Method and means for protectively encasing wires

June 14, 1960

E. F. SVEC

2,941,027

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PROTECTIVELY ENCASING WIRES

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Emil E Svec

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United States Patent Office „ ., ^2,941,027

Patented June 14, 1960

2,941,027

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PROTECTIVELY ENCASING WIRES

Emil F. Svec, New York, N.Y.; Viera Marina Svec executrix of the estate of said Emil F. Svec, deceased, assignor to Flexigrip, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York

Filed Sept. 10, 1957, Ser. No. 683,116

Claims. (Cl. 174—72)

This invention relates generally to branched tubular structures and methods of protectively encasing a series of electrical wires and the like.

More particularly, the present invention relates to articles in the form of flexible strips of extended length having inter-engageable edge portions for forming branch and trunk tubes for enclosing and covering the wires, and means for joining the branch and trunk tubes in assembly together.

It has previously been proposed, as in the Kidd patent, No. 2,756,172 that a strip of flexible plastic material having ribbed and grooved edge portions be matingly engaged to provide a covering for pipe and the like. More recently it has also been proposed in the applicant’s copending application entitled “Tube Forming Article and Tube Structure Formed Therefrom,” Serial No. 659,886, filed May 17,1957, that a tube having inter-engageable edge portions be provided with angularly related hook-like ribs and complementary shaped grooves to increase the resistance to separation of the mated edge portions.

The present invention involves both a method and structure for protectively encasing electrical wire and the like. The method deals with the step of encasing the wires, which include the steps of connecting the branch and trunk tubes. The present invention further concerns a branched tubular structure comprised of thin plastic strips formed into branch and trunk tubes and novel means for connecting the branch and trunk tubes.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a branched tubular structure with at least one of the trunk and branch tubes comprised of strips of flexible plastic material having inter-engageable edge portions for forming a strip into a tube and with the branch tube having an extension to be wrapped around the trunk tube and secured to the assembly.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide a method of protectively encasing a series of electrical wires and the like, including the steps of encasing the wires, by enveloping a trunk tube about the wires, notching the trunk tube, angularly turning the wires with respect to the trunk tube through the notches, protectively encasing the wires extending exteriorly of the trunk tube by interlocking the edges of the flexible plastic strip to form a branch tube, and wrapping a branch tube extension around the trunk tube in such manner as to secure the extension in place, thereby protectively encasing the wire.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an effective method and means for protectively encasing electrical wire and the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a low cost, relatively simple to install branched tubular structure for protectively encasing electrical wire and the like.

Other and further important objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, and from the accom2 panying drawing illustrating several embodiments of this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a branched tubular structure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged 'fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the branched tubular structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the manner in which edges of the tubular 10 strips appearing in the other figures may be engaged in the assembly;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view illustrating the manner in which the branch tube strip of Figure 2 is formed so as to provide an extension;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 2, only illustrating a modified form of my invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the branch tube shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to Figures 2 and 5, only illustrating a modified form of the invention with the branch and trunk tubes shown in a preliminary stage of assembly; 'and

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view 25 of the structure shown in Figure 7, with the branch and trunk tubes shown in a final state of assembly.

The reference numeral 9 indicates generally a series of electrical wires or tubes which are encased by my branched tubular structure 10 which is comprised of a 30 trunk tube 11 and a series of branch tubes 12, which tubes may be of the same or any suitable diameter. As illustrated the trunk and the branch tubes are all comprised of strips of thin flexible plastic material, suitably formed from a plastic, such as a vinyl polymer or co35 polymer, as for instance, polyvinyl chloride, or from polyethylene, or other substantially water- and moistureproof plastic material having high di-electric strength and suitable strength against being torn or ruptured despite its relative thinness.

The trunk and branch tubes may be provided with parallel, longitudinally extending edges 11α, life, 12α, and 12i, which may be of the same material as the bodies of the strips and which are preferably integrally formed therewith by extrusion either as a flat or tubular 45 strip of indefinite extended length. If extruded as a tube initially, the tube is severed between the thickened edge portions to permit it to be flattened out.

According to the principles of the present invention, the trunk tube may optionally be comprised of a strip 50 of material having its edges interlocked in assembly. As illustrated in Figure 3, where an enlarged sectional view of the inter-engaged edges 12α and 125 is shown, the inter-engaged edges or edge portions may be of an interlocking type of construction similar to that shown in 55 the Madsen patent, No. 2,637,085, or more specifically like that in my aforementioned copending application.

In this case, the edge portions 12α and 125 are each provided with an alternating series of hook-like extensions 13 and hook-like or complementally shaped grooves 60 14. The median planes of the hook-like ribs and grooves are sloped at an angle less than a right angle to the plane of the strip so as to increase the resistance to separation of the matingly engaged edge portions when oppositely acting forces are applied to the strip either during the 65 wrapping operation to place the strip in tubular form or after the tube has been formed.

The closure strips 12α and 125 are identical in cross section but offset in opposite directions from the plane of the strip 10 and adapted to confront each other when 70 overlapped. Since the closure strips 12α and 125 are otherwise identical, only one need be described. The closure strip is provided with alternating, adjacent ribs

2,941,027 and grooves 14 that extend continuously along the edge- portion thereof. Two such ribs and. two. such grooves are shown, although a greater number of grooves and ribs can be used if desired. The ribs are complementally -formed arid -the ribs are provided-with enlarged 5 head portions 15 and restrictive-neckeportibiis/16,·'between^ijwhich are formed; edges 17: that -impart Ιο ,the ribs a hook-like contour. When the closure-strips 12« and 12bare matirigly inter-cngagcd, the edges 17 of the adjacent ribs 14 are- in- opposed- relatioriship · to resist 10 separation of the edges 12α and 126.

Closure -of the .tube to form a- searil S can be effected manually by .incrementally pressing together successive portions of the confronting closure strips of -the edge portions 12α and 126. While a slider could be used-for ¹5 thepurpose it is^-preferable not to-use-a slider, since then the seam S'can be substantially water-and-moisture-tight throughout its - extent; whereas this is not generally possible when a slider is used. Where the -tubes are- made of a thermal plastic material; the- seam- S can be permanently ²⁰closed by heat sealing the edge strips 12α and 126'together along their contact surfaces. Asullustratedp the trunk tube 11 is also provided with identical closure strips 11α'arid 116-of the type-shown-in-Figure' 3.

In order· to' protectively encase· bundles of wires, con- ²⁸duits, · small diameter- tubes, or for other covering or enclosing purposes, the trunk tube is; preferably· notched at’17 providing· openings or open areas along the length thereof at a selected number of intervals corresponding to the number of branch tubes 12 required. ³⁰

According'to' principles of the present invention, the branch tubes 12 may be provided with particularly constructed integral extensions 12c, which are of a length sufficient for .the extension to be' wrapped around the trunk tube 11 and so that the extension may be attached to secure the branch and trunk tubes 11 and 12 in assembly together. As is illustrated in Fig. 2, One end of'the branch tube is notched axially of the branch tube in an . axial direction providing the tube with a notched area 18. The notched area 18 includes generally V-shaped connected edge portions disposed on opposite sides of the opening 17 for close cooperation, with the trunk tube 11. and. so that the, branch tube is. in axial alignment'with the trunk tube notch or opening or open area 17.

In assembling the'trunk , and branch tubes 111 arid 12, the wires 9 may be initially telescoped into the tube 11 after the . trunk tube 11'has been, formed to shape. As is illustrated, the trunk tribe'1-1. rnay be formed to. shape by .pressing, together the edges lid and 11'6 thereby interlocking the edges in assembly. As the wires are strung, through the trunk tube 11 certain of the wires'are angularly turned with respect to the trunk tube arid are extended-laterally outwardly through the notches 17. In order to facilitate threading of the wires, the branch tubes 12 may be offset slightly downstream with respect to the notches. 17 .as is shown in Figure 2. The branch tubes .12 may be pre-assembled to enable the 'branch tube to be longitudinally, moved into overlying relation with respect to the wires so that the notched area 18 is engaged against the trunk tube 11 at the notch 17. On the other hand, the branch tube may be assembled on the job merely by wrapping the strip of material about the tube and interengaging-the hooksT3 with the grooves 14 to thereby form the branch tube. In any case, the extension 12c may be wrapped around , the tubular trunk tube with a terminal end 12d of the extension 12c underlapped, and telescoped ..into the tube 11 to thereby secure the-branch tube 12 in assembly with the .truiik. -tube 11 (Figure 2).

As another alternative, and as is .illustrated In . Figures 7 and 8, the terminal 12d may be engaged against the external peripheral surface of the branch tube 12 and suitably secured in place by such means as a piece -of adhesive-material or tape 29 wrapped around the branch, and the trunk tubes to provide a moisture proof type seal, between the tubes. As is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, one end of the tape at 20α is secured to the branch tube 12 and wrapped one or more times therearound, whereupon the tape is wrapped in a criss-cross manner over the trunk tube 11 and the opposite terminal end 206 of the tape is then wrapped around the branch tube 12 and adhesively secured in place in assembly therewith.

Illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is still another -form of my invention wherein the branch strip is-intermediately notched af 21α arid-2'16, which notches in the illustrated form, cut across the,edges 12α and.126 and^-are each provided with pairs of diverging notch; edges?22,- 22 and- 23, 23 thereby , providing the branch strip with an intermediate portion or extension 24 which has a reduced width as compared with the remainder of the strip (Fig. 6). The extension 24 is made of sufficient length so that it is capable of extending a predetermined distance about the trunk tube11, as is illustrated in Figure 5, in such manner that terminal end portion 25 of the branch strip may then be enveloped about the outer periphery of the tubular branch tube -12 with the;' edges 12α and *126'interengaged as is¹ shown-at -126 in Figure '5 to complete . the-assembly of the trunk and- branch tubes' 11' and' 12. The edges 12α and 126 shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be formed in any suitable manner such as is shown in Figure 3.

If desired, the terminal portion 25 may have its'edges 12a and 126 interlocked over the wires, the extension 24 then may be wrapped about the trunk tube ll/arid'finallx the main portion- of the branch tube may have its edges interlocked sb that the tubular terminal portion 25 is enclosed thereby.

With respect to the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 the extension 24 may also comprise an intermediate portion or extension along either of the strip edges 12α or 126 so long as there is provided a suitable branch tube extension to be wrapped around the trunk tube and secured to the assembly.

In all forms of my invention, regardless whether the trunk tube is' formed from a single strip of material in the manner illustrated, or is extruded or is formed in some other way of any suitable material, the trunk tube11 is adapted to be notched at 18 along the length of the tube at any suitable location arid the branch tubes 12 are adapted to radiate from the trunk tube at any suitable angle with any suitable spacing therebetween along the length of the trunk tube. In assembly of the trunk arid branch tubes, in all forms of my invention, the branch ’ tube is provided with an extension which is adapted'to be wrapped about the trunk tube, generally at the location of the notch in the trunk tube. The wires may be threaded through the tubes in any suitable manner and the branch tube edges 12α ahdll26 may be engaged together to encompass the branch wires with the branch tube extension suitably secured in place to maintain the trunk and branch tubes in assembly.

It will be understood that inodifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the-present invention.