United States Patent [191
`Churla
`
`/
`
`4,210,374
`Jul. 1, 1980
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`[73]
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`[21]
`[22]
`[51]
`[52]
`[53]
`[56]
`
`Inventor:
`Assignee:
`
`SET-SCREW BUSHING INCLUDING
`INTEGRAL ELECTRICAL CLAMP
`Daniel Charla, Old Forge, Pat
`Atlas Technologies Inc., Scranton,
`Pa.
`App1.No.: 882,848
`Filed:
`Mar. 3, 1978
`Int. Cl.2
`............. nom 3/06
`us. or. ................... .. 339/14 L; 285/404
`Field of Search ..................... .. 339/14 L; 285/404
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,365,693
`1/1968 Browne ............................ .. 339/14 L
`3,941,410
`3/1976 Miyaoka ........................ .. 285/404 X
`Primary Examiner-Roy Lake
`Assistant Examiner—-DeWalden W. Jones
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein &
`Cohen, Ltd.
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A set-screw bushing including integral electrical clamp
`for connection to the end of a threaded pipe, although
`
`in some instances the invention is usable with an un
`threaded pipe, the bushing of this invention including
`clamping means for securing an electrical conductor to
`the bushing. The ‘bushing and the clamping means are
`preferably cast as an integral unit of metal. The clamp
`ing means include a c-shaped member de?ning an open
`mouth with a lip to receive various sized electrical
`conductors. An adjustable lug screw extends into the
`mouth to secure a conductor to the lip when the screw
`is tightened.
`The bushing preferably has a plain or unthreaded inner
`wall with the bushing being secured over the pipe by
`means of an adjustable set-screw extending through the
`bushing wall. A tab extends from the bushing wall to
`limit the amount of engagement between the bushing
`and the pipe. The upper edge of the bushing terminates
`in a rim which has a notch to permit ease of installation
`or insertion of an insulating piece within the bushing
`and against the rim.
`With the present invention the bushing is quickly in
`stalled on the pipe with the set-screw forcing the tab
`against a thread of the pipe to achieve a tight grip.
`
`12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
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`7O
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`20
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`7
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`62 6d
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`38
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`Page 1 of 6
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1010
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`

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`US, Patent
`‘
`..
`atsnt Jul. 1,1980
`Jul. 1, 1980
`
`Sheet 10f2
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`4,210,374
`4,210,374
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`Page 2 0f 6
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`Page 2 of 6
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`U.S.'Patent Jul. 1, 1980
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`Sheet 2 of2
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`4,2103%
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`FIG. 5
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`Page 3 of 6
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`

`I
`
`SET-SCREW BUSHING INCLUDING INTEGRAL
`ELECTRICAL CLAMP
`
`15
`
`20
`
`This invention relates generally to electrical connec
`tors and more particularly to pipe bushings including
`means for securing electrical conductors thereto.
`Various bushings for securement to threaded pipe
`ends and having electrical conductor connecting de
`vices (such as clamps for effecting the grounding of the
`pipe) are commercially available. Such devices com
`monly comprise a threaded bushing adapted to be
`screwed onto the end of a pipe. Conductor clamping
`means are secured to the bushing by the use of at least
`one screw.
`The clamping means include a smooth mouth into
`which an adjustable set~screw extends. The electrical
`conductor is seated in the mouth and the set-screw
`tightened into contact with the conductor to secure the
`conductor in place.
`While the clamping means of the prior art are gener
`ally suitable for their intended functions, they neverthe
`less suffer from various drawbacks, the most serious of
`which being that during storage, shipment, etc., the
`25
`clamping means may come loose from the bushing and
`even be lost. In such an event the user must either re
`connect the disconnected part or else get a replacement
`if the part is lost. For the occasional user, such action
`may only be a slight inconvenience, but in large scale
`construction applications the time lost by skilled work
`men in connecting the bushing clamps can result in
`substantial increases in construction costs.
`Another signi?cant disadvantage of the prior art
`bushings including conductor clamping means is that
`such devices are of severly limited utility and cannot be
`used with various diameter electrical conductors. To
`that end, various sized clamps have to be kept in stock
`to accommodate various sized conductors.
`The foregoing as well as other problems have been
`solved in prior co~pending application Ser. No. 760,484,
`entitled Bushing Including Integral Electrical Cable
`Clamp, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`In said application Ser. No. 760,484, there was dis
`closed and claimed a bushing and electrical conductor
`clamping device which comprised a bushing body for
`securement to a pipe and clamping means integrally
`formed with the bushing body. The clamping means
`were in the form of a stationary c-shaped member de?n
`ing a mouth with a lip at its entrance which was ar
`ranged to receive various diameter electrical conduc
`tors therein. The mouth included longitudinally extend
`ing serrations and releasably securable means in the
`form of a threaded lug extending into the mouth oppo
`site the serrations.
`While the aforesaid bushing and electrical conductor
`clamping device has served well, nevertheless, it suf
`fered from a drawback in that the c-shaped clamping
`means could not be rotated in close quarters. In other
`words, if the aforesaid bushing were to be installed
`within a c-shaped or L~shaped panel, the clamping
`means would abut against a wall of the panel if it were
`attempted to rotate such clamping means in order to
`install the same upon a threaded pipe. This can best be
`understood by reference to FIG. 5 herein. Moreover, it
`was desired to achieve a quicker installation of the bush
`ing on the pipe.
`
`4,210,374
`2
`Accordingly, it is a general object of the present
`invention to achieve a set-screw bushing with conduc
`tor securing means which overcomes the aforesaid ad
`vantages.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide a bushing for connection to a pipe which has inte
`grally formed clamping means to effect the securement
`of electrical conductors to the pipe.
`It is still a further object of the present invention to
`provide a bushing for connection to a pipe which in
`cludes means for securing electrical conductors thereto
`with said connecting means being suitable for use with
`various diameter conductors.
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a bushing for connection to a pipe with integral
`clamping means, thereby precluding the separation of
`the clamping means from the bushing.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a set-screw bushing which can be installed in close
`quarters with reference to a c-shaped or L-shaped panel
`without the necessity of rotating the bushing during the
`securing process.
`The foregoing as well as other objects of the present
`invention are achieved by providing a set-screw bush
`ing including integral electrical clamp for connection to
`the end of a threaded or unthreaded pipe. The bushing
`of the present invention includes clamping means for
`securing an electrical conductor to the bushing. The
`bushing and the clamping means are preferably cast as
`an integral unit of metal. The clamping means includes
`a c-shaped member de?ning an open mouth with a lip to
`receive various size electrical conductors. An adjust
`able lug screw extends into the mouth to secure a con
`ductor to the lip when the screw is tightened.
`The bushing of this invention preferably has a plain
`or unthreaded inner wall with the bushing being se
`cured over the pipe by means of an adjustable set-screw
`extending through the bushing wall. Thus, it is not
`necessary that the end of the pipe be threaded, although
`the present invention can be used with a pipe having
`external threads.
`Another feature of the bushing of the present inven
`tion is a tab extending inwardly from the bushing wall,
`with a set-screw being provided to force the tab against
`a thread of the pipe to achieve a tight grip. Finally, the
`upper edge of the bushing terminates in a rim which has
`a notch to permit ease of installation or insertion of an
`insulating piece within the bushing and against the rim.
`Other objects and many of the attendant advantages
`of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same
`becomes better understood by reference to the follow
`ing detailed description when considered in connection
`with the accompanying drawing wherein:
`FIG. I is a three-dimensional view of a set-screw
`bushing in accordance with the present invention, with
`the bushing being secured to a pipe that extends
`through an opening in a c-shaped or L-shaped panel;
`FIG. 2 is a top elevational view, of the assembly
`shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of
`the assembly shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the assembly
`shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a top elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but
`showing the added presence of the c-shaped or L
`shaped panel and the inability to install the set-screw
`bushing by rotating with reference to the pipe; and
`
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`20
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`4,210,374
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`FIG. 6 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the
`assembly of FIG. 1.
`Referring now to the various ?gures of the drawing
`wherein like reference characters refer to like parts
`there is shown at 20 in FIG. 1 a set-screw bushing em
`bodying the present invention. The set-screw bushing
`basically comprises a bushing body 22 and clamping
`means 24 secured thereto. The clamping means 24 and
`the bushing body 22 are preferably formed as an inte
`gral unit of a conductive metal, such as zinc. The bush
`ing body 22 is hollow with its inner surface 26 being
`preferably plain and unthreaded. The outer surface 23
`of the bushing body 22 contains a series of integral
`reinforcing struts or rods 25.
