Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Accessories
Patent
1996-05-01
1998-09-29
Kincaid, Kristine L.
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Accessories
174 92, H02G 1100
Patent
active
058147705
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a splice case for encapsulating conductors, particularly in a telephone system and is especially suitable for buried or other outdoor use.
It is frequently necessary to protect conductor splices from the environment in order that they may continue to function properly for a life-time that may extend to several tens of years. Thus, the splice may be encapsulated by some means, preferably in a fashion that allows easy access to the splice (known as re-entry) for repair or rearrangement of conductors without destroying the original encapsulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,738 (Jervis), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, relates to a splice case suitable for sealing connections between a small pair count telecommunications cable, and a plurality of drop wires. It may also seal connections between drop wires themselves.
The splice case comprises: 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%; surface of said gel in the first container having a cross-sectional area which exceeds a second cross-sectional area of an exposed second surface of said gel in the second container, said first and second surfaces adapted for confronting and contacting each other, the first and second containers being sized so as to be capable of telescopically mating in a vicinity of the first and second surfaces; and first and second containers biased towards one another over a finite range with at least a threshold force.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,809 (Jervis), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a splice case for encapsulating a conductor splice, which comprises: or substantially a mirror image of the first part, that can be positioned adjacent the first parts such that the first and second parts together define an enclosed space; a sealing material having a cone penetration value from 100-350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, the sealing material being within the first hollow part, and preferably where hollow also within the second part; and the sealing material under pressure, the first part and/or second part having a deformable surface, and the spring being so shaped as to cause said surface to be deformed towards the sealing material thereby putting the sealing material under compression.
The spring preferably comprises a resilient elongate member shaped as at least three interconnected segments each segment being of re-entrant shape and comprising a first portion that can bear against a surface of the first part, preferably the deformable surface, and a second portion that can bear against a surface of the second part, preferably the deformable surface, and a third portion that interconnects the first and second portions.
Whilst the splice cases disclosed in these two patents can provide excellent sealing, are robust and reliable and can allow easy, clean re-entry a disadvantage can be felt under unfavourable conditions. Occasionally, it is desirable that greater strain relief be provided between the ingoing cables and the first and second parts constituting the splice case housing. For example, a greater axial pull strength, bending strength, or torsional strength might be required if conductors of the cables are not to risk damage on maltreatment of the splice case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have therefore designed a strain-relief device for a splice case that preferably can be mounted on ingoing cables independently from the splice case proper and can be subsequently joined to it in strain-relieving fashion after the housing has been sealed around the cable. This has various benefits, including avoidance of the need for a separate housing design for each cable size and each cable configuration.
Thus, the present invention provides a cable enclosure, preferably a cable splice case, that comprises: housing in strain-relieving fashion; it has been secured to the cable and after the housing has been sealed around the cable.
The strain-relief device may be pre-a
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Demesmaeker Marc
Laeremans Etienne
Pieck Amandus Lucien Emiel
Burkard Herbert G.
Kincaid Kristine L.
Nguyen Chau N.
Raychem Corporation
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