ISOLATION GROUND SWITCH

Abstract

A device assembly is provided that is capable of selectively connecting one or more tracer wires to ground and isolating one or more tracer wires from ground. The device assembly includes a housing, an electrical switch within the housing, and one or more contact assemblies. The tracer wire(s) and the ground wire are connected to one or more contact assemblies. The electrical switch can connect the tracer wires to the ground wire and can isolate the tracer wires from the ground wire.

Description

ISOLATION GROUND SWITCH CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention is based on and the claims benefit from the pending U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 085,634 filed on September 30, 2020 entitled in English Isolating Ground Switch, the contents of which are incorporated herein in full by reference. BACKGROUND Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices for joining and insulating electrical conductors. More particularly, the present description relates to improved devices for joining one or more tracer wires and selectively insulating the tracer wires from the electrical earth. Description of the related technique

[0003] Tracer wires are used when it is necessary to locate underground objects that are not electrically conductive after they have been buried. Such electrically nonconductive objects include plastic water, electricity, gas, and sewer pipes, cement sewer pipes, and fiber optic cables. Because underground electrically nonconductive objects are difficult to detect and locate from above ground, an electrical conductor, such as a tracer wire, is laid alongside the underground electrically nonconductive objects as they are buried. Knowing that a tracer wire is present in the vicinity of an underground electrically nonconductive object allows technicians to locate the object by passing an electrical current through the tracer wire and detecting the electric field with an above-ground detector, or by detecting the presence of the metallic wire that forms the tracer wire.

[0004] It is common to electrically join such tracer wires at a terminal located on utility marker poles, pedestals, cabinets, manholes, vaults, and enclosures. To pass an electrical current through the joined tracer wires, it is necessary to electrically isolate the tracer wires from a ground wire that joins the tracer wires. The present description provides an improved terminal for joining tracer wires and for isolating the tracer wires from a ground wire when an electrical current is applied to the tracer wire to locate electrically non-conductive underground objects. ML / a / ZUZÓ / UUÓÓ 14 SUMMARY

[0005] This description provides exemplary forms of wiring device assemblies that can be switched between a ground (or normal) position and an isolation position, and test stations that include an enclosure for housing one or more tracer wires and wiring device assemblies. The wiring device assemblies can be used for a variety of applications. By way of example only, the wiring device assemblies can be mounted in an enclosure or other structure, such as a marker test station or marker pole. The wiring device assemblies can be used to electrically ground or bond one or more tracer wires when in the ground position, and to isolate one or more tracer wires from electrical ground when switched to the isolation position.When in the isolation position, one or more tracer wires are isolated from the electrical ground so that an electrical current can be applied to the tracer wire to locate electrically non-conductive underground objects by detecting the tracer wire with the electrical current applied to it.

[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, the wiring device assembly includes a base, an electrically conductive plate, one or more terminal contact assemblies, and a cover. The electrically conductive plate acts as a switch, such that the electrically conductive plate is electrically connected to each terminal contact assembly when in the ground (or normal) position, and the electrically conductive plate is electrically isolated from each terminal contact assembly when in the isolation position. The electrically conductive plate preferably has one end bent at an angle, for example, substantially at a right angle, to form an actuator or handle.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the wiring device assembly includes a housing, an electrical switch, and at least one terminal contact assembly. The housing includes a base and a cover. The cover has a front face. The electrical switch is at least partially housed within the housing and can be selectively moved between a ground position and an isolation position. The at least one terminal contact assembly includes a pin portion and a clamp portion. The pin portion is attached to the cover and extends outside the cover so that the pin portion is at least partially accessible from the front face of the cover. When the electrical switch is in the ground position, the switch is in electrical contact with the clamp portion of the at least one terminal contact assembly.And, when the electrical switch is in the isolation position, the electrical switch is electrically isolated from the clamp portion of at least one terminal contact assembly.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, the wiring device assembly includes a housing, an electrical switch, and a plurality of terminal contact assemblies. The housing includes a base and a cover. The cover has a front face. The electrical switch is at least partially housed within the housing and can be selectively moved between a ground position and an isolation position. Each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies includes a pin portion and a clamp portion. The pin portion is attached to the cover and extends outside the cover so that the pin portion is at least partially accessible from the front face of the cover. When the electrical switch is in the ground position, the electrical switch is in electrical contact with the clamp portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies.And, when the electrical switch is in the isolation position, the electrical switch is electrically isolated from the clamp portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact sets.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, the wiring device assembly includes a housing, an electrically conductive plate, and a plurality of terminal contact assemblies. The housing has a front face. The electrically conductive plate is positioned inside the housing. The electrically conductive plate is movable between a ground position and an isolation position. Each terminal contact assembly is positioned inside the housing and extends at least partially from the front face of the housing. In this configuration, when the electrically conductive plate is in the ground position, it is electrically connected to each terminal contact assembly, and when the electrically conductive plate is in the isolation position, it is electrically isolated from each terminal contact assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A fuller appreciation of the present description and many of its corresponding advantages will easily be obtained as it is better understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Fig. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a test station assembly according to the present invention, illustrating a wiring device assembly according to the present invention mounted in an enclosure;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective front view of another exemplary modality of a wiring device assembly according to the present description;

[0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the wiring device assembly of Fig. 1, illustrating a base, a conductive plate, a plurality of terminal contact assemblies, and a cover;

[0014] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional side elevation view of an exemplary modality of a terminal contact assembly according to the present description;

[0015] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal contact assembly of Fig. 4, illustrating a pin portion and a contact portion of the terminal contact assembly;

[0016] Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation view of a portion of the test station assembly of Fig. 1 in partial cut, illustrating the wiring device assembly mounted on a mounting bracket of the test station assembly enclosure with a wiring device assembly switch in a closed position;

[0017] Fig. 7 is the enlarged front elevation view of a part of the test station assembly of Fig. 6, which illustrates the switch in an isolation position;

[0018] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wiring device assembly of Fig. 7 taken along line 8-8, illustrating the alignment of a terminal contact assembly of the wiring device assembly within a wiring device assembly housing.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a test station assembly according to the present invention, illustrating another embodiment of an enclosure-mounted wiring device assembly;

[0020] Fig. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of the test station assembly and enclosure of Fig. 9, illustrating the wiring device assembly attached to a device mounting bracket and the device mounting bracket attached to an enclosure mounting bracket;

[0021] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the mounting bracket of the device in Fig. 9;

[0022] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another example of the mounting bracket modality of the device of Fig. 9;

[0023] Fig. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the wiring device assembly of Fig. 9, illustrating a base, a conductive plate, a plurality of terminal contact assemblies, and a cover;

[0024] Fig. 14 is an enlarged front elevation view of a portion of the test station assembly of Fig. 9 in partial cut, illustrating the wiring device assembly attached to the device mounting bracket and the device mounting bracket attached to the enclosure mounting bracket with the wiring device assembly housed within the enclosure and a switch in a closed position;

[0025] Fig. 15 is the enlarged front elevation view of a portion of the test station assembly of Fig. 9, illustrating the switch in an isolation position;

[0026] Fig. 16 is a front elevation view of a portion of the test station assembly of Fig. 9, illustrating the wiring device assembly in the retracted position; and

[0027] Fig. 17 is a front elevation view of the portion of the test station assembly of Fig. 16, illustrating the wiring device assembly in a position ML / a / ZUZÓ / UUÓÓ 14 extended. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] This description provides examples of wiring device assembly 10 and test station assembly 20 configurations that include one or more wiring device assemblies. For ease of description, wiring device assemblies 10 may also be referred to herein as device assemblies (plural) and device assemblies (singular). Test station assemblies 20 may be referred to herein as test stations (plural) and test stations (singular). Device assemblies 10 are configured to be mounted in an enclosure 300 to form the test station assembly 20. Non-limiting examples of enclosures covered by this description include marker test stations, marker poles, and other structures capable of housing and supporting one or more underground tracer cables, e.g., electrical conductors.A non-limiting example of a 300 enclosure is the TriView® test station sold by Rhino Marking and Protection Systems of Bloomington, Minnesota. The enclosures are preferably made of a rigid, electrically non-conductive material, such as a thermoplastic or Lexan polycarbonate material. As a non-limiting example, the 300 enclosure shown in Fig. 1 is an elongated triangular enclosure having a main body 310, an enclosure mounting bracket 312, and a removable enclosure cover 314. The main body 310 is a hollow body with a triangular cross-section that can house the end portion of one or more underground tracer cables for connection to a wiring device assembly 10 mounted on the enclosure mounting bracket 312. The main body 310 is configured to be at least partially buried in the ground, as shown.The mounting bracket for enclosure 312 is configured and sized to be mounted on the main body 310, for example, by inserting a triangular base 315 of the mounting bracket for enclosure 312 into an open upper end of the main body 310. The mounting bracket for enclosure 312 has a substantially flat portion 312a on which the wiring device assembly 10 can be mounted, as shown in Fig. 1. Enclosures 300 provide a termination point for one or more underground crawler cables that are typically laid adjacent to or very close to electrically non-conductive underground objects and are known in the art. Examples of electrically non-conductive underground objects include plastic water, electricity, gas, and sewer pipes, cement sewer pipes, and fiber optic cables.

[0029] The device sets 10 according to the present description provide a bistable switch IVIA / a / ¿UZÓ / UUÓÓ 14 efficient allowing multiple tracer wires 316, e.g., conductors or electrical wires, seen in Figs. 6 and 7 to be simultaneously connected to an earth wire 318 or to be simultaneously isolated from the earth wire 318 so that an electric current can be applied to one or more of the tracer wires 316 to detect the tracer wire and thus locate underground electrically non-conductive objects without disturbing the earth, i.e., the ground.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of device assemblies according to the present description are generally designated by the number 10. As will be described in more detail below, each device assembly 10 may include one or more terminal contact assemblies 60, shown in Fig. 3, adapted to allow one or more tracer wires 316 to be electrically connected to the device assemblies 10 using, for example, ring or spade terminal connectors 320, shown in Figs. 6 and 7. For ease of description, the terminal contact assemblies 60 may also be referred to herein as contact assemblies (plural) and contact assemblies (singular). Each device assembly 10 may also include an earth terminal connection 322, for example, an earth lug, for connecting an earth wire 318 to the device assembly 10.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 and 3, the device assembly 10 includes a substantially square or rectangular housing 30, one or more contact assemblies 60, and a switch 90. The housing 30 has a base 32 and a cover 34 and is preferably formed from an electrically non-conductive material, such as a polycarbonate Lexan material with 10% glass fiber. As seen in Fig. 3, the base 32 has a lower wall 32a and a raised outer or peripheral wall 32b that creates a cavity 35 in the base 32. The base 32 has one or more slots 38 positioned along the outer or peripheral wall 32b. The one or more slots 38 are used when the cover 34 is attached to the base 32 as described below. The base 32 also includes one or more base 40 mounting openings that are used when securing the housing 30 to an enclosure mounting bracket, e.g., the enclosure mounting bracket 312 shown in Fig. 1.The base 32 may also include one or more protrusions or pads 42 extending from the lower wall 32a of the base 32 into the cavity 35. The one or more protrusions or pads 42 help to maintain the position of the switch 90 within the housing 30, and help to align the contact assemblies 60 with the switch 90 so that the switch can move, for example, linearly or rotate, between an earth position and an isolation position, which is described in more detail a. IVIA / a / ZUZÓ / UUÓÓ 14 continued. The base 32 may also include an alignment protrusion 43 that is centered on the lower wall 32a and includes two separate openings 43a and 43b joined by a channel 43c. The alignment protrusion 43 interacted with the switch 90 to help align the switch with the base 32. The separate openings 43a, 43b and the channel 43c may also provide a tactile indication when the switch 90 is in the isolation or ground position.

[0032] Continuing with reference to Fig. 3, the cover 34 has a front face or wall 34a, side walls 34b and 34c, a bottom wall 34d and a top wall 34e. The front face 34a, side walls 34b and 34c, bottom wall 34d, and top wall 34e of the cover 34 form a hollow central portion that houses the switch 90 and at least part of one or more contact assemblies 60. The front face 34a of the cover 34 includes one or more terminal openings 44 for mounting one or more contact assemblies 60 to the cover 34. The cover 34 also includes one or more cover mounting openings 46 that are positioned in the cover 34 such that the cover mounting opening 46 is aligned with the base mounting openings 40. This alignment creates an opening that extends through the housing 30.With each mounting opening of the base 40 aligned with the corresponding cover mounting opening 46, a bolt 324, seen in Fig. 1, of a mounting fastener can be passed through the housing 30 and an opening 312b in a mounting bracket of the enclosure 312, and a nut 326 of the mounting fastener can be used to secure the bolt 324 and thus the housing 30 to the mounting bracket of the enclosure 312. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, the cover mounting openings 46 may include a hexagonal portion that is configured and sized to receive a hexagonal head of the bolt 324, seen in Fig. 1. The top wall 34e of the cover 34 includes a notch 37 through which a portion of the switch 90 passes, as described below.

[0033] The cover 34 can be permanently secured to the base 32 using, for example, adhesives or welding, e.g., sonic welding, or the cover 34 can be releasably secured to the base 32 by means of mechanical fasteners, a friction-fit connection, or a snap-fit ​​connection. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the cover 34 is releasably attached to the base 32 by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. More specifically, the cover 34 has one or more elastic tabs 36 extending from the side walls 34b and 34c, and / or the bottom wall 34d in the opposite direction to the respective wall, as shown in Fig. 3. The one or more elastic tabs 36 are configured to fit within one or more grooves 38 spaced along the outer or peripheral wall 32b of the base 32 such that the projections 36a, which are seen in Fig.3, on one or more elastic tabs 36 grip the outer or peripheral wall 32b of the base 32 to releasably secure the cover 34 to the base 32.

[0034] Note that the 30 casing is made in different colors, for example, blue, orange, yellow, brown, depending on the particular use or application. To illustrate, if one or more 316 tracer cables are laid alongside electrically non-conductive underground gas pipes or lines, the 30 casing may be a yellow casing to reflect that the tracer cables are associated with gas pipelines.

[0035] With reference now to Figs. 3-5, an exemplary embodiment of a contact assembly 60 according to the present invention is shown. Each contact assembly 60 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as brass, aluminum, or copper. Each contact assembly 60 includes a pin portion 62 and a clamp portion 64. For ease of description, the pin portion 62 may also be referred to herein as the pin, and the clamp portion 64 may also be referred to herein as the clamp. The pin 62 of each contact assembly 60 extends through one of the terminal openings 44 in the front face 34a of the cover 34. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pin 62 includes a threaded portion 66, a hexagonal collar 68, and a mounting collar 70 between the threaded portion 66 and the hexagonal collar 68.In the embodiment shown, the mounting collar 70 has an outside diameter that is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion 66. Preferably, the outside diameter of the mounting collar 70 is slightly larger than the diameter of one or more terminal openings 44 in the cover 34 so that when the mounting collar 70 is pressed into the terminal opening 44, a press-fit connection is made between the pin 62 and the terminal opening 44. Preferably, the outside diameter of the hexagonal collar 68 is larger than the outside diameter of the mounting collar 70 so that the hexagonal collar 68 acts as a stop to limit how far the pin 62 extends through the terminal opening 44 in the cover 34. On an upper side 68a of the hexagonal collar 68, there is a mounting tab 72 used to secure the pin 62 to the clamp 64 by, for example, a press fit.The threaded portion 66 of the pin 62 may include a hollow center portion 74 configured and sized to receive a terminal connector of a cable operatively connected to a current or signal generator (not shown) used to apply a current to one or more tracer wires 316 connected to the contact assembly 60. A non-limiting example of such a terminal connector is a 330 banana plug, seen in Figs. 1 and 7.

[0036] Continuing with reference to Figs. 3-5, the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 is preferably a U-shaped member having two opposing arms 76 and 78 and a back pad 80. The back pad 80 joins the first arm 76 to the second arm 78 so that a receiving zone 82, for example, a channel, is formed between arms 76 and 78. The receiving zone 82 is configured and sized to receive at least a portion of the switch 90 as described below. Each arm 76 and 78 may include an entry (not shown), which may be a rounded edge or other type of entry that facilitates the insertion of the switch 90 between the opposing arms 76 and 78.

[0037] Referring back to Fig. 3, the switch 90 is positioned within the housing 30 between the base 32 and the cover 34 so that the switch 90 can move, for example, linearly or rotate, between the ground position, as seen in Fig. 6, and the isolation position, as seen in Fig. 7. The switch 90 is made of an electrically conductive material that is rigid enough to resist repetitive movement between the ground position and the isolation position, and to create a path of electrical continuity between the switch 90 and the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 when it is in the ground position. Non-limiting examples of such electrically conductive materials include brass, aluminum, and copper. Preferably, the switch 90 is made of brass.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the switch 90 is a plate 92 configured and sized to move, for example, linearly or rotate within the housing 30 as described herein. One end of the plate 92 has a handle 94 that is preferably angled with respect to the plate 92. For example, the handle 94 may be substantially at a right angle to the plate 92. The handle 94 may be part of the plate 92 and bent at the desired angle, or the handle 94 may be secured to the plate 92 using mechanical fasteners, welding, or adhesives. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the handle 94 must remain outside the housing 30, while the greater part of the plate 92 is inside the housing. In this exemplary embodiment, a portion of the plate 92 adjacent to the handle 94 extends through the notch 37 in the cover 34.Handle 94 is provided to assist the technician in moving switch 90 between the earth position and the isolation position. At least part of handle 94 may be covered with a grip element 96 made, for example, of a rubber material, which can improve the technician's grip on handle 94 when moving switch 90 to the earth or isolation position.

[0039] Continuing with reference to Fig. 3, the switch 90 includes one or more oblong slots 98 that are generally aligned with one or more mounting openings in the base 40 and with one or more mounting openings in the cover 46. In the embodiment shown, the switch 90 includes a pair of laterally separated oblong slots 98, the base 32 includes a pair of mounting openings in the base 40, and the cover 34 includes a pair of mounting openings in the cover 46, where a mounting opening in the base 40, a mounting opening in the cover 46, and a slot 98 are aligned. The switch 90 also includes one or more clamp openings 100. The clamp openings 100 may be substantially identical in shape or may be openings of different sizes.The clamp openings 100 are configured and sized to receive the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 so that the clamp 64 does not contact the plate 92 of the switch 90, as shown in Fig. 7. The clamp openings 100 are generally aligned with the cavity 35 in the base 32 so that the second arm 78 of the clamp 64 can extend below the plate 92 of the switch 90 into the cavity 35, as shown in Fig. 8. The switch 90 also includes an alignment pin 102 that is aligned to interact with the alignment protrusion 43 that is centered on the lower wall 32a of the base 32. In the example shown, alignment pin 102 fits into openings 43a or 43b of the alignment protrusion 43 when it is in the ground or isolation position, and when switch 90 is moved from one position to the other, alignment pin 102 slides through channel 43c in the alignment protrusion 43. Channel 43c may be slightly narrower than the diameter of alignment pin 102 so that when alignment pin 102 exits channel 43c, the technician feels the release of the force required to move alignment pin 102 along channel 43c. It thus provides a tactile indication when switch 90 is in the ground or isolation position.

[0040] With reference now to Figs. 6 and 7, when in the ground position where the handle 94 of switch 90 is adjacent to the upper wall 34e of the cover 34, seen in Fig. 6, a portion of the plate 92 of switch 90 is positioned between and in contact with the first arm 76 and the second arm 78 of the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 so that an electrically conductive path is created between arms 76 and 78 and the plate 92. And, when in the isolation position where the handle 94 of switch 90 is away from the upper wall 34e of the cover 34, as seen in Fig. 7, the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 is positioned within one of the openings of the clamp 100 so that the clamp 64 does not come into contact with and is electrically isolated from the plate 92 of switch 90.It is observed that the mounting bracket bolt 324 can also act as a stop to limit the sliding movement of the switch plate 92 between the ground position and the isolation position. For example, when the switch is in the ground position, the mounting bracket bolt 324 can make contact with one end of the slot 98, as shown in Fig. 6, and when the switch is in the isolation position, the mounting bracket bolt 324 can make contact with the other end of the slot 98, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0041] The operation of device assembly 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 6-8. Before using device assembly 10, one or more tracer wires 316 are secured to one or more of the contact assemblies 60 using, for example, a ring termination connector 320 and a nut 328 threaded onto the bolt 62. A ground wire 318 is attached to the ground terminal connection 322. With the electrical connections made, the enclosure cover 314 is placed over the enclosure mounting bracket 312 that encloses device assembly 10 within enclosure 300. Device assembly 10 is now ready for use. The device assembly 10 is initially placed in the ground position, as shown in Fig. 6, so that all tracer wires 316 are electrically connected to the ground wire 318 through the contact assembly 60 and the switch plate 92 of 90.To apply current to one or more tracer wires 316, a technician would grasp the handle 94 of switch 90 and move the switch 90 to the isolation position, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 is within its respective clamp opening 100, seen in Figs. 7 and 8, thereby electrically isolating the contact assemblies 60 from the plate 92 of switch 90. In the embodiments shown, the handle 94 causes the switch 90 to move linearly between the ground position and the isolation position. However, the present invention contemplates that the handle can be configured to rotate to move the switch 90 between the ground position and the isolation position. The technician would then connect, for example, a banana plug 330 that is operatively connected to a current or signal generator (not shown) to one of the contact assemblies 60.The current generator can then apply a current to one or more tracer wires 316 connected to the particular contact assembly 60. It will be appreciated that the tracer wires 316 can be electrically isolated from the electrical ground in an efficient manner and without disconnecting the other tracer wires 316 of the device assembly 10. After applying current to one or more tracer wires 316, the relevant tracer wire(s) 316 can be located in the ground, i.e., the earth, and marked, for example, by flags driven into the ground. The technician can then remove the banana plug 330 from the contact assembly 60 and move the handle 94 of switch 90 back to the ground position, thus bonding all tracer wires 316 connected to device assembly 10. The technician can then place the enclosure cover 314 onto the enclosure mounting bracket 312 to completely enclose device assembly 10 within enclosure 300.

[0042] With reference now to Figs. 9 and 10, another exemplary embodiment of a test station 20 according to the present description is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the enclosure 300 is an elongated cylindrical enclosure having a main body 310, an enclosure mounting bracket 312, and a removable enclosure cover 314. The main body 310 is a substantially hollow body with a circular cross-section capable of accommodating a terminal portion of one or more underground tracer cables 316 for connection to a wiring device assembly 10 mounted on the enclosure mounting bracket 312. The main body 310 is configured to be at least partially buried in the ground as shown. The enclosure mounting bracket 312 is configured and sized to be mounted on the main body 310, for example, by inserting a cylindrical base 315 of the enclosure mounting bracket 312 into an open upper end of the main body 310.The enclosure mounting bracket 312 has a substantially flat portion 312a on which a device mounting bracket 110 can be mounted. As described above, the enclosures 300 provide a termination point for one or more underground crawler cables 316 that are normally placed adjacent to or very close to electrically non-conductive underground objects and are known in the art.

[0043] Referring to Figs. 10-12, the mounting bracket of device 110 is configured and sized to be joined to the substantially flat portion 312a of the housing mounting bracket 312 using, for example, mounting fasteners, for example, threaded bolts 324 and nuts 326, as seen in Fig. 1. In addition, the mounting bracket of device 110 is configured and sized so that a device assembly 10 can be releasably attached to it, allowing the device assembly 10 to be moved, for example, slid along the mounting bracket of device 110 between a normal retracted position and an extended position while still attached to the mounting bracket of device 110. In the retracted position, the device assembly 10 is at least partially inside the main body 310 of the housing 300, as shown in Fig. 16.In the extended position, the device assembly 10 extends from the main body 310 of the housing 300 so that all contact assemblies 60 in the device assembly 10 are accessible, as shown in Fig. 17. Exemplary embodiments of device mounting brackets 110 to which a device assembly 10 can be attached according to the present description so that the device assembly 10 can be moved between a retracted and an extended position are shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 11, the device mounting bracket 110 includes a support base 112, one or more spring arms 114, and one or more mounting holes 116. The device mounting bracket 110 is preferably made of an electrically non-conductive material, such as a thermoplastic material.In this example modality shown, the base of the support 112 can be a substantially solid base with side walls 112a and 112b, a top wall 112c, a bottom wall 112d, and a substantially flat top surface 112e. In another example modality shown in Fig. 12, the base of the support 112 can be a hollow base formed by side walls 112a and 112b, top wall 112c, bottom wall 112d, and a substantially flat top surface 112e. However, in this example modality, the substantially flat top surface 112e can include a channel 118 extending from the top wall 112c to the bottom wall 112d and substantially centered on the top surface 112e, as shown.Channel 118 can be used to allow any tab or protrusion extending from a base 152 of the device assembly 10 to slide freely along the top surface 112e of the bracket clamp 112.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figs. 11 and 12, each of the one or more elastic arms 114 is preferably separated by the adjacent side walls 112a and 112b of the base of the support 112. Preferably, there is one elastic arm 114 adjacent to a side wall 112a and a corresponding elastic arm 114 adjacent to the opposite side wall 112b, so that the elastic arms 114 are opposed to each other as shown. Each elastic arm 114 has a first end 114a and a second end 114b. The first end 114a is attached to the base of the support 112 so that it is fixed in its position relative to the base of the support. The second free end 114b extends from the base of the support 112 a predefined distance D. The second end 114b includes a lug or flange 115 extending from it in a direction toward the center of the base of the support 112, as shown. The lug or projection 115 includes a substantially flat lower side 115a and a tapered or ramped upper side 115b. The substantially flat lower side 115a is configured and sized to engage a guide 166 of the cover 154, seen in Fig. 13, of a housing 150, seen in Fig. 10, of the device assembly 10, described in more detail below. The tapered or ramped upper side 115b is provided as an inlet that facilitates attachment of the device assembly 10 to the device mounting bracket 110, as described below. The predefined distance D is sufficient to allow the lug 115 at each free end 114b to grip and hold the device assembly 10 while permitting the device assembly 10 to move between the retracted and extended positions.Having the second end 114b at the predefined distance D from the first end 114a allows the second end 114b to flex when connecting a device assembly 10 to the device mounting bracket 110.

[0045] With reference now to Fig. 13, another exemplary embodiment of the device assemblies 10 according to the present invention is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, each device assembly 10 includes an elongated rectangular housing 150, one or more contact assemblies 60, and a switch 180. The one or more contact assemblies 60 were described above and are not repeated. The housing 150 has a base 152 and a cover 154 and is preferably formed from an electrically resistant, non-conductive material, such as a 10% glass-filled polycarbonate Lexan material. As seen in Fig. 13, the base 152 has a lower wall 152a and an outer or peripheral wall 152b having a portion that rises above the lower wall 152a to create a cavity 153 in the base 152. The cavity 153 allows at least a portion of the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 to extend below the plate 182 of the switch 180.The base 152 has one or more slots 158 located along the outer or peripheral wall 152b. The one or more slots 158 are used when the cover 154 is connected to the base 152 as described below. The base 152 may also include one or more protrusions or pads 160 extending from the lower wall 152a of the base 152 into the cavity 153. The one or more protrusions or pads 160 help maintain the position of the switch 180 within the housing 150 and help align the contact assemblies 60 with the switch 180 so that the switch can move, for example, linearly or rotate, between the earth position and the isolation position. The base 152 may also include one or more alignment protrusions 162 used to align the switch plate 182 with the housing 150 and act as a stop to limit sliding movement of the plate 182 as described below.

[0046] Continuing with reference to Fig. 13, the cover 154 has a front face or wall 154a, side walls 154b and 154c, a bottom wall 154d (seen in Fig. 10), and a top wall 154e. The front face 154a, side walls 154b and 154c, bottom wall 154d, and top wall 154e of the cover 154 form a hollow central portion in which the switch 180 and at least part of one or more contact assemblies 60 are housed. The front face 154a of the cover 154 includes one or more terminal openings 164 used when one or more contact assemblies 60 are mounted in the cover 154. The cover 154 also includes a guide 166 in each side wall 154b and 154c. In the embodiment shown, the guide 166 is an elongated notch or channel having a substantially flat surface 166a that extends substantially along the side walls 154b and 154c.However, the guide 166 may include multiple guide segments spaced along the side walls 154b and 154c. Furthermore, the guide may come in many different configurations, such as a channel having a well for receiving a hook. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide 166 is a substantially flat surface configured and sized to make contact with the substantially flat lower side 115a of the lug or flange 115 of the spring arms 114 to firmly clamp the housing 150 against the upper surface 112e of the device mounting bracket 110 and prevent the device assembly 10 from being removed from the device mounting bracket 110. As seen in Figs. 10, 11, and 13, the guide 166 terminates before reaching the lower wall 154d and the upper wall 154e, forming stops 168 at the end of each side wall 154b and 154c.Stops 168 are provided to prevent device 10 from sliding out of the device mounting bracket 110 when the device is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The top wall 154e of the cover 154 includes a notch 157 through which switch 180 passes, as described below.

[0047] The cover 154 can be permanently secured to the base 152 using, for example, adhesives or welding, e.g., sonic welding, or the cover 154 can be releasably secured to the base 152 by means of mechanical fasteners, a friction fit connection, or a snap connection. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the cover 154 is releasably secured to the base 152 using a snap fit connection. More specifically, the cover 154 has one or more elastic tabs 156 extending from the side walls 154b and 154c, and / or the bottom wall 154d in the opposite direction to the respective wall, as shown in Fig. 13. The one or more elastic tabs 156 are aligned and configured to fit within one or more grooves 158 spaced along the outer or peripheral wall 152b of the base 152 such that the ears or projections 156a, seen in Fig.13, one or more elastic tabs 156 grip the outer or peripheral wall 152b of the base 152 to loosely secure the cover 154 to the base 152. The housing 150 can be made of different colors, for example, blue, orange, yellow, brown, depending on the particular use or application. To illustrate, if one or more tracer cables 316 are laid alongside electrically non-conductive underground gas pipes or lines, the housing 150 can be a yellow housing to reflect that the tracer cables 316 are associated with gas pipes.

[0048] With reference again to Fig. 13-15, the switch 180 is positioned within the housing 150 between the base 152 and the cover 154 so that the switch 180 can move, for example, linearly or rotate, between the ground position, seen in Fig. 14, and the isolation position, seen in Fig. 15. The switch 180 is made of an electrically conductive material that is rigid enough to resist repetitive movement between the ground position and the isolation position, and to create a path of electrical continuity between the switch 180 and the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 when it is in the ground position. Non-limiting examples of such electrically conductive materials include brass, aluminum, and copper. Preferably, the switch 180 is made of brass.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the switch 180 is a plate 182 configured and sized to slide into the housing 150 as described herein. One end of the plate 182 has a handle 184 that is preferably angled to the plate 182. For example, the handle 184 may be substantially at a right angle to the plate. The handle 184 may be part of the plate 182 and bent to the desired angle, or the handle 184 may be secured to the plate 182 using mechanical fasteners, welding, or adhesives. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the handle 184 must remain outside the housing 150 through the notch 157 in the cover 154, while the greater part of the plate 182 is inside the housing. In this exemplary form, a portion of plate 92 adjacent to handle 94 extends through notch 157 in cover 154.Handle 184 is provided to assist the technician in moving switch 180 between the ground position and the isolation position. At least a portion of handle 184 may be covered with a gripping member 186 made, for example, of a rubber material, which may improve the technician's grip on handle 184 when moving switch 180 to the ground or isolation position.

[0050] Continuing with reference to Fig. 13, the switch 180 includes one or more oblong slots 188 that are generally aligned with one or more alignment projections 162 extending from the lower wall 152a of the base 152. The switch 180 also includes one or more clamp openings 190. The clamp openings 190 may be substantially identical in shape or may be openings of different sizes. The clamp openings 190 are configured and sized to receive the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 so that the clamp 64 does not make contact with the plate 182 of the switch 180, as seen in Fig. 15. The clamp openings 190 are generally aligned with the cavity 153 in the base 152 so that the second arm 78 of the clamp 64 of the contact assembly 60 can extend below the plate 182 of the switch 180, similar to what is shown in Fig.

[0051] Referring again to Figs. 13, 14, and 15, when in the ground position where the handle 184 of switch 180 is adjacent to the upper wall 154e of the cover 154, as seen in Fig. 14, a portion of the plate 182 of switch 180 is positioned between and in contact with the first arm 76 and the second arm 78 of the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 so that an electrically conductive path is created between arms 76 and 78 and the plate 182. And, when in the isolation position where the handle 184 of switch 180 is away from the upper wall 154e of the cover 154, seen in Fig. 15, the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 is positioned inside one of the openings of the clamp 190 so that the clamp 64 does not come into contact with and is electrically isolated from the plate 182 of the switch 180.As previously stated, the protrusion 162 extending from the base 152 passes through the groove 188 in the plate 182 and acts as a stop to limit the sliding movement of the switch 180's plate 182 between the ground position and the isolation position. For example, when the switch 180 is in the ground position, the protrusion 162 can make contact with one end of the groove 188, and when the switch 180 is in the isolation position, the protrusion 162 can make contact with the other end of the groove 188.

[0052] The installation of the device assembly 10 in the test station 20 shall be described with reference to Fig. 10. Initially, a device assembly 10 is releasably attached to the device mounting bracket 110 by aligning the device assembly 10 with the central portion M of the device mounting bracket 110 so that the base 152 of the device assembly 10 is in contact with the inclined surface 115b of the spring arm 114. Pressure or force is then applied to the cover 154 of the device assembly 10 in a direction toward the upper surface 112e of the base 112 of the device mounting bracket 110. Pressure applied in the direction of the base of the bracket 112 of the device mounting bracket 110 causes the housing 150 to slide along the ramped surface 115b of each spring arm 114, causing the spring arms 114 to flex outward, away from the center portion M of the device mounting bracket 110. The outward flexing of the arms 114 allows the housing 150 to pass into the center portion M of the device mounting bracket 110 until the substantially flat lower side 115a of the lug or flange 115 of the spring arms 114 makes contact with the substantially flat surface 166a of the guide 166 in the cover 154.With the substantially flat lower side 115a of the lug or flange 115 in contact with the substantially flat surface 166a of the guide 166, the spring arms 114 firmly clamp the housing 150 against the upper surface 112e of the bracket base 112. The lugs or projections 115 of the spring arms 114 thus prevent the device assembly 10 from being removed, for example, pulled, from the device mounting bracket 110 while allowing the device assembly 10 to slide between the retracted and extended positions. The device mounting bracket 110 that secures the device assembly 10 is then positioned against the flat portion 312a of the enclosure mounting bracket 312 and secured to the enclosure mounting bracket 312 using one or more mounting fasteners, for example, bolt 324 and nut 326, as shown in Fig. 10.Before using device assembly 10, one or more tracer wires 316 are secured to one or more of the contact assemblies 60 using, for example, a ring termination connector 320 and a nut 328 threaded onto the pin 62 of the contact assemblies 60. An earth wire 318, shown in Fig. 17, is connected to the earth terminal connection 322. Device assembly 10 is initially placed in the earth position, as shown in Fig. 14, so that all tracer wires 316 are electrically connected to the earth wire 318 through the contact assemblies 60 and the switch plate 182 of the switch 180. With the electrical connections made and device assembly 10 in the earth position, the enclosure cover 314 is placed over the enclosure mounting bracket 312, enclosing device assembly 10 within enclosure 300.

[0053] The operation of the device assembly 10 of Figs. 9-13 shall be described with reference to Figs. 14-17. A technician removes the cover of enclosure 314 and slides the device assembly 10 from the retracted position, outside the main body 310 and the mounting bracket of enclosure 312 of enclosure 300, to a partially or fully extended position, as shown in Fig. 17. To apply To apply current to one or more tracer wires 316, the technician would grasp the handle 184 of the switch 180 and move the switch to the isolation position, as shown in Fig. 15, so that the clamp 64 of each contact assembly 60 is within its respective clamp opening 190, thereby electrically isolating the contact assemblies 60 from the plate 182 of the switch 180. In the embodiment shown, the handle 184 causes the switch 180 to move linearly between the ground position and the isolation position. However, the present invention contemplates that the handle can be configured to rotate to move the switch 180 between the ground position and the isolation position. The technician would then connect, for example, a banana plug 330 that is operatively connected to a current or signal generator (not shown) to one of the contact assemblies 60.The current generator can apply a current to one or more tracer wires 316 connected to the particular contact assembly 60. It will be appreciated that the tracer wires 316 can be electrically isolated from the electrical ground in an efficient manner and without disconnecting the other tracer wires 316 from the device assembly 10.

[0054] After a current is applied to one or more tracer wires 316, the relevant tracer wire(s) 316 can be located on the ground, i.e., the earth, and marked, for example, by flags stuck in the ground. Μλ / a / zuz j / uu ó ji ¿i The technician can then remove banana plug 330 from contact assembly 60 and move handle 184 of switch 180 back to the ground position, thus joining all tracer wires 316 connected to device assembly 10. The technician can then slide device assembly 10 from the fully or partially extended position to the retracted position and place enclosure cover 314 back onto the enclosure mounting bracket 312 to fully enclose device 10 in enclosure 300.

[0055] As used in this application, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, upward, downward, and other orientation descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particular position or orientation. Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, they should be understood as examples of the invention and should not be considered limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be considered limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A wiring device assembly comprising: a housing having a front face; an electrically conductive plate positioned within the housing, the electrically conductive plate being movable between a ground position and an isolation position; a plurality of terminal contact assemblies, each terminal contact assembly being positioned within the housing and extending at least partially from the front face of the housing; wherein when the electrically conductive plate is in the ground position, the electrically conductive plate is electrically connected to each terminal contact assembly, and when the electrically conductive plate is in the isolation position, the electrically conductive plate is electrically isolated from each terminal contact assembly.

2. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive plate can be moved linearly between the ground position and the insulation position.

3. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive plate has a handle extending through the housing so that the handle can be accessed from outside the housing.

4. The wiring device assembly according to claim 3, wherein one end of the electrically conductive plate extends through the housing and is bent at an angle to form the handle.

5. The wiring device assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies comprises a plug portion and a clamp portion electrically connected to the plug portion, wherein at least a portion of the plug portion extends from the front face of the housing, and wherein the clamp portion is configured to connect electrically to the electrically conductive plate when the electrically conductive plate is in the ground position.

6. The wiring device assembly according to claim 5, wherein the clamping portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a back pad joining the first arm to the second arm such that the first arm opposes the second arm and forms a receiving zone between the first and second arms configured to receive a portion of the electrically conductive plate for electrically connecting the electrically conductive plate to the clamping portion.

7. The wiring device assembly according to claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive plate has a plurality of clamp openings, wherein one of the plurality of clamp openings is associated with one of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies, and wherein each clamp opening is configured to receive at least the second arm of the associated terminal contact assembly.

8. The wiring device assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pin portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies comprises a threaded portion that extends at least partially through the front face of the housing.

9. A wiring device assembly comprising: a housing having a base and a cover, the cover having a front face; an electrical switch positioned at least partially within the housing and selectively movable between a ground position and an isolation position; at least one terminal contact assembly having a pin portion and a clamp portion, the pin portion being attached to the cover and extending through the cover so that the pin portion is at least partially accessible from the front face of the cover; and wherein, when in the ground position, the electrical switch is in electrical contact with the clamp portion of the at least one terminal contact assembly, and when in the isolation position, the electrical switch is electrically isolated from the clamp portion of the at least one terminal contact assembly.

10. The wiring device assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical switch moves linearly between the ground position and the isolation position.

11. The wiring device assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical switch has a handle that extends through the housing so that the handle can be accessed from the outside of the housing.

12. The wiring device assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical switch comprises an electrically conductive plate, and wherein one end of the electrically conductive plate extends through the housing and is bent at an angle to form a handle.

13. The wiring device assembly according to claim 9, wherein the clamp portion of the at least one terminal contact assembly comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a back pad joining the first arm to the second arm such that the first arm opposes the second arm and forms a receiving zone between the first and second arms configured to receive a portion of the electrical switch for electrically connecting the electrical switch to the clamp portion.

14. The wiring device assembly according to claim 9, wherein the plug portion of the at least one terminal contact assembly comprises a threaded portion that extends at least partially through the front face of the housing.

15. A wiring device assembly comprising: a housing having a base and a cover, the cover having a front face; an electrical switch positioned at least partially within the housing and selectively movable between a ground position and an isolation position; a plurality of terminal contact assemblies, each terminal connector assembly having a pin portion and a clamp portion, the pin portion being attached to the cover and extending out of the cover such that the pin portion is at least partially accessible from the front face of the cover, the clamp portion being aligned for selective coupling with the electrical switch;and wherein, when in the ground position, the electrical switch is in electrical contact with the clamp portion of each of the plurality of terminal connector assemblies, and when in the isolation position, the electrical switch is electrically isolated from the clamp portion of each of the plurality of terminal connector assemblies.

16. The wiring device assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electrical switch moves linearly between the ground position and the isolation position.

17. The wiring device assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electrical switch has a handle that extends through the housing so that the handle can be accessed from the outside of the housing.

18. The wiring device assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electrical switch comprises an electrically conductive plate, and wherein one end of the electrically conductive plate extends through the housing and is bent at an angle to form a handle.

19. The wiring device assembly according to claim 15, wherein the clamping portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a back pad joining the first arm to the second arm such that the first arm opposes the second arm and forms a receiving zone between the first and second arms configured to receive a portion of the electrical switch for electrically connecting the electrical switch to the clamping portion.

20. The wiring device assembly according to claim 15, wherein the pin portion of each of the plurality of terminal contact assemblies comprises a threaded portion that extends at least partially through the front face of the housing.

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