Improvements in Splice Coverings for Electric Wires.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Splice Coverings for Electric Wires.
I, THOMAS JEFFERSON DEWEES, of Palmyra, in the County of Burlington,
and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare
to be performed to
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to form an efficient and economical insulating
sheath or covering for the splices of electric wires, or for covering other exposed
portions thereof, by which the exposed portion of the wires may be thoroughly
insulated and protected and may be kept free from moisture. It is also the object
of my invention to form a sheath or covering at the least possible expense and one
which may be quickly and easily applied.
In carrying out. my invention I employ a tubular sheath of paper of sufficient
length to cover the splice or exposed portion, which may be readily slipped over
the free end of one of the wires before the splice is formed and may then be drawn
This tubular sheath or covering
down to cover the splice or exposed connection.
of paper may be held in place in any convenient manner, or it may be made to fit
sufficiently tightly over the insulating covering of the wires to be held in place by
simple contact therewith. The paper sheath or covering may be filled with any
suitable drying substance, (preferably pulverized quick lime) to absorb any moisture
that may be present in the wire and may subsequently have an absorbent covering
placed upon its outer surface.
In the drawing :—
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a spliced electric wire having my improved spliced
covering applied thereto;
Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same showing the sheath or covering before it is
drawn over the splice; and
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale through the splice and
covering taken on the line x-x of Fig. 1.
A, A are two insulated electric wires joined together by the splice B.
It is immaterial to my invention in what particular manner or of what material
the insulating covering of these wires A, A is formed.
C is the paper sheath or covering of a tubular shape which is adapted to cover
the exposed ends of the wires A, A forming the splice B, with its ends extending
slightly over the insulating covering of the wires so as to thoroughly protect the
splice.
D is a filling of moisture absorbing material pulverized quick lime which may be
placed within the paper sheath C.
In applying the sheath C, it may be placed over the free end of one of the
wires A before the splice is formed. The splice B is then made as shown in Fig. 2
and the sheath or covering is slipped down into position over the exposed wires as
is shown in Fig. 1.
The covering C may be formed from a long paper tube which may be
subsequently cut into the desired lengths and thoroughly dried to expel all
moisture.
The paper tube thus forms an exceedingly economical and easily applied
insulating sheath.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of two insulated electric wires having the insulation of the
adjacent ends removed and the conductors twisted together to form a joint having
a diameter of substantially that of the insulated part of the wires, with a tubular
sheath of paper having an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the
twisted joint and supported at its middle directly by the twisted joint and at its
ends by the insulation of the two wires.
•
2. The combination of two insulated electric wires having the insulation of the
adjacent ends removed and the conductors twisted together to form a joint having
a diameter of substantially that of the insulated part of the wires, with a tubular
sheath of paper having an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the
twisted joint and supported at its middle directly by the twisted joint and at its
ends by the insulation of the wires, and a filling of moisture absorbing material
within the tubular sheath and between the ends of the insulation of the two wires.
3. As a splice covering for electric wires, a sheath composed of paper formed in
a short hollow tube of a length greater than the exposed juncture to be covered
and of a diameter approximately equal to but slightly in excess of diameter of the
wires and their insulating covering so that the paper sheath may rest at its ends
directly upon the insulating covering of the wires and may form a covering over
the joint of the bared ends of the wires.
Dated this 12th day of March 1894.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DEWEES.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.