Claims
- 1. An apparatus for enclosing at least two groups of insulated conductors, which are disposed in a planar array, in a common, substantially symmetrical jacket, said apparatus comprising:
- means for causing at least two groups of individually insulated conductors which are disposed in a planar array to be moved in adjacent paths along at least an exit portion of which the groups are spaced apart a predetermined distance and then for causing the groups to be moved along converging paths in which each group of conductors is capable of being moved within the array; and
- means for flowing a plastic material about the array to enclose it in a jacket and between the groups to achieve an equilibration of pressure in the plastic material about each group and control lateral movement of the groups of conductors within the array while forming a web between the groups which is integral with the jacket and which may vary along the length of the array to compensate for conductor size variations, said means being effective to cause the web which separates the groups in the jacketed array to have a thickness which is substantially less than said predetermined distance.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plastic material which is flowed about the array to form a jacket is a first plastic material and the apparatus further includes means for covering the jacket with a second plastic material that has a stiffness modulus which is substantially greater than that of the first plastic material.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for flowing the plastic material includes an extruder and the means for causing the groups of conductors to be moved in adjacent paths includes a core tube of the extruder, said core tube including means at least adjacent its exit end for maintaining the groups spaced apart said predetermined distance.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means in the core tube includes a member which extends longitudinally within the core tube to space the groups apart said predetermined distance, said member having a thickness which is substantially greater than the thickness of the web.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the extruder includes a die which is spaced from the core tube a distance which is sufficient to permit the groups of conductors to be moved toward each other so that the thickness of the web is substantially less than said predetermined distance.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 943,425 filed Sept. 15, 1978.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
51-26465 |
Aug 1976 |
JPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
943425 |
Sep 1978 |
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