# US 2020/0287367 A1 · Cable gland and methods for grounding a cable > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0287367 A1 - Document ID: US20200287367A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/884,882 - Filed: 2020-05-27 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-18 - Assignees: Cape Industries - Applicants: CAPE Industries, LLC - Inventors: Allen Todd GIBSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200287367A1 ## CPC - H02G 3/0625: {with means for preventing disengagement of conductors} - H02G 3/0666: {with means clamping the armour of the conductor (H02G3/0675, H02G3/0683 take precedence)} - H01R 13/648: Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices {, e.g. anti-static shielding} (coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38) - H02G 3/0658: {with means constricting the conductor-insulation (H02G3/065, H02G3/0675, H02G3/0683 take precedence)} - H02G 3/0675: {with bolts operating in a direction parallel to the conductors} - H02G 3/0683: {with bolts operating in a direction transverse 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 15/043: {with end caps, e.g. sleeve closed at one end} - H02G 1/00: Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines - H02G 15/007: Devices for relieving mechanical stress - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A cable gland and methods for earthing, grounding, bonding, and electromagnetic capability with armored, metal-clad, and metallic-sheathed cable types. The cable gland comprises a gland body, a plurality of extensions, an elastomer seal, a compression member configured to rotate the plurality of extensions towards to the elastomer seal, and an earthing insert mounted in the gland body configured to electrically connect a cable to a neutral and/or grounded conductor. The cable gland is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the exterior of the cable and the elastomer seal through rotation of the plurality of extension upon the elastomer seal. The cable gland may include an o-ring and nut to secure the cable gland to a planar body. The earthing insert comprises a grounding spring in electrical communication with a metallic portion of the cable and a neutral and/or grounded conductor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable gland comprising: a gland body comprising: a central axis; an interior surface; an exterior surface; a first distal end; a second distal end opposite the first distal end; and a plurality of extensions proximate the second distal end, the plurality of extensions comprises a plurality of inner surfaces inclined towards the central axis; an elastomer seal connected to the interior surface proximate the plurality of extensions, the elastomer seal configured to abut the plurality of inner surfaces; a compression member configured to rotate the plurality of extensions, whereby rotation of the plurality of extensions compresses the elastomer seal; and an earthing insert mounted in the gland body proximate the first distal end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, further comprising: a first set of threads disposed on the exterior surface proximate the first distal end; an o-ring disposed around the exterior surface proximate the first set of threads; and a nut demountably attached to the first set of threads for compressing the o-ring against the gland body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner surfaces comprising a plurality of cavities configured to engage the elastomer seal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the elastomer seal further comprising: a set of channels disposed along an exterior seal surface of the elastomer seal, the set of channels extending from a first seal end towards a second seal end; a set of tapered end faces disposed between the set of channels proximate the first seal end; and a set of exterior surface protrusions disposed on the set of tapered end faces configured to engage the plurality of inner surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The cable gland of claim 4, wherein the elastomer seal further comprising a set of tongues disposed around a circumference of the exterior seal surface, the set of tongues configured to engage a set of grooves disposed around the interior surface of the cable gland. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The cable gland of claim 4, wherein the elastomer seal further comprising: an annular ring extending from the first seal end towards a central seal axis; and a plurality of thickened bodies disposed on the annular ring; wherein the plurality of thickened bodies are radially aligned with the set of tapered end faces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the compression member comprises a plurality of tabs disposed around an interior compression surface of the compression member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cable gland of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of tabs comprise an inclined surface configured to intermittently engage the plurality of extensions when the compression member is rotated about the plurality of extensions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the plurality of extensions comprise a plurality of helical fingers helically disposed about the central axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cable gland of claim 1, wherein the gland body comprises an interior slot disposed about a first interior diameter proximate the first distal end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cable gland of claim 10, where in the earthing insert comprises a grounding spring comprising: a coiled member spiraling inwardly towards a central spring axis; wherein the coiled member forms a central coil region about the central spring axis; a restraining tab connected to the coiled member at a first coil distal end; the retraining tab extending outwardly and away from the coiled member; and a planar grounding tab connected to the coiled member at a second coil distal end; the planar grounding tab extending away from the coiled member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cable gland of claim 11, wherein the planar grounding tab is disposed approximately 0 to 10 degrees to the central spring axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The cable gland of claim 11, wherein the restraining tab is disposed approximately perpendicular to the central spring axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The cable gland of claim 11, wherein the earthing insert is constructed of an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 15 A cable gland comprising: a gland body comprising: a central axis; an interior surface; an exterior surface; a first distal end; a second distal end opposite the first distal end; a first set of threads disposed on the exterior surface proximate the first distal end; and a plurality of extensions proximate the second distal end, wherein the plurality of extensions comprising a plurality of inner surfaces inclined towards the central axis; an elastomer seal connected to the interior surface proximate the plurality of extensions, the elastomer seal configured to abut the plurality of inner surfaces; a compression member configured to rotate the plurality of extensions, whereby rotation of the plurality of extensions compresses the elastomer seal; the compression member comprising a plurality of tabs disposed around an interior compression surface of the compression member; an earthing insert mounted in the gland body proximate the first distal end; an o-ring disposed around the exterior surface proximate the first set of threads; and a nut demountably attached to the first set of threads for compressing the o-ring against the gland body. ### Claim 16 A grounding spring comprising: a coiled member spiraling inwardly towards a central spring axis; wherein the coiled member forms a central coil region about the central spring axis; a restraining tab connected to the coiled member at a first coil distal end; the retraining tab extending outwardly and away from the coiled member; and a planar grounding tab connected to the coiled member at a second coil distal end; the planar grounding tab extending away from the coiled member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The grounding spring of claim 16, wherein the planar grounding tab is disposed approximately 0 to 10 degrees with the central spring axis; and wherein the restraining tab is disposed approximately perpendicular to the central spring axis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The grounding spring of claim 16, wherein the grounding spring is constructed of an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 19 A method of grounding a cable, which comprises: providing a cable gland comprising: a gland body comprising: a first set of threads disposed along an exterior surface of the gland body at a first distal end of the gland body; a second set of threads disposed along the exterior surface of the gland body; a central body disposed between the first set of threads and the second set of threads; and a plurality of extensions disposed proximate the second set of threads and extending to a second distal end, the plurality of extensions configured to rotate towards a central axis of the gland body; an elastomer seal connected to an interior surface of the gland body, the elastomer seal abutting the plurality of extensions; whereby rotation of the plurality of extensions towards the central axis reduces an interior diameter of the elastomer seal; a grounding spring having an central coil region, the grounding spring frictionally connected to an interior surface of the gland body; and a compression body configured to thread onto the second set of threads and rotate the plurality of extensions towards the central axis; expanding the central coil region of the grounding spring; inserting a cable through the compression body, the cable gland, and the central coil region; contracting the central coil region about the cable; whereby the grounding spring is in electrical communication with a metallic portion of the cable; threading the compression body on the second set of threads; whereby the plurality of extensions are rotated towards the central axis and subsequently compress the elastomer seal about the cable creating an air-tight seal; and connecting the grounding spring to a ground terminal; thereby electrically grounding the metallic portion of the cable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of grounding a cable of claim 19, which further comprises: inserting the first set of threads through an aperture disposed through a planar body; and threading a nut onto the first set of threads and compressing a seal positioned between the gland body and the planar body; thereby forming an air-tight seal.