US3835438A - Self-grounding clip for the mounting strap of an electric switch or receptacle - Google Patents

Self-grounding clip for the mounting strap of an electric switch or receptacle Download PDF

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Publication number
US3835438A
US3835438A US00267386A US26738672A US3835438A US 3835438 A US3835438 A US 3835438A US 00267386 A US00267386 A US 00267386A US 26738672 A US26738672 A US 26738672A US 3835438 A US3835438 A US 3835438A
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mounting
strap
mounting strap
tongues
self
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US00267386A
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E Longworth
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PAULDING J Inc
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PAULDING J Inc
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail

Definitions

  • a self-grounding clip is provided for snapping into the screw slot of an electric switchor receptaclemounting strap and comprises a plate-like body portion having a central cut-out portion cut and bent about parallel fold lines to form two bent legs adapted to snap-fit into the screw slot, one end of the body being also bent out of the plane thereof arcuately about a fold line parallel to the fold lines of the central body legs and adapted to engage the end'of the receptacle strap proximate the screw slot.
  • This invention relates to an attachment for the mounting straps of electric switches and receptacles and, more particularly, to a self-grounding clip for such mounting straps.
  • Electric switches and receptacles for wall-mounting in a junction or receptacle box are conventionally mounted on a metal strap adapted to span the open face of the box and to be secured thereto by mounting screws.
  • the ends of each strap outboard of the mounted switch or receptacle are provided with a screw slot or hole somewhat larger than the diameter of the mounting screw so as to permit limited lateral movement of the mounting strap as it is being secured in place.
  • the oversize screw slot results in limited contact between the head of the mounting screw and the mounting strap itself and thus cannot generally meet the heat-rise test for an electrical ground connection between the receptacle and the box.
  • the selfgrounding clip of the invention comprises a plate-like metallic body the central portion of which has integrally formed tongues cut and folded about parallel 'fold lines out of the plane of the body into shapes adapted to be inserted into a screw slot in one of the mounting straps carrying an electric switch or outlet.
  • One end of the plate-like body is bent arcuately out of the plane of the body about a fold line parallel to the fold lines of the central body tongues and is adapted to engage the end of the mounting strap proximate the screw slot.
  • the central body legs are preferably so spaced as to resiliently engage the screw slot and to be further spread apart into engagement with the strap by the action of a mounting screw inserted therebetween.
  • FIG. I is a plan view of the self-grounding clip body showing the cut lines that define the tongue portions thereof;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the clip of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first step in mounting of the clip on a mounting strap
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevation in section showing the clip in its mounted position
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevations, partly in section, of the clip in position in a mounting strap assembly with a flat head screw and a chamfered head screw, respectively.
  • the self-grounding clip of the invention comprises a plate-like body 10 of resilient, electrically conductive metal such as phosphor bronze,
  • tongues 12 and 13 These tongues are bent downwardly out of the plane of the plate-like body 10, as shown inFIG. 2, about parallel fold lines 14 and 15 located at the top and bottom of the H.
  • the portions 12a and 12b of the tongues adjacent their fold lines are advantageously flat and are inclined at an angle of about to conform with the slope of the undercut side of a conventional screw head if such a mounting screw is used.
  • the remainder of each tongue is provided with a continued curvature 12b and 13b in a reversing direction.
  • the ends and of the tongues terminate at a distance from one another slightly greater than the width of the screw slot 16 into which they are to be inserted.
  • the end 10a of the body proximate one of the tongues is also bent out of the plane of the body in the same direction as the tongue but is provided with a curvature opposite to that of the proximate tongue 13.
  • the clip is secured in place as shown in FIG. 3, by first inserting the end 17a of the mounting strap 17 between the pincher-like curved end 10a of the clip and the proximate tongue 13 and by then rocking the clip about its curved end 10a until the tongues 12 and I3 snap into the screw slot 16 in the mounting strap.
  • the pincherlike curved end 10a of the clip and the cliptongues 12 and I3 engage the mounting strap, as shown in FIG. 4, and will not shake loose.
  • a conventional mounting screw 18 is forced between the tongues 11 and 12, thus moving them further apart until the ends 12c and 13c of the tongues engage the body of the mounting strap 17.
  • the tongues of the clip make uniform contact with the mounting strap 17 so that, when the mounting screw I8 is tightened to hold the mounting strap in place in a conventional mounting or junction box, there will be a thorough ground and heat-rise connection between the mounting screw, the receptacle or switch, the mounting strap and the box.
  • the self-grounding clip of the invention will remain in position on the mounting strap prior to installation of the strap, that the clip makes a self-grounding connection between the mounting strap and the mounting box when the mounting screw is tightened, and that this contact is achieved without recourse to any welding, staking, riveting, or other separate contact-making operation.
  • the ends of the sides of the H-shaped cut lines can be interconnected by oppositely bowed cut lines 19 and 20 so as to remove side portions of the clip body 10 and thus widen the transverse dimension of the clip opening for the mounting screw 18.
  • 21 self-grounding clip comprising a plate-like metallic body, the central portion of which has integrally formed tongues cut and folded about parallel fold lines out of the plane of the body, said tongues being positioned within the aperture of said mounting strap, one end of said plate-like body being bent arcuately out of the plane of said body about a fold line substantially tion ofa mounting screw inserted therebetween.

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  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

A self-grounding clip is provided for snapping into the screw slot of an electric switch- or receptacle-mounting strap and comprises a plate-like body portion having a central cut-out portion cut and bent about parallel fold lines to form two bent legs adapted to snap-fit into the screw slot, one end of the body being also bent out of the plane thereof arcuately about a fold line parallel to the fold lines of the central body legs and adapted to engage the end of the receptacle strap proximate the screw slot.

Description

United States Patent 91 Longworth, Jr.
[ 1 Sept. 10, 1974 [22] Filed:
[ SELF-GROUNDING CLIP FOR THE MOUNTING STRAP OF AN ELECTRIC SWITCH OR RECEPTACLE [7 5] Inventor: Edward Longworth, Jr., Fair Haven,
Mass.
[73] Assignee: John I. Paulding, Inc., New
Bedford, Mass.
June 29, 1972 211 App]. No.: 267,386
[52] US. Cl 339/14 R [51] Int. Cl I-I0lr 3/06 [58] Field of Search 339/14 R; 24/73 B, 73 SC,
24/73 SM, 73 SB; 16/2, 3; 51/4175; 85/80 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,663,919 5/1972 .laconette 339/14 R 3,713,071 1/1973 Poliak et a1. 339/14 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,302,866 7/1962 France 24/73 SC Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or FirmPennie & Edmonds 57 ABSTRACT A self-grounding clip is provided for snapping into the screw slot of an electric switchor receptaclemounting strap and comprises a plate-like body portion having a central cut-out portion cut and bent about parallel fold lines to form two bent legs adapted to snap-fit into the screw slot, one end of the body being also bent out of the plane thereof arcuately about a fold line parallel to the fold lines of the central body legs and adapted to engage the end'of the receptacle strap proximate the screw slot.
3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBSEH 01914 3 FIG. 2
' FIG. 1-
' FIG. 3
FIG. 5
1 SELF-GROUNDING CLIP FOR THE MOUNTING STRAP OF AN ELECTRIC SWITCH OR RECEPTACLE This invention relates to an attachment for the mounting straps of electric switches and receptacles and, more particularly, to a self-grounding clip for such mounting straps.
Electric switches and receptacles for wall-mounting in a junction or receptacle box are conventionally mounted on a metal strap adapted to span the open face of the box and to be secured thereto by mounting screws. For this purpose, the ends of each strap outboard of the mounted switch or receptacle are provided with a screw slot or hole somewhat larger than the diameter of the mounting screw so as to permit limited lateral movement of the mounting strap as it is being secured in place. The oversize screw slot results in limited contact between the head of the mounting screw and the mounting strap itself and thus cannot generally meet the heat-rise test for an electrical ground connection between the receptacle and the box. As a result, in order to provide such a connection, it has been proposed to supply the mounting strap with a grounding clip which heretofore has had to be welded, staked or riveted to the strap.
I have now devised a self-grounding clip for a switchor receptacle-mounting strap which snaps into operative position and does not require welding, staking, riveting, or other independent connection means, for insuring the proper grounding connection between the mounting strap and the mounting box. The selfgrounding clip of the invention comprises a plate-like metallic body the central portion of which has integrally formed tongues cut and folded about parallel 'fold lines out of the plane of the body into shapes adapted to be inserted into a screw slot in one of the mounting straps carrying an electric switch or outlet. One end of the plate-like body is bent arcuately out of the plane of the body about a fold line parallel to the fold lines of the central body tongues and is adapted to engage the end of the mounting strap proximate the screw slot. The central body legs are preferably so spaced as to resiliently engage the screw slot and to be further spread apart into engagement with the strap by the action of a mounting screw inserted therebetween.
These and other novel features of the self-grounding clip of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. I is a plan view of the self-grounding clip body showing the cut lines that define the tongue portions thereof;
