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Multi-branch junction overwrap

a multi-branch junction and over-wrapping technology, applied in the field of pre-shaped covers, can solve the problems of too much too little tape at the junction, and the length of each branch at or near the junction exposed to cuts and abrasion damage,

Active Publication Date: 2010-05-25
FEDERAL MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In an alternate embodiment, the overwrap comprises a first substrate portion that is turned back upon a remainder of the substrate to form a reverse fold. The reverse fold defines a channel between the first substrate portion and the remainder for receiving the elongated items. A second substrate portion is turned back upon the remainder of the substrate into overlapping relation with the first substrate portion. The first attachment means on one of the first and second substrate portions engages the second attachment means on the other of the first and second substrate portions to hold the first and second substrate portions in overlapping relation to secure the reverse fold defining the channel.

Problems solved by technology

This leaves a length of each branch at or near the junction exposed to damage by cuts and abrasion.
In fact, the protective tubing itself can be a source of abrasion damage because the harness can chafe against the sharp edge of the convolute tubing formed at the tube end where it was cut to accommodate the branching of the harness.
The tape is never applied, in practice, in a standard or uniform manner, resulting in some junctions having too much tape and some too little.
Furthermore, the tape requires considerable time to install, and once installed, the tape, due to its adhesive nature, prevents ready access to the harness for repairs or splices.
The tape is usually applied over both the harness and the convolute tubing and does not provide any protection against chafing of the harness wires by the sharp edge at the end of the tube.

Method used

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Examples

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embodiment 50

[0026]Substrate 32 may be processed in various ways to yield a plurality of overwrap designs. As shown in FIG. 4, substrate 32, having a rectangular shape, is partially cut along dotted lines 46 and 48 and then resiliently biased into a tube. Biasing may be effected by heating the substrate and mechanically curving it into the tubular shape, as well as by chemical and cold-working means depending upon the substrate material. Once the substrate 32 is cut and biased into a tube, a particular overwrap embodiment 50, shown in FIG. 5, may be formed by separating tubular segments 52 and 54 from one another to yield a Y-shaped overwrap. Cuts 46 and 48 allow the tubular segments 52 and 54 to be conveniently defined from a unitary sheet of substrate 32.

[0027]As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tubular segments 52 and 54 of overwrap 50 each define a central space 56, 58 that receives the elongated items. The central spaces 56 and 58 are in communication with one another to allow branches of the elo...

embodiment 70

[0028]The overwrap according to the invention need not have a Y-shape. Tubular segments 52 and 54 may have any of various proportions or angular orientations relatively to one another. Depending upon the elongated items, a right or 90° orientation may be preferred as shown in embodiment 70 in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 illustrates a unitary blank 72 from which overwrap 70 is formed. Blank 72 has a rectangular portion 73 and a trapezoidal portion 74, the two portions being partially separated from one another by cuts 78 and 80. The cuts so placed allow the rectangular portion 73 to form tubular segment 52 and the trapezoidal portion 74 to form tubular segment 54 when the blank 72 is biased.

[0029]FIG. 8 shows an overwrap 82 assembled from individual pieces of substrate 84 and 86, illustrated in FIG. 9. The substrate pieces have attachment means as illustrated in FIG. 3 and are preferably joined to one another by an ultrasonic weld 87, but could also be sewn or adhesively bonded together.

[0030]As ...

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Abstract

A multi-branch overwrap for protecting elongated items is disclosed. The overwrap is formed from a flexible, resilient substrate. Interengageable attachments are positioned on opposite sides of the substrate for releasably attaching one surface of the substrate to the other. The substrate may be biased to form a plurality of interconnected tubes or reverse folded to form channels that receive the elongated items. Biasing or folding brings the opposite sides of the substrate into overlapping relation. The overwrap may be formed from a unitary blank or assembled from component parts. Preferred materials for the substrate include polyester felt, and preferred attachments include hook and loop fasteners distributed on the surface of the substrate.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 451,819 filed Mar. 4, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention concerns pre-shaped covers positionable at junctions where two or more branches of elongated items are joined to another branch for protecting the elongated items against damage due to cuts, chafing and abrasion.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Elongated items such as wiring harnesses used in automotive, marine and aerospace applications are preferably ensheathed in a protective covering which extends along the length of their run. The covering may be, for example, flexible convolute tubing formed of a polymeric material. Such tubes have sufficient stiffness to hold the various wires comprising the harness in an organized bundle and thus provide for a neat installation. The tubes are also sufficiently flexible to conform to curved paths which the harness may be forced to take when routed through an automotive or aircraft structure. Th...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H02G3/00B60R16/02B65D75/00H01B1/00H02G3/06H02G15/30
CPCB60R16/0215F16B5/07H02G3/0468H02G3/30
Inventor FREDERICK, MATTHEW P.STAUDT, ERIC K.ROMAN-LESHKOV, YURIYBARBER, JR., JOHN A.FLICKINGER, THOMAS M.WOLSKI, ROBERT K.
Owner FEDERAL MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC