Abstract:
A method and apparatus for quickly, economically, and securely splicing wires is disclosed. The quick wire splice wrap is installed in seconds without the use of external crimping tools, implements, or appliances.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of wire splices and connectors and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for splicing wires quickly, economically, and effectively without the use of external crimping instruments.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Electrical wire splices and connectors are commonly used in the manufacturing, re-manufacturing, reverse manufacturing, modifying, updating, and replacement of electrical wire assemblies. For example, in the automotive industry, there may be numerous wire splices and/or connectors in one wire assembly in order to transmit electrical energy to outlying lights and various automotive accessories. In addition, electrical wire splices are commonly used to repair, replace, or add common electrical household devices, such as lights, electrical switches, outlets, and ceiling fans.  
         [0003]     There are several common methods of splicing electrical wires or connectors. One method of splicing electrical wires involves stripping the insulation from the wires to be spliced thereby exposing the bare wires. The bare wires are then typically welded, taped, or soldered to form a suitable electrical connection.  
         [0004]     An alternative method of splicing electrical wires without the use of solder comprises stripping the insulation from the end of each wire to be spliced and placing each end in a crimped band or conductor. The band is subsequently secured to the wires by firmly crimping the band about the wires, creating electrical continuity between the now joined ends of the wires. Typically, hand crimping tools or pliers are used to exert enough force to secure the band around the ends of the wires to be spliced together.  
         [0005]     A third method of splicing electrical wires does not require stripping the insulation from the wires to be spliced in order to expose the conductors. The wires are positioned within a wire splice connector. The wire splice connector is closed and then crimped shut causing a conductive male tab to cut across part of each wire, effectively forming an electrical fusion between the wires. These self-stripping splice connectors are manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate various wire types and gauges.  
         [0006]     Yet another method of splicing electrical wires comprises a tap-splice connector. These connectors tap into a wire mid-span without the need for cutting or stripping the wires to be spliced. One side of the tap-splice connector surrounds a first wire to be tapped mid-span. The other side of the tap-splice connector is closed on a second wire to be spliced. A conductive male tab makes contact with both the first tapped wire and the second wire, creating a tap-splice with the other wire. Tap-splice connectors are commonly used when adding or upgrading electrical devices to an electrical wire already in service.  
         [0007]     Twist-on wire nuts may also be used to splice two or more electrical wires. Conventional wire nuts are made up of a cone shaped plated steel spring that conforms to the inside contour of an insulating shell. The insulating shell supports the spring as stripped wires are driven up into the cone. The wires are twisted together as the insulating shell is twisted, securing the wire therein to create a wire connection. Twist-on wire nuts may be used to make branch circuit or fixture wire connections for the combination of solid and/or stranded wire. The twisting motion joins the bare conductors of the wires to be spliced and creates a protected wire termination.  
         [0008]     Before any of the foregoing wire splices can be put into service, the bare conductors must be insulated against undesired short circuits and sealed against contaminants. This helps prolong the life of the electrical wire splice while maintaining optimal electrical continuity. Wire nuts and connectors offer only minimal inherent protection from nominal environmental conditions, resulting in unwanted short circuits. For more comprehensive protection, spliced wires are commonly protected from contaminants in a variety of ways.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,500, entitled “Electrical Shielding Tape and Method for Making Same,” to Otsuka, discloses a common way to protect a wire splice. Otsuka discloses an electrical splice wrapped with plastic electrical insulating tape to shield the splice from short circuits and contaminants. Electrical insulating tapes are manufactured in a variety of sizes and thicknesses (for example, electrical tapes offered for sale by 3M Electrical Markets Division exhibit a standardized thickness of either 7 or 10 mils). Electrical insulating tapes are also typically resistant to corrosion, tearing, and external radiation. Electrical insulating tapes may also contain an adhesive on the underside of the tape backing to secure the tape to the spliced area. Common adhesives used in electrical tapes include acrylic adhesives, cellulose or gums, epoxies, glues, polyurethanes (PUR) and urethanes, rubber, and silicone. Many of these adhesives have additional characteristics that allow special use cases for the electrical tapes. Some of these additional properties include thermosetting adhesives (i.e., adhesives that bond when heat is used), water activated adhesives, and pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA).  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,219, entitled “Wrap-around cable Sleeves Having an Expandable Body Portion and Methods of Making Same,” to Bukovnik, et al., discloses a wrap-around cable sleeve for environmentally sealing a cable section. The wrap-around cable sleeve includes an expandable body comprising an electrically insulating material. The wrap-around sleeve also has a longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section. The longitudinally extending portion defines a portion of a cable chamber, which extends around the cable section when the body is wrapped around the cable section. Complicated means are used to secure the cable within the cable sleeve and close the sleeve, including various spring clamps, latching connectors, and pin members.  
         [0011]     Other methods to protect a wire splice include heat-shrink splice kits and sleeves. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,990, entitled “Heat-shrinkable Tube for Protection of Optical Fiber Splices,” to Dumitriu, a mild heat source is typically applied to a heat-shrink splice sleeve causing the sleeve to shrink around a splice. After heating, the sleeve adheres and forms an environmental seal, protecting the splice from adverse environmental conditions (including submersion in water). Heat-shrink splice sleeves are typically heated with a torch or special heat-shrink oven and offer protection in varying environmental conditions.  
         [0012]     A final way to protect wire splices is to enclose the splice within a gel-filled sealant chamber as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,005, entitled “Gel-filled Closure,” to Huynh-Ba, et al. Typically, these chambers are filled with a suitable gel sealing material, such as silicone gel, urea gel, or urethane gel, and form a moisture-tight seal around a splice for a high degree of protection. These gels are typically corrosion and thermal resistant and are able to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions.  
         [0013]     However, all of the traditional aforementioned electrical wire splices and protection devices are relatively difficult to install and maintain. The common method conveyed by Otsuka is ineffective and incompliant with various municipal codes and other administrative regulations. In addition, many of the methods mentioned above require heavy equipment, heat sources (for heat-shrink splices), or laborious effort to secure an electrical wire splice and preserve electrical continuity. For example, crimping tools, pliers, or even torches or ovens are required to install these inconvenient electrical splice devices. Thus, a clear need exists for a quick and efficient method for creating and protecting a wire splice in seconds without the use of external tools, implements, or appliances.  
         [0014]     In addition, conventional wire splicing methods often leave the splice vulnerable to damage due to foreign objects or stray conductors puncturing the protection device. These devices fail to prevent degradation of the electrical continuity of the splice (or, in the case of signal transmission wires, deterioration of signal quality) caused by excessive bending or pulling of the spliced wires.  
         [0015]     It would be advantageous if an electrical wire splice could be installed quickly and securely by hand without the use of external tools, implements, or appliances. It would also be advantageous if an electrical wire splice could be installed in seconds that protects the spliced wires from outside contaminants and short circuits while at the same time being resistant to punctures and tears. Thus, an easy to install, convenient, and durable device is needed for quickly and economically splicing electrical wires.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention is directed toward a method for splicing electrical wires. The wires to be spliced are first stripped of a portion of insulation exposing the bare ends of the wires. A hollow core with a wrap consisting of a non-conductive, flexible, latex-based or other type of rubber or plastic material rolled back upon itself about the core is then slid over the terminal end of a first wire to be spliced. Next, the bare end of a second wire to be spliced is brought in contact with the bare end of the first wire, and the two wires are pressed or twisted together by hand. The hollow core is then positioned over the area where the insulation ends of the first wire to be spliced and pressed firmly by hand. This pressure may cause the hollow core to break away, or fracture, thereby locking the non-conductive, prophylactic-type wrap in place. The wire wrap is then unrolled down the wire and tightly embraces, encompasses, and secures itself around the bare conductors of the wires to be spliced. The wrap completely encompasses the bare conductors, thereby insulating and protecting the splice.  
         [0017]     The present invention is also directed toward a device for quickly and securely splicing electrical wires by those with less than normal dexterity. The present invention comprises a wire wrap, rolled back upon itself around a hollow core, which is adapted to fit over an electrical wire. The present invention is installed in seconds by sliding the core over a terminal end of one or more wires to be spliced with one or more other wires. The device is then positioned over the end of one wire to be spliced and pressed firmly by hand. The pressure causes the hollow core to break, thereby locking the present invention in place over the terminal end of a first wire to be spliced. The wire wrap is then unrolled over to the bare conductors of the wires to be spliced until the wrap is fully unrolled. The device protects the spliced wires from short circuits and contaminants while securely holding the splice in place. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment as set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiment is merely exemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.  
         [0019]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of the present invention in its packaged form in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A, 2B , and  2 C are illustrations of the various core shapes for use with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  3 C are illustrations showing the present invention in its various unrolled forms in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  depicts the present invention positioned over the terminal end of a first wire to be spliced;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  depicts the present invention positioned over the terminal end of a first wire to be spliced with a second wire;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  depicts the fracturing of the core and the resultant shards;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is an illustration depicting the present invention partially unrolled to cover part of the bare conductors of the two wires to be spliced;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  depicts the present invention fully unrolled and fully encompassing the bare conductors of the two spliced wires;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment where the present invention is used to splice more than two wires;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the present invention in its rolled form in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  depicts the present invention of  FIG. 10  positioned up to the bare conductors of two wires about to be spliced;  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  depicts the fracturing of the core and the resultant shards of the alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is an illustration depicting the present invention of  FIG. 10  partially unrolled to cover part of the bare conductors of the two wires to be spliced; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  depicts the alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 10  fully unrolled and encompassing the bare conductors of the spliced wires. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     A detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for the purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the present invention. The following presents a detailed description of a preferred embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in its packaged form. Wrap  100  is preferably open at both ends and may comprise plastic, any substances commonly associated with plastic, derivatives thereof, alloys, and blends, including PVC, synthetic resin, vinyl, rubber, thermosets, latex, elastomers, thermoplastics, or any other like material with a suitable resistivity for wire splicing. In addition, wrap  100  may comprise an electrical insulating backing commonly known in the art, such as glass cloth, acetate cloth, cotton cloth, composite film, epoxy film, paper, polyimide film, polyester film, or other like materials. In the preferred embodiment, wrap  100  is a flexible, yet highly elastic, PVC-based vinyl wrap approximately 7 mils thick with an insulation resistance of approximately 10 6  megaohms. It should be understood that wrap  100  may exhibit any suitable insulation resistance and may be produced in any convenient thickness without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, wrap  100  may also have a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) on under surface  102  of wrap  100  allowing the wrap to stay in place once unrolled, thereby stabilizing the wrap to maintain its position over the splice. This adhesive may comprise a thermosetting rubber adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a thermosetting silicon adhesive, a non-thermosetting rubber adhesive, a micro-encapsulated adhesive, or any other adhesive commonly used in the art. In the preferred embodiment, wrap  100  exhibits excellent resistance to abrasion, moisture, alkalis, acids, copper corrosion, and varying weather conditions (including ultraviolet exposure) due to its PVC-based vinyl composition and additives. Wrap  100  in its packaged form is preferably rolled back upon itself about core  106  several times until wrap  100  is almost completely rolled back upon itself. In the preferred embodiment, core  106  is approximately 1 cm in length and is composed of plastic, glass, or any other fracturable or dissolvable material; however, core  106  may be of any convenient length depending on the length, thickness, and other qualities of wrap  100  or the gauge of wires to be spliced.  
         [0036]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , core  106  may contain a laminate (not shown) to inhibit adhesion of wrap  100  to core  106 . This laminate may also facilitate effortless unrolling of wrap  100  over the wires to be spliced. In the preferred embodiment, this laminate may comprise a wax or Teflon® coating, but other fluoropolymers, such as PTFE, and other waxes and/or lubricants, may also be used. Core  106  comprises inner surface  104 , which is adapted to fix around the terminal end of at least one wire to be spliced. Inner surface  104  of core  106  may additionally comprise a backing, laminate, or lubricant (not shown) to facilitate installation over at least one wire.  
         [0037]     Now referring to  FIG. 2A , core  200  of the present invention is generally cylindrical or tubular in the preferred embodiment. Inner surface  202  of core  200  exhibits inner diameter  204  which is generally uniform throughout the length of core  200 . Outer diameter  206  may be slightly larger than inner diameter  204 , and a gel or adhesive layer may be inserted within the core.  
         [0038]     Although the illustrated embodiments depict generally cylindrical or tubular cores, generally cylindrical or tubular expressly includes diamond, hexagonal, octagonal, and any other polygonal cores. In fact, the core of the present invention may comprise any convenient geometry that is adapted to fit over the terminal end of at least one wire. In alternative embodiments, core  208  may flare or bulge out in the midsection to facilitate easy handling and grasping, as shown in  FIG. 2B . In this embodiment, inner surface  210  of core  208  exhibits inner diameter  212  which fluctuates throughout the length of core  208 . Inner diameter  212  may be slightly smaller than outer diameter  216 , allowing a layer of gel or adhesive to be inserted within the core. Core  208  also exhibits bulge diameter  214  at the approximate center of core  208 , which may be greater than both inner diameter  212  and outer diameter  216 .  
         [0039]     Other core configurations may also be used, including tapered cores, as shown in tapered core  218  of  FIG. 2C . Tapered core  218  may ease unrolling and installation of the present invention over at least one wire. Tapered core  218  exhibits minor diameter  224  at first end  228  and major diameter  226  at the second end  230 . Inner surface  220  of tapered core  218  may also exhibit inner diameter  222 , which may start slightly smaller than major diameter  226  and taper to exhibit a diameter slightly smaller than minor diameter  224 . A layer of gel or adhesive may be inserted within tapered core  218 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  3 C show the corresponding unrolled wraps for use with the cores of  FIGS. 2A, 2B , and  2 C. In the preferred embodiment, unrolled wrap  300  is highly elastic and may be generally cylindrical or tubular in shape, as depicted in  FIG. 3A ; however, unrolled wrap  300  may comprise any convenient shape without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In this embodiment, diameter  304  of inner surface  302  is generally constant throughout the length of wrap  300 . Wrap  300  may be open at both ends, resembling a sleeve, and is adapted to securely encompass at least one electrical wire when unrolled. Accordingly, the wrap is capable of expanding greater than or shrinking smaller than the wrap&#39;s rolled diameter to securely encompass at least one wire. As shown in  FIG. 3B , wrap  306  may also stretch in the midsection to allow for additional room to secure the twisted bare conductors of the wires to be spliced. Due to the highly elastic nature of wrap  306 , bulge diameter  312  may be significantly greater than diameter  310  of inner surface  308  while still securely encompassing the wires to be spliced.  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIG. 3C , unrolled wrap  314  may also stretch at one or both ends, allowing for a tight fit about irregular splice geometries. Diameter  320  of inner surface  316  may be slightly smaller or larger than the diameter of the wires to be spliced. Tapered diameter  318  may approach or even be smaller than diameter  320  of inner surface  316 . This arrangement may allow for a tighter, more secure fit as the wrap is unrolled over the splice area.  
         [0042]     The entire unrolled wrap  300 ,  306 , or  314  is highly elastic, creating a secure sleeve once unrolled. As shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  3 C, if wrap  300 ,  306 , or  314  is not unrolled down at least one wire, the wrap lays almost flat because of its elastic properties. The total length, diameter, and circumference of unrolled wrap  10  may vary depending on the gauge of the wires to be spliced. In the preferred embodiment, the unrolled wrap is approximately 2.5 cm long, 7 mils thick, and is used to splice standard 14 AWG (American Wire Gauge) electrical wires (as found in many common household electrical devices). The wrap may, however, be any convenient size, length, or thicknesses depending on the properties of the wires to spliced, the current carried within the wires, environmental conditions, or other considerations.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows the first step in preparing the present invention to splice electrical wires. Core  106  of the present invention is slid over the terminal end of wire  400 . Core  106  of the present invention may be manufactured in various sizes in order to accommodate various gauge wires. For example, core  106  may be manufactured to have a diameter slightly larger than 11.684 mm to accommodate a single OOOO AWG wire or a diameter slightly larger than 0.07874 mm to accommodate a single 40 AWG wire (or core  106  may exhibit any diameter in between). In the preferred embodiment, core  106  is adapted to fit around a single electrical wire; however, core  106  may be adapted to fit around several wires simultaneously. While in the described embodiment wire  400  is a standard 12 AWG electrical wire, it should be clearly understood that wire  400  is not limited to a traditional electrical wire and may be of any gauge. Wire  400  can comprise any wire or cable capable of being spliced, including signal transmission wires and cables, electrical wires, coaxial cables, fiber cables, and cable bundles. Also in the preferred embodiment, wrap  100 , core  106 , or under surface  102  may be color-coded for ease of use. Different colored wraps and cores may be manufactured to correspond to various wire gauges. The terminal end of wire  400  is stripped of its insulation exposing the wire&#39;s bare conductors  402 .  
         [0044]     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , core  106  of the present invention is positioned over the start of the desired splice area of electrical wire  400 . Wrap  100  in its rolled state is rolled about core  106  exposing under surface  102  of wrap  100 . Bare conductors  502  of wire  400  and wire  500  may be twisted or otherwise joined together. Although the described embodiments and illustrations depict the splicing of two standard electrical wires, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to splicing only two wires; rather, it is contemplated that the present invention may be adapted to splice any number of wires.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , pressure may be applied to pressure points  600  and  602  causing a break or fracture of core  106  of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, fracturing core  106  activates a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) positioned on under surface  102  of wrap  100 . This adhesive may be activated upon pressure being applied to pressure points  600  and  602 . This pressure-sensitive adhesive may lock one end of wrap  100  in place about the terminal end of wire  400 . As the wrap is unrolled, fractured core  106  remains at the terminal end of wire  400 , and shards of fractured core  106  are free to fall to either side of wire  400 . Fractured core  106  may additionally comprise perforations and/or reinforced areas to control the direction and progress of the fractures.  
         [0046]     In an alternative embodiment, a suitable gel sealing material or adhesive, such as silicone-based gel, a urea-based gel, or a urethane-based gel, is held within the core of the present invention. The core may be designed in a tapered manner to allow the lateral flow of the gel substance upon fracturing of the core. As the wrap is unrolled, the gel substance is spread laterally until the wrap is completely unrolled. This results in a generally even application of the gel substance over the entire area of the wire splice. Shards of core  106  may be discarded to either side of wire  400  before the gel forms a seal encompassing the splice. The gel substance may include a variety of additives, including stabilizers and antioxidants such as hindered phenols, phosphites, sulfides, light stabilizers, and flame retardants, such as halogenated paraffins and/or phosphorous containing organic compounds, as common in the art. Other suitable gel additives that may be used with the present invention include colorants, biocides, tackfiers, and the like.  
         [0047]     In yet another embodiment, the core of the present invention dissolves while the wrap is unrolled. In this embodiment, there may be no resultant shards of core  106  of the present invention. The core may comprise a dissolvable film (such as the Velox® film manufactured by National Starch &amp; Chemical or any other dissolvable or dissipated film or product). The properties of the film may allow it to dissolve at any desired dissolution rate and become an adhesive. As the wrap is unrolled, the core may dissolve at a constant rate until the wrap is fully unrolled, at which time the core is completely dissolved. The chemical reaction causing the dissolvable film to decompose is well known in the art. The dissolvable film core may additionally aid in the adhesion process.  
         [0048]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the core does not fracture and remains intact around wire  400 . In this embodiment, the wrap is simply unrolled off core  106  to encompass the splice area. Pressure may or may not be required at pressure points  600  and  602 ; rather, the core may be positioned over the terminal end of wire  400  and unrolled over the bare conductors of the wires to be spliced by holding core  106  in place.  
         [0049]     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , once pressure is applied to pressure points  600  and  602 , the present invention may be locked in place at the start of the splice area due to a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the backing of the wrap, the inner surface of core  106 , or within core  106  itself. In other embodiments, adhesives are not used; rather, the elastic properties of the wrap flattening out against itself are sufficient to cause a secure lock around wire  400 . A user of the present invention unrolls the wrap to cover bare conductors  502  of wire  400  and wire  500  until the wrap is exhausted and fully unrolled. Typically, the length of the wrap is directly proportional to the gauge of the wires to be spliced and is of sufficient length to completely encompass and to securely splice bare conductors  502 .  
         [0050]     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , wrap  100  is unrolled in direction  700  to encompass the entire splice area and bare conductors  502 . This process forms a secure cover over bare conductors  502  of wire  400  and wire  500 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , wrap  100  completely covers and protects the bare conductors of the spliced wires  400  and  500  to reduce the risk of unwanted short circuits and degradation of signal quality. Due to the highly elastic nature of wrap  100 , wrap  100  resists sliding and unrolling from the splice area. In addition, as common in the art, wrap  100  may be designed to resist tearing, corrosion, puncturing, and abrasion and exhibit other properties commonly found in electrical insulating tape. In the preferred embodiment, wrap  100  is also UL 510 flame retardant. Thus, a secure splice is formed between electrical wires  400  and  500 .  
         [0051]     The present invention is not limited to splicing two wires. More than two wires may also be securely spliced using the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , wires  900 ,  902 ,  904 , and  906  may be spliced using the present invention. Wrap  100  is unrolled to fully encompass the bare conductors of multiple wires.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention wrap  1000  exhibits only one opening disposed at one end. This embodiment serves the purpose of typical splice caps and twist-on wire nuts commonly found in the art. Wrap  1000  is similarly rolled back upon itself about core  1004 . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , core  1004  is positioned over the terminal end of wires  1100  and  1102 , whose bare conductors  1104  are twisted together. As shown in  FIG. 12 , pressure is applied to pressure points  1200  and  1202 , causing core  1004  to fracture. Wrap  1000  is unrolled in direction  1300 , as depicted in  FIG. 13 , until wrap  1000  fully encompasses bare conductors  1104  of wires  1100  and  1102 . The core may fall to either side of the present invention as wrap  1000  is unrolled, or the core may be dissolvable.  FIG. 14  depicts fully unrolled wrap  1000  covering the entire splice area. Because of the highly elastic nature of wrap  1000 , wires  1100  and  1102  are securely spliced and not easily prone to separation, even when pulled.  
         [0053]     From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purpose of making a complete disclosure of the present invention, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a simple, economical, and effective instant splice device. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.