US3678174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking heat shrinkable insulating sleeve
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-15
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An insulation sleeve of the type used to provide electrical insulation around an electrical connection is disclosed. This sleeve has at least one end which has a re-entrant configuration projecting back into the interior of the sleeve such that at least a portion of the re-entrant is held away from the inside surface of the sleeve. This provides a self-locking feature when an object of an appropriate size is inserted through this end. The sleeve may then be heat shrunk around the connection or can serve as an insulator without further recovery. The sleeve may also be provided with a solder insert. A process for fabricating such a sleeve is also disclosed. Such sleeves are particularly useful for insulating an electrical connection made by a ferrule which has been crimped over the stripped ends of insulated conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry E Ganzhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/22; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; H01R4/70; H01R4/72; H01R4/723; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A sleeve formed of heat shrinkable material comprising: a hollow heat shrinkable polymeric member having at least one open end and having an integral re-entrant portion projecting back into the interior of the sleeve at said open end at least a portion of said re-entrant portion being displaced from the inner surface of said hollow member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A sleeve formed of heat shrinkable material comprising: a hollow heat shrinkable polymeric member having at least one open end and having an integral re-entrant portion projecting back into the interior of the sleeve at said open end at least a portion of said re-entrant portion being displaced from the inner surface of said hollow member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said hollow member has two open ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said re-entrant means is generally pyramidal in shape and has a generally rectangular opening therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sleeve of claim 3 wherein the width of said rectangular opening is at least 2 times its height.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said re-entrant means is generally conical in shape and has a generally circular opening therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said hollow member is cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said hollow member is fabricated from a heat recoverable irradiated polyolefin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sleeve of claim 1, wherein a fusible insert is positioned within said hollow member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sleeve of claim 8 wherein said fusible insert comprises solder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sleeve of claim 6 wherein one end of said cylindrical body is closed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said hollow member has a plurality of open ends and more than one of said open ends is provided with the defined re-entrant means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said re-entrant portion projects back into the interior of said sleeve a distance of between one-third and two times the outside diameter of said hollow member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said re-eNtrant portion is displaced from said inner surface of said hollow member a distance at least equal to the wall thickness of said cylindrical member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A self-locking insulation sleeve for electrically insulating a junction between the stripped ends of at least two insulated conductors comprising: a hollow heat shrinkable polymeric member having at least one open end and having an integral re-entrant portion projecting back into the interior of the sleeve at said open end at least a portion of said re-entrant portion being displaced from the inner surface of said hollow member, said re-entrant portion being shaped so that it is radially displaced by the insertion of said junction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
A self-locking insulation sleeve for electrically insulating a junction between the stripped ends of at least two insulated conductors comprising: a hollow heat shrinkable polymeric member having at least one open end and having an integral re-entrant portion projecting back into the interior of the sleeve at said open end at least a portion of said re-entrant portion being displaced from the inner surface of said hollow member, said re-entrant portion being shaped so that it is radially displaced by the insertion of said junction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sleeve of claim 14 wherein said hollow member has two open ends provided with the defined re-entrant means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sleeve of claim 14 wherein said hollow member has one open end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sleeve of claim 14 wherein a fusible insert is positioned within said hallow member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for making a self-locking insulation sleeve from a generally cylindrical hollow member fabricated from a heat recoverable thermoplastic resin, comprising: holding an end of said member against a heated surface having a temperature at least equal to the heat recovery temperature of said resin for a time sufficient to raise the temperature of the end of the member to said heat recovery temperature and to form said end inwardly; separating the member from contact with said heated surface; inserting a shaped mandrel into said heated end and forming said heated end into a shaped, re-entrant configuration; cooling said heated end, and removing said mandrel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for making a self-locking insulation sleeve from a generally cylindrical hollow member fabricated from a heat recoverable thermoplastic resin, comprising: holding an end of said member against a heated surface having a temperature at least equal to the heat recovery temperature of said resin for a time sufficient to raise the temperature of the end of the member to said heat recovery temperature and to form said end inwardly; separating the member from contact with said heated surface; inserting a shaped mandrel into said heated end and forming said heated end into a shaped, re-entrant configuration; cooling said heated end, and removing said mandrel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |