System for holding in a conduit cables or ducts with different diameters

Abstract

A system for holding in a conduit cables and/or ducts with different diameters includes a plurality of rubbery or rubber-like sleeves for inserting in such a conduit. The sleeves include a number of units of bonded sleeves which are oriented parallel to each other. Within each unit, the sleeves have corresponding outer dimensions. At least one unit has a sleeve having an inner diameter which differs from an inner diameter of a sleeve of at least one other unit of the number of units. The number of the units and the dimensions of the units are such that therewith a stack of units can be made. In the stack of units, each sleeve is also oriented parallel to any of the other sleeves. The stack of units has a rectangular shape of which each side is in detail shaped by the presence of a number of the sleeves and of which each edge is in detail shaped by the presence of one, two or three of the sleeves.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A system for holding in a conduit cables and/or ducts with different diameters, the system comprising a plurality of rubbery or rubber-like sleeves for inserting in such a conduit, the plurality of sleeves comprising a number of units of bonded sleeves which are oriented parallel to each other, wherein within each unit the sleeves have corresponding outer dimensions, and wherein at least one unit has a sleeve having an inner diameter which differs from an inner diameter of a sleeve of at least one other unit of the number of units, wherein the number of the units and the dimensions of the units are such that therewith a stack of units can be made, in the stack of units each sleeve is also oriented parallel to any of the other sleeves, the stack of units having a rectangular shape of which each side is in detail shaped by the presence of a number of the sleeves and of which each edge is in detail shaped by the presence of one, two or three of the sleeves. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein in each unit, the lengths of the sleeves correspond to each other. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one unit of which the sleeves are all positioned in one layer. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one unit having layers of sleeves. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein each unit has, apart from the height of the one or more layers, dimensions which correspond to the dimensions of any of the other units. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one unit for which the inner diameter of the sleeves is for each sleeve the same. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises at least one plate for placing in the stack of units between two units, for providing at least one surface against which at least one of the units can be positioned. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least one plate has in two directions a dimension which corresponds to at least one of the dimensions of the stack of units. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one plate is at each of at least two oppositely positioned rims provided with a number of ribs for facilitating insertion of the plate in a conduit and for facilitating positioning the plate in a clamped fashion. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sleeve of at least one unit is provided with a slit extending over a full length of the sleeve for placement of a cable into a sleeve via the slit by moving a cable and that sleeve relative to each other laterally toward a coaxial position. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein in at least one unit a number of adjacent sleeves are provided with such a slit. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the slits is shared by two neighboring sleeves of which one has two slits. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein of the sleeve which has two slits, one of the two slits is shared with a neighboring sleeve and the other one of the two slits is positioned opposite the slit which is shared with a neighboring sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves have a cross-section which is circular. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the units has on its outside a flat surface which extends in a length direction of the sleeves and which extends in a layer direction of the sleeves in the respective unit. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the units has a block-shaped outer shape. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system also comprises at least one single sleeve, having an outer cross-sectional dimension for inserting at least one of these single sleeves in another sleeve of the system. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one single sleeve is provided with multiple lumens. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein the single sleeve is provided with a number of external ribs separated in circumferential direction for self-fixation after insertion in one of the other sleeves of the system. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19 , having a block-shaped, a star-shaped or a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves are made of a thermally expandable rubber-like material. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves are made of a vulcanized thermally substantially un-expandable rubbery material. 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one plate is made of a thermally expandable rubber-like material or vulcanized thermally substantially un-expandable rubbery material, and is by construction or by material properties stiffer than the stiffness of any one of the units of sleeves that is formed by a single layer of sleeves. 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of an outer part of at least one unit is provided with ribs for facilitating insertion of the unit in a conduit and for facilitating positioning the unit in a self-fixating fashion. 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is free from any wedge-shaped parts for inserting in the conduit and contributing to a clamping of the units. 
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is free from a controllable mechanism for mechanically putting the units under an enhanced pressure after installing the units in a conduit. 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit into which the stack of units can be assembled such that it snugly fits in the conduit. 
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealant for application against the stack of units at the ends of the sleeves when the stack is completed in a conduit and cables are held by a number of the sleeves. 
     
     
         29 . A unit of a number of bonded sleeves for holding cables or ducts in a conduit, wherein the sleeves are of a rubbery or rubber-like material, wherein the sleeves are oriented parallel to each other, and wherein the sleeves are all positioned in one layer of the sleeves, at least one sleeve being provided with a slit extending over a full length of that sleeve for placement of a cable or duct into that sleeve via the slit by moving a cable or duct and that sleeve relative to each other laterally toward a coaxial position. 
     
     
         30 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein in the unit a number of adjacent sleeves are each provided with such a slit. 
     
     
         31 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the slits is shared by two neighboring sleeves. 
     
     
         32 . A unit according to  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the two neighboring sleeves has two slits. 
     
     
         33 . A unit according to  claim 32 , wherein of the sleeve which has two slits, one of the two slits is shared with a neighboring sleeve and the other one of the two slits is positioned opposite the slit which is shared with a neighboring sleeve. 
     
     
         34 . A unit according to  claim 33 , wherein one of the sleeves positioned at the end of the layer of sleeves is provided with only one slit which is shared with its neighboring sleeve. 
     
     
         35 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein the sleeves have corresponding outer dimensions. 
     
     
         36 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein at least one of the sleeves has an inner diameter which differs from an inner diameter of at least one of the sleeves. 
     
     
         37 . A unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the sleeves is circular in its cross-section. 
     
     
         38 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein the unit has on its outside a flat surface which extends in a length direction of the sleeve and which extends in a layer direction of the sleeves in the unit. 
     
     
         39 . A unit according to  claim 38 , wherein the unit has a block-shaped outer shape. 
     
     
         40 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein the sleeves are made of a thermally expandable rubber-like material. 
     
     
         41 . A unit according to  claim 29 , wherein the sleeves are made of a vulcanized thermally substantially un-expandable rubbery material. 
     
     
         42 . A sleeve for holding cables or ducts in a conduit, wherein the sleeve is of a rubbery or rubber-like material, the sleeve having a plurality of lumens which are oriented parallel to each other. 
     
     
         43 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve has for at least one lumen a slit extending over a full length of that lumen for placement of a cable or duct in that lumen via the slit by moving a cable or duct and that lumen relative to each other laterally toward a coaxial position. 
     
     
         44 . A sleeve according to  claim 43 , wherein in that sleeve for each lumen a slit is provided for placement of a cable or duct in that lumen via the slit by moving a cable or duct and that lumen relative to each other laterally toward a coaxial position. 
     
     
         45 . A sleeve according to  claim 44 , wherein each lumen has its own slit for placement of a cable or duct in that lumen via the slit by moving a cable or duct and that lumen relative to each other laterally toward a coaxial position. 
     
     
         46 . A slit according to  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the slits is shared by two neighboring lumen. 
     
     
         47 . A sleeve according to  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the two neighboring lumen has two slits. 
     
     
         48 . A sleeve according to  claim 47 , wherein of the sleeve which has two slits, one of the two slits is shared with a neighboring lumen and the other one of the two slits is positioned opposite the slit which is shared with a neighboring lumen. 
     
     
         49 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein the lumens have corresponding inner dimensions. 
     
     
         50 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the lumens has an inner diameter which differs from an inner diameter of at least one of the other lumens. 
     
     
         51 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve have a star-shaped, circular or block-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         52 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve is made of a thermally expandable rubber-like material. 
     
     
         53 . A sleeve according to  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve is made of a vulcanized thermally substantially un-expandable rubbery material. 
     
     
         54 . A unit of a number of bonded sleeves according to  claim 42 .