US4300328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Easily removable heat recoverable closure
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1979-07-20
•
Granted: 1981-11-17
•
Expires: 1999-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An easily removable heat-recoverable closure assembly for a substrate includes a heat-recoverable closure and a flexible wire to be interposed between the closure and the substrate. The wire has sufficient flexibility and sufficient strength that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure for removal of the heat-recovered closure from the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Carlsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H01R4/72; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49821; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53274; Y10T29/53657; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328; Y10T428/1331
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An article comprising: (a) an elongate substrate; (b) a heat recoverable closure disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; and (c) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (d) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An article comprising: (a) an elongate substrate; (b) a heat recoverable closure disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; and (c) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (d) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 in which the anchoring means comprises a crimp sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 2 wherein the anchoring means has an outer diameter of at least about 1/8 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 in which the wire is looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
An article comprising: (a) an elongate substrate; (b) a heat recoverable closure disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; and (c) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate, wherein the wire is looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
An article comprising: (a) an elongate substrate; (b) a heat recoverable closure disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; and (c) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate, wherein the wire is looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 5 in which the two sections are on substantially opposite sides of the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of claim 5 in which each section of the wire has anchoring means attached thereto to keep the ends of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 in which the wire is piano wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 in which the wire has a diameter of from about 25 to about 40 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 including a layer of adhesive juxtaposed a portion of the interior surface of the closure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 in which the closure is heat-recovered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 in which the closure is an end cap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 or 5 in which the wire is completely covered by the closure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
165 words
A waterproof closure assembly comprising: (a) a cable; (b) a heat-recoverable end cap disposed about an exterior portion of the cable at an end of the cable, the end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; (c) a layer of adhesive juxtaposed to at least a portion of the interior surface of the end cap; (d) a steel wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) a sufficiently high elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils so that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the cable; and (e) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
A waterproof closure assembly comprising: (a) a cable; (b) a heat-recoverable end cap disposed about an exterior portion of the cable at an end of the cable, the end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils; (c) a layer of adhesive juxtaposed to at least a portion of the interior surface of the end cap; (d) a steel wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) a sufficiently high elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils so that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the cable; and (e) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 14 in which the wire is completely covered by the end cap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
163 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a tubular heat-recoverable end cap to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, and (b) a flexible wire in the interior of the end cap substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end cap, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the end cap by cutting the wall of the end cap for removal of the end cap from the substrate after the end cap is heat-recovered on the substrate, wherein the wire doubles back on itself at the closed end of the end cap so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the longitudinal axis of the end cap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
163 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a tubular heat-recoverable end cap to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, and (b) a flexible wire in the interior of the end cap substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end cap, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the end cap by cutting the wall of the end cap for removal of the end cap from the substrate after the end cap is heat-recovered on the substrate, wherein the wire doubles back on itself at the closed end of the end cap so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the longitudinal axis of the end cap.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a heat recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, (b) a flexible wire adapted to be interposed between the heat-recoverable closure and the substrate along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, and (c) anchoring means for attachment to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a heat recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, (b) a flexible wire adapted to be interposed between the heat-recoverable closure and the substrate along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, and (c) anchoring means for attachment to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
153 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a tubular heat-recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, and (b) a flexible wire in the interior of the closure substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, the closure assembly also including anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
153 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a tubular heat-recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, and (b) a flexible wire in the interior of the closure substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure, the wire having (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, the closure assembly also including anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The closure assembly of claim 18 including a heat activatable adhesive on the interior surface of the heat-recoverable closure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
152 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a heat recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, (b) a flexible wire adapted to be interposed between the heat-recoverable closure and the substrate along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, and (c) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
A closure assembly for covering an elongate substrate comprising (a) a heat recoverable closure to be disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, the closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils, (b) a flexible wire adapted to be interposed between the heat-recoverable closure and the substrate along the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that it can be pulled through the wall of the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removal of the closure from the substrate after the closure is heat-recovered on the substrate, and (c) anchoring means secured to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The closure assembly of claim 17 or 20 including a heat activatable adhesive on the interior surface of the heat-recoverable closure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The closure assembly of claim 18 or 20 in which the closure is an end cap and the wire doubles back on itself at the closed end of the end cap so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the longitudinal axis of the end cap.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure assembly of claim 22 including anchoring means attached to each section of the wire.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 17 or 20 in which the wire is completely covered by the closure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure assembly of claim 20 including an anchor mounted on opposite ends of the wire.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (c) after the step of placing, heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (c) after the step of placing, heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a single strand of flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, the wire being looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (c) heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a single strand of flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, the wire being looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; and (c) heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 in which the wire is looped so that the two sections are on substantially opposite sides of the substrate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 including the step of securing anchoring means to each section of wire.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; (c) securing anchoring means to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled; and (d) heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for applying an easily removable closure to an elongate substrate comprising the steps of: (a) placing a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils about an exterior portion of the substrate; (b) placing a flexible wire along an exterior portion of the substrate interposed between the closure and the substrate, at least a portion of the wire being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure when removing the closure from the substrate after the closure has been recovered on the substrate; (c) securing anchoring means to the wire to keep an end of the wire from slipping relative to the closure when the wire is pulled; and (d) heat-recovering the closure about the substrate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 or 27 in which the heat-recoverable closure is placed about the wire so that when the closure is heat-recovered, the wire is completely covered by the closure.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for removing a closure assembly from an elongate substrate, the closure assembly comprising a heat-recovered end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate at an end of the substrate, a strand of steel wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, the wire having a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils and being looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate, the wire having sufficient flexibility and a sufficiently high elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate, the closure assembly including anchoring means secured to each section of the wire, the method comprising the steps of: (a) removing the closed end of the end cap to expose the looped portion of the wire; (b) cutting the strand of wire at the looped end to separate the two sections from each other; (c) notching the cut end of the end cap; and (d) pulling at least one of the wires through the closure starting at the notch.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for removing a closure assembly from an elongate substrate, the closure assembly comprising a heat-recovered end cap having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate at an end of the substrate, a strand of steel wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along the length of the substrate, the wire having a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils and being looped about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate, the wire having sufficient flexibility and a sufficiently high elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate, the closure assembly including anchoring means secured to each section of the wire, the method comprising the steps of: (a) removing the closed end of the end cap to expose the looped portion of the wire; (b) cutting the strand of wire at the looped end to separate the two sections from each other; (c) notching the cut end of the end cap; and (d) pulling at least one of the wires through the closure starting at the notch.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for removing a closure assembly from an elongate substrate, the closure assembly comprising (a) a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, (b) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along a portion of the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate, and (c) anchoring means secured to the wire at the end of the wire opposite the end to be pulled, the method comprising the steps of notching the closure adjacent the anchoring means and pulling an end of the wire through the closure, wherein the step of pulling comprises slipping the wire relative to the closure until the anchoring means is caught by the notch.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for removing a closure assembly from an elongate substrate, the closure assembly comprising (a) a heat-recoverable closure having a wall thickness of from about 30 to about 180 mils disposed about an exterior portion of the substrate, (b) a flexible wire interposed at least partially between the substrate and the closure along a portion of the length of the substrate, wherein the wire has (i) sufficient flexibility, (ii) sufficient strength with an elastic modulus of at least about 25×10 6 psi, and (iii) a diameter of from about 10 to about 65 mils that the wire can be pulled through the closure by cutting the wall of the closure for removing the closure from the substrate, and (c) anchoring means secured to the wire at the end of the wire opposite the end to be pulled, the method comprising the steps of notching the closure adjacent the anchoring means and pulling an end of the wire through the closure, wherein the step of pulling comprises slipping the wire relative to the closure until the anchoring means is caught by the notch.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 in which the step of pulling comprises gripping the wire with a tool and wrapping the wire around the tool.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 33 including the step of notching the closure at the end adjacent the end of the wire wire about an end of the substrate so that the wire comprises two sections extending along the length of the substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2147337A
Cited
US3029932A
Cited
US3243211A
Cited
US3297819A
Cited
US3379218A
Cited
US3352480A
Cited
US3456780A
Cited
US3515798A
Cited
US4142592A
Cited
US3946480A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-16 | 1985-05-18 | 1985-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-16 | 1989-05-18 | 1989-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-16 | 1993-05-18 | 1993-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |