# US 12,763,564 B2 · Self tensioned cable grounding device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,564 B2 - Document ID: US12763564B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/237,662 - Filed: 2023-08-24 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-26 - Assignees: Hubbell Incorporated - Applicants: Hubbell Incorporated - Inventors: William Michael Maass; Nicholas Adam Santoro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763564B2 ## CPC - H02G 15/046: {with bores or protruding portions allowing passage of cable conductors} - H02G 3/0675: {with bolts operating in a direction parallel to the conductors} - H02G 15/013: Sealing means for cable inlets (inlets for cables filled with, or surrounded by, gas or oil H02G15/32) - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract A cable gland including an entry component including an inner surface with an abutment, a backnut removably attachable to the entry component, a cavity extending through the entry component and the backnut, and a grounding device configured to rest against the abutment. The grounding device includes a rim, an inner edge, and a plurality of fingers extending inward and downward from the inner edge. The grounding device is made of a conductive material, such as spring steel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable gland, comprising: an entry component including an inner surface with an abutment; a backnut removably attachable to the entry component; a cavity extending through the entry component and the backnut; and a grounding device including: an upper rim having a flat lower surface configured to rest in a fixed position against the abutment, an annular intermediate portion, radially inward of the upper rim, with an inner edge radially inward of and below the upper rim and an annular outer surface below and extending perpendicular to the flat lower surface of the upper rim configured to engage against the inner surface of the entry component, and a plurality of fingers extending inward and downward from the inner edge; wherein the grounding device is comprised of a conductive spring steel material, wherein the annular intermediate portion includes an angled portion adjacent to the plurality of fingers, and wherein each of the plurality of fingers are configured to flex outward to receive a cable and maintain inward pressure on the cable creating an electrical ground path from the cable to the grounding device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, further comprising a seal compressible in the cable gland between the backnut and the grounding device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cable gland of claim 2, further comprising a washer between the backnut and the seal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fingers extends downward at an angle of at least 15 degrees with respect to a plane defined by the upper rim. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is substantially flat and has a length and a maximum width, the length being greater than the maximum width. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cable gland of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of fingers has the maximum width along a majority of its length and a second width at a base portion adjacent to the inner edge, the second width being less than the maximum width. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The cable gland of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of fingers has a concave distal end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein distal ends of the plurality of fingers define an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter increases upon receiving the cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the annular outer surface has a height that is uniform around a circumference of the annular outer surface. ### Claim 10 A grounding device, comprising: an upper rim; an annular intermediate portion radially inward of the upper rim with an inner edge radially inward of and below the upper rim; a plurality of fingers extending inward and downward from the inner edge; wherein the grounding device is comprised of a conductive spring steel material, wherein the upper rim has a flat lower surface, extending between an outer diameter of the upper rim and the annular intermediate portion, for resting against an abutment, wherein the intermediate portion has an annular outer surface below and extending perpendicular to the flat lower surface of the upper rim, wherein the annular intermediate portion includes an angled portion adjacent to the plurality of fingers, and wherein each of the plurality of fingers are configured to flex outward to receive a cable and maintain inward pressure on the cable creating an electrical ground path from the cable to the grounding device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The grounding device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fingers extends downward at an angle of at least 15 degrees with respect to a plane defined by the upper rim. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The grounding device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is substantially flat and has a length and a maximum width, the length being greater than the maximum width. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The grounding device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of fingers has the maximum width along a majority of its length and a second width at a base portion adjacent to the inner edge, the second width being less than the maximum width. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The grounding device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fingers has a concave distal end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The grounding device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fingers includes at least six fingers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The grounding device of claim 10, wherein the annular outer surface has a height that is uniform around a circumference of the annular outer surface.