Splice insulator assembly

• US 4,550,220 A
• Filed: 11/04/1983
• Issued: 10/29/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Augat National Incorporated
• Original Assignee: National Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Kitchens, Roy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Askin, Laramie E.
• Application Number:
  US06/549,251
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 174/76, 174/84 C, 174/92, 174/138 F, 138/149, 138/128, 138/162, 138/166, 138/168
• US Class Current: 174/138.00F
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22

Abstract

An insulator for covering a splice connection joining multiple exposed conductors. The insulator has an inner foam core and an outer plastic cover which together form an elongated sleeve that fits over the splice. The cover is flexed from an open position where the sleeve fits over the splice to a closed position where two interlocking edges extending along the length of the sleeve mate to hold the insulator in place. In combination, the core and cover prevent dust and moisture from reaching the splice and also prevent exposed conductor strands at the splice from coming in contact with other circuit portions.

Claims

1. A splice insulator for covering exposed metal conductors in an electric connection comprising:

an elongated core member of flexible closed cell foam split down its middle to define two flat surfaces to engage and insulate an electric connection; and

a flexible outer plastic sheath attached to said core member for holding said core member in place, said sheath being capable of being flexed between an open position with said two flat surfaces of said core member separated to accommodate the electrical connection and a closed position where said two flat surfaces engage and surround the electrical connection, said sheath having two longitudinally extending edges which define a tongue and groove connector that locks said sheath in said closed position about said core member causing the flat surfaces to engage an electrical connection placed between the flat surfaces, said core member and said sheath being adhesively bonded to each other with said sheath conforming to exterior portions of said core member and said longitudinally extending edges bordering the flat surfaces of the core member.

2. The splice insulator of claim 1 wherein said flat surfaces of said core member have an adhesive coating that seals the core member about an electrical connection when the sheath is in a locked position.

3. An insulator for covering exposed metal conductors at a splice connection comprising:

a flexible cover member made from a dielectric material having a longitudinal slit which can be flexed from an open trough-defining shape to a closed cylindrical-like shape where two elongated edges bounding said slit contact each other, said dielectric material having an equilibrium shape such that when said cover member is flexed, said edges contact each other; and

an elongated resilient compressible dielectric liner affixed to the inside of said cover member and having a longitudinal recess into which a splice connection is to be inserted with the cover member open, the liner recess having a sufficient depth and the cover member and liner having a sufficient transverse length to encircle a splice connection;

said two elongated edges defining interengageable tongue and groove connectors which mate as the cover member is closed about a splice connection with a first tongue contacting and sliding along an outside surface of a second tongue until said first tongue rides over said outside surface and snaps into a groove radially inward of said second tongue, said liner having an adhesive surface along the recess so that when a splice connection is inserted and the cover is closed about the splice connection, the splice connection is sealingly surrounded by the liner.