GB2161995A

GB2161995A - Improvements in and relating to protective devices

Info

Publication number: GB2161995A
Application number: GB08415728A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Deborah Jean King
Original assignee: TOTAL PROJECT SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: TOTAL PROJECT SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1984-06-20
Filing date: 1984-06-20
Publication date: 1986-01-22
Also published as: GB2161995B; GB8415728D0

Abstract

A device for protecting the ends of cables comprising a tubular member of flexible material e.g. synthetic rubber having at least one deformable end surface provided with radial slits to allow the surfaces to be deformed when it is slid over the cable end and to be restored to a non-deformed state when the device is removed from the cable end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to protective devices This invention relates to protective devices and particularly to a device for protecting the ends of cables and the like from damage.

It has been found that lengths of cable, often with multi-pin connectors for connecting an appliance or piece of equipment to a power supply, are prone to damage, particularly when not in use, such as for instance during storage or when left unconnected to the particular appliance or piece of equipment.

Since such lengths of cable with multi-pin connectors, which may include pins formed from noble metals, are expensive to replace, it would be advantageous to protect the cable ends from both physical damage and from the ingress of dirt, dust and moisture.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a protective device for cables which is inexpensive to manufacture and which provides for greater protection for the cable ends than heretofore known cable protection devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a protection device for cables which is easily located over the cable end and just as easily removed therefrom, but which may be retained in place over the cable if required without impeding or obscuring the connector ends of the cable.

Thus, according to the invention there is provided a protective device for enclosing the ends of cables to inhibit damage thereto and comprising a tubular member of flexible material having at least one deformable end surface, the or each end surface being provided with a plurality of radial slits allowing the surface to be deformed to pass over the end of a cable to be protected and such as to be restored to the non-deformed state when the device is withdrawn.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a protective device of the present invention; Figure 1A is a section taken on the lines A-A of Fig. 1; Figure 2 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 2A is a section taken on the lines B-B of Fig. 2; Figure 3 is an end view of the device formed with a retaining tag; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4A is a section taken on the lines C-C of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 1A, the protective device of the invention comprises a tubular member 1 moulded from an elastomeric material e.g. synthetic rubber to provide the flexibility required; the tubular member 1 being moulded in two sections and connected by a centre seam weld 2. One end 3 of the tubular member 1 is formed of greater diameter than the other end and both ends are provided with an end surface 4 shown in Fig.

1A. End surfaces 4 are formed with a plurality of radial slits 5 which allow the end surfaces to be deformed when the tubular member 1 is pushed over the end of a cable connector (not shown). In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 1 A, the provision of end surfaces with radial slits at both ends of the tubular member 1 allows the tubular member to be slidden over the cable connector end and instead of removing the tubular member 1 from the cable connector when the latter is required to be used, the tubular member can be slidden further along the cable connector to expose the end thereof and the connector pins.When the device is required to protect the connector end, the tubular member 1 is slidden only a limited distance along the cable such that the leading end surface is deformed whilst the trailing end surface remains closed to protect the end of the cable.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 2 and 2A where the tubular member 1 has only deformable end surface 4, the other end 6 being closed and of a greater diameter than that of end surface 4. Thus, the device forms a protective cap for the cable connector end (not shown) and is of a length sufficient to prevent physical damage to the connector end when the cap is slidden over the connector end and unlike the previous embodiment, the cap is removed from the connector end when the latter is required to be used. As shown in Fig. 3, the device is provided with a retaining tag 7.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4,4A, the protective device is of the type shown in Figs. 2,2A but is additionally provided with a flange 8 formed integrally with the tubular member 1 to allow the device to be stored and retained in position by screws 9 arranged to pass through holes 10 formed in the flange 8.

It will be appreciated that the invention is capable of considerable modification and is not to be deemed limited to the particular features described by way of example only.

For instance, the term 'tubular' used to describe the body of the device is intended to cover other that circular cross sections and may be of square or rectangular section. Furthermore, the material from which the device is manufactured may be any flexible material such as synthetic rubber or plastics material capable of protecting the cable ends from damage. The dimensions may be modified to suit particular requirements.

Claims

1. A protective device for enclosing the ends of cables to inhibit damage thereto and comprising a tubular member of flexible material having at least one deformable end surface, the or each end surface being provided with a plurality of radial slits allowing the surface to be deformed to pass over the ends of a cable to be protected and such as to be restored to the non-deformed state when the device is withdrawn.

2. A protective device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the tubular member is provided with deformable end surface with radial slits at both ends to allow the device to be slidden over the end of a cable connector to such an extent that both end surfaces are deformed when the connector is required to be used.

3. A protective device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the tubular member is provided with a retaining tag.

4. A protective device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one end of the tubular member is of greater external diameter than the other end thereof.

5. A protective device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one end of the tubular member is provided with a flange arranged to be secured to a surface for storage purposes.

6. A protective device substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in Figs.

1 and 1A or Figs. 2 and 2A or Fig. 3 or Figs.

4 and 4A of the accompanying drawings.