US5406871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cover assembly of expanded elastomeric tubing having frangible support core structures
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1991-08-05
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Granted: 1995-04-18
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Expires: 2011-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A cover assembly includes an expanded elastomeric tube supported in the expanded state by an internal frangible support core. The support core possesses sufficient strength to resist contraction of the tube but will break upon the addition of relatively little additional external force. Breakage of the core allows the tube to contract and securely cover and seal to the object to which the cover assembly is applied.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Lambert, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L57/00; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/065; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/182; H02G15/1826; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A cover assembly comprising: a stretchable, elastomeric tube capable of recovering at least a portion of its original size and shape after being stretched and released; and a frangible inner support core of epoxy resin including a filler of microbeads, said core being sized and possessing sufficient strength to support said tube in a radially stretched condition, said core further being susceptible to breaking upon the application of force beyond that produced by said tube, so that the application of sufficient force causes breakage of said core, thus permitting contraction of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cover assembly comprising: a stretchable, elastomeric tube capable of recovering at least a portion of its original size and shape after being stretched and released; and a frangible inner support core of epoxy resin including a filler of microbeads, said core being sized and possessing sufficient strength to support said tube in a radially stretched condition, said core further being susceptible to breaking upon the application of force beyond that produced by said tube, so that the application of sufficient force causes breakage of said core, thus permitting contraction of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said microbeads have a diameter in the range of approximately 20 to 100 micrometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover assembly of claim 2 wherein said microbeads have a diameter in the range of approximately 50 to 60 micrometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cover assembly of claim 3 wherein said microbeads and said epoxy resin are in a volume ratio of between approximately 1:2 and 2:1 microbeads to resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cover assembly of claim 4 wherein said ratio of microbeads to resin is approximately 1:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cover assembly comprising: a stretchable, elastomeric tube capable of recovering at least a portion of its original size and shape after being stretched and released; and a frangible inner support core of brittle resin including a filler of microbeads, said core being sized and possessing sufficient strength to support said tube in a radially stretched condition, said core further being susceptible to breaking upon the application of force beyond that produced by said tube, so that the application of sufficient force causes breakage of said core, thus permitting contraction of said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cover assembly comprising: a stretchable, elastomeric tube capable of recovering at least a portion of its original size and shape after being stretched and released; and a frangible inner support core of brittle resin including a filler of microbeads, said core being sized and possessing sufficient strength to support said tube in a radially stretched condition, said core further being susceptible to breaking upon the application of force beyond that produced by said tube, so that the application of sufficient force causes breakage of said core, thus permitting contraction of said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover assembly of claim 6 wherein said microbeads have a diameter in the range of approximately 20 to 100 micrometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover assembly of claim 6 wherein said microbeads have a diameter in the range of approximately 50 to 60 micrometers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cover assembly of claim 8 wherein said microbeads and said epoxy resin are in a weight ratio of between approximately 1:2 and 2:1 microbeads to resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cover assembly of claim 9 wherein said ratio of microbeads to resin is approximately 1:1.
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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) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |