Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Single duct conduits
Patent
1998-10-28
2000-11-21
Reichard, Dean A.
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Single duct conduits
174 65G, 174135, 16 21, 16 22, 248 56, H02G 318
Patent
active
061506087
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seal for sealing an aperture in an object, through which aperture one or more elongate article(s) extend(s). The elongate articles may, for example, be cables (optical fibre cables or electrical conductor cables), optical fibres (including "ruggedized" optical fibres such as patch cords or pigtails), or electrical conductors (e.g. wires). The seal may also be used with pipes, tubes, or the like. The invention also relates to a closed container for containing one or more optical fibre or electrical conductor splices or connections, the container including, in a wall thereof, at least one such seal. The invention also relates to a method of sealing an aperture in an object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,401 discloses a seal plug for conduits, the seal plug having a plug core including at least one radially-expansible seal member for sealing the conduit in which it is disposed, while permitting passage of cables or the like therethrough. Until required for the cable or cables, the passages in the seal plug are closed by removable pin inserts, retainer means being provided to hold the inserts in place. The plug includes longitudinal compression means to bring the seal member into sealing contact with the conduit wall. Each passage may open to the circumference of the respective seal member via slits to permit sideways insertion of the cable therein.
The inventors of the present invention have now developed a new seal which has a simpler construction, which is easier to install, and which provides at least as good, and preferably better, sealing performance than the seal plug of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,401. The new seal of the invention may preferably also be used to seal a greater number of elongate articles than the seal plug of U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,401.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a seal for sealing an aperture in an object, through which aperture one or more elongate article(s) extend(s), comprising: least one of which is situated, in use, between at least two said pressure members; and pressure members closer together; article extends in between at least two said seal members, the seal members being situated adjacent to each other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongate article(s) extend(s), and being arranged to form a sealing contact with each other and with the or each elongate article when they are compressed by the compression means.
The two or more seal members are each preferably discrete, separate, parts which are brought together in use. In some embodiments, however, the seal members (or at least two seal members) may be joined together (including joined by being formed as a single integral part). For example, one or more webs or other joining pieces may join the seal members.
Examples of some of the types of elongate articles with which the seal of the invention may be used were mentioned above. The seal may be used, for example, as a duct seal (i.e. for blocking off and sealing the interior of the duct). It may also be used as a grommet or so-called "feedthrough" in a wall, e.g. a bulkhead. The seal may, for example be used as a feedthrough in a car or other vehicle (it may also be used in ships, aeroplanes, etc.). One specific use, for example, may be as a feedthrough in a bulkhead between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of a car or other vehicle. However, the intended initial use of the seal by the applicant is in a closed container for containing optical fibre or electrical splices or connections or the like. The container may, for example, be a box or other enclosure, e.g. a so-called "splice case". The container may enclose one or more optical fibre organizer(s), for example.
According to a second aspect therefore, the invention provides a closed container for containing one or more optical fibre or electrical conductor splices or connections, the container including, in a wall thereof, at least one seal accord
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Pieck Amandus
Vanonckelen Marc
Wambeke Alain
N.V. Raychem S.A.
Patel Dhiru R
Reichard Dean A.
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