`As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bushing body 22 is
`received over a portion of the threaded end of pipe 28,
`although it will be appreciated that the bushing of the
`present invention may also be used with unthreaded
`pipe.
`The clamping means 24 comprises a c-shaped block
`30 de?ning a mouth 32. The mouth extends the full
`width of the block, that is from side 34 to side 36 (see
`FIG. 2). The mouth 32 is adapted to receive an electri
`cal conductor 38 longitudinally therein and to clamp
`the conductor into place. Thus, the bottom of the
`mouth forms a somewhat curved seat 40 for the conduc
`tor 38. The edge of the seat is in the form of an up
`wardly projecting lip‘ 42 which also extends the full
`width of the block 30.
`The portion of the c-shaped block disposed over the
`seat 40 is denominated by the reference numeral 44 and
`includes a threaded opening 46 therein. A threaded lug
`48 extends through the opening 46 into the mouth 32
`and toward the seat 40. The lug 48 includes a slotted
`end 50 to enable the lug to be positioned relative to the
`seat. The free end of the lug 48 (FIG. 1) is denominated
`by the reference numeral 52 and adapted to make
`contact with a portion of the periphery of the conduc
`tor 38 to clamp the conductor between it and seat 40,
`thus forming a good electrical connection.
`It will be seen from FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, that the project
`ing lip 42 enables the clamping means 24 to be used with
`various sized electrical conductors from the relatively
`small size, e.g., number 14, to the relatively large size,
`e.g., number 4. Towards that end, as will be appreciated
`by those skilled in the art, that when clamping a rela
`tively small diameter conductor the lip will act to keep
`such conductor from slipping out of the mouth of the
`clamping means.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention
`the bushing body 22 and the clamping means 30 are
`formed as an integral unit. This feature precludes the
`clamping means from being worked loose from the
`bushing body. In addition, it obviates the necessity for
`assembling the bushing body and the clamping means
`on the site.
`7
`Another feature of the invention involves the provi
`sion of an adjustable set-screw 54 which extends
`through an appropriate opening in the bushing body 22.
`As will be appreciated from FIG. 3, the internal portion
`of the set-screw (not shown) will bear against the outer
`surface of pipe 28 in order to hold bushing body 22
`tightly against the outer surface of the pipe 28. The
`set-screw 54 may be adjusted through the engagement
`of a screw-driver or other device in its slotted end 56,
`and is tightening means.
`,
`As best shown in FIG. 6, tab 58 extends from inner
`surface 26 of bushing body 22. The tab 58 is forced by
`
`4
`set-screw 54 against a thread of the pipe to achieve a
`tight grip that is quickly established.
`Still another feature of the invention invovles the
`provision of a notch 60 in a rim 62 which is an integral
`part of the bushing. The notch 60 serves to permit ease
`of installation or insertion (as well as removal) of insu
`lating piece 64 (FIG. 6).
`Operation of the device 20 is as follows:
`A portion of the conductor 38 is extended into the
`mouth 32 of the clamping means 30 and positioned on
`'the seat 40. The lug 48 is then tightened using its slotted
`end 50, to bring the free end 52 of the lug 48 into contact
`with the conductor 38. Further tightening of the lug 48
`results in the tightening of the conductor between the
`free end of the lug 48 and the seat 40 of the block 30 to
`form good electrical connection. As will be seen the
`securement of conductor 38 to the clamping means 30
`may be done before or after bushing 22 is installed upon
`pipe 28. The manner of installing bushing 22 on pipe 28
`can be appreciated by a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 6.
`The pipe 28 is first secured to an L-shaped or c-shaped
`member 66 having horizontal panel 68 and vertical
`panel 70. An appropriate opening is provided in the
`horizontal panel 68. A nut 72 is ?rst threaded on the
`pipe 28 for a suf?cient amount so that a portion of the
`threads of pipe 28 extend beyond the nut 72. This
`threaded portion is then inserted through the opening in
`the horizontal panel 68. Another nut 76 is then em
`ployed to ?rmly secure the pipe 28 to the panel 68 by
`threading of the nut 76 upon the outer most threads of
`the pipe 28 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Bushing 20 is then
`simply slipped over the extending threads of the pipe 28
`with the adjustable set-screw 54 then being tightened. It
`will be seen that it is not necessary to rotate the bushing
`20 with reference to the pipe 28 nor, as shown in FIG.
`5, is it even possible to rotate bushing 20 with reference
`to the pipe 28 for any signi?cant amount.
`As should be appreciated from the foregoing, the
`set-screw bushing of the present invention with its inte
`gral clamping means is so constructed as to be suitable
`for clamping small diameter wire as well as large diame
`ter wire. This feature permits the device to handle mini
`mum or'maximum wire sizes, thereby eliminating the
`need for stocking various sized devices for each size
`pipe. It also eliminates the problems inherent in having
`to order various sized devices. Needless to say, the
`elimination of stocking various sized devices for each
`size bushing and pipe can result in substantial savings
`and reduce errors in production, shipping and ordering.
`The aforesaid advantages are gained without any loss in
`the effectiveness of the clamping means since the mouth
`in the seat of the c-shaped clamping member keeps the
`smaller diameter wires located while the screw is tight
`ened. Moreover, the integral nature of the bushing and
`‘ clamping means precludes accidental disassembly and
`loss of components and obviates an assembly step at the
`building site.
`It will further be appreciated that the bushing 20 may
`be quickly assembled upon the extending threaded end
`of the pipe 28. All that is needed is to slip the bushing 20
`over the threaded end of the pipe 28, followed by tight
`ening of the adjustable set-screw 54. It does not matter
`whether the precise end of the pipe 28 is threaded,
`although such threads are necessary in order to achieve
`the locking of pipe 28 within the opening and horizontal
`panel 68 using nuts 72 and 76.
`Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so
`fully illustrate my invention that others may, by apply
`
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`4,210,374
`6
`5
`3. The bushing of claim 2 wherein said pipe possesses
`ing current or further knowledge, readily adapt the
`a threaded outer wall for a portion of its length and said
`same for use under various conditions of service.
`set-screw bears against at least one of said threads.
`This application is a continuation-in-part based on
`4. The bushing of claim 3 wherein said tab means
`application Ser. No. 760,484, ?led Jan. 19, 1977 and
`contacts at least one of said threads.
`entitled Bushing Including Integral Electrical Cable
`5. The bushing of claim 4 wherein said threaded pipe
`Clamp.
`end passes through an opening in a panel and is secured
`to said panel by nuts.
`What is claimed as the invention is:
`6. The bushing of claim 1 wherein said clamping
`1. In a set-screw bushing comprising an annual bush
`means is a c-shaped member de?ning a mouth having a
`ing body having an unthreaded inner surface for secure
`lip at its entrance and arranged to receive various diam
`ment in a slip fit over a pipe having a threaded end, and
`eter electrical conductors therein,
`integral, inseparable electrical conductor clamping
`7. The bushing of claim 6 and further including re
`means extending away from said bushing body, adjust
`leasable securable means in the form of a threaded lug
`extending into said mouth to clamp a conductor within
`able pipe tightening means spaced from said clamping
`said mouth.
`means, said pipe tightening means extending through
`8. The bushing of claim 7 wherein said threaded lug
`said bushing body to bear inwardly against said pipe to
`includes a slotted end.
`hold said bushing body in ?xed position about said pipe,
`9. The bushing of claim 8 wherein said c-shaped
`tab means, integral with said bushing body, said tab
`member and said bushing are cast as an integral unit.
`means extending inwardly from said bushing body to
`10. The bushing of claim 9 wherein said integral unit
`is formed of metal.
`contact said pipe, whereby said tightening means may
`11. The bushing of claim 10 wherein said metal is
`be advanced inwardly against said pipe so as to force
`21116.
`said pipe against said tab means to achieve a ?rm union
`12. The bushing of claim 1 wherein the upper edge of
`of said bushing body and said pipe.
`said bushing terminates in a rim which has a notch to
`2. The bushing of claim 1 wherein said tightening
`permit installation or removal of an insulating piece
`means is an adjustable set-screw threadedly engaging
`within the bushing and cast against the rim.
`said bushing body and adapted to abut against said pipe.
`' t i t t
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