Abstract: A method of protecting a substrate, which comprises:(a) providing an article having a first portion that has means allowing that portion to be deformed from a larger cross-sectional size to a smaller cross-sectional size and maintained at that smaller size, and that comprises a heat-shrinkable material,(b) positioning the article such that a first portion encloses at least a part of the substrate,(c) deforming the first portion to the smaller cross-sectional size at which it corresponds closely to the part of the substrate, and(d) heat-shrinking the material to cause the first portion of the article to engage the substrate.

Abstract: A unique air vent is provided for use with heat-recoverable closures when installed on pressurized cables. Typically, when a heat-recoverable closure is used to repair a hole or opening in the jacket of a pressurized cable the cable must be depressurized during installation of the closure to ensure formation of a pressure and watertight seal. The air vent assembly permits installation of a heat-recoverable closure without the need for depressurizing the cable. After installation, the air vent can be used as an access point to the pressurized air within the cable.

Abstract: An assembly for enclosing a telecommunication cable splice comprising a wraparound sleeve having longitudinal edges which can be brought together and secured by for example a metal channel. A seal is made between these edges by an internal sealing member which bridges the abutting edges of the sleeve and is urged into contact with the sleeve by expansive urging means between the sealing member and underlying cable splice. The urging means is preferably a foam strip.

Abstract: A clamping member for forming a branch-off seal between a recoverable sleeve and more than one substrate extending from an end of the sleeve, comprises at least two interengageable parts that define channels. The parts are assembled on the end of the sleeve such that the clamping member defines ducts for the substrates. Use of a clamping member having interengageable parts, rather than an integral member, makes fixing at the end of the sleeve easier.