US5173573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hermaphroditic gel closure
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1991-03-15
•
Granted: 1992-12-22
•
Expires: 2011-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A hermaphroditic enclosure especially adapted to gel seal an elongate substrate and particularly a coaxial cable splice.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Jervis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/444; G02B6/4441; G02B6/4446; G02B6/4447; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/003; H02G15/08; H02G15/10; H02G15/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An enclosure for an elongate substrate which comprises: first and second substantially like members capable of fitting together to form an enclosure around a portion of an elongate substrate therebetween; each member includes a wing member to restrain the movement of the enclosure with respect to the other member along a horizontal axis which substantially bisects the longitudinal axis of the elongate substrate; and each member includes a hinge including a spring capable of latching to a catch member on the opposite side of the wing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An enclosure for an elongate substrate which comprises: first and second substantially like members capable of fitting together to form an enclosure around a portion of an elongate substrate therebetween; each member includes a wing member to restrain the movement of the enclosure with respect to the other member along a horizontal axis which substantially bisects the longitudinal axis of the elongate substrate; and each member includes a hinge including a spring capable of latching to a catch member on the opposite side of the wing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The enclosure according to claim 1 wherein each hinge is a living hinge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enclosure according to claim 2 wherein the ends of the members are tapered towards the diameter of the elongated substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The enclosure according to claim 3 wherein the ends of the members have thinned portions which breakaway upon assembly around an elongate substrate to provide a closed U-shaped configuration to facilitate retaining of gel placed therein prior to curing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The enclosure according to claim 3 further including means for retaining a sacrificial anode on the exterior of the enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The enclosure according to claim 4 wherein the material, spring is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, epoxy-coated steel, aluminum, or plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The enclosure according to claim 5 further comprising a gel sealing material substantially filling each member wherein the gel sealing material is selected from the group consisting of a silicone gel, poly(styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene) gel, a poly(styrene-ethylenebutylene) gel, a poly(styrene-isoprene) gel, a polyurea gel, or a polyurethane gel, having a cone point depression of from about 50 to about 350 (10 -1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 200%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A kit-of-parts capable of being assembled to form an enclosure for an elongate substrate comprising two substantially identical members capable of fitting together to form the enclosure wherein each member includes a spring attached to a living hinge opposite to a catch-and-wing member of the member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A kit-of-parts capable of being assembled to form an enclosure for an elongate substrate comprising two substantially identical members capable of fitting together to form the enclosure wherein each member includes a spring attached to a living hinge opposite to a catch-and-wing member of the member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The kit-of-parts according to claim 8 further including a gel sealing material within each member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The kit-of-parts according to claim 9 further including a sacrificial anode for each spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4600261A
Cited
US4634207A
Cited
US4610738A
Cited
US4909756A
Cited
US4942270A
Cited
US4859809A
Cited
US4998894A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |