US3725581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Re-enterable cable splice assembly and method including provision for adding branchout service cables as needed
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A re-enterable cable splice enclosure or assembly and method for adding branchout service cable connections to a main cable as needed. The splice housing includes first and second separable parts one of which has a main cable sealed thereto along with a plurality of tubular passages adapted to receive additional service cables as needed with provision for maintaining the passage sealed by potting compound. The tubular passages are preferably chargeable with a non-setting permanent gel-like potting compound. The assembly includes provision for using shielded cables the shield jackets of which are seperably connectable to one another and having shield junctions submerged in potting compound.
Inventors
- 👤 G Gillemot
- 👤 J Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:36
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/02; H02G15/04; H02G15/043; H02G15/06; H02G15/064; H02G15/068; H02G15/076; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/4922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A re-enterable cable splice assembly having provision for adding successive service branchout cables comprising: a relatively deep cup-shaped base having provision in the bottom thereof for receiving and sealing the same about the legs of a loop formed in a main cable extending upwardly through the bottom of said base, at least one long tubular passage passing through the bottom of said base of adequate size to accommodate a branchout service cable, means for maintaining said passage sealed against the passage of fluids therethrough until used to house a service cable at which time said passage is chargeable with potting compound to seal a service cable to the wall of said passage, and removable inverted cup-shaped cap means telescoped over the exterior of said base and including means for holding the same releasably clamped to said base to enclose and seal the loop portion of a main cable except when access to the loop is necessary for inspection, testing and making splice connections to cabling assembled thereto, the cable sheath being removed from said loop to a level below the upper rim edge of said base, and said base being charged with solidified potting compound to a level above the point of sheath removal from said loop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A re-enterable cable splice assembly having provision for adding successive service branchout cables comprising: a relatively deep cup-shaped base having provision in the bottom thereof for receiving and sealing the same about the legs of a loop formed in a main cable extending upwardly through the bottom of said base, at least one long tubular passage passing through the bottom of said base of adequate size to accommodate a branchout service cable, means for maintaining said passage sealed against the passage of fluids therethrough until used to house a service cable at which time said passage is chargeable with potting compound to seal a service cable to the wall of said passage, and removable inverted cup-shaped cap means telescoped over the exterior of said base and including means for holding the same releasably clamped to said base to enclose and seal the loop portion of a main cable except when access to the loop is necessary for inspection, testing and making splice connections to cabling assembled thereto, the cable sheath being removed from said loop to a level below the upper rim edge of said base, and said base being charged with solidified potting compound to a level above the point of sheath removal from said loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said base includes a plurality of said long passages each adapted for use to house a separate service cable at any time there is need for additional service outlet connections to said main cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said passages for service cables are arranged generally parallel to one another and to the axis of said splice enclosure with one end of each opening into the interior of said splice assembly and with the other end of each opening outward through the bottom of said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said solidified potting compound is effective to hold the legs of said cable loop permanently sealed thereto, said base including a plurality of initially closed tubular bosses projecting outwardly from the bottom thereof and in communication with the lower end of a respective one of said tubular passages, and the closure for said tubular bosses being rupturable to receive a service branchout cable when there is need for the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 4 characterized in the provision of cap means on the inner end of each of said tubular passages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said tubular passages are formed by tube means having its opposite ends extending beyond the opposite ends of said charge of permanently solidified potting compound in said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said base is formed of supple molded elastomeric material including said tubular bosses projecting outwardly from the bottom thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in the provision of a tube having a snug fit with the interior walls of said tubular bosses and inserted therein before said base is charged with said potting compound to provide said tubular passages for future use to house individual service branchout cables.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 8 characterized in the provision of a removable rupturable supple cap for the inner ends of each of said tubes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said tubular passage is chargeable with a permanently non-setting moisture proof gel-like potting compound effective to form a leak-proof seal between a service cable and the walls of said passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said splice assembly includes disconnectable conductive means for separably intErconnecting the shields of a shielded main cable and of one or more shielded branchout cables when said splice assembly is used with such cables.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of terminal strip means overlying said base along side said loop and having provision for connecting conductors of said main cable to conductors of a service cable entering said splice assembly through said one tubular passage, and support means for said terminal strip means extending downwardly therefrom with the lower end thereof submerged in and rigidly supported by said solidified potting compound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said support means is conductive, said main cable including a conductive shield jacket, and conductive means for clamping the shield jacket on each leg of said loop to said support means in an area submerged in said solidified potting compound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said cup-shaped base includes a generally cylindrical portion of rigid elastomeric material and a low-height cup-shaped bottom of relatively thin supple elastomeric material having a plurality of initially closed tubular nipples each seating the lower end of one of a plurality of tubes each sized to accommodate a service cable connectable to conductors of said main cable interiorly of said splice assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
140 words
A re-enterable cable splice assembly having provision for adding service branchout cables at any time with provision for sealing the same to said assembly at the point of entry thereto, said assembly including a normally closed main housing comprising first and second supple cup-shaped members and a rigid tubular member interconnecting said first and second housing members, said first member having a looped portion of a main cable extending through and sealed within an opening through the wall thereof, long tubular means sealed to and passing through the wall of said first member and sized to accommodate at least one service cable and closed until needed to house a service cable, and said tubular means being chargeable with potting compound to provide a moisture and fluid proof seal between a service cable and the interior walls of said tubular means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
A re-enterable cable splice assembly having provision for adding service branchout cables at any time with provision for sealing the same to said assembly at the point of entry thereto, said assembly including a normally closed main housing comprising first and second supple cup-shaped members and a rigid tubular member interconnecting said first and second housing members, said first member having a looped portion of a main cable extending through and sealed within an opening through the wall thereof, long tubular means sealed to and passing through the wall of said first member and sized to accommodate at least one service cable and closed until needed to house a service cable, and said tubular means being chargeable with potting compound to provide a moisture and fluid proof seal between a service cable and the interior walls of said tubular means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 15 characterized in that said tubular means is supported through the wall of said first housing member and passes through potting compound sealing the main cable assembled to said first member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 15 characterized in that said first housing member is arranged to have said main cable enter through the bottom thereof, and said bottom having a plurality of tubular bosses projecting outwardly therefrom each adapted to snugly seat a non-conductive tubular means initially closed at its opposite ends and extending inwardly beyond the charge of potting compound holding the main cable and said tubular means assembled to said first housing member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A splice assembly as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said tubular means include a charge of non-setting gel-like potting compound forming a fluid tight seal with the walls thereof and with the surface of a service cable passing therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
150 words
That method of providing a re-enterable cable splice assembly for a main cable and having provision for the connection of additional service cables thereto at any time there is need for expanded service, said method comprising: providing a splice housing having first and second telescopically mateable cup-shaped members clampable together between their overlapping rim edges, installing a main cable through the bottom of said first member, installing a plurality of tubes lengthwise of the interior of said first member and beside said cable, charging said first member with a setting potting compound to seal said member, cable and tubes assembled to one another, installing service cables as needed through first one and then another of said tubes and connEcting the same to conductors of said main cable, charging a tube having a service cable therein with potting compound, and maintaining tubes not occupied by a service cable closed until needed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
150 words
That method of providing a re-enterable cable splice assembly for a main cable and having provision for the connection of additional service cables thereto at any time there is need for expanded service, said method comprising: providing a splice housing having first and second telescopically mateable cup-shaped members clampable together between their overlapping rim edges, installing a main cable through the bottom of said first member, installing a plurality of tubes lengthwise of the interior of said first member and beside said cable, charging said first member with a setting potting compound to seal said member, cable and tubes assembled to one another, installing service cables as needed through first one and then another of said tubes and connEcting the same to conductors of said main cable, charging a tube having a service cable therein with potting compound, and maintaining tubes not occupied by a service cable closed until needed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
119 words
That method defined in claim 19 characterized in the steps of connecting a conductive grounding member to the shielding jacket of said main cable in an area to be submerged in potting compound with an end of said conductive member exposed interiorly of said splice housing, providing the shielding jacket of a service cable with a grounding member secured thereto and extending from the inner end of one of said tubes after the service cable has been installed therein, and connecting the free ends of said grounding members together interiorly of said first and second housing members before assembling said members to one another thereby to provide a separable electrical connection between the shields of each of said cables.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
That method defined in claim 19 characterized in the step of charging a tube with non-setting gel-like potting compound after a service cable has been pulled into position through that tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
That method defined in claim 19 characterized in the steps of providing the opposite ends of said tubes with supple elastomeric caps normally effective to seal the opposite ends of said tubes, and slitting the bottoms of said caps preparatory to inserting the end of a service cable therethrough.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
A re-enterable cable splice enclosure for use in making normally sealed but readily accessible splice connections between a looped portion of a main cable and one or more service cables, said splice enclosure comprising: a generally tubular base of rigid molded material capped at one end by a cup-shaped bottom member of relatively supple elastomeric material, said bottom member having a resilient tubular neck adapted to be gathered about the legs of a cable loop insertable therethrough and upwardly through said tubular base, said bottom member having a plurality of tubular bosses each seating the lower end portion of a tube extending upwardly through said base to a level thereabove and adapted to embrace a service cable spliceable to conductors of a main cable, said base and bottom member being chargeable with solidifiable potting compound, said tubes being closed until needed and being individually chargeable with potting compound if and when needed to accommodate a service cable, and an inverted cup-shaped cap having a telescopic fit over the upper end of said base and including means for securing the same detachably assembled over the upper end of said base.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
189 words
A re-enterable cable splice enclosure for use in making normally sealed but readily accessible splice connections between a looped portion of a main cable and one or more service cables, said splice enclosure comprising: a generally tubular base of rigid molded material capped at one end by a cup-shaped bottom member of relatively supple elastomeric material, said bottom member having a resilient tubular neck adapted to be gathered about the legs of a cable loop insertable therethrough and upwardly through said tubular base, said bottom member having a plurality of tubular bosses each seating the lower end portion of a tube extending upwardly through said base to a level thereabove and adapted to embrace a service cable spliceable to conductors of a main cable, said base and bottom member being chargeable with solidifiable potting compound, said tubes being closed until needed and being individually chargeable with potting compound if and when needed to accommodate a service cable, and an inverted cup-shaped cap having a telescopic fit over the upper end of said base and including means for securing the same detachably assembled over the upper end of said base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
106 words
A re-enterable cable splice enclosure as defined in claim 23 characterized in the provision of terminal strip means having a non-conductive main body, a pair of conductive supports having one end secured to said terminal strip means and the other end equipped with clamping means for clamping said supports to the shield jacket of a shielded main cable in an area located within and between the opposite ends of said base and adapted to be submerged in potting compound when said base is charged therewith, and said terminal strip means having provision for interconnecting conductors of a main cable and of one or more service cables.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |