US5267869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ignition cable assembly and method of making same
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1992-12-14
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Granted: 1993-12-07
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Expires: 2012-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Several variations of ignition cable assemblies that have a cable seal and a tower seal enclosing a terminal and a heat shrunk sleeve and their method of manufacture are disclosed. The cable seal insulates a substantial portion of the terminal to increase the dielectric strength of the assembly. The tower seal includes an elastomeric boot that is radially spaced from the contact of the terminal to sealingly engage an outer surface of a male or female tower. The heat shrunk sleeve forms at least part of the cable seal and it may be used to provide an angled dress for the ignition cable or to accommodate an angled terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Suzanne C. Nadasky
- 👤 Michael J. Bezusko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H23/00; A61H23/02; A61H23/0254; H; H01; H01T; H01T13/00; H01T13/02; H01T13/06; A61H7/00; A61H7/007; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/53; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1207; A61H2201/1215; A61H2201/14; A61H2201/1463; A61H2201/50; H01R2101/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/932; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49174; Y10T29/49176; Y10T29/49178
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal attached to an end of an ignition cable, a cable seal and a tower seal for enclosing the terminal, the cable seal insulating a substantial portion of the terminal, the tower seal including an elastomeric boot that is radially spaced from a contact of the terminal to sealingly engage an outer surface of an insulation tower for a mating terminal, and a heat shrunk sleeve that forms at least part of the cable seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal attached to an end of an ignition cable, a cable seal and a tower seal for enclosing the terminal, the cable seal insulating a substantial portion of the terminal, the tower seal including an elastomeric boot that is radially spaced from a contact of the terminal to sealingly engage an outer surface of an insulation tower for a mating terminal, and a heat shrunk sleeve that forms at least part of the cable seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end, the attachment end being attached to an end of an ignition cable, a heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material shrunk onto the end of the cable and the attachment end of the terminal, and an elastomeric boot mounted on the sleeve and disposed in a radially spaced relationship around the contact end of the terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end, the attachment end being attached to an end of an ignition cable, a heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material shrunk onto the end of the cable and the attachment end of the terminal, and an elastomeric boot mounted on the sleeve and disposed in a radially spaced relationship around the contact end of the terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the sleeve has a shape memory that is straight and the terminal is straight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the heat shrunk sleeve has a curved portion that dresses the ignition cable at an angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the sleeve has a shape memory that includes a curved portion so that the ignition cable is dressed at an angle when the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the sleeve includes a spring or insert that has a shape memory that is curved so that the ignition cable is dressed at an angle when the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the terminal is straight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the terminal has an angled transition between the attachment end and the contact end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end, the attachment end being attached to an end of an ignition cable, a cable seal fitting tightly around the end of the cable and the attachment end of the terminal, a tower seal including an elastomeric boot that is radially spaced from a contact of the terminal to sealingly engage a outer surface of an insulation tower for a mating terminal, and the cable seal including a sleeve portion of the elastomeric boot and a heat shrunk sleeve of insulative material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sealed ignition cable assembly comprising: a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end, the attachment end being attached to an end of an ignition cable, a cable seal fitting tightly around the end of the cable and the attachment end of the terminal, a tower seal including an elastomeric boot that is radially spaced from a contact of the terminal to sealingly engage a outer surface of an insulation tower for a mating terminal, and the cable seal including a sleeve portion of the elastomeric boot and a heat shrunk sleeve of insulative material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein a portion of the heat shrunk sleeve tightly engages an outer surface of the sleeve portion of the elastomeric boot.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making a sealed ignition cable assembly comprising the steps of: providing a subassembly comprising an ignition cable and a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end that is attached to an end of the ignition cable, inserting the subassembly in an oversize heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material so that the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal is inside the sleeve, heat shrinking the sleeve so that it embraces the ignition cable and forms at least part of a cable seal for insulating a substantial portion of the terminal, and attaching an elastomeric boot so that it surrounds the contact portion of the terminal in a radially spaced relationship for sealing engagement with a periphery of an insulating tower for a mating terminal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making a sealed ignition cable assembly comprising the steps of: providing a subassembly comprising an ignition cable and a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end that is attached to an end of the ignition cable, inserting the subassembly in an oversize heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material so that the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal is inside the sleeve, heat shrinking the sleeve so that it embraces the ignition cable and forms at least part of a cable seal for insulating a substantial portion of the terminal, and attaching an elastomeric boot so that it surrounds the contact portion of the terminal in a radially spaced relationship for sealing engagement with a periphery of an insulating tower for a mating terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable before the elastomeric boot is attached and the elastomeric boot is mounted on the heat shrunk sleeve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the elastomeric boot is mounted on the ignition cable before the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable and the shrunk sleeve fits tightly around an outer portion of the elastomeric boot.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of making a sealed ignition cable assembly comprising the steps of: providing a subassembly comprising an ignition cable and a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end that is attached to a end of the ignition cable, inserting the subassembly in an oversize heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material so that the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal is inside the sleeve, heat shrinking the sleeve so that it embraces the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal in a substantially air tight arrangement, and attaching an elastomeric seal boot to the sleeve so that it surrounds the contact portion of the terminal in a radially spaced relationship for sealing engagement with a periphery of an insulating tower for a mating terminal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of making a sealed ignition cable assembly comprising the steps of: providing a subassembly comprising an ignition cable and a terminal having a contact end and an attachment end that is attached to a end of the ignition cable, inserting the subassembly in an oversize heat shrinkable sleeve of electrically insulative material so that the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal is inside the sleeve, heat shrinking the sleeve so that it embraces the end of the ignition cable and the attachment end of the terminal in a substantially air tight arrangement, and attaching an elastomeric seal boot to the sleeve so that it surrounds the contact portion of the terminal in a radially spaced relationship for sealing engagement with a periphery of an insulating tower for a mating terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the sleeve has a shape memory that is straight and the terminal is straight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the heat shrunk sleeve has a curved portion that dresses the ignition cable at an angle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the sleeve has a shape memory that includes a curved portion so that the ignition cable is dressed at an angle when the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the sleeve includes a spring or insert that has a shape memory that is curved so that the ignition cable is dressed at an angle when the sleeve is shrunk onto the ignition cable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the terminal is straight.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sealed ignition cable assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein the terminal has an angled transition between the attachment end and the contact end.
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) | 1996-12-06 | 1997-06-07 | 1997-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-06 | 2001-06-07 | 2001-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-06 | 2005-06-07 | 2005-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |