1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wraparound splice case to insulate and protect a splice in a cable.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,592 to Brusselmans discloses an assembly for protecting and insulating a junction such as a splice between cables. The assembly includes a relatively rigid longitudinally split tube which is positioned about the junction. The assembly also includes relatively rigid support means, such as rings, which are positioned at the end of the tube. A plurality of flexible prongs, which may be attached to or formed integrally with said support means, project longitudinally at spaced intervals around the circumference of at least one end of the tube. A heat shrinkable sleeve of length greater than the length of the tube, support means and prongs, is disposed about the tube, support means and prongs. At least a part of the inner wall of the heat shrinkable sleeve is provided with a sealant so that on shrinking, the end regions of the sleeve overlying the free ends of the prongs are shrunk down over the conduits (or cables) and are sealed thereto. The heat shrinkable sleeve can be of any suitable material.
Wraparound splice case assemblies, identified as XAGA 800 and XAGA 900, are available commercially from Raychem Corporation. The wraparound assembly includes an inner tubular member, which can be two metal half-cylinders, and a heat shrinkable sleeve of a length greater than the length of the inner member. The wraparound assembly is positioned about the cable splice. The heat shrinkable sleeve is fastened with a closure rail device, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,336 to Ellis and is then heat shrunk over the inner member and underlying cable. The assembly is provided in kit form with the metal half-cylinders attached to the inner surface of the heat shrinkable sleeve with two strips of pressure sensitive adhesive strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,325 to C. V. Anderson et al. discloses a telephone splice closure. The closure consists of two mating shells which have tapered mouth portions to accommodate a range of cable outside diameters. The two mating half-shells are hinged together to make a one piece cover. The non-hinged side of the half shells are provided with ridges which are fastened together with a channel after the closure is positioned about cable.