# US 12,113,316 B2 · Grounding assemblies for an elevator assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,113,316 B2 - Document ID: US12113316B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/568,939 - Filed: 2022-01-05 - Published: 2023-07-06 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-01-05 - Assignees: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH - Applicants: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH - Inventors: Jordan Strother - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12113316B2 ## CPC - B66B 7/1223: {by analysing electric variables} - H01R 13/652: with earth pin, blade or socket - B66B 5/0018: {Devices monitoring the operating condition of the elevator system} - B66B 5/02: responsive to abnormal operating conditions - B66B 11/0005: {Constructional features of hoistways} - H01R 4/64: Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail - B66B: ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS ({apparatus for raising or lowering persons on theatrical stages or the like A63J5/12} ; funicular railbound systems with rigid ground-supported tracks and cable traction, e.g. cliff railways, B61B9/00; arrangements of ammunition handlers in vessels B63G3/00; hoists, lifts, or conveyors for loading or unloading in general B65G; braking or detent devices controlling normal movements of winding drums or barrels B66D; ship-lifting devices E02C; garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for lifting vehicles E04H6/12; hoists for feeding ammunition or projectiles to launching apparatus or to loading mechanisms F41A9/00) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract Embodiments herein are directed to an electrical assembly for grounding an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having an elevator cab, a grounded elevator frame, a sheave, and a suspension member having conductive members and a sleeve enclosing the conductive members. The suspension member extends around the sheave to support the elevator cab. The electrical assembly includes a bracket and a grounding member. The grounding member is electrically coupled to the sheave such that contact with the sheave forms an electrical ground path between the sheave through the grounding member and the bracket, and into the grounded elevator frame. When the sheave rotates the suspension member, any portion of the conductive members from the suspension member making contact with the sheave grounds the sheave to the grounded elevator frame via the electrical ground path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical assembly for grounding an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having an elevator cab, a grounded fixed member, at least one sheave, and at least one suspension member having one or more conductive members and a sleeve enclosing the one or more conductive members, the at least one suspension member extending around the at least one sheave to support the elevator cab, the electrical assembly comprising: a bracket coupled to the grounded fixed member; a grounding member coupled to the bracket, wherein the grounding member is electrically coupled to the at least one sheave such that contact with the at least one sheave forms an electrical ground path between the at least one sheave through the grounding member and the bracket, and into the grounded fixed member such that when the at least one sheave moves the at least one suspension member, any portion of the one or more conductive members from the at least one suspension member making contact with the at least one sheave grounds the at least one sheave to the grounded fixed member via the electrical ground path; and a monitoring system having at least one sensor and a controller, the at least one sensor is coupled to the one or more conductive members to send and detect a voltage through the one or more conductive members, the controller monitors the voltage sent and detected through the one or more conductive members by the at least one sensor to detect when the electrical ground path is formed between the one or more conductive members and the grounded fixed member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the grounding member includes a plurality of bristles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrical assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of bristles is in physical contact with the at least one sheave to form the electrical ground path between the at least one sheave and the grounded fixed member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the grounded fixed member is a counterweight frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrical assembly of claim 4, wherein: the bracket further comprises: a first member; and a second member positioned opposite of the first member and coupled to the first member, a housing coupled to the grounding member, wherein the second member is coupled to the grounded fixed member and the first member is coupled to the housing of the grounding member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical assembly of claim 5, wherein the second member is pivotally coupled to the first member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrical assembly of claim 6, wherein the bracket further comprises: a biasing member positioned between and pivotally coupling the first member and the second member, the biasing member biases the first member in a direction towards the at least one sheave. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises: a first end portion; and a second end portion positioned opposite of the first end portion, the second end portion extends at an angle with respect to the first end portion, wherein the second end portion is fixedly coupled to the grounded fixed member and the first end portion is coupled to a housing of the grounding member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrical assembly of claim 8, wherein the angle is an oblique angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical ground path is formed when the one or more conductive members are exposed from the sleeve of the at least one suspension member. ### Claim 11 An electrical assembly for grounding an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having an elevator cab, a grounded fixed member, at least one sheave, and at least one suspension member having one or more conductive members and a sleeve enclosing the one or more conductive members, the at least one suspension member extending around the at least one sheave to support the elevator cab, the electrical assembly comprising: a bracket having a first end portion and a second end portion positioned opposite of the first end portion, the second end portion is coupled to the grounded fixed member; a housing coupled to the first end portion of the bracket, the housing having a slot; a grounding member coupled to the housing and positioned within the slot, wherein the grounding member is electrically coupled to the at least one sheave such that contact with the at least one sheave forms an electrical ground path between the at least one sheave through the grounding member and the bracket, and into the grounded fixed member such that when the at least one sheave rotates the at least one suspension member, any portion of the one or more conductive members from the at least one suspension member making contact with the at least one sheave grounds the at least one sheave to the grounded fixed member via the electrical ground path; and a monitoring system having at least one sensor and a controller, the at least one sensor is coupled to the one or more conductive members to send and detect a voltage through the one or more conductive members, the controller monitors the voltage sent and detected through the one or more conductive members by the at least one sensor to detect when the electrical ground path is formed between the one or more conductive members and the grounded fixed member, the electrical ground path is formed when the one or more conductive members are exposed from the sleeve of the at least one suspension member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical assembly of claim 11, wherein the grounding member includes a plurality of bristles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrical assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of bristles is in physical contact with the at least one sheave to form the electrical ground path between the at least one sheave and the grounded fixed member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical assembly of claim 13, wherein the grounded fixed member is a counterweight elevator frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The electrical assembly of claim 11, wherein the first end portion is angled with respect to the second end portion. ### Claim 16 An electrical assembly for grounding an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having an elevator cab, a grounded elevator frame, at least one sheave, and at least one suspension member having one or more conductive members and a sleeve enclosing the one or more conductive members, the at least one suspension member extending around the at least one sheave to support the elevator cab, the electrical assembly comprising: a bracket having a first member and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member by a biasing member positioned between the first member and the second member, the biasing member biases the first member in a direction towards the at least one sheave, the second member is coupled to the grounded elevator frame; a housing coupled to the first member of the bracket, the housing having a slot; a grounding member coupled to the housing and positioned within the slot, wherein the grounding member is electrically coupled to the at least one sheave such that contact with the at least one sheave forms an electrical ground path between the at least one sheave through the grounding member and the bracket, and into the grounded elevator frame such that when the at least one sheave rotates the at least one suspension member, any portion of the one or more conductive members from the at least one suspension member making contact with the at least one sheave grounds the at least one sheave to the grounded elevator frame via the electrical ground path; and a monitoring system having at least one sensor and a controller, the at least one sensor is coupled to the one or more conductive members to send and detect a voltage through the one or more conductive members, the controller monitors the voltage sent and detected through the one or more conductive members by the at least one sensor to detect when the electrical ground path is formed between the one or more conductive members and the grounded elevator frame, the electrical ground path is formed when the one or more conductive members are exposed from the sleeve of the at least one suspension member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electrical assembly of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the grounding member is in physical contact with the at least one sheave to form the electrical ground path between the at least one sheave and the grounded elevator frame.