Patent US1120268A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4246687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Branch-off method
Assignee: NV RYCHEM SA
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Filing: 1979-04-03
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 1999-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve, made for example from a cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electric cables or other utility lines is effected by using a fork member. The end portion of the heat-shrinkable sleeve is threaded between the prongs of the fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens and at least two prongs abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve which surround the substrates so as to retain the fork member in position. The fork is preferably made from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminium.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Marie E. Nolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0641; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49865; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat-shrinkable sleeve is an integral tubular sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat-shrinkable sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fork member is part of the fastening means of a wrap-around sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is provided with means for properly positioning it in relation to the substrates before recovery of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means comprises a spacer member dimensioned to fit between the substrates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said spacer member is deformable so that it can be adjusted according to the distance between the substrates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said spacer member is attached to the fork member by a manner in which it can readily be broken off or otherwise removed after recovery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is provided with ears which rest on the substrates as they pass out from the heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is made from a thermally conductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is provided with internal or self-contained heating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parts of the fork member which abut the sleeve material where it surrounds the substrates are thermally insulated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is made from a metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fork member is made from steel, brass, beryllium copper or aluminium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fork member is a heat-recoverable member made from a memory metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member has been treated to protect it again corrosion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fork member is deformed during recovery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of the prongs of the fork member are of different lengths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrates are supply lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the supply lines are electric cables, telecommunication cables or gas or water pipes.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the other surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein the fork member has an odd number of prongs and is positioned spaced apart from the plane containing the longitudinal axes of the substrates as they emerge from the sleeve so that, on shrinkage, the fork member is forced toward the plane and thus rests on the surfaces of both substrates.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the other surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein the fork member has an odd number of prongs and is positioned spaced apart from the plane containing the longitudinal axes of the substrates as they emerge from the sleeve so that, on shrinkage, the fork member is forced toward the plane and thus rests on the surfaces of both substrates.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein the fork member has an even number of prongs and is positioned between the substrates so that, on recovery, it is subjected to a twisting force and as a result one of its prongs comes into contact with the upper surface of one substrate and another prong comes into contact with the lower surface of the other substrate, the fork member thus remaining in position between the substrates.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein the fork member has an even number of prongs and is positioned between the substrates so that, on recovery, it is subjected to a twisting force and as a result one of its prongs comes into contact with the upper surface of one substrate and another prong comes into contact with the lower surface of the other substrate, the fork member thus remaining in position between the substrates.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein a local heating is effected n the vicinity of the fork member in order to locate it firmly in position before recovery is completed.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises threading an end portion of the sleeve which is positioned between the two substrates about the prongs of a fork member so that, on recovery, the heat shrinkable material tightens within the prongs of said fork member and at least two of the prongs of the fork member abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve surrounding the substrates so as to retain the fork member firmly in position, wherein a local heating is effected n the vicinity of the fork member in order to locate it firmly in position before recovery is completed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |