Air-tight and water-tight electrical bonding device

• US 8,997,336 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sure-Bond Fasteners LLC
• Original Assignee: Renewable Energy Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Strizki, Michael, Snyder, Jason, Strizki, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Angwin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kue, Kaying
• Application Number:
  US13/608,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20140068930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 29/57, 298/25, 298/74, 298/76, 292/815, 29/332, 297/29, 297/45, 411/326, 411/353, 411/366.1, 411/369, 411/371.1, 411/371.2, 411/542
• US Class Current: 29/729
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/001 for sealing or insulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/34 Conductive members located under head of screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/005 for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5101 Slide fastener or slide fastener element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5178 Attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/532 Conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53978 including means to relatively position plural work parts

Abstract

A bonding device electrically bonds metallic surfaces through serrated metal teeth which embed into each metal surface as a fastener is tightened. A sealing material circumferentially outward and inward from the teeth create an air-tight and water-tight seal around the teeth, protecting the bonding location. The device can have an extended central collar extending axially from the through-hole in the center of the device, which will allow it to be installed in holes, or on a stud without the use of adhesives or other retaining methods.

Claims

1. An electrical bonding device comprising:

a) a metallic body having an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner perimeter surrounding a hole, an outer perimeter, and a plurality of teeth extending axially from the upper surface and the lower surface between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter;

b) an inner seal on the upper surface of the body, located radially inward of the teeth;

c) an inner seal on the lower surface of the body, located radially inward of the teeth;

d) an outer seal on the upper surface of the body, located between the teeth and the outer perimeter of the body; and

e) an outer seal on the lower surface of the body, located between the teeth and the outer perimeter of the body.

2. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, further comprising a central collar comprising a cylindrical tube extending axially from the body of the device, having a first end inside the inner perimeter of the body of the device and a second end.

3. The electrical bonding device of claim 2, in which the second end of the central collar is tapered.

4. The electrical bonding device of claim 2, in which the central collar further comprises a plurality of slots in the tube extending axially from the second end toward the first end.

5. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, in which the inner seals and outer seals are made of resilient material.

6. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, in which the body is made of metal.

7. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, in which the teeth are serrated.

8. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, in which the inner seals and the outer seals on the upper surface and lower surface are formed by covering the metallic body in a sealing material.

9. The electrical bonding device of claim 8, in which the teeth at least partially protrude from a surface of the sealing material.

10. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, further comprising a locating tab coupled to the metallic body.

11. The electrical bonding device of claim 1, further comprising a conductive link having an end coupled to the metallic body of the bonding device and an end coupled to the metallic body of another bonding device.