Cable having a branch-off region sealed with a branch-off article and method of making same
First Claim
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1. In combination, a cable with a plurality of break-out members extending therefrom at a branch-off region and a branch-off article sealing the branch-off region, the branch-off article comprising:
- at least two branch-off members each including a body portion and at least two tubes extending from the body portion, end portions of the tubes being formed of a dimensionally recoverable material and being remote from the body portion, individual ones of the break-out members extending through respective individual ones of the tubes, each tube having a length and flexibility such that a first tube can be bent away from the others to an extent permitting the end portion thereof to be recovered about its respective break-out member without substantially recovering end portions of the other tubes;
a recoverable member surrounding the tubes and forming a pressure seal with the body portions of the at least two branch-off members, the ends of the tubes being enclosed by the recoverable member; and
a clip secured to the recoverable member and between the body portions of the at least two branch-off members and forming a pressure seal thereat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A branch-off article includes a branch-off member having a body portion and at least two tubes extending from the body portion to an interior region of a splice cavity, with individual break-out members extending through the individual ones of the tubes. End portions of individual ones of the tubes are recovered and sealed to individual ones of the break-out members and the body portion is sealingly secured to a member which surrounds the splice region and the tubes.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In combination, a cable with a plurality of break-out members extending therefrom at a branch-off region and a branch-off article sealing the branch-off region, the branch-off article comprising:
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at least two branch-off members each including a body portion and at least two tubes extending from the body portion, end portions of the tubes being formed of a dimensionally recoverable material and being remote from the body portion, individual ones of the break-out members extending through respective individual ones of the tubes, each tube having a length and flexibility such that a first tube can be bent away from the others to an extent permitting the end portion thereof to be recovered about its respective break-out member without substantially recovering end portions of the other tubes; a recoverable member surrounding the tubes and forming a pressure seal with the body portions of the at least two branch-off members, the ends of the tubes being enclosed by the recoverable member; and a clip secured to the recoverable member and between the body portions of the at least two branch-off members and forming a pressure seal thereat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. The combination as claimed in 8, the body portions of the at least two break-off members being parallel and offset relative to one another.
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10. A method of sealing a plurality of break-out members extending from a branch-off region of a pressurized cable, comprising the steps of:
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disposing the break-out members through respective tubes, end portions of each tube being formed of a dimensionally recoverable material and extending from at least two body portions and being remote thereto, each tube having a length and flexibility such that a first tube can be bent away from the others to an extent permitting the end portion thereof to be recovered about its respective break-out member without substantially recovering the end portions of the other tubes; recovering the end portion of the first tube about its respective break-out member so as to form a seal therebetween; and surrounding the tubes with a recoverable member and a clip, the clip being disposed between the at least two body portions and being secured to the recoverable member forming a pressure seal with the body portions and the recoverable member, the end portions of the tubes being enclosed by the recoverable member and the clip.
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Specification