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the clip of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first step in mounting of the clip on a mounting strap;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation in section showing the clip in its mounted position; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevations, partly in section, of the clip in position in a mounting strap assembly with a flat head screw and a chamfered head screw, respectively.
As shown in FIG. I, the self-grounding clip of the invention comprises a plate-like body 10 of resilient, electrically conductive metal such as phosphor bronze,
red brass, beryllium copper, or the like, thecentral portion of which is provided with an H-shapedcut line 11.
so as to define integrally formed tongues 12 and 13. These tongues are bent downwardly out of the plane of the plate-like body 10, as shown inFIG. 2, about parallel fold lines 14 and 15 located at the top and bottom of the H. The portions 12a and 12b of the tongues adjacent their fold lines are advantageously flat and are inclined at an angle of about to conform with the slope of the undercut side of a conventional screw head if such a mounting screw is used. The remainder of each tongue is provided with a continued curvature 12b and 13b in a reversing direction. The ends and of the tongues terminate at a distance from one another slightly greater than the width of the screw slot 16 into which they are to be inserted. The end 10a of the body proximate one of the tongues is also bent out of the plane of the body in the same direction as the tongue but is provided with a curvature opposite to that of the proximate tongue 13.
The clip is secured in place as shown in FIG. 3, by first inserting the end 17a of the mounting strap 17 between the pincher-like curved end 10a of the clip and the proximate tongue 13 and by then rocking the clip about its curved end 10a until the tongues 12 and I3 snap into the screw slot 16 in the mounting strap. By virtue of this rocking and snap-fit action, the pincherlike curved end 10a of the clip and the cliptongues 12 and I3 engage the mounting strap, as shown in FIG. 4, and will not shake loose. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a conventional mounting screw 18 is forced between the tongues 11 and 12, thus moving them further apart until the ends 12c and 13c of the tongues engage the body of the mounting strap 17. As a result, the tongues of the clip make uniform contact with the mounting strap 17 so that, when the mounting screw I8 is tightened to hold the mounting strap in place in a conventional mounting or junction box, there will be a thorough ground and heat-rise connection between the mounting screw, the receptacle or switch, the mounting strap and the box.
It will be seen, accordingly, that the self-grounding clip of the invention will remain in position on the mounting strap prior to installation of the strap, that the clip makes a self-grounding connection between the mounting strap and the mounting box when the mounting screw is tightened, and that this contact is achieved without recourse to any welding, staking, riveting, or other separate contact-making operation. If it is desired to maintain a slot-like opening for adjusting the position of the mounting strap, the ends of the sides of the H-shaped cut lines can be interconnected by oppositely bowed cut lines 19 and 20 so as to remove side portions of the clip body 10 and thus widen the transverse dimension of the clip opening for the mounting screw 18.
I claim: A
I. In combination with a substantially flat mounting strap, at least one end portion of the mounting strap defining an aperture for reception of a mounting screw, 21 self-grounding clip comprising a plate-like metallic body, the central portion of which has integrally formed tongues cut and folded about parallel fold lines out of the plane of the body, said tongues being positioned within the aperture of said mounting strap, one end of said plate-like body being bent arcuately out of the plane of said body about a fold line substantially tion ofa mounting screw inserted therebetween.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the end portion of each tongue adjacent the plate-like body forms an angle therewith substantially the same as the I undercut angle of a mounting screw head. l

Claims (3)

1. In combination with a substantially flat mounting strap, at least one end portion of the mounting strap defining an aperture for reception of a mounting screw, a self-grounding clip comprising a plate-like metallic body, the central portion of which has integrally formed tongues cut and folded about parallel fold lines out of the plane of the body, said tongues being positioned within the aperture of said mounting strap, one end of said plate-like body being bent arcuately out of the plane of said body about a fold line substantially parallel to the fold lines of the central body tongues and in engagement with the end of the mounting strap proximate the aperture thereof.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said central body tongues are so spaced as to resiliently engage the apertUre and are capable of being spread apart further into engagement with the strap by the action of a mounting screw inserted therebetween.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the end portion of each tongue adjacent the plate-like body forms an angle therewith substantially the same as the undercut angle of a mounting screw head.
US00267386A 1972-06-29 1972-06-29 Self-grounding clip for the mounting strap of an electric switch or receptacle Expired - Lifetime US3835438A (en)

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885847A (en) * 1974-03-27 1975-05-27 Sola Basic Ind Inc Grounding clip with wrap-around tabs
US4392012A (en) * 1981-10-13 1983-07-05 Gte Sylvania Canada Limited Electrical wiring box arrangement with alignable grounding strap
US4836793A (en) * 1988-06-17 1989-06-06 Eagle Electric Mfg. Co. Inc. Duplex electrical receptacle with one-piece multi-function grounding strip
US4854885A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-08-08 Slater Electric Inc. Electrical outlet receptacle with non-metallic mounting strap and automatic grounding
US4865556A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-09-12 Slater Electric Inc. Electrical switch device with non-metallic mounting straps and automatic grounding
US20040266232A1 (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-12-30 Urs Mangold ESD system for grounding electronics within an enclosure
US20080105522A1 (en) * 2006-11-08 2008-05-08 Ted Ju Electrical connector
US20150176636A1 (en) * 2013-11-27 2015-06-25 Pem Management, Inc. Screw-Locking Washer

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1302866A (en) * 1961-10-09 1962-08-31 Ft Products Ltd Clip for fixing a rotating lever on a pivot axis
US3663919A (en) * 1970-06-16 1972-05-16 Hubbell Inc Harvey Grounding spring for electrical fixtures
US3713071A (en) * 1971-04-21 1973-01-23 Leviton Manufacturing Co Mounting strap for grounding electrical devices

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1302866A (en) * 1961-10-09 1962-08-31 Ft Products Ltd Clip for fixing a rotating lever on a pivot axis
US3663919A (en) * 1970-06-16 1972-05-16 Hubbell Inc Harvey Grounding spring for electrical fixtures
US3713071A (en) * 1971-04-21 1973-01-23 Leviton Manufacturing Co Mounting strap for grounding electrical devices

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885847A (en) * 1974-03-27 1975-05-27 Sola Basic Ind Inc Grounding clip with wrap-around tabs
US4392012A (en) * 1981-10-13 1983-07-05 Gte Sylvania Canada Limited Electrical wiring box arrangement with alignable grounding strap
US4854885A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-08-08 Slater Electric Inc. Electrical outlet receptacle with non-metallic mounting strap and automatic grounding
US4865556A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-09-12 Slater Electric Inc. Electrical switch device with non-metallic mounting straps and automatic grounding
US4836793A (en) * 1988-06-17 1989-06-06 Eagle Electric Mfg. Co. Inc. Duplex electrical receptacle with one-piece multi-function grounding strip
US20040266232A1 (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-12-30 Urs Mangold ESD system for grounding electronics within an enclosure
US6997722B2 (en) * 2003-03-25 2006-02-14 Elma Electronic Inc. ESD system for grounding electronics within an enclosure
US20080105522A1 (en) * 2006-11-08 2008-05-08 Ted Ju Electrical connector
US20150176636A1 (en) * 2013-11-27 2015-06-25 Pem Management, Inc. Screw-Locking Washer

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