Branch-off assembly
OwnerJean-Marie E. Nolfinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink aobut the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.
Claims38
An assembly comprising (a) a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, (b) a clip having at least two elongate legs positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form, and maintain during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits for receiving the first and second substrates, and (c) sealant within the sleeve for sealing gaps between the conduits.
An assembly comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve capable of being positioned around at least first and second elongate substrates, and a clip having at least three legs, first and second legs of which are capable of being positioned over the surface of the sleeve at the end thereof, with a third leg of the clip inside the sleeve, thereby forming, and maintaining during subsequent heat-shrinkage of the sleeve, at least two terminal conduits respectively capable of receiving the first and second substrates, the third leg comprising a sealant for sealing any gaps between the conduits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.