US4283239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bracing method
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
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Filing: 1979-02-14
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Granted: 1981-08-11
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Expires: 1999-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of bracing an article, especially a junction between conduits subject to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which comprises applying thereto, in the order listed, a gas-impermeable member (this step may be omitted), a reinforcing member and a heat-recoverable member, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable, at least at elevated temperatures, and heating the assembly to cause recovery of the heat recoverable member.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas T. Corke
- 👤 Christian A. M. Debbaut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:42
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; H02G15/1813; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/10; F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of bracing a junction between cables which, in use, are pressurized, which comprises the steps of applying to the junction, in the order listed, a first sleeve, a substantially gas-impermeable member, which is subject to distortion by the internal pressure, a reinforcing member comprising a fibrous mat impregnated with a meltable material, and a second, heat-shrinkable sleeve, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable at least at the recovery temperature of the second sleeve, and heating to recover the second sleeve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of bracing a junction between cables which, in use, are pressurized, which comprises the steps of applying to the junction, in the order listed, a first sleeve, a substantially gas-impermeable member, which is subject to distortion by the internal pressure, a reinforcing member comprising a fibrous mat impregnated with a meltable material, and a second, heat-shrinkable sleeve, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable at least at the recovery temperature of the second sleeve, and heating to recover the second sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sleeve is a heat-shrinkable sleeve and is applied by heat-recovery thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of covering a junction between conduits subjected to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which method comprises: applying to the junction an assembly comprising a substantially gas-impermeable member that is subject to distortion by said internal pressure, a sleeve having upstanding rails, said rails being held in abutment by a channel, and a reinforcing member applied around said sleeve; applying a heat-recoverable member to said assembly, said reinforcing member being radially-inwardly deformable at least at the recovery temperature of said heat-recoverable member; and heating said heat-recoverable member to effect recovery thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of covering a junction between conduits subjected to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which method comprises: applying to the junction an assembly comprising a substantially gas-impermeable member that is subject to distortion by said internal pressure, a sleeve having upstanding rails, said rails being held in abutment by a channel, and a reinforcing member applied around said sleeve; applying a heat-recoverable member to said assembly, said reinforcing member being radially-inwardly deformable at least at the recovery temperature of said heat-recoverable member; and heating said heat-recoverable member to effect recovery thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of bracing a junction between cables which, in use, are internally pressurized, which comprises the steps of applying to the junction, in the order listed, a first sleeve that is substantially gas-impermeable member and which is subject to distortion by the internal pressure, a reinforcing member comprising a fibrous mat impregnated with a meltable material, and a second, heat-shrinkable sleeve, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable at least at the recoverable temperature of the second sleeve, and heating to shrink the second sleeve.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of bracing a junction between cables which, in use, are internally pressurized, which comprises the steps of applying to the junction, in the order listed, a first sleeve that is substantially gas-impermeable member and which is subject to distortion by the internal pressure, a reinforcing member comprising a fibrous mat impregnated with a meltable material, and a second, heat-shrinkable sleeve, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable at least at the recoverable temperature of the second sleeve, and heating to shrink the second sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the material of the fibres of the mat is selected from the group consisting of glass and carbon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the meltable material is a thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the meltable material is a hot-melt adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the meltable material is a thermosetting material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heating is sufficient to cause the meltable material to melt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member is such that it provides two layers of reinforcement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heat-recoverable member is a sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second sleeve has an internal coating of sealant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sealant is a hot-melt adhesive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein support rings are positioned within the ends of the recoverable sleeve, which rings provide a substantially constant outer cross-section along their length and have frustoconical inner surfaces, whose apices are beyond the ends of the sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rings are split into at least two segments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the segments are hinged together.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, in which said substantially gas-impermeable sleeve comprises a wrap-around sleeve having upstanding rails, said rails being held in abutment by a channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, which also comprises applying over the channel and rails a flexible elongate member having a longitudinal groove of a shape complementary to that of the channel and rails.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a fibrous mat impregnated with a meltable material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in any of claims 1, 3, or 4, comprising the further step of applying to said junction a further member to provide a water-impermeable barrier.
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) | 1984-08-10 | 1985-02-09 | 1985-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-10 | 1989-02-09 | 1989-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-10 | 1993-02-09 | 1993-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |