CA2652684A1 - Assembly to enclose interiorly a long element with a protective elastic sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly comprises, in addition to the sleeve (11), a tubular core (12) for maintaining the sleeve in expansion, adapted to receive internally the elongated element and a film (13) with a low coefficient of friction interposed between the sleeve (11) and the core (12) to allow the core to slide by compared to the sleeve.
The film (13) extends at least from a first end (15) of the sleeve to a first end (17) of the core (12) opposite the first end (15) of the sleeve, it turns back on the first end (17) of the core (12) and then extends inside the core until its second end (18) on which it turns around and then extends outwardly to the core (12) to the sleeve (11) to which it is fixed externally.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR COVERING ENSERREMENT AN ELONGATE MEMBER
WITH AN ELASTIC PROTECTION SLEEVE

The invention relates to the installation of a protective elastic sleeve on an elongated element such as an electric cable or two electric cables joined to each other.
We already know, especially by the French patent application

2 791 480, sets for carrying out such a pose, further comprising elastic sleeve, a tubular core serving to maintain the expansion sleeve, which covers it tightly, the core being adapted to receive inside the elongated element and then slide at a time with respect to the element elongated and with respect to the elastic sleeve so that it comes cover the elongate element tightly.
To allow the elastic sleeve to slide relative to the tubular core, there is interposed between them a low film coefficient of friction that extends beyond one end of the sleeve to a end of the core opposite to said end of the sleeve, the film making turn on this end of the core, inside which it connects to a elastic link attached to the other end of the core to be tensioned.
This elastic link assists the sliding of the low coefficient film of friction with respect to the core so that only a slight pull manually on the core to cause the sliding of the elastic sleeve.
The invention aims to provide a set of the same kind that is particularly convenient and reliable both in manufacture and use.
It proposes for this purpose a set to cover tightly an elongate element of predetermined dimensions with an elastic sleeve protection, comprising:
said sleeve;
a tubular core for maintaining said sleeve in expansion, clasped by said sleeve, adapted to receive internally said elongate member; and a film with a low coefficient of friction interposed between the said sleeve and said core to allow said core to slide relative to said sleeve, said film extending at least from one end of the sleeve to a first end of the core opposite to said end of muff ;
characterized in that the second end of the core is located beyond said end of the sleeve and in that said low film coefficient of friction turns back on said first end of the core and then extends internally to said core to its second end on which it is turn around and extend outside the core until it reaches the sleeve is fixed externally.
If the elastic sleeve is allowed to contract on the element elongated beyond the first end of the nucleus, this contraction produces a push on the first end of the core, which is then dragged into the meaning that goes from its first end to its second end, the Training movement continues until the core is expelled out of the sleeve.
The way in which the film with a low coefficient of friction is relative to the core and with respect to the sleeve, and in particular the fixation of the movie the sleeve, is such that during the expulsion, the part of the film still interposed between the tube and the sleeve does not slip relative to the sleeve.
This avoids, or in any case greatly reduces, the risks that the film crumples between the sleeve and the core during the expulsion, this who could interrupt the expulsion movement, which the operator should then complete by acting on the core and on the sleeve.
The absence of slippage between the film and the sleeve furthermore the advantage of avoiding, or in any case of reducing, the risks a portion of the film with a low coefficient of friction tears and remains enter the elongated element and the elastic sleeve, which would be likely to degrade the performance of the protection provided by the elastic sleeve (a part of the film remaining thus interposed could for example degrade insulation

