Splice closures
AssigneeBowthorpe-Hellermann Limited
InventorRaymond C. Foss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cable splice closure base (1,2) comprises a plurality of tubular cable entry ports each having an outer portion (4) which is heat shrinkable and being closed at its inner end by a frangible membrane (28). Cables may be installed through some only of the entry ports, which are then recovered about those cables while heat shields are used to insulate the other entry ports. Further cables may be installed subsequently through the other ports and/or ports which are already used may be opened and re-used.
Claims10
A base assembly for a cable splice closure, said base assembly comprising:
- a one-piece member of rigid construction, having a plurality of tubular projections extending thereon in a direction which is outwardly with respect to the cable splice closure when formed, said tubular projections forming cable entry ports, and frangible membranes closing the axially inner ends of the tubular projections;
- and
- a separate member having a plurality of tubular elements fitted closely around respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, the tubular elements having portions projecting beyond the free, axially outer ends of the respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, said projecting portions of the tubular elements being heat-shrinkable.
A kit for forming a cable joint closure, the kit comprising:
- a base assembly having
- a one-piece member of rigid construction, having a plurality of tubular projections extending thereon in a direction which is outwardly with respect to the cable splice closure when formed, said tubular projections forming cable entry ports, and frangible membranes closing the axially inner ends of the tubular projections, and
- a separate member having a plurality of tubular element means for fitting closely around respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, the tubular element means having portions for projecting beyond the free, axially outer ends of the respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, said projecting portions of the tubular element means being heat-shrinkable;
- and
- at least one heat shield means for thermally insulating at least one said tubular element means from heat applied to heat shrink at least one other said tubular element means.
A method of forming a cable joint, comprising the steps of:
- a) furnishing a closure base assembly, said base assembly comprising
- a one-piece member of rigid construction, having a plurality of tubular projections extending thereon in a direction which is outwardly with respect to the cable splice closure when formed, said tubular projections forming cable entry ports, and frangible membranes closing the axially inner ends of the tubular projections, and
- a separate member having a plurality of tubular elements fitted closely around respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, the tubular elements having portions projecting beyond the free, axially outer ends of the respective tubular projections of the one-piece member, said projecting portions of the tubular elements being heat-shrinkable;
- b) rupturing the frangible membrane of at least one particular tubular projection of the one-piece member of the closure base assembly;
- c) passing a cable through said one particular tubular projection and the tubular element fitted over said particular tubular projection;
- d) applying heat to the heat-shrinkable projecting portion of the tubular element fitted over said one particular tubular projection;
- and
- e) simultaneously with said step of applying heat, using at least one heat shield to insulate the other tubular elements of said separate member from the heat being applied to said heat-shrinkable projecting portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.