Channeling wedge

Claim 1

A channeling wedge for forming passageways to allow the introduction of resin between the wires of a multiwire cable, said channeling wedge comprising a broad longitudinal polymeric member having a tip end surface with a substantially greater length than width dimension; an end surface opposite said tip end surface adapted to receive force to move the wedge, tip end surface first, between the wires of a said cable; opposite edge surfaces having essentially the same width dimension as said tip end surface, being aligned with said tip end surface, and extending from said tip end surface to said opposite end surface; and opposite broad side surfaces joining said tip end surface, said opposite end surface and said edge surfaces, which polymeric member: includes a narrow blade-like end portion terminating at said tip end surface, said end portion being smoothly radiused both between said side surfaces and between said edge surfaces to define said tip end surface, which radii cause deflection of wires from said tip end surface upon movement of said end portion between the wires of a said cable, and having opposite generally planar portions of said side surfaces which diverge from said tip end surface toward said opposite end surface; includes longitudinal outwardly projecting wedge-like edge portions which define said edge surfaces and diverge from each other longitudinally from said tip end surface toward said opposite end surface, and which wedge-like edge portions each define opposite portions of said side surfaces that diverge from the associated edge surface toward a central portion of the polymeric member, said edge surfaces and planar side surface portions which diverge from said tip end surface and said diverging portions of said side surfaces on said wedge-like edge portions being adapted to smoothly increase the separation between wires deflected by said tip end surface and to open passageways for the resin adjacent said edge surfaces during movement of said channeling wedge between the wires of a said cable; and has a groove along each of said side surfaces between said wedge-like edge portions extending from said opposite end surface to said end portion, the grooves along said side surfaces, upon insertion of said channeling wedge through a said cable, providing passageways for resin between the side surfaces and said wires.