EP0110705A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Branch-off clip
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
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Filing: 1983-11-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A branch-off seal between a recoverable sleeve (12) and two or more substrates (14) is effected using a clip the outer legs (1) of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve (12) so as to form an appropriate number of conduits (13). The clip is provided with an inner leg (15) comprising a heat-activatable sealing material and a heat-conductive member of region. The dimensional integrity of the member or region weakens on activation of the sealing material. Thus the amount of heat or mechanical rigidity between the substrate is limited.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Vansant
- 👤 Noel Marcel Michiel Overbergh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B4/00; F16B4/006; F16B4/008; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0641; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/013; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; B29L; B29L2009/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/33; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44983; Y10T24/49; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A clip which comprises at least two outer legs and an inner leg, so arranged that the clip can be positioned over the outer surface of a recoverable sleeve at an end thereof with the outer legs outside the sleeve and the inner leg inside the sleeve; the inner leg comprising a heat-activatable sealing material, and a heat conductive member or region thermally connecting the outer legs with the sealing material, the dimensional integrity of at least part of the member or region weakening on heating at or shortly after activation of the sealing material, thus reducing the thermal connection, or reducing the rigidity of at least a portion of the inner leg, or both.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A clip which comprises at least two outer legs and an inner leg, so arranged that the clip can be positioned over the outer surface of a recoverable sleeve at an end thereof with the outer legs outside the sleeve and the inner leg inside the sleeve; the inner leg comprising a heat-activatable sealing material, and a heat conductive member or region thermally connecting the outer legs with the sealing material, the dimensional integrity of at least part of the member or region weakening on heating at or shortly after activation of the sealing material, thus reducing the thermal connection, or reducing the rigidity of at least a portion of the inner leg, or both.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A clip according to Claim 1, in which the heat-conductive member comprises a metal prong which substantially entirely melts at or shortly after activation of the sealing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A clip according to Claim 1, in which the heat-conductive member comprises a non-fusible prong and a bond which constitutes the thermal connection to the remainder of the clip, the bond melting at or shortly after activation of the sealing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A clip according to Claim 1, in which the heat-conductive member comprises a non-fusible prong mechanically joined to the outer legs and having at a distal portion a fusible plug which melts at or shortly after activation of the sealing material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A clip according to any of Claims 2,3 and 4, in which the prong is substantially entirely covered with the sealing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A clip according to Claim 1, in which the sealing material has dimensional integrity before heating, and the heat-conductive member comprises a metal powder dispersed throughout the sealing material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clip according to Claim 1, in which the sealing material has dimensional integrity before heating, and the heat-conductive member comprises metal fibres dispersed throughout the sealant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A clip according to Claim 7, in which the metal fibres constitute a mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A clip according to any preceding claim in which the sealing material is a hot-melt adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clip according to any preceding claim, in which the sealing material is activated at a temperature of from 50-120°C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clip according to any preceding claim in which said dimensional integrity fails at a temperature of from 70-140°C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A clip according to any preceding claim in which the difference between the temperature of failure of dimensional integrity and of activation of the sealing material is from 5-35°C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly for enclosing a branched substrate, which comprises a recoverable sleeve and a clip according to any preceding claim.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to Claim 13, in which the sleeve is heat-shrinkable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to Claim 13 or 14, in which the sleeve has sealing material on an inner surface thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly according to Claim 15, in which the sealant on the inner surface is a hot-melt adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4298415A
Cited
GB2095926A
Cited
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