Abstract: An electrically conductive removable jacket is provided for wire bundles or the like. The jacket comprises a flattened knitted metal wire tube with a strip of hook and loop fastener stitched along each longitudinal edge so that a tubular jacket is formed by overlapping the edges and securing the fasteners. Plural strips of hook and loop fastener assure that the jacket can be kept electrically "closed" regardless of the size of bundle encompassed. A resilient gasket is provided along one edge of the conductive jacket for making electrical contact with the opposite edge. The conductive jacket may be secured along one edge to one edge of a flexible electrically insulating jacket having fastening means along each edge for forming a tubular insulating jacket. The insulating jacket is inside of the conductive jacket.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second flat sheet metal portions in overlapping relation one above the other to form a joint in the two sheet metal portions. Metal adjacent and spaced from one free edge of a first sheet metal portion is cut parallel to the free edge and expanded to form a generally U-shaped female receptacle arcuately domed and tapered inwardly and downwardly in a direction away from the free edge. The second sheet metal portion is cut in a truncated V-shape and the V-shape cut is bent to form a generally truncated, V-shaped male prong bent at an angle with respect to the second sheet metal portion. The first and second sheet metal portions are forced into overlapping engagement, one above the other, progressively, while directing the male prong into the female receptacle.

Abstract: A two-piece plastic duct utilizing snap-together latch tongue and complementary engaging provisions together with overlapping sealing flanges to make adequately airtight duct assemblies. The duct walls consist of narrow trimming flats with measurement indicia; these flats are divided by narrower molded separators, which make it easy to trim the unassembled duct to desired length.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pressurized telecommunication cable joint closure method and apparatus. Provided is a cylinder comprising a pair of semicylindrical shell members connected together along one elongate edge of each member and releasable securing means on the other elongate edge of each member. The securing means comprises a plurality of projections on one member edge and a matching plurality of receiving means on the other member edge whereas the projections extend radially inward and lie within a plane containing the longitudinal axis of one of the shell members. The cylinder further has interleaved rectilinear fingers at the ends that are for sealing to joined cables. A heat shrinkable wraparound member is used to enclose the cylinder and joined cables.

Abstract: An aerial communication cable closure is comprised of a one-piece, hollow, box-like housing with conical ends having an integral hinge formed at the inside upper surface. The closure includes a pair of interconnecting edges separated by an access slot. The edges are fastened together in a mating engagement after passing a cable through the slot. The closure also includes electrically conductive hanger brackets which are attached to the housing, each having interfitting segments allowing the hanger brackets to hinge with the integral hinge formed in the inside upper surface of the housing. When cable termination is desired for the terminating of cable conductors with service wires, a rectangular compartment with an integrally hinged lid is attached to one side of the box-like housing in which a terminal block is mounted.

Abstract: Trunking for services such as electric cables, telephone cable and the like. The trunking comprises an elongate channel member and an elongate cover member dimensioned and arranged releasably to engage and close the channel member. The channel member has a base wall and first and second opposed side walls having free, elongate edge regions. The cover member has a top surface terminating in longitudinal side wall portions shaped to fit over the free edge regions of the channel member. A connector for connecting two, spaced apart cover members on at least one length of channel member comprises opposed side walls joined by a top wall so dimensioned that the side walls are a sliding fit over the side walls of the channel member and cover member. The trunking may also include a cable retainer for retaining cable and the like in the channel member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellular plastic insulating tubes or cellular plastic insulating plates of a flexible plastic foam with a groove- and tongue-like closing system arranged along the longitudinal axis, in which the groove and tongue can be undercut. The tongue consists of a more rigid or stiffer material than the material forming the groove, or, if the tongue consists of the same material as the insulating cellular material, this is reinforced or stiffened.

Abstract: A formed metal ring, made from a strip of material which has a tongue at one end and a groove at the other. The tongue and groove are interdigitaled to form a seam, and abut each other with an interference at their edges. The interference is made by flattening a dimple into the plane of the material so as to move the material of one edge into interference with the other edge. The ring has a perimeter pattern in its surface containing the shapes resulting from the flattening of the dimple.

Abstract: A unitary cable closure is disclosed, for enclosing a communications cable suspended from a support strand. The closure includes a tubular housing having a pair of mating edges separated by an access slot, the edges being manually fastened together in mating engagement after passing the cable through the slot. The closure further includes a rib integrally formed in the wall of the tubular housing. The closure also includes a termination port in the side of the tubular housing. The terminal port includes a rectangular frame and lid. The closure also includes a metal hanger bracket having a lower, horizontal portion fastened to the inside upper surface of the tubular housing at the rib and a vertical portion projecting upwardly through the upper surface of the rib of the tubular housing, for fastening to the support strand.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable covering in the form of a sheet which is heat shrinkable in a longitudinal direction, and a stiffening member connected at each of two longitudinally spaced transversely extending superimposable zones of the sheet. One stiffening member has holes and the other studs in the form of arm portions which are insertable through the holes to secure the stiffening members together. The arm portions can be flattened down onto the outside of the covering to retain the stiffening members together while reducing risk of the studs interfering with items such as cables adjacent the covered article. Preferably the studs have a resiliently compressible head portion which snap fits into holes formed through the sheet adjacent the holes in the stiffening member to facilitate locating the overlapped zones of the sheet relative to one another. In use, the sheet is wrapped around an article, the stiffening members are engaged together, and the sheet is then heat shrunk.

Abstract: A plastic corrugated sheathing hose adapted for electric cable installation and producible in one continuous operation, includes a longitudinal slit along its side. Each edge of the hose adjacent the slit is complementarily configured to form a detent or snap-locking closure releasably engageable in overlapping relationship. After insertion of a cable through the sheathing hose slit, closure of the hose is accomplished by pressing overlapped complementarily configured together. Closure of the hose in this manner results in a substantially gas-tight and waterproof cable enclosure accomplished in one operation with the inlaying of the cable.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending split sleeve of shrinkable material having a pair of reinforced, longitudinally extending edge zones and a closure system of closure elements for closing the edge zone characterized by one of the edge zones having a meandrous profile with cutouts and tabs and the other edge zone having cutouts for receiving the tabs. In one embodiment, the cutouts of the other edge zone are apertures. In another embodiment the other edge zone has a meandrous profile with both tabs and cutouts.

Abstract: A longitudinally divided cable sleeve characterized by a strip-like sleeve member which is composed of a heat-shrinkable material and has two longitudinal edges with reinforcing inserts to form first and second edges with reinforced portions, and coacting closure elements for joining the edges together with the elements on the first edge being bent from strips of material and having a head portion that is received in a slot or opening in the second edge. Preferably, each of the elements bent from a strip of material has a link portion, which is received in a slot of the first edge up to an abutment surface and a projecting closure part which is inserted through the opening of the second edge is provided with a latch element to prevent accidental and unintentional disassembly of the closure elements after the projecting closure part is inserted through the opening of the second edge.

Abstract: A split sleeve of a shrinkable material having closure elements comprising projections and apertures for receiving the projections adjacent each edge characterized by the projections being integral tabs which are cut out from a portion of the sleeve and folded along the line inclined to the edge of the sleeve. To improve the stiffness of the longitudinal edges, reinforcing members may be partially embedded adjacent each edge with the closure elements formed therein or entirely embedded in the material of the sleeve member with the enclosure elements formed therein.

Abstract: A longitudinally divided cable sleeve having a strip-like sleeve member composed of thermo-plastic synthetic material having a memory shape characterized by the slot between the edges being covered by either the longitudinal edges being overlapped with respect to one another or one of the edges having an overlapping extension and with at least one of said edges having a mechanical reinforcement so that the edges are more thermally stable than the remainder of the strip when subjected to heat for shrinking the sleeve onto an object. The reinforcements may be completely embedded into the material of the strip, partially embedded or placed on outer surfaces thereof. Preferably, the reinforcements also support or provide interlocking connecting elements such as hook and catch elements for securing the edges together and the connection elements aid in taking up the shrinking force created during the shrinking operation.

Abstract: A wrap-around device for enclosing an elongate object comprises a cover having two opposed edge portions and that can be interlocked to retain them together. At least one of the edge portions, and preferably both the edge portions, are provided with a protuberance, which extend along the edge portions and engage the opposed edge portion that may be caused if the edge portions are subjected to a tensile force tending to separate them, for example as may be caused if the device and enclosed object is bent.Preferably at least one of the edge portions is provided with a layer of adhesive to prevent moisture ingress between the edge portions.

Abstract: An article for forming a tubular protective cover around telephone and electrical cables comprising a generally flat band of material having opposite upper and lower surfaces and end edges, one of the surfaces being planar, the other surface being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves therein. Each groove is of V-shape and has inclined sides which intersect to form an apex proximate the planar surface to form a hinge where the band can be folded to enable the band to surround a cable. The other surface of the band is relatively flat between the grooves to define a continuous planar surface. At the grooves, the band is formed with elevations projecting beyond the plane of the surface in continuation of the sides of the grooves such that with the band folded at the hinges, the elevations at the sides of the grooves approach one another to provide a stiffening effect for the folded band around the cable.

Abstract: A sealing system for a cable fitting element of heat shrinkable material having a longitudinally extending opening with at least one longitudinally extending bead portion being disposed along a side of the opening and being receivable in a clamp portion forming a seal of the opening characterized by one of the clamp portions and bead portions being substantially rigid and unaffected by heat and the other of said bead and clamp portions having a permanent shape which is tightly engaged with the one portion to form a seal. To facilitate assembly, the other portion has a temporary shape and has been deformed to a temporary shape to enable easy assembly and will return to the permanent shape when the fitting element is heated to an elevated temperature for the shrinking process. In one embodiment, the clamp portion is a separate rigid member and the bead portion projects along the opening having one surface forming a sealing surface and the other surfaces engaged by the clamp.

Abstract: A metal structure such as a tube having an axial seam formed with interlocked tongues and recesses with in-plane stabilization created by locally moving areas of the metal out of plane to form dimple-like structures ("dimples") either before or after forming the tongues and recesses. After the tongues and recesses are interengaged, the dimples are flattened to cause the out-of-plane metal to return to the plane so that the metal adjacent to them is moved strongly laterally, and the walls of the tongues and recesses make a strong abutting fit against one another which resists relative out-of-plane displacement, thus providing "in plane" stabilization.

Abstract: A refractory sheathing made from insulating shapes for vertical support members, in particular riser pipes, in heat-treating furnaces, e.g., pusher furnaces, comprises an inner layer made from a refractory, fibrous, insulating material, or an appropriately shaped article, surrounding the support members and an outer layer of positively interengaging, refractory, shell-shaped shapes of, for instance, the same height throughout, surrounding said inner layer. To avoid a large number of different shapes having to be correspondingly expensively manufactured in different moulds to match support members of different dimensions and double pipes, it is proposed that only equal-leg angle pieces of different leg lengths, in particular two different angle pieces, and straight intermediate pieces of different widths, in particular only two or three widths, be provided as shapes. All shapes have grooves on two contiguous sides at right angles and matching tongues on both of the other contiguous sides at right angles.

Abstract: A protection structure for a tubular member, such as a blast joint, and a protection element therefore which is an abrasion resistant half sleeve with an inward facing tongue and groove along one axial edge, an outward facing tongue and groove along the other axial edge, a groove in one arcuate end and a projection on the other arcuate end, two of said elements forming a protection ring and a plurality of said rings being supported on a tubular member by upper and lower supports which provide tongue and groove engagement with the upper end of the upper ring and with the lower end of the lower ring.

Abstract: A low-cost method of fabricating a solar absorber panel for use with a flat plate solar collector system is disclosed in which a plurality of formed elongated substantially U-shaped members are fixed in a predetermined configuration to the reverse side of a single sheet absorber member forming therewith hollow fluid passages or ducts. The fluid duct members are provided with a series of tabs which alternately protrude through spaced slits in the absorber panel such that when the tabs are folded over, a tight interlocking construction is produced. The ends of the single sheet absorber may then be folded to form inlet and outlet manifolds connecting the ends of the series of spaced ducts including closing end tabs or the manifolds may be fabricated of U-shaped tabbed members in the manner of the connecting passages. After the mechanical assembly, the entire unit is sealed as by pumping liquid solder under pressure through the unit.

Abstract: An elongated sectional pipe 50 is formed from a plurality of tubular members 2 connected together end to end. Each tubular member 2 comprises three sections 6-8 each having a plurality of longitudinally staggered lugs 22-24. The lugs 22-24 have curved locking surfaces 26 and 28 to allow the sections 6-8 to be snapped together. A pipe 50 may be formed by consecutively snapping a plurality of tubular members 2 together from their disassembled sections 6-8 while simultaneously coupling the tubular members 2 together end to end. Conversely, the pipe 50 can be disassembled by directing the tubular members 2 one by one against a disassembly tool 60 which splits each tubular member 2 apart into its individual sections 6-8.

Abstract: A wrap-around closure assembly for elongate objects such as pipelines including a length of heat recoverable material as the closure member and a fastening device extending lengthwise along the elongate object for holding the edges of the material in a nearly abutting relationship. The fastening device has channels which receive the edges of the heat recoverable material such that the retaining forces of the fastening device are in line with the tensile forces of the recovered closure member. Retaining means within the channels prevent the withdrawal of the edges during assembly and after heat recovery of the closure member. The legs of the channels are also forced against the interposed closure member to prevent extraction thereof.

Abstract: An elongate flexible tubular sheath has a longitudinal slit therethrough from end to end. The sheath is placed over a conduit, having an outside diameter not smaller than the inside diameter of the sheath. Subsequently, the sheath is tightened about the conduit and the edges of the slit forced together in response to helical twisting of the sheath. Means are provided for retaining the sheath in the helically twisted position.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of completely or partly foamed thermosetting polymerizable plastic articles, such as pipe insulation shells or sleeves. One or more sets of justaposed mold-carrying endless conveyors are employed wherein one conveyor of each set supports a series of longitudinally contiguous mold halves complementary with a series of longitudinally contiguous mold halves supported by the other conveyor of the set. The conveyors are advanced simultaneously, and during the juxtaposed portion of travel define a laterally closed, longitudinally extended mold cavity which moves or advances. The cavity thus defined comprises a plurality of zones corresponding to tube segments extending longitudinally in side-by-side, substantially planar disposition, with thin hinge-forming channels interconnecting adjacent segment zones. A thermosetable foam-forming resin mix is distributed on to one of the complementary mold halves prior to closing of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel constructed members that have means for securing the two parallel members together along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the members to lend structural support of the members relative to each other. This allows the structurally secured members to have structures having high strength to weight ratios and requiring minimum volume for the securing structure.

Abstract: An enclosure and enclosure kit for encapsulating a splice or splices between main and service cables, the enclosure containing a potted compound which prevents the entry of moisture into the splice or splices. The enclosure is re-enterable to permit the addition or deletion of service cables, the potting compound being of a type which is readily removable to permit adding or deleting service connections. More particularly, the enclosure kit includes a re-closable, longitudinally split tubular housing and re-closable, longitudinally split end caps telescopable over the ends of the tubular housing, together with a supply of potting compound adequate to completely charge the enclosure, or to replace potting compound removed upon re-entry. Readily releasable locking elements are provided to close the longitudinal splits in the tubular housing and in the end caps, such locking elements also resisting circumferential expansion of the enclosure components mentioned.

Abstract: This structural member is an elongated extruded part having a cross-sectional contour including a stitching leg adapted to be deformed together with the margin of an adjacent panel, so as to connect the member and the panel. The structural member disclosed is channel-shaped and has two stitching legs, one on either side of the channel. Each stitching leg cooperates with a wall of the channel to define a slot for receiving the margin of a panel. After the panel margin is inserted in the slot, the stitching leg and the panel are deformed together to connect the panel and the member. Two extruded structural members may be connected with two panels to form a box beam of hollow rectangular cross-section. Other polygonal cross-sections may be formed by connecting alternate extruded members and panels, with appropriate angles at their interconnections.

Abstract: A method of continuously processing two bands of material into profiled rails, inserting insulating material adjacent their lateral longitudinal borders, and then connecting their lateral longitudinal borders through the insulating material. Initial corrugations are formed in each of the bands, and the bands are simultaneously passed between rotating pairs of forming rolls. The initial corrugations formed in the bands are increased so that the length of each enveloping line of each part of each band is longer than the enveloping line contemplated for the corresponding part. The longitudinal border of one of the rails is provided with projections, and the border of the other rail is provided with openings. Finally, the longitudinal border provided with projections is bent around the other longitudinal border, and its projections are forced through the strip of insulating material into the openings of the other longitudinal border.