US4257630A — Method and apparatus for splicing hose

Claim 1

Independent Claim 315 words

A splice for joining two segments of hose the ends of which are in abutting relationship to form a juncture therebetween, said hose comprised of an inner elastomeric liner tube, at least one ply of a reinforcement fabric, and an elastomeric cover, the cover being removed for a length L from each of the ends to expose the reinforcement fabric, said splice comprising: an annulus of sealing elastomer mounted in the hose bore at the juncture of the abutted ends and having an inner convex surface depending radially into the bore of the hose, the inner surface presenting a smooth tapered configuration to the hose bore with the greatest thickness of the elastomer being at the location of the juncture of the hose ends and tapering in either direction away from the juncture, the outer surface of the sealing elastomer being cylindrical and having a circumference substantially equal to the hose bore circumference such that the cylindrical surface is in mating relationship with the bore, the length of the cylindrical surface being greater than the gap across the juncture to thus seal the juncture between the two hose ends; a length of elastomeric tube stock filling the juncture of the abutted hose ends for the thickness of the hose liner tube plus the thickness of the hose reinforcement; a reinforcement material of a textile fabric having elastomer on both surfaces to provide a bond with the existing underlying hose reinforcement for the length 2L of the exposed hose reinforcement; and an elastomeric cover wrapped about the juncture of the hose ends, completely covering the reinforcement textile fabric for the length 2L and extending an additional length L' in either direction away from the juncture to overwrap the existing hose cover, the overall width of the splice cover being at least 2L+2L'; said splice components being vulcanized into an integral structure with the existing hose materials.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 315 words

A splice for joining two segments of hose the ends of which are in abutting relationship to form a juncture therebetween, said hose comprised of an inner elastomeric liner tube, at least one ply of a reinforcement fabric, and an elastomeric cover, the cover being removed for a length L from each of the ends to expose the reinforcement fabric, said splice comprising: an annulus of sealing elastomer mounted in the hose bore at the juncture of the abutted ends and having an inner convex surface depending radially into the bore of the hose, the inner surface presenting a smooth tapered configuration to the hose bore with the greatest thickness of the elastomer being at the location of the juncture of the hose ends and tapering in either direction away from the juncture, the outer surface of the sealing elastomer being cylindrical and having a circumference substantially equal to the hose bore circumference such that the cylindrical surface is in mating relationship with the bore, the length of the cylindrical surface being greater than the gap across the juncture to thus seal the juncture between the two hose ends; a length of elastomeric tube stock filling the juncture of the abutted hose ends for the thickness of the hose liner tube plus the thickness of the hose reinforcement; a reinforcement material of a textile fabric having elastomer on both surfaces to provide a bond with the existing underlying hose reinforcement for the length 2L of the exposed hose reinforcement; and an elastomeric cover wrapped about the juncture of the hose ends, completely covering the reinforcement textile fabric for the length 2L and extending an additional length L' in either direction away from the juncture to overwrap the existing hose cover, the overall width of the splice cover being at least 2L+2L'; said splice components being vulcanized into an integral structure with the existing hose materials.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The splice as set forth in claim 1 wherein an elastomeric adhesive is included above and below the reinforcement fabric of the splice.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

The splice as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sealing elastomer has a width of at least 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) and a dimension at its thickest part being at least 1/16 inch (0.15 cm).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The splice as set forth in either of claim 2 or 3 wherein the ends of the hose liner tube are retained in a substantially axial orientation by the splicing components.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a kit for field splicing two segments of hose the ends of which are in abutting relationship to form a juncture therebetween, a hollow cylindrically shaped plaster mandrel having an annular concave groove at its approximate midpoint, the outside diameter of the mandrel being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the bore of the hose to be spliced, said mandrel being of sufficient strength when inserted into the hose bore to support the splicing materials through lay-up and vulcanization but which may be broken into small pieces and washed out of the hose bore upon completion of the splicing operation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a kit for field splicing two segments of hose the ends of which are in abutting relationship to form a juncture therebetween, a hollow cylindrically shaped plaster mandrel having an annular concave groove at its approximate midpoint, the outside diameter of the mandrel being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the bore of the hose to be spliced, said mandrel being of sufficient strength when inserted into the hose bore to support the splicing materials through lay-up and vulcanization but which may be broken into small pieces and washed out of the hose bore upon completion of the splicing operation.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 306 words

In a kit according to claim 5, the kit further comprising a length of uncured sealing elastomer having a width of approximately 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), a thickness of at least 1/16 inch (0.15 cm) and a substantially rectangular cross section; a length of uncured elastomeric packing having a small cross sectional area such that it may be inserted at the juncture of the abutted hose ends and serve to fill any gaps that may exist due to a mismatch of the abutted ends; a reinforcement material of a textile fabric having an elastomeric gum frictioned on each surface, said material having a length and width sufficient to cover the expected splice area; an uncured elastomeric cover stock of a length sufficient to completely encircle the splice area and a width sufficient to extend an additional length along the hose in either direction beyond the juncture of the ends to overlap the existing hose cover material; a nylon cure tape having a length sufficient to double overwrap the splice area for a resultant wrap that is four plies thick to provide an inwardly directed radial pressure to the splice due to shrinkage upon the application of heat to the splice; an electrical heat tape having a length sufficient to cover the splice and an electrical capacity to heat the splice component materials to a vulcanization temperature; and a portion of a liquid solvent for cleaning the hose ends preparatory to splicing and a portion of a liquid elastomeric adhesive that may be applied prior to the application of each splice component to enhance adhesion of the component materials and integration with the existing hose components upon the application of heat and pressure and vulcanization of the same, the mandrel including a release agent on its outer surface that provides a non-stick surface to the sealing elastomer.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-03-23	1984-09-22	1985-03-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-03-23	1988-09-22	1989-03-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-03-23	1992-09-22	1993-03-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for splicing hose

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