Patent Description:
This invention relates generally to textile sleeves for protecting elongate members, and more particularly to wrappable textile sleeves having water repellant, highly flexible, high temperature resistant properties.

It is known to contain and protect elongate members, such as wires and wire harnesses, for example, in circumferentially continuous, tubular textile sleeves to provide protection to the wires against abrasion, fluid and thermal affects. However, these sleeves are generally challenging to assemble about elongate members to be protected due to their having a fixed cavity size and to having to be slipped over the elongate member to be protected similarly to that of putting on a sock. Further yet, in order to achieve the multiple types of desired protection, and to ensure optimal protection to the elongate members against the effects of abrasion, known protective sleeves commonly have multiple layers, with some of the layers being specifically provided for different types of protection. For example, one layer may be provided for optical coverage to inhibit seeing through the sleeve, e.g. a sheet of plastic material, while another layer may be provided for abrasion resistance, while yet another layer may be provided for protection against thermal conditions, and yet another layer may be provided to inhibit the ingress of water. Although the aforementioned multilayer sleeves may provide suitable protection against various environmental conditions, unfortunately they are bulky, thereby requiring an increased volume of space, and further, they tend to be relatively heavy and exhibit low flexibility. Further yet, having to include multiple layers can prove problematic in some applications, particularly applications requiring routing cables or hoses through tight, winding areas, as well as applications having weight restrictions, such as aircraft and aerospace applications, for example.

<CIT> discloses a flexible woven jacket assembly for encasing woven electrical transmission cables, which provides a flexible package while maintaining the conductors of stacked cables generally fixed in their relative positions and providing protection against abrasion and unwanted electromagnetic noises. The woven jacket assembly includes a woven cover fabric formed from aromatic polyamide fibers woven together to form a solid outer cover fabric and various shielding is disclosed for reducing unwanted electromagnetic noises.

<CIT> discloses a protective cover for lengths of material used in environments in which the lengths of material are moved and pulled around and subjected to abrasion, chemicals, and weather extremes. The protective cover includes a sleeve surrounding the length of material to be protected, the sleeve having open ends and formed of a fabric made substantially of high strength yarn.

<CIT> discloses a separable fastening device, resistant to flame and having a vey large number of closely spaced hooking elements of the hook and loop type, such that pressing opposed surfaces of two fastening members together in face-to-face relation will engage a large number of hooks and loops. The loops are formed from a flame and elevated temperature resistant nylon fiber of very low denier, many filaments of which must first be twisted in an S direction and two each of the twisted strands then reverse plied together in the Z direction to produce a stabilized yarn having sufficient strength and body to form the loops.

<CIT> discloses a retrievable flash suit designed to protect the wearer from injury due to explosion and flame, and to allow retrieval of the wearer by others in case of unconsciousness of the wearer. The device consists of a suit and a hood. The suit consists of an outer layer of flame resistant material and an inner layer, also of flame resistant material. Sewn to the inside of the suit is a one piece harness. The detached hood consists of a three layer hood of flame resistant material with a neck drape of one layer of flame resistant material and a protected face opening of two layers of flame resistant material.

<CIT> discloses a protection device for a line, such as power supply and signal cables, but also fluid or media lines. In order to create an improved protective device for at least one line, it is proposed that the protective device comprises an elongate hose made of textile material with a metal coating, the textile material being in the form of strips and is connected by a seam at longitudinal edges running essentially parallel to one another, the metal layer arranged on an outside of the textile material being designed as a metal foil which is fixed to the textile material.

<CIT> discloses a knit sleeve for providing thermal protection about an elongate member contained therein and method of construction thereof. The sleeve includes a knit inner wall with opposite edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends and a circumferentially continuous tubular outer wall knit integrally with the inner wall. The outer wall bounds a central cavity that extends lengthwise along a central axis between open opposite ends of the outer wall. The opposite edges of the inner wall are substantially parallel to the central axis and are wrappable toward one another to form the inner wall as being tubular. The circumferentially continuous tubular outer wall is configured to be everted about the wrapped inner wall to circumferentially surround and protect the inner wall from abrasion and provide the sleeve with a dual layer wall.

One aspect of the invention provides a wrappable textile sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member from exposure to abrasion, thermal conditions including high heat and fire, water ingress, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The sleeve has a flexible, abrasion resistant, water repellant, wrappable wall having opposite edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends. The opposite edges are configured to be wrapped about a central longitudinal axis to bound the elongate member within an enclosed cavity. The wall is formed of interlaced heat-resistant yarn and has at least one hook-type fastener member along one of the opposite edges and at least one loop-type fastener member along the other of the opposite edges. The at least one hook-type fastener member and the at least one loop-type fastener member are configured to attach with one another to maintain the opposite edges of the wall in overlapping relation with one another. The at least one hook-type fastener and the at least one loop-type fastener are formed of aramid, thereby further enhance the heat-resistance of the sleeve. A sleeve according to the invention is defined by appended claim <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the at least one hook-type fastener member and the at least one loop-type fastener member are fixed to the wall with aramid yarn, thereby further enhancing the heat-resistance of the sleeve.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve can further include a silicone coating on an outer surface of the wall to render the wall being water repellant, thereby enhancing the protection provided to the elongate member contained within the cavity of the sleeve.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a silicone coating can be provided on the at least one hook-type fastener member and the at least one loop-type fastener member to further enhance the water repellency of the wall.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the interlaced heat-resistant yarn can be provided as fiberglass yarn.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the interlaced heat-resistant yarns can be woven.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the interlaced heat-resistant yarns can be braided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the interlaced heat-resistant yarn can be knit.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the loop-type fastener is fixed to a portion of the hook-type fastener extending along an inner surface of the wall and to a portion of the hook-type fastener extending along an outer surface of the wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a textile sleeve is provided. The method according to the invention is defined by appended claim <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method can further include providing the hook-type fastener member and the loop-type fastener member being made of aramid.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method can further include attaching the at least one hook-type fastener member and the at least one loop-type fastener member to the wall with aramid yarn, thereby further enhancing the high heat and fire resistance of the sleeve.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing a silicone layer coating on an outer surface of the wall to enhance the water repellency of the sleeve.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing a silicone coating on the at least one hook-type fastener member and on the at least one loop-type fastener member to further enhance the water repellency of the sleeve.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing the interlaced heat-resistant yarn as fiberglass yarn to enhance the heat and fire resistance of the sleeve.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include weaving the heat-resistant yarns to form the wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include braiding the heat-resistant yarns to form the wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include knitting the heat-resistant yarn to form the wall.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method can further include configuring the loop-type fastener to be fixed to a portion of the hook-type fastener extending along an inner surface of the wall and to a portion of the hook-type fastener extending along an outer surface of the wall.

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, <FIG> show a schematic representation of an interlaced, wrappable (shown wrapped in <FIG>) textile sleeve, referred to hereafter as sleeve <NUM>, outside the scope of the appended claims. The sleeve <NUM> has a wrappable elongate wall <NUM> for routing and protecting an elongate member(s), such as wires or a wire harness <NUM>, for example, from exposure to abrasion, thermal conditions including high heat and fire, water ingress, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The elongate wall <NUM> has opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> extending generally parallel to a central, longitudinal axis <NUM> between opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the edges <NUM>, <NUM> are wrappable into overlapping relation with one another in "cigarette wrapped" fashion to fully enclose the elongate members <NUM> within a central cavity <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> is readily accessible along the full length of the wall <NUM>, via separation of the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the elongate member(s) <NUM> can be readily disposed radially, relative the axis <NUM>, into the cavity <NUM>, and conversely, removed from the cavity <NUM>, such as during service. To provide the desired protection to the elongate members <NUM> against high heat and fire, the wall <NUM> is formed via interlaced heat-resistant yarn <NUM>, such as fiberglass yarn. Further, the wall <NUM> is provided having at least one hook-type fastener member <NUM> along one of the opposite edges <NUM> and at least one loop-type fastener member <NUM> along the other of the opposite edges <NUM>, wherein the at least one hook-type fastener member <NUM> and the at least one loop-type fastener member <NUM> are configured to for releasable attachment with one another to selectively maintain the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the wall <NUM> in closed, overlapping relation with one another. To enhance the high heat and fire resistance of the sleeve <NUM>, the hook-type fastener member <NUM> and the loop-type fastener member <NUM> are formed of aramid.

To provide further protection to the elongate members <NUM> against high heat and fire, the at least one hook-type fastener member <NUM> and the loop-type fastener member <NUM> can be fixed to the wall <NUM> with aramid yarn <NUM>, such as via stitching the fastener members <NUM>, <NUM> to the wall <NUM> with the aramid yarn <NUM>.

To provide further protection to the elongate members <NUM> against damage from water ingress, the sleeve <NUM> can further include a water-resistant coating, such as a silicone coating <NUM>, on an outer surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> to render the wall <NUM> water repellant. Further yet, the silicone coating <NUM> can be provided on the hook-type fastener member <NUM> and on the loop-type fastener member <NUM> to further enhance the water repellency of the wall <NUM>.

Depending on the application needs, the wall <NUM> can be constructed having any suitable size, including length and diameter. As represented schematically in <FIG>, the heat and fire-resistant yarn <NUM> can be woven, braided or knit to form the wall <NUM>. When the wall <NUM> is in its wrapped tubular configuration, the fastener members <NUM>, <NUM> maintain the wall <NUM> in a fixed tubular configuration to fully enclose the elongate member <NUM> in the cavity <NUM>, and when desired, the edges <NUM>, <NUM> can be pulled away from one another under an externally applied force sufficient to overcome the attachment force imparted between the fastener members <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the elongate member <NUM> can be readily disposed into the cavity <NUM> during assembly or removed from the cavity <NUM> during service.

A sleeve <NUM> constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in <FIG>, wherein the same reference numerals, offset by a factor of <NUM>, are used to identify like features. The sleeve <NUM> is similar to the sleeve <NUM> of <FIG>, including having a wrappable elongate wall <NUM>, constructed of the same types of yarns as discussed above for the sleeve <NUM>, for routing and protecting an elongate member(s) <NUM> from exposure to abrasion, thermal conditions including high heat and fire, water ingress, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The elongate wall <NUM> has opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> extending generally parallel to a central, longitudinal axis <NUM> between opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the edges <NUM>, <NUM> are wrappable into overlapping relation with one another in "cigarette wrapped" fashion to fully enclose the elongate members <NUM> within a central cavity <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>.

As discussed above for the wall <NUM>, the wall <NUM> is provided having at least one hook-type fastener, also referred to as hook-type fastener member <NUM>, along one of the opposite edges, shown as the outer edge <NUM>, and at least one loop-type fastener, also referred to as loop-type fastener member <NUM>, along the other of the opposite edges, shown as the inner edge <NUM>, wherein the at least one hook-type fastener member <NUM> and the at least one loop-type fastener member <NUM> are configured to for releasable attachment with one another to selectively maintain the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the wall <NUM> in closed, overlapping relation with one another. To enhance the high heat and fire resistance of the sleeve <NUM>, the hook-type fastener member <NUM> and the loop-type fastener member <NUM> can be formed of aramid, or some other high heat, flame resistant material, as discussed above.

To inhibit unwanted opening of the sleeve <NUM>, and to enhance the prevention of water ingress into the central cavity <NUM>, one of the fastener members, shown as the loop-type fastener member <NUM>, is wrapped about the other of the fastener members, shown as the hook-type fastener member <NUM>. As such, the hook-type fastener member <NUM> is sandwiched between the loop-type fastener member <NUM>. In particular, the hook-type fastener member <NUM> is fixed in wrapped relation about the outer edge <NUM>, shown as being fixed to both an inner surface IS of the wall <NUM> and to an outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>, such as via a stitched yarn, such as a stitched aramid yarn <NUM> stitched through the wall <NUM> to fix the hook-type fastener member <NUM> against both the inner surface IS and the outer surface OS. With the hook-type fastener member <NUM> being wrapped about the outer edge <NUM>, the hook-type fastener member <NUM> has a generally U or C-shape as viewed in lateral cross-section taken generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The location of the stitched yarn <NUM> can be provided as an indicator to an assembler that the sleeve <NUM> is being properly assembled, namely, that if the stitched yarn <NUM> is covered by the outer edge <NUM>, as sufficient degree of wrap of the wall <NUM> has occurred.

The loop-type fastener member <NUM> is fixed in wrapped relation about the inner edge <NUM>, shown as being fixed to both the inner surface IS of the wall <NUM> and to the outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>, such as via a stitched yarn, such as a stitched aramid yarn <NUM> stitched through the wall <NUM> to fix the loop-type fastener member <NUM> against both the inner surface IS and the outer surface OS. As shown in <FIG>, a portion of the loop-type fastener <NUM> extending along the outer surface OS forms a flap portion <NUM>' extending from the stitched yarn <NUM> to a free edge FE of the loop-type fastener <NUM>. The flap portion <NUM>' extends over the outer surface OS of the wall <NUM> in detached relation therefrom, thereby being able to be lifted away from the outer surface OS. The flap portion <NUM>' has a sufficient width W so that it can be wrapped over the outer edge <NUM> and fixed to a portion of the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along the outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>. As such, as shown in <FIG>, the loop-type fastener <NUM> takes on a generally S-shape, as viewed in lateral cross-section, upon completing assembly of the sleeve <NUM> about the elongate member <NUM>, thereby enhancing the strength and integrity of fixation and water-tightness between the opposite inner and outer edges <NUM>, <NUM> without need of supplemental fixation mechanisms, such as tie wraps, adhesives, or otherwise, while allowing the sleeve <NUM> to be routed about meandering paths, including around corners, without having the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> open relative to one another.

In assembly of sleeve <NUM>, the elongate member is placed to extend lengthwise along the length of the sleeve <NUM> to extend beyond the opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>, whereupon the inner edge <NUM> is wrapped circumferentially into engagement with the elongate member <NUM>, such that the loop-type fastener <NUM> extending along the inner surface IS of the wall <NUM> is brought into engagement with the elongate member <NUM>. Then, the outer edge <NUM> is wrapped circumferentially about the elongate member <NUM> to bring the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along the inner surface IS of the wall <NUM> into fixed engagement with the loop-type fastener <NUM> extending along the outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>. At this time, the flap portion <NUM>', that remains extended away from and uncovered by the outer edge <NUM>, is wrapped in reverse folding relation about the outer edge <NUM> and brought into fixed relation with the hook-type fastener <NUM> wrapped about the outer edge <NUM> and with the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along the outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>. As such, the outer edge <NUM>, and hook-type fastener <NUM> wrapped thereabout, is sandwiched between the loop-type fastener <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer edge <NUM> is reliably fixed against inadvertent separation from the inner edge <NUM>, and a water-tight, serpentine-shaped seal, as viewed in the cross-section of <FIG>, is formed along the entirety of the length of the overlapped inner and outer edges <NUM>, <NUM>.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a textile sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is provided according to claim <NUM>. The method includes interlacing (via weaving, braiding or knitting) heat and fire-resistant yarn <NUM> to form a wall <NUM>, <NUM> having opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM> extending lengthwise between opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, with the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM> being configured to be wrapped about a central longitudinal axis <NUM>, <NUM> to bound the elongate member <NUM> within an enclosed cavity <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, fixing at least one heat-resistant hook-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> along one of the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> and at least one heat-resistant loop-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> along the other of the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> wherein the hook-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> and the loop-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> are configured for releasable attachment to one another.

The method can further include providing the hook-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> and the loop-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> being made of aramid and attaching the at least one hook-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one loop-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, <NUM> with aramid yarn <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby further enhancing the high heat and fire resistance of the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>.

The method can further include providing an impervious silicone layer coating <NUM>, <NUM> on an outer surface <NUM>, OS of the wall <NUM>, <NUM> and on the hook-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM> and on the at least one loop-type fastener member <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby further enhancing the water repellency of the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>.

The method can further include configuring one of the hook-type fastener <NUM> and the loop-type fastener <NUM> to be sandwiched between the other of the hook-type fastener <NUM> and the loop-type fastener <NUM> to enhance fixation and water-tightness between the fasteners <NUM>, <NUM>.

The method can further include wrapping one of the hook-type fastener <NUM> and the loop-type fastener <NUM> about one of the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM> and wrapping the other of the hook-type fastener <NUM> and the loop-type fastener <NUM> about the other of the opposite edges <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to the invention, the method further includes wrapping the hook-type fastener <NUM> about an outer one of the opposite edges <NUM> and wrapping the loop-type fastener <NUM> about an inner one of the opposite edges <NUM>.

The method further includes providing the loop-type fastener <NUM> having a flap portion <NUM>' detached from the wall <NUM>, with the flap portion <NUM>' being wrappable about the outer edge <NUM> into fixed relation with the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along an outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>.

The method can further include configuring the loop-type fastener <NUM> to be fixed to a portion of the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along an inner surface IS of the wall <NUM> and to a portion of the hook-type fastener <NUM> extending along an outer surface OS of the wall <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A textile sleeve (<NUM>) for routing and protecting an elongate member (<NUM>), comprising:
a wall (<NUM>) having opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending lengthwise between opposite ends (<NUM>, <NUM>),
said opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to be wrapped about a central longitudinal axis (<NUM>) to bound the elongate member (<NUM>) within an enclosed cavity,
said wall (<NUM>) being formed of interlaced heat-resistant yarn and having at least one hook-type fastener member (<NUM>) along one of said opposite edges (<NUM>) and at least one loop-type fastener member (<NUM>) along the other of said opposite edges (<NUM>),
said at least one hook-type fastener member (<NUM>) and said at least one loop-type fastener member (<NUM>) being configured to attach with one another to maintain said opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said wall (<NUM>) in overlapping relation with one another,
said at least one hook-type fastener member (<NUM>) and said at least one loop-type fastener member (<NUM>) being formed of aramid,
characterized in that said hook-type fastener (<NUM>) is wrapped about an outer one of said opposite edges (<NUM>) and said loop-type fastener (<NUM>) is wrapped about an inner one of said opposite edges (<NUM>), wherein said outer edge is configured to be outward of the inner edge when the opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said wall (<NUM>) are in overlapping relation with one another; and
in that said loop-type fastener (<NUM>) has a flap portion (<NUM>') detached from said wall (<NUM>), said flap portion (<NUM>') being wrappable about said outer edge (<NUM>) into fixed relation with said hook-type fastener (<NUM>) such that said hook-type fastener (<NUM>) is sandwiched between said loop-type fastener (<NUM>).