GB2241107A

GB2241107A - Cable assembly with easily removable insulation

Info

Publication number: GB2241107A
Application number: GB9011006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noel Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-07
Filing date: 1990-05-16
Publication date: 1991-08-21
Also published as: GB9011006D0; DE4016446A1

Description

1 1 9 f t2 2 ei X X G) -7 CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH READILY REMOVABLE INSULATION

This invention relates to a cable assembly for connecting between two electronic components, such as an amplifier and loudspeaker in an audio reproduction system, and, more particularly, to such an assembly which is provided with an insulating sleeve which extends over one or more electrical conductors and which can be easily removed.

There are many applications for cable assemblies comprising two or more electrical conductors surrounded by an outer sleeve to bundle the conductors into one package. When the conductors are connected between the respective terminals of two electronic components such as, for example, an amplifier and loudspeaker of an audio reproduction system, the respective ends of the conductors have to be stripped of any insulation before they are connected to the terminals, or to connectors whch are connected to the the terminals. Normally the installer has to use a knife or other instrument to cut the insulating sleeve longitudinally to permit it to be stripped from the inner conductors, or bundles of conductors. This, of course, consumes time and increases labor costs.

According to the invention, there is provided a cable assembly comprising at least one electrical conductor, a sleeve extending over said electrical conductor, a portion of said sleeve being weakened along its length to enable said sleeve to be easily severed along said weakened portion and stripped off at least a portion of said conductor.

Thus the invention provides a cable assembly for connecting between two electronic components and having an outer sleeve surrounding two or more electrical conductors, with the outer sleeve being easily severed longitudinally to permit it to be peeled off the inner conductors.

The invention also provides a cable assembly of the above type in which the outer sleeve is provided with a weakened portion extending for the length thereof to enable the sleeve to be manually severed along its length to facilitate removal of the sleeve.

The cable assembly of the invention consists of an outer sleeve of dielectric material extending over one or more electrical conductors. The outer sleeve is provided with a weakened portion extending along the length thereof to enable it to be manually severed and peeled off of the electrical conductors to expose same for connection between electronic components.

There now follows a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cable assembly of invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the cable assembly of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cable assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 showing a portion of the outer sleeve being severed prior to its being peeled back off the inner conductors.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 refers, in general, to the cable assembly of the invention which comprises two electrical conductors 12 and 14 each consisting of a plurality of strands of wires of an electrical current conducting material, such as copper. Although not clear from the drawings, the wires may be twisted along their lengths in a conventional 4 is manner. A pair of insulating sleeves 16 and 18, of a dielectric material such as polyvinyl chloride, extend over the conductors 12 and 14, respectively, to electrically insulate the conductors. An outer sleeve 20 extends over the insulated conductors 12 and 14 for bundling and protecting same. The outer sleeve can also be of a dielectric material, such as polyvinyl chloride.

As better shown in Fig. 2, a weakened portion, in the form of longitudinal notch 20a, is formed in the inner wall of the outer sleeve 20 and extends for the length thereof. The notch 20a is sized so that the sleeve 20 can be severed along its length by manually separating same along the notch, as shown in Fig. 3. This can be done by simply pulling the end portions of the sleeve 20 forming the notch 20a away from each other or by using a fingernail to sever the sleeve at the notch. The severed end portion of the sleeve 20 is then peeled back off of the conductors 12 and 14 until the end portions of the conductors are exposed. If desired, the peeled back end portion of the outer sleeve 20 can-then be out off.

Of course, before the conductors 12 and 14 can be connected to the respective terminals of the electronic components, the insulating sleeves 14 and 16 must be stripped therefrom and, in this context, it is understood that a notch, similar to 20a can also be provided on the sleeves 14 and 16 if their size permits. Thus, an installer can easily strip the outer sleeve 20 away from the conductors 12 and 14 in a relatively short period of time which reduces time and labor costs especially when multiple connections are involved.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the invention is not limited is to the use of a notch forming the weakened portion of the sleeve 20. For example, other technique can be used to weaken a portion of the sleeve along its length, such as by perforations, indentations, scoring, etc. Also, more than two conductors can be disposed in the outer sleeve and or more of the conductors can be of a solid wire rather than a plurality of fine wire strands as shown. Also, the noted 20a can be formed on the outer wall of the sleeve 20.

Other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

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Claims

Claims 1. A cable assembly comprising at least one electrical conductor, a sleeve extending over said electrical conductor, a portion of said sleeve being weakened along its length to enable said sleeve to be easily severed along said weakened portion and stripped off at least a portion of said conductor. 2. A cable assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said weakened portion is formed by a longitudinally extending notch. 3. A cable assembly according to Claim 2 wherein said notch is formed or the inner wall of said sleeve. 4. A cable assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said weakened portion is of a sufficient size to enable the outer sleeve to be manually severed. 5. A cable assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said sleeve is of a dielectric material. 6. A cable assembly generally as herein described, with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1, Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 1. A cable assembly comprising an electrical conductor, a sleeve extending over said electrical conductor, a portion of said sleeve being sufficiently weakened along its length to enable said sleeve to be manually severed along said weakened portion and stripped off at least a portion of said conductor to expose said conductor for electrical connection.

2. A cable assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said weakened portion is formed by a longitudinally extending notch.

3. A cable assembly according to Claim 2 wherein said notch is formed on an inner wall of said sleeve.

4. A cable assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said sleeve is of a dielectric material.

5. A cable assembly comprising at least one electrical conductor, an inner sleeve extending over each said electrical conductor, an outer sleeve extending over all of said inner sleeves, a portion of said outer sleeve being weakened along its length to enable said outer sleeve to be manually severed along said weakened portion and stripped off at least a portion of said conductor to expose said conductor for electrical connection.

6. A cable assembly according to Claim 5, wherein said weakened portion is formed by a longidutinally extending notch.

7.

A cable assembly according to Claim 6, wherein i 1 9 said notch is formed on an inner wall of said outer sleeve.

8. A cable assembly according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein said inner sleeve is of a dielectric material.

9. A cable assembly according to any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein said outer sleeve is of a dielectric material.

10. A cable assembly generally as herein described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. State House, 66171 High Holborn. LondonWC I R 47P. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point Cwmfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport. NP1 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent.