Method and apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand

Claim 5

The method of forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand as recited in claim 1, in which the opposite sides of the sheathing tape are to be covered with first and second immiscible coatings, and which further comprises: applying the first immiscible coating to one side of the sheathing tape prior to forming the tape about the strand; directing air streams adjacent the edges of the sheathing tape and outwardly of the tape on the opposite side of the tape to preclude flow of the first immiscible coating onto the opposite side of the tape; and applying the second immiscible coating to the opposite side of the tape after the tape has been formed about the strand.

Claim 6

The method of forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand as recited in claim 1, which further comprises: applying a first layer of a sealing material over the seam formed by the inwardly formed outer edge section of the tape; applying an overlay tape over the first layer of sealing material and the seam so as to force the sealing material into the seam; and applying a second layer of the sealing material over the first layer of sealing material and the overlay tape.

Claim 9

The method of forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, as recited in claim 2, which further comprises: applying a first layer of the second immiscible material over the seam formed by the inwardly formed outer edge section of the first sheathing tape; applying an overlay tape over the first layer of the second immiscible material so as to force the material into the seam; and applying a second layer of the second immiscible material over the first layer of the material and the overlay tape.

Claim 10

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises; means for engaging and overforming at least one edge portion of the advancing sheathing tape into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of an intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over a second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; first means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape to form the edge section inward and to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set; and second means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on a peripheral portion of the sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape at the same time that said first means is forming the outer edge section inward, to deflect the inner second edge portion of the tape inward and temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner edge portion of the tape exerts on the overlapped reverse-formed portion of the tape during the inward forming of the outer edge section thereof, with the inner edge portion of the tape subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section to form a tight seam.

Claim 11

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises; means for engaging and overforming at least one edge portion of the advancing sheathing tape into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of an intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over a second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; first means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape to form the edge section inward and to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set; and second means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on a peripheral portion of the sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape at the same time that said first means is forming the outer edge section inward, to deflect the inner second edge portion of the tape inward and temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner edge portion of the tape exerts on the overlapped reverse-formed portion of the tape during the inward forming of the outer edge section thereof, with the inner edge portion of the tape subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section to form a tight seam.

Claim 12

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises: means for folding a portion of the sheathing tape which is intermediate edge portions of the tape, about a peripheral portion of the elongated tube; means for overforming at least one of the edge portions of the advancing sheathing tape into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over the other second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; and an elongaTed integral bar member extending tangentially of the sheathing tape and having a curved surface portion which engages and applies inward radial pressure on an outer overlapped edge section of the sheathing tape to cold-work the edge section and to form the edge section inward to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set, said bar member also including a curved surface portion which simultaneously engages and applies inward radial pressure on a peripheral portion of the sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the sheathing tape to temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner second edge portion of the tape exerts on the outer reverse-formed edge portion of the tape during the forming of the outer edge section inward, with the inner edge portion of the tape subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section of the tape to form a tight seam.

Claim 13

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises: means for folding a portion of the sheathing tape which is intermediate edge portions of the tape, about a peripheral portion of the elongated tube; means for overforming at least one of the edge portions of the advancing sheathing tape into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over the other second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; and an elongaTed integral bar member extending tangentially of the sheathing tape and having a curved surface portion which engages and applies inward radial pressure on an outer overlapped edge section of the sheathing tape to cold-work the edge section and to form the edge section inward to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set, said bar member also including a curved surface portion which simultaneously engages and applies inward radial pressure on a peripheral portion of the sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the sheathing tape to temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner second edge portion of the tape exerts on the outer reverse-formed edge portion of the tape during the forming of the outer edge section inward, with the inner edge portion of the tape subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section of the tape to form a tight seam.

Claim 14

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, as recited in claim 8, in which the sheathing tape is transversely corrugated and in which: said bar member also extends obliquely to the direction of travel of the strand and the sheathing tape.

Claim 15

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises: anvil means on the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent the exit end of the tube, said anvil means having surface portions engageable by at least one edge portion of the sheathing tape and defined by a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the tube; rotatable means for forming the one edge portion of the advancing sheathing tape about said anvil means so as to overform the edge portion into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of an intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; and means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over a second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship.

Claim 16

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube and in which an elongated tape for sheathing the strand is advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, which comprises: anvil means on the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent the exit end of the tube, said anvil means having surface portions engageable by at least one edge portion of the sheathing tape and defined by a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the tube; rotatable means for forming the one edge portion of the advancing sheathing tape about said anvil means so as to overform the edge portion into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of an intermediate portion of the tape which is being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portion of the sheathing tape to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portion of the tape; and means for lapping the reverse-formed edge portion of the sheathing tape over a second edge portion of the tape to cause the tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship.

Claim 17

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, as recited in claim 10, in which: said anvil means includes separate surface portions each engageable by a respective one of the edge portions of the sheathing tape and each defined by a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the tube.

Claim 20

A device for forming a seam in a sheath for a strand, as recited in claim 12, in which the sheath is corrugated circumferentially and in which: said bar member also extends obliquely to the direction of travel of the strand and the sheath.

Claim 21

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube, in which first and second elongated tapes for sheathing the strand are advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, and in which the space between the tapes is to be filled with a material which is immiscible with respect to a material which is to be coated on the outside of the unsoldered sheath, which comprises: means for applying a coating of the first immiscible material on one side of the first longitudinally advancing sheathing tape; a system of air jets on the opposite side of the first sheathing tape directed toward the edges of the tape and outwardly of the tape to preclude flow of the first immiscible material onto the opposite side of the first sheathing tape; means for bringing the coated side of the first sheathing tape into substantially mating engagement with one side of the second longitudinally advancing sheathing tape; means for folding portions of the engaged first and second sheathing tapes which are intermediate edge portions of the tapes, about a peripheral portion of the elongated tube, with the uncoated side of the first sheathing tape facing outward of the tube; first and second anvil means on the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent the exit end of the tube, each of said anvil means having a surface portion defined by a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the tube; rotatable means for engaging and forming the edge portions of the advancing first and second sheathing tapes about respective ones of said first and second anvil means so as to overform the edge portions into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portions of the tapes which are being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portions of the first and second sheathing tapes to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially identical to the intermediate portions of the tapes; means for lapping one of the reverse-formed edge portions of the first sheathing tape over the other reverse-formed edge portion of the first sheathing tape to cause the first sheathing tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; fixed means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an uncoated outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the first sheathing tape to cold-work the edge section and to form the edge section inward to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set; fixed means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an uncoated peripheral portion of the first sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the tape at the same time that inward radial pressure is being applied to the outer edge section, to deflect the inner reverse-formed edge portion of the tape inward and temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner edge portion exerts on the outer edge portion during the inward forming of the outer edge section thereof, the inner edge portion subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section to form a tight seam; and means for applying the second immiscible coating to the outside of the first sheathing tape.

Claim 22

Apparatus for forming an unsoldered sheath about a strand, in which the strand is advanced longitudinally through an elongated tube, in which first and second elongated tapes for sheathing the strand are advanced longitudinally with the strand and folded about the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent an exit end of the tube so as to envelop the strand as the strand exits from the tube, and in which the space between the tapes is to be filled with a material which is immiscible with respect to a material which is to be coated on the outside of the unsoldered sheath, which comprises: means for applying a coating of the first immiscible material on one side of the first longitudinally advancing sheathing tape; a system of air jets on the opposite side of the first sheathing tape directed toward the edges of the tape and outwardly of the tape to preclude flow of the first immiscible material onto the opposite side of the first sheathing tape; means for bringing the coated side of the first sheathing tape into substantially mating engagement with one side of the second longitudinally advancing sheathing tape; means for folding portions of the engaged first and second sheathing tapes which are intermediate edge portions of the tapes, about a peripheral portion of the elongated tube, with the uncoated side of the first sheathing tape facing outward of the tube; first and second anvil means on the periphery of the elongated tube adjacent the exit end of the tube, each of said anvil means having a surface portion defined by a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the tube; rotatable means for engaging and forming the edge portions of the advancing first and second sheathing tapes about respective ones of said first and second anvil means so as to overform the edge portions into a curved configuration having a relatively sharp outwardly convex radius of curvature as compared to the radius of curvature of the intermediate portions of the tapes which are being folded about the elongated tube; means for reverse-forming the overformed edge portions of the first and second sheathing tapes to a curved configuration having a radius of curvature substantially identical to the intermediate portions of the tapes; means for lapping one of the reverse-formed edge portions of the first sheathing tape over the other reverse-formed edge portion of the first sheathing tape to cause the first sheathing tape to enclose the strand in sheathed relationship; fixed means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an uncoated outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the first sheathing tape to cold-work the edge section and to form the edge section inward to cause the edge section to achieve a permanent inward set; fixed means for engaging and applying inward radial pressure on an uncoated peripheral portion of the first sheathing tape adjacent the outer edge section of the overlapped reverse-formed edge portion of the tape at the same time that inward radial pressure is being applied to the outer edge section, to deflect the inner reverse-formed edge portion of the tape inward and temporarily reduce the outward pressure which the inner edge portion exerts on the outer edge portion during the inward forming of the outer edge section thereof, the inner edge portion subsequently moving radially outward into opposed pressure engagement with the inwardly formed outer edge section to form a tight seam; and means for applying the second immiscible coating to the outside of the first sheathing tape.