US4734543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Branch-off assembly
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1986-09-11
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Granted: 1988-03-29
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Expires: 2006-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink aobut the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Marie E. Nolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B11/00; F16B11/006; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0641; B29C61/0666; F16B2/00; F16B2/20; F16B2/22; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/26; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H01R4/72; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An assembly comprising (a) a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, (b) a clip having at least two elongate legs positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form, and maintain during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits for receiving the first and second substrates, and (c) sealant within the sleeve for sealing gaps between the conduits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An assembly comprising (a) a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, (b) a clip having at least two elongate legs positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form, and maintain during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits for receiving the first and second substrates, and (c) sealant within the sleeve for sealing gaps between the conduits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the clip has at least three legs with the third leg inside the sleeve, the sealant being provided by the clip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which the clip has only two legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
An assembly comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, and a clip having at least three legs, first and second legs of which are capable of being positioned over the surface of the sleeve at the end thereof, with a third leg of the clip inside the sleeve, thereby forming, and maintaining during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits respectively capable of receiving the first and second substrates, the third leg comprising a sealant for sealing any gaps between the conduits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
An assembly comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, and a clip having at least three legs, first and second legs of which are capable of being positioned over the surface of the sleeve at the end thereof, with a third leg of the clip inside the sleeve, thereby forming, and maintaining during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits respectively capable of receiving the first and second substrates, the third leg comprising a sealant for sealing any gaps between the conduits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 4 in which the clip is a trident with the middle leg in the sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the sealant is an adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the sleeve is an integral tubular sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the sleeve is a wraparound sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 assembled to form the conduits by the clip pinching together two layers of the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 assembled to form the conduits by the clip pinching a layer of the sleeve to another substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 assembled to form the conduits by the clip pinching a layer of the sleeve to a distribution box.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 assembled to form the conduits by the clip pinching a layer of the sleeve to another heat-recoverable component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with means for indicating that a desired temperature has been reached during heat shrinking of the sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with a thermochromic indicator for indicating that a desired temperature has been reached during heat shrinking of the sleeve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with a temperature indication device comprising a thermo fusibile material which, when it melts, enables an indicator element to move and signify the attainment of a desired temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with means for indicating that a desired pressure level has been obtained within the joint formed between the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the first and second substrates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with means for ensuring electrical continuity between the first and second substrates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with means for providing strain relief to the joint formed between the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the substrates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with members which grip at least one substrate externally of the joint formed between the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the substrates to provide strain relief to the joint.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein part of the clip forms one of the substrates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein one clip is assembled with the sleeve to form three or more conduits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein two or more clips are assembled with the sleeve to form a multi-outlet branch-off.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with means so that it may be adjusted according to the thickness of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with self-adjusting means for adjusting it according to the thickness of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with self-adjusting means regulated by a resilient member for adjusting the gap between the legs of the clip to the thickness of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is provided with self-adjusting means regulated by a resilient member for adjusting the gap between the legs of the clip to suit the thickness of the heat-shrinkable sleeve, the resilient member being initially embedded in a thermo-fusible material so as to render it inoperative prior to heat shrinking of the sleeve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from a thermally conductive material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from aluminum.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from steel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from a memory alloy and is heat-recoverable to enhance its grip on the sleeve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from a preconditioned memory alloy and is heat-recoverable to enhance its grip on the sleeve.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is made from a preconditioned beta-brass memory alloy and it heat-recoverable to enhance its grip on the sleeve.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 4 assembled with the two outer legs of the trident over the outer surface of the sleeve and the third leg of the trident inside the sleeve.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 4 or 33 wherein the inner edges of the outer legs taper inwardly towards the closed base of the clip.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 4 or 33 wherein the inner edges of the outer legs lie in a mutually parallel arrangement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 wherein the clip is substantially rigid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 assembled with the substrates in the conduits.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 4 assembled with the substrates in the conduits and having the sleeve heat-shrunk around the substrates.
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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) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |