CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/321,314, filed March 18, 2022, and priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 18/122,499 filed March 16, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to flexible textile sleeves for protecting elongate members, and more particularly to high temperature resistant, fluid resistant, and abrasion resistant wrappable textile sleeves.

2. Related Art

[0003] It is known to contain and protect elongate members, such as wires and wire harnesses, for example, in circumferentially continuous or wrappable textile sleeves to provide protection to the cables, wires, and hoses. Circumferentially continuous sleeve 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 axially over the elongate member to be protected. Both circumferentially continuous and wrappable sleeves exhibit shortcomings in being able to provide protection against damage to data transmission members, such as wires, contained within the sleeves when exposed to high temperatures, including temperatures encountered with fire, for an extended period of time, such as 30 minutes or more, and in some cases, up to 2 hours or more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a wrappable sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member from damage due to exposure to high temperatures, including temperatures encountered in fire for an extended period of time, including up to 2 hours or more, against abrasion, fluid ingress, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The wrappable sleeve has a multilayered wall extending widthwise between opposite edges and extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The wall includes a textile outer layer, a textile inner layer, and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner layer. The intermediate layer includes a textile layer facing the textile inner layer and a silicone-based intermediate layer facing the textile outer layer.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a closure member is fixed to the wall, wherein the closure member is configured to releasably fix the opposite edges in overlapping relation with one another to provided circumferentially continuous protection about the entire circumference of the elongate member being protected.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the closure member can be provided as a hook-and-loop type fastener, with hooks being fixed along one of the opposite edges and loops being fixed along the other of the opposite edges.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the textile outer layer can be provided as a woven, braided or knit layer.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the woven, braided or knit outer layer can be formed with high temperature resistant yams.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the high temperature resistant yams forming the outer layer can be provided as ceramic yams.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the textile inner layer can be provided as a woven, braided or knit layer.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the woven, braided or knit inner layer can be formed with high temperature resistant yams. [0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the high temperature resistant yams forming the inner layer can be provided as yams formed of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (preox or panox (PAN)).

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the textile layer of the intermediate layer can be woven, braided or knit layer from high temperature yams.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the high temperature resistant yams forming the textile layer of the intermediate layer can be provided as fiberglass yams.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thickness of the wall can be provided being about 10mm or less.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a width of the inner layer can be provided being less that a width of the outer layer to facilitate wrapping the opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another with causing wrinkles or folds in the wall.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the wall can be formed to provide an internal temperature within a cavity bounded by the wall of about 200°C or less when exposed to a flame of about 1100°C for up to 2 hours, and to provide an internal temperature within the cavity bounded by the wall of about 140°C or less when exposed to a flame of about 850°C for up to 2 hours.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the textile outer layer, textile inner layer, and intermediate layer can be stitched to one another via a high temperature resistant yam.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the high temperature resistant yam can be stitched adjacent both opposite ends of the wall to fix the textile outer layer, the textile inner layer, and the intermediate layer to one another. [0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a textile sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member consists of: a multilayered wall extending widthwise between opposite edges and extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends, the multilayered wall including a textile outer layer, a textile inner layer, and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner layer. The intermediate layer includes a textile intermediate layer facing the textile inner layer and a silicone-based layer facing the textile outer layer. A closure member is fixed to the wall. The closure member is configured to releasably fix the opposite edges against separation from one another to provided circumferentially continuous protection about the elongate member being protected.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a wrappable sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member includes interlacing yams to form a textile outer layer; interlacing yams to form a textile inner layer, and forming an intermediate layer by interlacing yams to form a textile intermediate layer and fixing a silicone-based layer to the textile intermediate layer. Further, forming a multilayered wall by fixing the textile inner layer to the intermediate layer with the textile intermediate layer facing the textile inner layer, and fixing the textile outer layer to the intermediate layer with the silicone-based intermediate layer facing the textile outer layer. Further yet, cutting the multilayered wall to length, with the multilayered wall having opposite edges extending lengthwise between opposite ends.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include fixing the silicone-based layer to the textile intermediate layer by bonding the silicone-based layer to the textile intermediate layer.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include fixing the textile inner layer to the intermediate layer and fixing the textile outer layer to the intermediate layer by sandwiching the intermediate layer between the textile inner layer and the textile outer layer and stitching a high temperature yam through the textile inner layer, the intermediate layer and the textile outer layer.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing the yams for the textile inner layer including oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and providing the yams for the textile outer layer including ceramic yams.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include fixing a closure member to the multilayered wall, and configuring the closure member to releasably fix the opposite edges against separation from one another to provided circumferentially continuous protection about the elongate member being protected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] 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:

[0027] Figure 1 is schematic perspective view of a wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with the wrappable sleeve shown wrapped about an elongate member to be protected therein;

[0028] Figure 1 A is a photographic perspective end view of the sleeve of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic end view looking along a longitudinal axis of the wrap able sleeve while a wall of the wrappable sleeve is in an unwrapped state;

[0030] Figure 2A is a photographic top perspective view of the wrappable wall of the sleeve of Figure 1A while the wall of the sleeve is in an unwrapped state;

[0031] Figure 2B is a photographic bottom perspective view of the wrappable wall of the sleeve of Figure 1A while the wall of the sleeve is in an unwrapped state; and [0032] Figures 3A-3C illustrate different embodiments of interlaced textile layers of an outer layer, an inner layer, and a portion of an intermediate layer the wall of the wrappable sleeve of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring in more detail to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic representation of a wrappable (shown wrapped in Figure 1 and unwrapped in Figure 2) textile sleeve, referred to hereafter as sleeve 10, constructed in accordance with an aspect of the invention, while Figures 1A, 2A and 2B show photographs of the sleeve 10 in accordance w ith an aspect of the invention. The sleeve 10 has a flexible, wrappable elongate wall 12 for routing and protecting an elongate member(s) 14, such as a data conveying member, including a cable or wires, for example, from exposure to high temperatures, including temperatures of about 1100°C encountered from direct exposure to fire for an extended period of time, including up to about 2 hours or more, abrasion, fluid absorption and ingress, and other environmental conditions, such as contamination. The wall 12 can be constructed having any suitable size, including length and diameter. The thickness of the wall 12 can be provided being about 10mm or less.

[0034] The wall 12 extends widthwise between opposite edges 16, 18 and lengthwise between opposite ends 19, 21. The opposite edges 16, 18 extend generally parallel to a central, longitudinal axis 20, wherein the edges 16, 18 are wrappable into overlapping relation with one another in "cigarette wrapped" fashion to fully enclose the elongate member 14 within a central cavity 22 bounded by the inner surface 15 of the sleeve 10. The wall 12 includes a textile outer layer 24, a textile inner layer 26, and an intermediate layer 28 sandwiched between the outer layer 24 and the inner layer 26. The intermediate layer 28 includes an intermediate textile layer 30 facing the textile inner layer 26 and a silicone-based layer 32 facing the textile outer layer 24. In the embodiment illustrated, the intermediate textile layer 30 is in direct abutting relation with the textile inner layer 26, and can be fixed thereto, and a silicone-based layer 32 is in direct abutting relation with the textile outer layer 24, and can be fixed thereto. To releasably maintain the sleeve 10 in a protective, fixed position about the elongate member 14, a closure member 34 is fixed to the wall 12, wherein the closure member 34 is configured to releasably fix the opposite edges 16, 18 against separation from one another, and in the embodiment illustrated, in overlapping relation with one another, to provided circumferentially continuous protection about the entire circumference of the elongate member 14 being protected.

[0035] The closure member 34 can be provided as a hook-and-loop type fastener, with hooks of a hook portion 34a being fixed along one of the opposite edges 16 or 18, and loops of a loop portion 34b being fixed along the other of the opposite edges 16 or 18. The hook and loop portions, 34a, 34b can extend along the entire length of the wall 12, and can be fixed to the wall 12 via any desired mechanism, including being fixed thereto via high temperature resistant stitched yam and/or a high temperature adhesive, by way of example and without limitation. In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment, the textile outer layer 24, the textile inner layer 26, the intermediate layer 28 can be stitched to one another via a high temperature resistant yarn 36 used to stitch the hook portion 34a and the loop portion 34b to the wall 12. Accordingly, the high temperature resistant yam 36 can be stitched along and adjacent both opposite edges 16, 18 of the wall 12 to fix the textile outer layer 24, the textile inner layer 26, and the intermediate layer 28 to one another, with the hook portion 34a extending along one of the edges 16, 18 and the loop portion 34b extending along the other of the edges 16, 18. Further, the outer layer 24, the textile inner layer 26, and the intermediate layer 28 can remain detached from one another along the opposite ends 19, 21, thereby allowing the respective layers 24, 26, 28 to shift circumferentially relative to one another while being wrapped, thus, avoiding unsightly and undesirable folds/ridges being formed between the layers 24, 26, 28.

[0036] The hook portion 34a and the loop portion 34b can be configured to maintain the opposite edges 16, 18 in overlapped relation with one another in such a manner that circumferentially continuous protection is provided about the central cavity 22. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the hook portion 34a is fixed about one of the edges, shown as the radially outermost edge 18, while the loop portion 34b is fixed about the other of the edges, shown as the radially innermost edge 16. The hook portion 34a is shown as being generally U-shaped in cross-section, as viewed in Figures 1A and 2, with opposite legs of the U-shape extending along and being fixed to an inner face defined by the inner layer 26 and an outer face defined by the outer layer 24 via the stitched yam 36, with an intermediate portion extending between the legs extending radially along the edge 18. The entirety of the hook portion 34a is fixed against separation from the wall 12. The loop portion 34b is shown having a generally U-shaped portion, as viewed in cross-section in Figures 1A and 2, with opposite legs of the U-shape extending along and being fixed to the inner face defined by the inner layer 26 and the outer face defined by the outer layer 24 via the stitched yam 36, with an intermediate portion extending between the legs extending radially along the edge 20. However, unlike the hook portion 34a, the loop portion 34b, as best shown in Figure 2, has a free portion 34' extending in detached fashion from the w all 12, shown as extending from the stitched yam 36 in detached relation outwardly from a radially outwardly facing surface of the outer layer 24. In assembly, the outer edge 18, with hook portion 34a attached thereto, is wrapped over the inner edge 16, with loop portion 34b fixed thereto, wherein a radially inwardly facing portion of the hook portion 34a is brought into fixed attachment with a radially outwardly facing portion of the loop portion 34b. Then, the free portion 34' of loop portion 34b is wrapped over a radially outward facing portion of the hook portion 34a into fixed atachment therewith. As such, upon the loop portion 34b being fully fixed to the hook portion 34a, the loop portion 34b, as viewed in Figure 1A, is generally S-shaped, with the hook portion 34a being sandwiched and captured in fixed relation between portions of the loop portion 34b to provide secure, circumferentially continuous protection against thermal effects and the ingress of contamination.

L0037J The textile outer layer 24 can be provided as a woven, braided or knit layer (FIGS. 3A-3C). The woven, braided or knit outer layer 24 can be formed with high temperature resistant yams, such as ceramic yams, by way of example and without limitation. In one exemplary embodiment, a layer of ceramic material of Nextel from 3M was used.

[0038] The textile inner layer 26 can be provided as a woven, braided or knit layer. The woven, braided or knit inner layer 26 can be formed with high temperature resistant yams, such as yams formed of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (preox or panox (PAN)), by way of example and without limitation. In accordance with one non-limiting embodiment, the inner layer 26 is knit.

[0039] The intermediate textile layer 30 can be woven, braided or knit layer from high temperature yams. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated, the intermediate textile layer 30 is braided from fiberglass.

[0040] A first width (Wi) of the inner layer 26 can be provided being less that a second width (Wo) of the outer layer 24, as best shown in Figure 2, to facilitate wrapping the opposite edges 16, 18 into overlapping relation with one another with causing wrinkles or folds in the wall 12.

[0041] The synergies provided by the outer layer 24, inner layer 26, and intermediate layer 28 of the wall 12, as discussed above, can be formed to limit an internal temperature within the cavity 22 bounded by the wall 12 to about 200°C or less when exposed to a flame of about 1100°C for up to 2 hours, and to limit an internal temperature within the cavity bounded by the wall to about 140°C or less when exposed to a flame of about 850°C for up to 2 hours.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of constructing a wrappable sleeve 10, as discussed above, for routing and protecting an elongate member 14 is provided. The method includes interlacing yams to form a textile outer layer 24; interlacing yams to form a textile inner layer 26, and forming an intermediate layer 28 by interlacing yams to form a textile intermediate layer 30 and fixing a silicone-based layer 32 to the textile intermediate layer 30. Further, forming a multilayered wall 12 by fixing the textile inner layer 26 to the intermediate layer 28 with the textile intermediate layer 30 facing the textile inner layer 26, and fixing the textile outer layer 24 to the intermediate layer 28 with the silicone-based intermediate layer 32 facing the textile outer layer 24. Further yet, cutting the multilayered wall 12 to length, with the multilayered wall 12 having opposite edges 16, 18 extending lengthwise between opposite ends 19, 21.

[0043] The method can further include fixing the silicone-based layer 32 to the textile intermediate layer 30 by bonding the silicone-based layer 32 to the textile intermediate layer 30.

[0044] The method can further include fixing the textile inner layer 26 to the intermediate layer 28 and fixing the textile outer layer 24 to the intermediate layer 28 by sandwiching the intermediate layer 28 between the textile inner layer 26 and the textile outer layer 24 and stitching a high temperature yam 36 through the textile inner layer 26, the intermediate layer 28 and the textile outer layer 24.

[0045] The method can further include providing the yams for the textile inner layer 26 including oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and providing the yams for the textile outer layer 24 including ceramic yams. [0046] The method can further include fixing a closure member 34 to the multilayered wall 12, and configuring the closure member 34 to releasably fix the opposite edges 16, 18 against separation from one another to provided circumferentially continuous protection about the elongate member 14 being protected.

[0047] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is contemplated that all features of all claims and of all embodiments can be combined with each other, so long as such combinations would not contradict one another. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.