Abstract: The multi-layer body member consists of a support member, e.g. a glass fiber tissue impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is covered by a layer of thermosetting adhesive resin. In order to protect the sticky surface of the adhesive resin, a protection foil made of a meterial shrinking under the influence of heat is provided. The foil comprises slits which open to apertures after a preliminary heat treatment such that an essential portion of the sticky resin surface is freely exposed. Thus, the need to remove the protection foil prior to applying the multi-layer body member to the surface to be reinforced is removed.

Abstract: A method of making wraparound fabric article comprises positioning a closure member(s) at an edge portion of a sheet of fabric (1), and welding or bonding (a) fibres of the fabric adjacent to the closure member so as to trap the closure member by preventing of reducing relative movement of fibres at the edge portion (2). Preferably, the method involves attaching two closure members to the fabric, by which the article can be held in a wrapped around configuration.

Abstract: A device for connecting a plurality of elongate objects, wherein a hollow, open-ended tube is provided which is at least partly dimensionally-recoverable, one or more bonding inserts formed from a solid, fusible, thermosetting adhesive located inside the tube for providing a permanent bond between the objects, and one or more barrier inserts located inside the tube to prevent egress of fused thermo-setting adhesive from the connection between the objects when the device is heated.

Abstract: An arrangement for termination of a screened cable comprises:(a) a termination piece for the screen having a hollow, preferably metal, cable entry portion that can be positioned around the wire(s) of the cable, and(b) a dimensionally recoverable hollow article which can be positioned over at least part of the cable entry portion and the proximal part of the cable extending from the cable entry portion.The cable entry portion is provided with a gripping member, for example a thin annular ridge, for gripping the cable screen, placed around the entry portion. After the cable screen has been positioned over the cable entry portion and gripping member, the recoverable article is positioned over the cable and cable entry portion and is recovered to cause the gripping member to grip the cable screen.

Abstract: An electrical connector for forming an electrical solder connection comprises an electrically insulating open-ended sleeve 2 which is preferably heat-shrinkable, a pre-installed conductor 5 e.g. for forming an earth connection or for forming a connection to a pcb, and a quantity of solder 3 for forming an electrical connection between the pre-installed conductor and another conductor that is received in the sleeve. The pre-installed conductor has a region of non-uniform cross-section, for example produced by crimping, that will be contacted by the solder when the connection is formed and which increases the force required to pull the two conductors apart.

Abstract: A splice case for telecommunications cables is provided which is completely wraparound. Two rigid half shells (6) surround a wraparound impermeable sheet (4) to cover the central part of the splice. The impermeable sheet (4) provides sealing, and the half-shells (6) mechanical restraint. Wraparound end parts (12) are also provided and a sealing material (10) seals the impermeable sheet (4) to the half shells (6) and/or end-parts (12), so that the seal thus formed in not put into peel when the splice is pressurized.

Abstract: A re-enterable closure assembly for enclosing an elongate substrate such as a telephone or power cable, has an outer sleeve, preferably heat recoverable, and an inner liner to protect the cable against heat and mechanical damage. The liner has two major parts, a support and a disposable layer, thus allowing the outer sleeve to be removed, for repair etc, without damaging the liner. This could not easily be acheived in a one piece liner since a bond generally must be formed between the liner and the outer sleeve to prevent wicking of moisture vapour.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealed solder connector assembly and method of use operable to interconnect adjacent conduit wire members having exposed wire sections extended from insulated cover sections. The sealed solder connector assembly includes (1) a main support member constructed of a flexible plastic tubing; (2) a wire anchor member constructed of a low temperature melting point solder material placed interiorly and centrally of the main support member; and (3) an interior anchor coat of a temperature controlled adhesive film anchored to an interior surface of the main support member. Application of heat to the main support member results in (1) initial securing of the wire anchor assembly centrally of the main support member; (2) anchoring and sealing the main support member about the conduit wire members; and (3) melting and fusing the wire anchor member to the wire sections of the wire members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an assembly kit for forming locally defined longitudinally water-tight sections in a wiring comprising a plurality of conductor strands, individual conductors and/or cable strands for the electric or electronic control of functions. Inserted between the conductor strands of such a wiring is a plastic element containing, or consisting of, a thermoplastic melt adhesive. This plastic element is caused to expand in response to being heated. A section of a heat-shrinkable component is mounted on the exterior of the wiring. Application of heat causes the shrinkable component to tightly contract around the wiring, and the plastic element positioned between the conductor strands to expand. The contraction of the heat-shrinkable component and the expansion of the plastic element result in the generation of pressure forces within the space enclosed by the heat-shrinkable component, whereby the heat-softened melt adhesive is sealingly forced into any existing voids.

Abstract: An electrical heater suitable for heating a hot-melt adhesive to seal a cable splice case. The heater is in strip form and comprises a conductive polymer between two electrodes. The conductive polymer has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and is thereby self-regulating. Current in-rush when the heater is cold is reduced by initially having only a portion of the heater connected to the power source.

Abstract: An article comprising a heat-recoverable conduit is provided with a plug or cap within or around said conduit to prevent the ingress of contaminants. The plug or cap comprises two principal parts; the first part, which is hollow, sits inside or around the conduit and the second part, which is attached to or in engagement with the first part, blocks the conduit. The second part can be detached or disengaged before recovery so that, for example, a supply line can be passed through the conduit and the first part can then be removed, destroyed or deformed prior to or during recovery. The plug or cap may also act to prevent premature recovery of the conduit.

Abstract: A sleeve suitable for making a cable splice case comprises a matrix material and a recoverable fabric by virtue of which the sleeve is recoverable. The sleeve comprises recoverable weft fibres in bundles of 2-6 running circumferentially, and longitudinal heat-stable warp fibres.

Abstract: A non-contaminating fluid heater includes a heater body having an inlet and an adjacent outlet at one end, a tube which channels entering fluids centrally through the heater body to a point distally spaced from the outlet, and a resistance heating element helically wound about the tube. A connector assembly permits lead wires to pass through the heater body, without inducing fluid leakage, for connecting the heating element to a power source. In order to form an environmental seal about the electrical connections, the heating element and the lead wires are each jacketed with a thermoplastic material, the wire and heating element portions adjacent the connection are surrounded by a sleeve of additional thermoplastic material, and this sleeve is, in turn, surrounded by thermally activated shrink tubing. By melting the thermoplastic materials surrounding the connections and heating the shrink tubing, the various layers of thermoplastic material are fused together to form a hermetic seal.

Abstract: In a ribbon consisting of a cross-linked plastic which can be shrunk by the action of heat and can be placed in the manner of a collar (2a) around an elongated object (4), and after the connecting together of the edges (3a, 3b) of the ribbon, can be shrunk onto the object (4) by the action of heat. The edge regions (3a, 3b) of the ribbon consist of non-cross-linked plastic and a connecting together (5) of the ribbon edges (3a, 3b) is effected by fusion welding.

Abstract: A protective sleeve comprising a sheet of sleeve-forming, chemically-dilated, elastomeric material which shrinks upon exposure to ambient air. The sheet has first and second opposed edges that can be brought into adjacency. The protective sleeve further includes a locking device comprising two locking members extending from the respective opposite edges of the sleeve. The locking members are formed of a material that is dimensionally stable upon exposure to air and substantially more rigid than the material from which the sleeve is made. The locking members provide a rigid locking surface which can adjoin the opposed edges of the sleeve to retain those edges in adjacency when the sleeve is positioned about a pipe, conduit, cable, or like member, and then exposed to ambient air to shrink around such a member.

Abstract: A wraparound sleeve has closure members, typically in the form of upstanding rails, at its longitudinal edges. A channel having a discontinuity along its length is positioned over the closure members to hold the sleeve in a closed configuration. A clip is positioned between the closure members and the channel to bridge the discontinuity in the channel.The discontinuity in the channel preferably extends through the channel entirely, so that the channel is in two or more parts, which can be installed end to end.The discontinuity in the channel aids installation, particularly where the closure to be formed is of long length.This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 920,493, filed Oct. 17, 1986, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 071,536, filed July 9, 1987, now abandoned.

Abstract: An RF shielded and electrically insulated circuit board structure comprises a first layer of shrink wrap tubing wrapped on a circuit board substrate, and a layer of an electrically conductive RF shielding material on the tubing. A second layer of shrink wrap tubing retains the electrically conductive material to the circuit board. Edge portions of the electrically conductive layer and heat shrink tubing are folded inward to prevent RF energy from the circuit board from leaking from the edges of the structure. The structure is made by wrapping a first heat shrink tubing on the circuit board to insulate and seal any wiring patterns and components thereon and shrinking the tubing by applying heat. The electrically conductive layer is located on the heat shrink tubing, and the second heat shrink tubing is wrapped on the electrically conductive layer and first tubing.

Abstract: A plurality of terminals already disposed in a housing of an electrical connector, include solder tails extending rearwardly from the housing which have a thin layer of magnetic material deposited on an outer surface thereof, so that respective wire ends may be placed therealong with solder preforms within lengths of heat recoverable tubing may be placed therearound and a high frequency current induced in the magnetic layer which then generates thermal energy sufficient to melt the solder and shrink the tubing forming terminations between the wires and the terminals and simultaneously sealing the terminations. The magnetic material may be nickel-iron alloy clad to a brass solder tail layer. The thermal energy is generated in an amount necessary to raise the temperature of the magnetic layer to its Curie temperature for the given frequency used and maintain that temperature.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable strain relief device protects electrical wires passing through an aperture in a partition and secures the wires to the partition. The strain relief includes a first heat shrunk tube overlying the wires and having a diameter that is no larger than the diameter of the aperture. A second heat shrunk tube overlying a portion of the first heat shrunk tube has an outer diameter greater than that of the aperture. The strain relief is located in the partition with only a length of first heat shrunk tube that extends outward from the second heat shrunk tube passing through the aperture. A third optional heat shrunk tube positioned on the first heat shrunk tube is spaced apart from the second tube by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the partition. The strain relief device is formed by locating lenghts of heat shrinkable tubing in predetermined positions on the wires, and applying heat.

Abstract: A retainer post for tightly engaging a printed circuit board employing surface mounted technology. The retainer post has a hollow neck portion for insertion in a hole in a printed circuit board, an adjoining shoulder section for engaging the surface of the printed circuit board and, preferably, a retaining means for retaining said post in the printed circuit board. The retaining means preferably is formed of a circumferential, radially projecting barb containing longitudinal notches so that it may be inwardly compressed as the retaining post is inserted in a hole in a printed circuit board. The neck section contains a plurality of longitudinal spaced (i) grooves on its outer surface forming opposing frangible webs or (ii) cuts through said neck section. The neck section contains a cavity in which is disposed a material that expands upon heating.

Abstract: A device for coupling to an object such as a pipe, particularly for joining pipes together, comprising a tubular sleeve of which at least one end portion has positioned on it a collar of dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material, and a shape memory alloy driver. Recovery of the driver is arranged to deform one or both of the sleeve and the object into contact with one another. Recovery of the collar is arranged to fill at least partially the radial space between the sleeve and the object so as to provide relief from transverse strain imposed on the joint between the object and the device.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting together two wires and sealing the joint comprises a dimensionally-recoverable sleeve having a central solder insert and end adhesive inserts. The adhesive inserts comprise a higher viscosity adhesive that acts as a dam restricting flow of the lower viscosity adhesive.

Abstract: A method of re-establishing mutually insulated semi-conducting layers (9, 10) around respective ones of a pair of spliced electric cables, which is characterized in that the semi-conducting layer of at least one cable is terminated with a stable cable insulation (4) as a base. A sleeve (12) for use in the performance of this method consists of a material relatively stable against heat action an comprises a cylinder-shaped part (15) with a predetermined inside diameter as well as a hopper-shaped part.

Abstract: A joint structure for covering a joint between cables is provided in which an insulation structure extends over and beyond cut back ends of insulation layers of the cables, but terminates at a distance ahead of cut back ends of insulation shield layers of the cables. The insulation structure of the joint structure includes a multi-layered, heat shrinkable tube with its ends beveled or "feathered". In assembling the joint, the tube is positioned to overlie the cable conductors and the insulation layers of the cables and is shrunk thereover so as to terminate at a distance from the cut back ends of the insulation shield layers of the cables. The heat shrinkable tube can be manufactured with feathered edges, so that no additional time or labor is required to shape the sleeve when the joint is assembled. The joint structure also includes a semiconductive conductor shield member applied in successive convoluted layers over the exposed conductors of the joint prior to application of the heat shrunk tube.

Abstract: Electro-static discharge is a problem with high-speed data even when using coaxial cables. Primarily, this problem arises at the terminal ends of the circuit where connections are made using separate coaxial cables for connecting to various pieces of equipment thereby allowing voltages to be induced differently in each such cable. This problem can be overcome by combining a portion of each cable such that the shield around each signal carrying wire remains intact while also being solidly in contact with the shield from the other wire. The cable is constructed by removing the outer insulation from a section of two single coaxial cables, electrically connecting together the exposed shields of each cable at both ends of the exposed section and reinsulating the abutted cables so that the shields remain in contact along their entire length.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a recoverable fabric and a polymeric matrix material may be recovered around a cable splice to protect it. The fabric may have multifilament glass fibres in one direction which may be provided with a continuous coating to prevent moisture that may travel along their length from travelling through the thickness of the composite.

Abstract: There is disclosed a termination device which includes a dimensionally heat-unstable tubular member and a dimensionally heat-unstable insert. The insert is positioned within the tubular member and is in abutting relationship therewith. The termination device may further include a fusible insert or inserts which may be thermoplastic polymeric materials or solder or both. The dimensionally heat-unstable insert is recoverable and the fusible insert or inserts, if present, are meltable at a temperature used to recover the dimensionally heat-unstable tubular member.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable plastic sleeve having an inner surface deformed in circumferentially spaced portions by unequal amounts from its normal heat stable or unstable configuration so as to provide different stresses in the circumferential direction whereby uniformity of heating of the sleeve throughout its thickness can be observed during heat shrinking by observing the shrinkage of the sleeve at its ends. Also, a method of making such sleeve in which a sleeve of heat shrinkable material is placed on a mandrel having expandable fingers, the sleeve is heated and the fingers are radially expanded and the sleeve is cooled to provide the desired sleeve.

Abstract: Provided herein is a wraparound closure sleeve for environmentally sealing conduits employing a heat-recoverable sheet oriented to shrink in the direction of its width, a first strip of self-amalgamating material disposed along or near one edge of the sheet and perpendicular to the direction of orientation, a mastic or hot-melt adhesive coated on the remaining surface area of the sheet, a second self amalgamating strip disposed parallel to the first strip on the opposite surface of the sheet where wrapping the sheet around the conduit, juxtaposing the strips and pressing them together forms a lap bond having sufficient lap shear strength to resist the hoop stress force generated by shrinking of the oriented sheet around the conduit and the mastic/adhesive is pressed and flows between the conduit and sheet.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprises a fabric having zones of different or uniformly varying recovery forces or ratios. The fabric can be made impervious and used for environmental protection.

Abstract: A connector device for connecting a shape memory alloy spring to connector terminals which feed power to a connector of the shape memory alloy spring utilizing crimped connections applied to more than two portions of the connector terminal.

Abstract: A curable sheet comprising first and second curing reactants arranged in discrete areas of the sheet, preferably by coextrusion, in patterns such as stripes and checks. The sheet cures upon fusion of the respective areas of the curing reactants.

Abstract: A connection system for electrical conductors is disclosed. The system involves an outer sheath manufactured from a material transparent to ultraviolet light. A tubular, deformable crimp ferrule is inserted within the sheath. Thereafter, a portion of ultraviolet-curable adhesive is placed within the ends of the sheath, which are covered with cap members to retain the adhesive inside. To connect the conductors (e.g. insulated wires or cables) the ends thereof are pushed through the cap members, through the ultraviolet-curable adhesive, and into the crimp ferrule. The crimp ferrule is then deformed to securely engage the ends of the conductors. Ultraviolet light is subsequently applied which passes through the sheath, causing the adhesive to solidify. The foregoing process produces a strong and secure bond between the conductors, and is readily adaptable to large-scale, mass production manufacturing conditions using a minimal amount of time and labor.

Abstract: A wraparound recoverable article comprises longitudinally opposed edge regions which can be brought together to close the article. On recovery of the article a configurational change of or adjacent the closure member can be seen. This can be used as a temperature indicator to show that recovery is complete. Preferably the configurational change is a rotation of the material at the edge regions which results in a white line extending along the length of the closure, and which is not visible before recovery, becoming visible.

Abstract: A technique for assembling a transformer core from two separate core components uses a thermo shrinkable elastomer band or tubing in place of the more conventional glues and metallic clips to secure the component into a unitary structure. A thermo shrinkable mylar plastic tubing is placed around a periphery of a core formed by abutting two separate core components together so as to form a closed magnetic path. Application of heat shrinks the tubing and secures the two separate core components into one unitary core structure.

Abstract: A joint assembly for holding electrical conductors together comprises a connector which loosely engages the conductors when the assembly is subjected to relatively high temperatures. The connector is made of a material which has a sufficiently higher coefficient of expansion then the coefficient of expansion the material used for the electrical conductors in order to cause a differential shrinkage of the connector onto the conductors for a clamping engagement therebetween when the assembly is subjected to relatively low temperatures.

Abstract: A duct seal (1) especially for sealing about four cables, contains a spring (8) which when operated radially expands that part of the duct seal that is to seal to a wall etc (2). The cables are sealed by heat-shrink outlets (7) of the duct seal (1). The spring (8) is operated after heating the part of the duct seal in which it lies. Heating may soften the material of the seal and activate an adhesive (9).

Abstract: Self-supporting helical heat-recoverable material provides easily installed insulating covering for wires and cables. The helical arrangement may be made by differential recovery of a two-layered tape of the heat-recoverable material around a cooled mandrel such that the inner tape layer recovers more than the outer. The inner layer may also serve as an adhesive layer or may carry an adhesive coating.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article comprises a fabric cover (2) which has an aperture (4) therein around the edges of which is clamped a rivet (2), fixed so as to prevent pull-out of the fabric fibres on recovery of the cover. The article is particularly suitable for use as a pressurized splice case since a valve can be passed through the aperture in the cover. The valve can be secured directly to the cover, or to a correspondingly apertured liner positioned within the cover.

Abstract: Disclosd is a pre-expanded braided sleeving made from flexible strands of either conductive or nonconductive filaments, or a combination thereof, along with entrapped warp filaments of heat shrinkable material. The warp filament material is commonly known as heat reactive material and, when briefly subjected to heat below its fusion temperature, shrinks in the order of 30% to 50% of its length and very substantially expands the sleeving thereby greatly expediting the assembly thereof over an elongated object. Thereafter the sleeving is readily contracted into a snug fit with the object upon being tensioned between its opposite ends.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming a joint between electrical cables comprises a connector arrangement, e.g. a crimp connector, a fusible block capable of being positioned to enclose the connector and a heat-shrinkable sleeve having a recovery temperature at least 10.degree. C. above the melting point of the fusible block. Preferably the fusible block is formed from a number of interlocking component parts. The arrangement is particularly suitable for forming joints between submarine cables, and may include a tubular shield portion for connecting the shields and shielded cables.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly including a pliable sheet and a coupling strip is provided. The coupling strip is adapted to interconnect the ends of the pliable sheet to form a cylindrically-shaped unit. The ends of the pliable sheet are formed to include flukes that are configured to engage the coupling strip. The coupling strip includes a rigid base member and a spaced-apart, substantially parallel seesaw member. The seesaw member is joined to the base member by a pivot beam. The seesaw member has a first leg and a second leg, with the first and second legs cooperating with the base member to form first and second nests for receiving the flukes of the pliable sheet. The seesaw member is permitted to pivot somewhat with respect to the base member to equalize the capturing forces of the first and second nests to enhance the strength and rigidity of the assembled sleeve assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cable closure which includes a central closure body and a pair of end caps preferably made from structural foam situated at each end of the closure body. There is also disclosed a cable block which includes void filling material selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable and a directional control device which consists of a conduit also selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable. Together the cable closure, cable block and directional control device make up the splice closure system. There may also be provided a heat recoverable seal adhesively attached to the cable closure in which case there will also be provided means for preventing milk-off of the seal from the cable closure. finally, there is disclosed a method for forming the cable block.

Abstract: An enclosure (1) around a substrate (3) such as a telecommunications cable is made pressure retaining by the provision of re-entrant seals (5), generally V-shaped in cross-section, that are positioned at the region where the enclosure is bonded (4) to the substrate pressure within the enclosure thus tends to open the V rather than put the bond in peel. The re-entrant seals may be cut-to-length in the field and a leak path through the resulting open end (23) avoided by using pressure (P) within the enclosure to close the open end or to balance pressure across it.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable electrically shielding tubular article is provided with an electrically conductive lining on its inner surface, which lining is formed of a continuous coating of a metal which deforms without cracking during recovery so that after recovery the coating will remain continuous and adhered to the surface of the article. The coating may be formed of an alloy which softens without fully melting, at the recovery temperature of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus, and process for insulating a splice with a heat shrinkable tube. The spliced wires and tube are transferred inside an oven by moving means, and after the tube is heat shrunk in the oven the wire assembly is then removed from the oven and automatically ejected.

Abstract: A method of environmentally sealing a pipe, cable or harness substrate by means of a recoverable fabric and a sheet of polymeric material.

Abstract: A joint between a mass-impregnated paper insulated cable and a plastic insulated cable is sealed to contain the mass impregnating, oil material by applying a heat-recoverable oil resistant tubing over the exposed paper insulation so as to leave a portion thereof uncovered adjacent the exposed conductor of the cable, applying an oil resistant mastic to said uncovered portion of the insulation and over an adjacent end of said tubing, and applying a further heat-recoverable tubing over the mastic and an adjacent portion of the oil resistant tubing.

Abstract: The resistivity/temperature characteristics of PTC conductive polymers which have little or no cross-linking can be modified by stretching. The rate at which resistivity rises with temperature is increased, and the peak resistivity is decreased; however, the decrease in peak resistivity is substantially smaller than that observed with PTC conductive polymers having a high degree of cross-linking. Therefore, heat-recoverable electrical devices, particularly for covering telephone and other cable splices, comprise (a) a layer of a PTC conductive polymer which has little or no cross-linking, (2) an adjacent heat-recoverable layer of a PTC or ZTC conductive polymer which has a relatively high level of cross-linking, and (3) electrodes which can be connected to a power supply so that current passes through the layers and causes recovery of the device; preferably an uncrosslinked PTC layer is sandwiched between two cross-linked ZTC layers. Non-recoverable devices, e.g.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable closure is disclosed having a central section which has been hot stretched and cooled while in stretched condition sandwiched between a pair of unstretched end sections and in which one end section has a tapered grooved extension.