Tool for fixing a textile sleeve about an elongate member to be protected and method of use thereof

1. A method of fixing a protective textile sleeve about an elongate member, comprising:

providing the protective textile sleeve having an inner surface configured to bound an inner cavity;

disposing the elongate member within the inner cavity;

clamping at least a portion of the protective textile sleeve about the elongate member with a clamping tool having opposed clamp members pivotally connected to one another at a pivot axis;

dispensing steam from at least one of said clamp members; and

activating an adhesive with the steam and bonding the inner surface to at least another portion of the textile sleeve and/or to the elongate member.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including bringing concave clamping surfaces of the clamp members into engagement with an outer surface of the sleeve while activating the adhesive with steam.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including dispensing steam from a plurality of outlets formed in the clamp members.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including operably fixing the clamping tool in place for automation on an assembly line.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including spring biasing the clamp members away from one another to facilitate disposing the elongate member between the clamp members.

6. The method of claim 1 , further including spring biasing the clamp members toward one another to facilitate clamping the elongate member.

7. A method of fixing a protective textile sleeve about an elongate member, comprising:

providing the protective textile sleeve having an inner surface configured to bound an inner cavity;

disposing the elongate member within the inner cavity;

clamping at least a portion of the protective textile sleeve about the elongate member with opposed clamp members;

dispensing steam from at least one of said clamp members;

activating an adhesive with the steam and bonding the inner surface to at least another portion of the textile sleeve and/or to the elongate member; and further including providing a source of fluid at least partially contained in a handle attached to the clamp members.

8. The method of claim 7 , further including providing the source of fluid contained entirely within the handle.

9. The method of claim 7 , further including providing the source of fluid contained at least in part externally from the handle.