Insulative covering for undercarpet power cable splice

• US 4,864,081 A
• Filed: 05/03/1988
• Issued: 09/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Bates, Reginald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nimmo, Morris H.
• Application Number:
  US07/189,901
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 174/70 C, 174/71 R, 174/72 R, 174/72 C, 174/117 A, 174/84 R, 174/84 C, 174/88 R
• US Class Current: 174/88.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/67 insulation penetrating terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00

Abstract

An electrical power distribution system is disclosed which includes flat undercarpet power cable. The cable includes portions of the cables spliced to one another to effect a continuation of the power distribution. A covering for the spliced joint of the two cables includes two foam layers having double backed adhesive thereon which, when placing the two facing surfaces together, adhesively affixes the two foam layers together. The outer surfaces, which include adhesive, adhere a protective sheet of insulative material thereto.

Claims

1. In an electrical power distribution system for undercarpet use comprising a flat multiconductor cable routed from a power, source to local access points for power usage, further comprising an insulating splice mechanism insulating electrically spliced joints of the cable, wherein the improvement comprises:

at least one foam member placed over the spliced joint, where the foam member includes means for retention against the spliced joint.

2. The distribution system of claim 1 wherein the foam member is in a compressed state where the foam member overlies the spliced joint, yet in an uncompressed state beyond edges of the joint thereby sealing the edges of the spliced joint.

3. The distribution system of claim 2 wherein the foam member is on the order of 30 mils in thickness.

4. The distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a second foam member, the first and the second foam members being retained against each other.

5. The distribution system of claim 4 wherein the two facing surfaces of the first and second foam members include an adhesive thereon which adheres the first and second foam members together.

6. The distribution system of claim 5 wherein the foam members are of a collective thickness to allow compression of the foam members without effecting the adhesion of the foam members at an edge of the spliced joint.

7. The distribution system of claim 6 wherein the foam members are at least 30 mils in thickness.

8. The distribution system of claim 6 wherein the foam members are between 20 and 40 mils in thickness.

9. The distribution system of claim 4 wherein in each foam member includes a double backed adhesive.

10. The distribution system of claim 9 wherein outer surfaces of the foam members include an insulative sheet of material affixed to the adhesive.