3 electrical and / or airtight and watertight provided by the sleeve elastic).
The fact that it is the film with low coefficient of friction itself (and not a link connected to it) that extends inside the core and then made turn around on the second end of it and just settle outwardly on the sleeve, is particularly convenient during manufacture and reliable at use.
According to preferred characteristics as being favorable to the good.
unfolding of the core by the sleeve, said film is in tension.
According to preferred characteristics for the sake of simplicity and convenience both in manufacture and in use, the whole according to the invention comprises an elastic ring for fixing said film on the surface external of said sleeve; and, preferably, so that the film remains fixed at sleeve until the end of the expulsion of the core, said elastic ring is disposed in the vicinity of said first end of said sleeve.
In a first preferred embodiment as particularly simple, said first end of said core is located beyond the second end of said sleeve.
In other embodiments, the assembly according to the invention has a frangible ring arranged in the extension of said core and also gripped by said sleeve.
Such a ring makes it possible to prime in particular Convenient contraction of the sleeve on the elongate member.
In a preferred embodiment in the case where the sleeve must not have a great length, said frangible ring has a length corresponding to the distance separating said first end of said core of the second end of said sleeve.
In other preferred embodiments for the case where the The sleeve should have a relatively long length, the whole the invention comprises two said nuclei.

4 In a first mode of implementation, particularly simple, said first end of a first said core is disposed against said first end of a second said core.
In a second embodiment, particularly convenient to initiate shrinkage of the sleeve on the elongate member, the assembly according to the invention comprises a frangible ring forming spacer between the first end of a first said core and the first end a second said nucleus.
The description of the invention will now be continued by the description detailed examples of embodiments, given below for illustrative purposes and no limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these:
- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first mode embodiment of the assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is the cross-sectional view marked II-II on the figure 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 for a second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with a elongate element to be covered placed inside the assembly;
- Figures 5 and 6 are similar views but showing the core of the assembly being expelled by the sleeve;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIG.
respectively a third and a fourth embodiment of the set according to the invention;
- Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but with a elongated element to be covered in place overall; and FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the cores of the assembly being expelled by the sleeve.
The assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an elastic sleeve 11, a tubular core 12, a film 13 having a low coefficient of friction and an elastic ring 14 enclosing the film 13 on the surface external of the sleeve 11 in order to fix it.

The sleeve 11 is intended to overlap to grip, as well as shown in FIG. 6 for the similar sleeve 111, an elongated element such as that a section of electric cable or two sections of electric cables so provide electrical insulation and air and water tightness.

The tubular core 12 serves to keep the sleeve 11 expanding, that is to say in a state dilated radially with respect to the state that it adopts in the absence of external constraint. The core 12 is thus covered tightly by the sleeve 11. The internal space in the core 12 is adapted to receive internally the elongated element which must be covered by the sleeve of protection 11.
The film 13 with a low coefficient of friction is interposed between the sleeve 11 and the core 12 to allow them to slide relative to the other.
The core 12 can thus slide both with respect to the element elongated which is put in place and compared to the sleeve 11 so that it to cover tightly the elongated element, as explained later in more detail.
The core 12 extends beyond each of the ends 15 and 16 of the 11. The end 17 of the core 12 is relatively close to the end 16 of the sleeve 11 on the same side while the other end 18 of the core 12 is relatively far from the end 15 of the sleeve 11 located same side.
The proximity of the ends 16 and 17 is useful for priming simple and convenient extraction of the core 12, which is intended to be performed with the core 12 which is driven relative to the sleeve 11 in the direction which goes from the end 17 to the end 18, as explained in more detail later.
The film 13 is interposed between the elastic sleeve 11 and the core 12 over the entire length of the sleeve 11, that is to say between its ends 15 and 16.
The film 13 extends slightly beyond the end 15. On the other side of sleeve 11, the film 13 extends beyond the end 16 to half tower on the end 17 of the sleeve 12 located on the side of the end 16 and then extends

