Insulating sleeve for a fluid pipe

Abstract

A protective sleeve for a fluid pipe is disclosed. The sleeve includes an inner and outer member which provide heat, sound and abrasion resistance. The inner member includes a pair of terminal edges which are spaced apart a predetermined distance. This distance is greater than the distance between the terminal edges of the outer member. A method of making such a protective sleeve is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An abrasions sound and heat resistant protective sleeve for covering fluid pipes in an automotive vehicle, comprising: 
       an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having a pair of terminal edges extending the longitudinal length thereof, said pair of terminal edges defining a first gap of predetermined distance therebetween;  
       an elongated, generally cylindrical outer member circumferentially surrounding said inner member, said outer member having a pair of terminal edges extending along the longitudinal length thereof, said pair of outer member terminal edges defining a second gap of predetermined distance therebetween such that the distance of said second gap is smaller than the distance defined by said first gap; and  
       wherein said pair of inner member terminal edges are secured to said outer member such that when said sleeve is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape, an air space is formed between opposing surfaces of said inner and outer members.  
     
     
       2. A sleeve according to claim  1 , wherein the terminal edges of said inner member are offset from the terminal edges of said outer member by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
       3. A sleeve according to claim  2 , wherein said inner member comprises a sound deadening rubber material. 
     
     
       4. A sleeve according to claim  3 , wherein said outer member is formed from a synthetic polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. A sleeve according to claim  2 , wherein said predetermined offset amount does not exceed five millimeters. 
     
     
       6. An abrasions sound and heat resistant protective sleeve comprising: 
       
         an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having a pair of terminal edges extending the longitudinal length thereof, said pair of terminal edges defining a first gap of predetermined distance therebetween;  
       
       
         an elongated, generally cylindrical outer member circumferentially surrounding said inner member, said outer member having a pair of terminal edges extending along the longitudinal length thereof, said pair of outer member terminal edges defining a second gap of predetermined distance therebetween such that the distance of said second gap is smaller than the distance defined by said first gap; and  
       
       
         wherein said pair of inner member terminal edges are secured to said outer member such that when said sleeve is rolled into a generally cylindrical shape, an air space is formed between opposing surfaces of said inner and outer members. 
       
     
     
       7. A sleeve according to claim  6 , wherein the terminal edges of said inner member are offset from the terminal edges of said outer member by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
       8. A sleeve according to claim  7 , wherein said inner member comprises a sound deadening rubber material. 
     
     
       9. A sleeve according to claim  8 , wherein said outer member is formed from a synthetic polymeric material. 
     
     
       10. A sleeve according to claim  7 , wherein said predetermined offset amount does not exceed five millimeters.