wherein the top section has a first mounting section and a second mounting section separated from the first mounting section by a slot, each of the first mounting section and the second mounting section having a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member,

wherein the grounding connector is secured to the bottom section,

wherein the grounding connector has a cable and is electrically connected to the structural member via the clamp body, and

wherein the bottom section has a grounding hole for receiving a grounding fastener to secure the grounding connector to the bottom section.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp body is generally C-shaped.

3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the grounding fasteners are threaded.

4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein the grounding holes are tapped.

5. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the mounting fastener is threaded.

6. The clamp of claim 5, wherein the mounting holes are tapped.

7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the mounting fastener has a hex pocket.

8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the mounting fastener has a clamp pad.

9. The clamp of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of the clamp pad is smooth.

10. The clamp of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of the clamp pad is serrated.

11. The clamp of claim 8, wherein the clamp pad is rotatably connected to the mounting fastener.

12. The clamp of claim 11, wherein the mounting fastener has a ball and the clamp pad has a socket for receiving the ball.