6 internally to the core 12 to its other end 18 on which it makes turn around and then extend outside the core 12 until the sleeve 11 to which it is fixed externally by the elastic ring 14.
We will now describe the assembly 110 illustrated in FIG.
in support of FIGS. 4 to 6, the manner in which the sleeve 111 comprises the assembly 110 is placed on an elongated element. We will then explain how is the laying of the sleeve 11 of the assembly 10.
In a general way, the same 110 numerical references as for element 10, but added to the number 100.
In the assembly 110, the core 112, the film 113 and the elastic ring 114 are identical to the core 12, the film 13 and the ring 14, respectively.
The sleeve 111 differs from the sleeve 11 only in that that it is longer.
In addition to the sleeve 111, the core 112, the film 113 and the ring 114, the assembly 110 comprises a frangible ring 20 having in section substantially the same shape as the core 112 and arranged in the extension of it.
The core 112 extends beyond the end 115 of the sleeve 111 of the same way that the core 12 extends beyond the end 15 of the sleeve 11, the end 118 of the core 112 being relatively far from the end 115 of the sleeve 111.
While in the assembly 10, the end 16 of the sleeve 11 is in withdrawal relative to the end 17 of the core 12, the end 116 of the sleeve is located beyond the end 117 of the core 112.
The sleeve 111 covers not only the core 112 but also the frangible ring 20 whose length corresponds to the distance separating the end 117 of the core 112 of the end 116 of the sleeve 111.
The film 113 is interposed between the sleeve 111 and the core 112 on the entire length where they are in contact, that is, between the end 115 of sleeve 111 and the end 117 of the core 112.

=

7 The arrangement of the film 113 with respect to the core 112 and the sleeve 111 between the end 117 and the ring 114 is exactly the same as the arrangement of the film 13 between the end 17 and the ring 14: the film 113 makes half-turn on the end 117 and then extend inside the core 112 up the end 118 on which it turns around and then it extends outwardly at core 112 to the sleeve 111 to which it is fixed externally by the ring elastic 114.
The ring 20 is formed by the helical winding of a band 21 whose edges are connected to each other in a tearable manner, one of the ends of the band 21 located at the end of the ring 20 which is against the core 112 (end of the ring 20 that we see on the left sure 3), while at the other end of the ring 20 (end that see to right in FIG. 3), the band 21 leaves the helical winding and extends longitudinally in the form of a strap 22 inside the ring 20 then from the core 112 until passing from the end 118.
Exercising a pulling force on the end of the strap 22 which protrudes from the core 112 allows to gradually unwind the winding that form the ring 20, from the end that we see on the right on the figure 3 until its complete unwinding.
The ring 20 can thus be entirely extracted from the assembly 110, including included when an elongate member is disposed within the core 112 and the ring 20, as shown in FIG. 4.
In practice, the ring 20 is formed from a strip pre-existing whose edges are slightly welded or the ring 20 is made to from a tube on which a helical precut line is made, the strap 22 coming from material with the tube or being attached to the material of the tube.
The placement of the core 12 in the sleeve 11 or the core 112 and the ring 20 in the sleeve 111 is effected in a conventional manner by example as described in the French patent application 2 786 954, with the portion of the film 13 or 113 provided to extend between the end 18 or 118 and the ring 14 or 114 which is then free.

8 Once the sleeve 11 or 111 is put in place, the film 13 or 113 is returned around the end 18 or 118 and attached to the sleeve 11 or 111 through the elastic ring 14 or 114.
Preferably, to avoid any crease that could affect the slip of the core 12 or 112 with respect to the sleeve 11 or 111, the film 13 or 113 is put in tension on this occasion.
To prevent the expulsion of the core 12 during storage or transport, the assembly 10 also comprises non removable means illustrated immobilizing the sleeve 11 relative to the core 12, for example a rivet and / or a self-gripping tape.
The ring 20 provides the assembly 110 a certain degree immobilizing the sleeve 111 relative to the core 112. According to circumstances of storage and transport, the assembly 110 is provided with or without additional means of immobilization such as a rivet and / or a band Velcro.
In FIG. 4, there is shown an elongated element 25 inserted in the core 112 and in the ring 20.
The element 25 is formed by two electric cables 26 and 27 arranged end to end and by a connecting element 28 placed on sections stripped ends 29 and 30 respectively of the cable 26 and the cable 27.
In the example shown, the cables 26 and 27 do not include other accessible end sections so that one of the cables 26 and was first inserted into the device 110, the connecting element 28 a then posed and the device 110 was then positioned as illustrated on the figure 4, that is to say with the sleeve 111 positioned longitudinally with respect to the elongated member 25 at the location that it must adopt on this element.
So that the sleeve 111 comes to cover the element 25, one shoots the end of the strap 22 protruding from the core 112 to unwind the ring 20 and extract it completely.
This allows the sleeve 111 to contract on the elongate member Beyond the end 117 of the core 112, this contraction producing a push on the end 117 in response to which the core 112 is driven

9 in the direction that goes from the end 117 to the end 118, as shown sure FIGS. 5 and 6, the training movement continuing until the core 112 is entirely expelled from the sleeve 111.
The latter then overlaps with the elongated element 25 to which it provides, at the junction element 28 and on both sides of this one, electrical insulation and sealing to air and water.
It will be observed, by comparing FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, that during the expulsion of the core 112, the portion of the film 113 sandwiched between the sleeve 111 and the core 112 is not animated by any sliding movement relative to the sleeve 111 and that, moreover, the fixing of the film 113 to muff 111 by the ring 114 ensures that such a sliding movement can not to exist.
The expulsion of the nucleus 112 thus occurs on a regular basis, without blow, and the risks that a portion of the film 113 tears and remains present between the element 25 and the sleeve 111 are eliminated or at least strongly minimized. This is particularly advantageous when the elongate member is formed, as in the illustrated example, by electric cables, a remainder of film 25 being liable to degrade the performance of the insulation electrical and sealing provided by the sleeve 111.
We will observe, as we understand it more easily with regard to FIG. 6, that the use of an elastic ring 114 to fix the film 113 on the sleeve 111, positioning the ring 114 near the end 115 of the sleeve 111, offers the advantage of automatically releasing the film at the end of the expulsion of the core 112, the contraction of the portion of the sleeve 111 located at proximity of the suppressing end 115 or in any case decreasing strongly the strapping effect produced by the ring 114, the latter and the film 113 being so released from the sleeve 111.
The implementation of the assembly 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) on an element elongated such as 25 is similar to the implementation of the set 110, the the only difference being that the operation that allows the sleeve 11 to contract on the elongated element beyond the end 17 of the nucleus 12 is not the tearing of the ring 20 but a sliding of the core 12 relative to the sleeve 11 in the direction of the end 17 towards the end 18.
To make it easier for the operator to slide 12 relative to the sleeve 11, it is provided in a variant not 5 illustrated in bundle 10, that film 13, rather than being present on the totality of the inner periphery of the core 12, is subdivided between the end 17 and the end 18, in two sections each narrowing to form a band relatively narrow, each of the two bands turning around the end 18 and being fixed on the sleeve 11 thanks to the elastic ring 14.

The space between the two bands gives direct access to core 12 and allows to enter it, for example between the fingers of a hand then that the other hand grasps the sleeve 11.
To make it even easier for the user, a more developed of the assembly 10 present in the sleeve 12, between the strips of film, near the end 18, one or more holes allowing the setting in place a hook to pull on the core 12.
Note that it is also interesting, overall 110, that the film 113 is subdivided into two strips between the ends 117 and 118, in particular to facilitate the manufacture of the assembly 110, the manipulation of two bands being easier than that of a tubular portion.
The assembly 210 illustrated in FIG. 7 will now be described.
In general, the same numerical references were used as for element 10, but added with the number 200.
In the assembly 210, the core 212, the film 213 and the elastic ring 214 are identical to the core 12, the film 13 and the ring 14, respectively.
The sleeve 211 differs from the sleeve 11 only in that that it is substantially twice as long.
The assembly 210 further comprises a second tubular core 212 ', a second film with a low coefficient of friction 213 'and a second ring elastic 214 'identical to the core 212, the film 213 and the ring 214, respectively.

11 The core 212 extends beyond the end 215 of the sleeve 211 of the same way that the core 12 extends beyond the end 15 of the sleeve 11, the end 218 of the core 212 being relatively far from the end 215 of the sleeve 211.
The core 212 'also extends beyond the end 216 of the sleeve 211 in the same way that the core 12 extends beyond the end 15 of the sleeve 11, the end 218 'of the core 212' being relatively away from the end 216 of the sleeve 11.
The end 217 of the sleeve 212 and the end 217 'of the sleeve 212' are located approximately in the center of the sleeve 211, one against the other.
In general, the arrangement of sleeve 212 ', film 213' and the elastic ring 214 'is the mirror image of the arrangement of the core 212, of the film 213 and the ring 214.
The following description for core 212, film 213 and ring 214 also applies to the core 212 ', the film 213' and the ring 214 'provided to add a bonus to their references and to replace the end 215 of the sleeve 211 by the end 216..
The film 213 is interposed between the sleeve 211 and the core 212 on the entire length where they are in contact, that is, between the end 215 of sleeve 211 and the end 217 of the core 212.
The arrangement of the film 213 with respect to the core 212 and the sleeve 211 between the end 217 and the ring 214 is exactly the same as the arrangement of the film 13 between the end 17 and the ring 14: the film 213 makes half-turn on end 217 and then extend inside core 212 until the end 218 on which it turns around then it extends externally at core 212 to the sleeve 211 to which it is fixed by the elastic ring 214.
We will now describe the assembly 310 illustrated in FIG.
in support of FIGS. 9 and 10, the manner in which sleeve 311 comprises the assembly 310 is placed on an elongated element. We will then explain how is the laying of the sleeve 211 of the assembly 210.

12 In general, the same 310 numerical references as for element 210, but added to the number 100.
In the assembly 310, the cores 312 and 312 ', the films 313 and 313' and the elastic rings 114 and 114 'are identical to the cores 212 and 212', to the films 213 and 213 'and rings 214 and 214', respectively.
The sleeve 311 differs from the sleeve 211 only in that that it is longer.
In addition to the sleeve 311, nuclei 312 and 312 ', films 313 and 313 'and rings 314 and 314', the assembly 310 comprises a frangible ring 220 having in section substantially the same shape as the nuclei 312 and 312 ' between which it is arranged in their extension in the manner of a spacer.
In a general way, the description given above for the ring 20 is for the ring 220 by = adding the number 200 to the references numbers 20, 21 and 22..
The description given above for the arrangement of the core 112 relative to the sleeve 111 and the ring 20 as well as for the arrangement of the film 113 relative to the sleeve 111, the core 112. and the ring 114 is worth also for the arrangement of the core 312. with respect to the sleeve 311 and ring 220 as well as for the arrangement of the film 313 with respect to the sleeve 311 and the kernel 312, provided that the number 200 is added to the references numerals of this description.
Similarly, the description given above for the arrangement of the core 112, the film 113 and the ring 114 relative to each other as well that compared with the sleeve 111 is for the arrangement of the core 312 ', of the film 313 'and the ring 314' with respect to each other and with respect to sleeve 311, provided to add the number 200 and a bonus to the references of this description, except for sleeve 311, and to replace the end 115 of the sleeve 111 by the end 316 of the sleeve 311.
In Figure 9 is shown an elongate member 225 inserted into the core 312, in the ring 220 and in the core 312 '.

13 The description given above for element 25 is also valid for element 225 provided that the number 200 is added to the references digital.
For the sleeve 311 to cover the element 225, one pulls the end of the strap 222 protruding from the core 312 to unwind the ring 220 and extract it completely.
This makes it possible, as illustrated in FIG. 10, for sleeve 311 to contract on the elongate member 225 beyond the end 317 of the core 312 and.
of the end 317 'of the core 312', this contraction producing a thrust sure each of the ends 117 and 117 'in response to which the nuclei 112 and 112 'are driven in the direction which goes respectively from the end 117 towards the end 118 and the end 117 'towards the end 118', the movement continued until nuclei 112 and 112 'are completely expelled from sleeve 311.
The latter then covers the elongated element 225 which it provides, at the junction element 228 and on the part and else of this one, an electrical insulation and an air and water tightness.
The description given above of the expulsion of the nucleus 112 is worth also for the nuclei 312 and 312 'provided to add to the references numbers of this description the number 200 for the nucleus 312, and for the 312 'core, the number 200 and a premium as well as replace at the end 115 of the sleeve 111 through the end 316 of the sleeve 311.
Covering element 210 (FIG. 7) on an elongate element such as 25 or 225 is similar to the covering of the set 310, the alone difference being that the operation that allows the sleeve 211 to contract on the elongated element beyond the end 217 of the core 212 and / or beyond the end 217 'of the core 212' is not the tearing of the ring 220 but a sliding of the core 212 and / or 212 'relative to the sleeve 211 respectively in the direction of the end 217 towards the end 218 and the end 217 'towards the end 218'.
To make it easier for the operator to slide 212 and / or the core 212 'relative to the sleeve 211, it is provided in

