US4689474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically heat-recoverable sleeve
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
•
Filing: 1986-10-15
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Granted: 1987-08-25
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Expires: 2006-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A branch-off between telecommunications cables (5) may be sealed by means of an electrically heat-recoverable sleeve (1) and a branch-off clip (2) which holds together circumferentially spaced portions of the sleeve (1) between the branching cables (5). The clip (2) has an inner leg of heat-activatable sealing material which in use is positioned in the sleeve (1) between the cables (5). The sealing material is activated by the heat generated in the sleeve (1) during recovery.
Inventors
- 👤 Noel M. M. Overbergh
- 👤 Jan Vansant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:38
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; H02G15/1813; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0625; B29C61/0641; B29C61/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An assembly for forming a branch-off seal, which comprises: an electrically heat-recoverable sleeve; a clip which can be positioned at an end of the sleeve so as to form at least two terminal conduits therein, the clip comprising an inner leg of a heat-activatable sealing material and two outer legs; and means for connecting the sleeve to a power supply wherein upon the application of an electrical current through the connecting means to the sleeve, the sleeve recovers and the sealing material activates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An assembly for forming a branch-off seal, which comprises: an electrically heat-recoverable sleeve; a clip which can be positioned at an end of the sleeve so as to form at least two terminal conduits therein, the clip comprising an inner leg of a heat-activatable sealing material and two outer legs; and means for connecting the sleeve to a power supply wherein upon the application of an electrical current through the connecting means to the sleeve, the sleeve recovers and the sealing material activates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to claim 1, in which the sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve having closure members which can be held together to maintain the sleeve in a wrap-around configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 2, in which the sleeve is powered through the closure members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 1, in which the sleeve has means for heat-regulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 4, in which the sleeve has self-regulating heating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to claim 5, in which the self-regulating heating means comprises a polymeric material having a positive temperature co-efficient of resistance as part of an electrical heating circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 1, in which the sleeve has self-contained heating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly according to claim 7, in which the sleeve comprises a conductive polymeric material which self heats when subjected to electrical power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 8, in which the conductive polymeric material has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance such that the sleeve exhibits self-regulation of heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly according to claim 8, in which the sleeve comprises a laminate of a conductive polymeric material between first and second sheet electrodes such that a potential difference between the first and second electrodes causes current to flow substantially perpendicular to the plane of the material of the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
An assembly according to claim 10, in which the sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve having closure members comprising a first elongate conductor adjacent a first edge portion and a second elongate conductor adjacent an opposing edge portion, the first conductor being in electrical contact with the first sheet electrode and the second conductor being in electrical contact with the second sheet electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly according to claim 11, in which the first and second closure members are held together by a third closure member which does not form part of the electrical heating circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly according to claim 11, in which the first conductor is fixed relative to the first edge portion, and the first and second edge portions are held together by the second conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly according to claim 10, in which a layer of electrical insulation substantially covers the outwardly facing surface of each of the first and second sheet electrodes except at a region where electrical contact with respectively first and second conductors occurs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly according to claim 14, in which opposing edge portions of the sleeve are wrapped around elongate conductors, such that the first sheet electrode electrically contacts a first conductor and the second sheet electrode electrically contacts a second conductor; the edge portions and electrodes constituting the closure members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly according to claim 1, having a coating of a heat-activatable adhesive on a surface that is inwardly facing when the sleeve is in a wraparound configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 1, in which the inner leg comprises a mastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |