Flat cable and installing method

• US 4,219,928 A
• Filed: 05/25/1979
• Issued: 09/02/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Kuo, Ted L. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Francis S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arbes, C. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/042,709
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 174/68.5, 174/71 R, 174/72 A, 174/117 F, 174/117 FF, 174/68 R, 339/17 F, 339/176 MF, 29/628
• US Class Current: 29/868
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/08 Flat or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0838 Parallel wires, sandwiched between two insulating layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.

Abstract

A cable assembly for use in undercarpet wiring systems has a flat multiconductor cable encased in electrical insulation and an electrically conductive shield overlying the cable insulation, extending lengthwise with the cable and having successive extents which are respectively unsecured and secured to the cable. Electrical connection of the shield to the cable ground conductor is made redundantly at each such secured extent of the shield whereby physical continuity of the shield may be interrupted without interrupting electrical continuity of the shield to ground. Folded cable assemblies and methods for folding are set forth which facilitate cable directional change in wiring systems.

Claims

1. A method for laying flat multiconductor cable on a substrate in manner maintaining electrically-grounded overlayer protection therefor in the course of change in cable running direction from a first direction to a second direction, comprising the steps of:

(a) securing to one side of said cable an electrically conductive layer and electrically ground-connecting said layer to said cable;

(b) laying said cable and secured layer on said substrate in said first direction with said cable interposed between said substrate and said secured layer;

(c) folding said cable and secured layer about a first fold line selected such that said cable and secured layer run from said first direction into a third direction different from said first direction and opposite to said second direction; and

(d) folding said cable and secured layer about a second fold line selected such that said cable and secured layer run from said third direction into said second direction.

2. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said step (a) is practiced by electrically connecting said electrically conductive layer to an exclusive one of such cable connectors at a plurality of locations mutually spaced along the length of said cable.

3. The method claimed in claim 1 including the further step of removing said electrically conductive layer from said cable adjacent said first bend line.

4. The method claimed in claim 3 including the further step of removing from said cable that portion of said electrically conductive layer which is folded directly on itself in practice of said step (c).

5. A method for laying flat multiconductor cable on a substrate in manner maintaining electrically-grounded overlayer protection therefor in the course of change in cable running direction from a first direction to a second direction, said cable having an electrically conductive layer secured to one side of said cable and electrically ground-connected to said cable comprising the steps of:

(a) laying said cable and secured layer on said substrate in said first direction with said cable interposed between said substrate and said secured layer;

(b) folding said cable and secured layer about a first fold line selected such that said cable and secured layer run from said first direction into a third direction different from said first direction and opposite to said second direction; and

(c) folding said cable and secured layer about a second fold line selected such that said cable and secured layer run from said third direction into said second direction.

6. The method claimed in claim 5 wherein said electrically conductive layer is electrically connected to an exclusive one of such cable conductors at a plurality of locations mutually spaced along the length of said cable.

7. The method claimed in claim 5 including the further step of removing said electrically conductive layer from said cable adjacent said first fold line.

8. The method claimed in claim 7 including the further step of removing from said cable that portion of said electrically conductive layer which is folded directly on itself in practice of step (b).