14 a variant not shown that the film 213 and / or the film 213 'is subdivided into two strips, as explained above for the assembly 10.
It should be noted that it is also interesting, overall 310, to subdivide the film 313 and / or the film 313 'into two strips.
In a variant not illustrated, the fixing of the low coefficient film of friction such as 13, 113, 213, 213 ', 313 and 313' on the sleeve as 111, 211 and 311 is effected otherwise than by an elastic ring such as 14, 114, 214, 214 ', 314 and 314', for example by gluing.
In other variants not shown, the dimensions and the conformation of the sleeve such as 11, 111, 211 and 311, the core such as 12, 112, 212, 212 ', 312 and 312', the film such as 13, 113, 213, 213 ', 313 and 313', of the elastic ring such as 14, 114, 214, 214 ', 314 and 314' and the ring frangible such 20 and 220 are different, for example the elastic sleeve externally features globally frustoconical fins when it is laid on an elongate member such as 25 and 225.
Many other variants are possible depending on circumstance, and it is recalled in this respect that the invention is not limited to to the examples described and represented.

Claims (10)

1. Set for overlapping an elongated element (25; 225) of predetermined dimensions with an elastic sleeve of protection (11; 111; 211; 311), comprising:
said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311);
a tubular core (12; 112; 212, 212 '; 312, 312') of maintaining in expansion said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311) covered with gripping by said sleeve, adapted to receive internally said element elongated (25; 225); and a film with a low coefficient of friction (13; 113; 213, 213 ';
313, 313 ') interposed between said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311) and said core (12; 112; 212,212; 312,312 ') to enable said core to slide by to said sleeve, said film extending at least from one end (15;
115; 215, 216; 315, 316) of the sleeve to a first end (17-, 117; 217, 217 '; 317, 317 ') of the core opposite to said end of the sleeve;
characterized in that the second end (18; 118; 218,218 ';
318, 318 ') of the core (12; 112; 212, 212'; 312, 312 ') is located beyond said end (15; 115; 215; 216; 315,316) of the sleeve (11; 111; 211;
311) and that said low friction film (13; 113; 213, 213 '; 313, 313 ') is turned on said first end (17; 117; 217, 217 '; 317, 317 ') of the core (12; 112; 212, 212'; 312, 312 ') and then extends internally to said core to its second end (18; 118; 218; 218 ';

318, 318 ') on which it turns around and then extends outwardly to the core up to said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311) to which it is fixed externally. 2. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that said film (13; 113; 213, 213 '; 313, 313') is in tension. 3. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an elastic ring (14; 114; 214, 214 '; 314, 314 ') for fixing said film (13; 113; 213, 213'; 313, 313 ') on the surface external said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311). 4. The assembly of claim 3, characterized in that said elastic ring (14; 114; 214, 214 '; 314, 314') is disposed at neighborhood said first end (15; 115; 215, 216; 315,316) of said sleeve (11; 111; 211; 311). 5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first end (17) of said core (12) is located beyond the second end (16) of said sleeve (11). 6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a frangible ring (20; 220) disposed in the extension of said core (12; 312, 312 ') and also enclosed by said sleeve (11; 311). 7. The assembly of claim 6, characterized in that said frangible ring (20) has a length corresponding to the distance separating said first end (117) from said core (112) from the second end (116) of said sleeve (111). 8. Salon assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two said cores (212, 212 '; 312, 312'). 9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said first end (217) of a first said core (212) is disposed against said first end (217 ') of a second said core (212'). 10. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that has a frangible ring (220) forming a spacer between the first end (317) of a first said core (312) and the first end (317 ') a second said nucleus (312 ').