Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Hollow or container type article – Polymer or resin containing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-10-30
Cole, Elizabeth M. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Hollow or container type article
Polymer or resin containing
C428S034100, C428S036300, C428S298100, C442S320000, C442S326000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309721
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to multi-layered sleeving products having longitudinal flexibility and, in particular, to sleeving products for protecting wires, cables and like items. By longitudinal flexibility is meant flexibility of the product on or along its longitudinal axis as, for example, the flexibility permitting a sleeving product carrying a bundle of wires to be bent around sharp corners of components in an automobile engine compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various efforts have been made to provide low cost, light-weight sleeving for protection of cables, wires and tubular members against the effects of temperature, to isolate sources of heat or to provide protection of such components against abrasion or snagging by moving machinery parts.
For many purposes, corrugated tubes, particularly those having a longitudinally slit side wall or knitted, woven or braided sleeving, have proven to be highly satisfactory means for accomplishing this goal. These products are flexible and can be engineered to provide required properties such as abrasion resistance or thermal protection. However, they tend to be relatively expensive to make. A need has thus persisted for a cost-effective alternative having high durability for use, for example, in modern, high-performance automotive vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, novel sleeving products are provided which fit over elongated components of generally uniform cross-section in a vehicle. The products comprise a tubular support layer or skeleton of a continuous, formable monofilament. The monofilanment is first bent in serpentine fashion and then bent about its longitudinal axis, so as to form a generally C-shaped or clam shell cross-section. At least one outer layer, and preferably one inner layer, are disposed outside and inside of the tubular support layer. According to the invention, the monofilament may consist of a resilient metal or a heat-settable polymeric material. The monofilament should possess sufficient rigidity to provide high hoop strength and a high degree of flexibility longitudinally, much like that provided by conventional polymeric corrugated tubing and is of light weight. An advantage of this construction is that a tubular product incorporating the wire support layer may be bent around objects without kinking.
Various product configurations may be achieved according to the invention. One product comprises an outer covering layer of a metal foil, a metalized film or a bi-laminate of a foil and film which, in each instance, provides a reflective surface for reflecting heat away from the sleeve. One or more insulating layers may be provided inside and/or outside of the tubular support layer.
A further embodiment of the invention provides a layer of relatively soft material such as a felt or a foam. The felt or foam may be an internal layer to protect against Vibration noises caused by vibration of the components being protected, an external layer to protect against noise generated by objects vibrating against the outer surface of the sleeving or a combination of both layers protecting against both types of vibration.
Still other embodiments of the invention include an abrasion-resistant outer layer, together with one or more thermal insulating layers or sound-absorbing internal layers. Each embodiment of the invention includes a skeleton formed by a continuous monofilament supporting member first bent in serpentine form and then bent into a generally C-shaped cross-section, so as to provide support for the other layers and provide the frame work for a longitudinally flexible sleeve with high hoop strength. Preferably, the sleeves have a longitudinal side opening through which the elongated elements can be readily inserted.
In each embodiment having a longitudinal side opening, various closure means may be used to provide for closure of the side opening without the need for time-consuming adhesive tape wrappings or ties. One preferred form of closure comprises a flap of material extending from the upper layer adjacent one side edge of the opening. Preferably, the closure means comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive bands applied to the flap for securement to the outer surface of the sleeve along the opposite edge of the opening.
Still another embodiment comprises co-adhesive bands applied to the outer surface of the sleeve along one edge of the opening and another co-adhesive band applied to the flap in position so that the two bands may be interengaged and permanently secured together. Alternatively, hoop-and-loop tape strips of the kind marketed under the trademark VELCRO may be used in place of the co-adhesive.
Another embodiment comprises the provision of one or more flaps which extend from the side edges of the opening and are adapted to be tucked through the opening into the cavity formed by the tape after the elongated articles have been inserted. These side edge flaps function in the nature of one way valves in that they allow for insertion of wires or cables or tubes into the sleeve during installation but act to restrict their movement out of the sleeve unless deliberate force is applied.
Finally, the continuous wire form may be fabricated so that the side edges defining the opening are resiliently biased to a closed position in which the edges are against one another. Finger pressure of the worker separates the side edges during which the elongated items can be inserted or removed. Release of pressure allows for closure of the opening.
How the foregoing is achieved will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
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Brushafer Robert J.
Gladfelter Harry F.
Cole Elizabeth M.
Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group, Inc.
Ruddock Ula C.
Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP
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