Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure includes a series of stacked splice trays pivotally secured within a housing, and oval shaped generally flexible transport tubes carrying the exposed optical fibers to the splice trays within the closure. The transport tubes have a differential flexibility to permit bending i a direction generally normal to the major dimension of the tube while preventing bending in a direction generally normal to the minor dimension of the tube. Accordingly, optical fiber ribbons carried by the transport tubes are protected from bending in a direction normal to their minor dimension. The splice trays are pivotally secured at one end to a bracket secured to an end cap of the housing. A hinge for each splice tray includes detents to hold an individual tray in a raised position to thereby facilitate access to an underlying tray. In addition, splice holders are provided on each splice tray and include a series of generally flexible walls extending outwardly from a base.

Abstract: A method of enclosing a substrate within a heat-shrinkable sleeve, which comprises the steps of:a) attaching to the substrate a slideway;b) attaching to the slideway a clip having at least two legs;c) positioning a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the substrate;d) sliding the clip by means of the slideway and with respect to the substrate such that at least one portion of the sleeve becomes positioned between the legs of the clip, ande) causing heat-shrinkage of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of environmentally protecting an elongate substrate with a cover and a sealing means comprising a sealing material having an elongation of at least 100% and a compression set at 70.degree. C. of less than 30%, which comprises positioning the sealing means around a portion of the substrate and surrounding the substrate with the cover such that the sealing material provides a seal between the cover and the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly irradiating a strand of plastic material by twisting the strand as it is advanced in a plurality of paths transverse to an electron beam. A set of pinch rolls are positioned on opposites ends of the electron beam generator to advance and twist the strand. Lift cams periodically release the twist on the strand at positions of maximum twist by forcing the pinch rolls apart. Each set of pinch rolls includes upper and lower rolls adjacent a medial roll which, in turn, is driven in alternating axial directions to impart twist to the strand. The medial rolls are driven in alternating axial directions by a cammed surface thereon and a cam follower and synchronized to move 180.degree. out of phase from each other. A series of three spaced apart idler rolls are also provided to form a tandem figure-eight pattern in side view for the strand to compensate for reel set in the strand.

Abstract: The cover and base of the enclosure of the assembly are releasably connected by latches and flanges integral with the cover and base. A mounting bracket facilitates mounting of the assembly upon a telephone pole or other exposed static structure. Vertically spaced upper and lower cable strain-relieving members underlie each cable passageway of the base of the enclosure. Each strain-relieving member is of generally u-shaped configuration. The open ends of the upper and lower strain-relieving members face in different directions. Each pair of the strain-relieving members collectively extends about the entire circumference of a cable engaged thereby.

Abstract: An assembly capable of sealing an elongate substrate that is curved or angled along its length, which has a heat-shrinkable wraparound sleeve (1) having closure rails (3) adjacent opposing longitudinal edges thereof which can be held together by positioning a closure member thereover to maintain the sleeve in the wrapped-around configuration during heat-shrinkage and the closure member, which comprises an elongate channel (7) of sheet material substantially C-shaped in transverse cross-section having transverse first and second slits (9, 10) therein that extend substantially entirely across its width, respective first and second slits extending through each longitudinal edge, and giving the channel flexibility in two mutually perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A system is provided for firmly attaching a coaxial cable terminus to a standard connection jack in such a way that the connection point is effectively shielded from tampering by individuals and is effectively sealed from degrading elements in the atmosphere. The system includes a jack attachment member having a collet structure, a swagging shell which slips over the collet structure to accomplish a firm connection with the jack and a locking shroud which surrounds the swagging cylinder so as to make it difficult to de-attach and/or re-attach the cable terminus to the jack without special tooling. Such special tooling, however, is simple and inexpensive for authorized service technicians, thereby making the system at once relatively secure from tampering and atmospheric degradation and simple and inexpensive to install and maintain. Furthermore, the system can be retrofitted into existing coaxial cable equipment, using standard coaxial cable connection jacks.

Abstract: A high voltage insulator has a polymeric core that forms a mechanical strength member and an outer covering of a heat-shrinkable polymeric tube that is electrically insulating and non-tracking and that has sheds on its outer surface.

Abstract: A sealing material preferably having a cone penetration of at least 150 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% is subjected to mechanical deformation by milling or chopping in the presence of a solvent or suspending medium.

Abstract: An electrical cable in-line or branch joint has hydrophobic material located around the connections of the conductors so as to act as a water block. The hydrophobic material is physically prevented from being forced away from the connections into the cables, for example by pressure of water within the cable, by a fibrous material located in and around the crutch regions where the conductors emerge from the cable joints.

Abstract: A device is provided for firmly attaching a plurality of coaxial cable terminus to a plurality of standard connection jacks in such a way that each connection point is effectively shielded from tampering by individuals and is effectively sealed from degrading elements in the atmosphere. The device is a locking shroud which defines a plurality of locking shroud chambers, each adapted to attach to a respective connection jack so as to surround the connection of a cable terminus to the jack. The use of the locking shroud of the invention makes it difficult to de-attach and/or re-attach the cable terminus to the jack without special tooling. The use of the locking shroud further makes it difficult to break off the locking shroud by twisting the shroud, such as with a pair of pliers. The device can be used to make coaxial cable connections secure from tampering and atmospheric degradation. It is simple and inexpensive to install and maintain.

Abstract: A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two spaced-apart elongate substrates, which comprises the steps of:(a) positioning the substrates within the heat-shrinkable sleeve;(b) positioning between the substrates and within the sleeve at an open end thereof a plug having a larger cross-sectional size at a first position away from said open end and a smaller cross-sectional size at a second position towards said open end;(c) positioning a heat-activatable sealing material at the first position;(d) shrinkable conduits in the sleeve by positioning one or more clips at the open end of the sleeve such that the substrates and the plug are in respective conduits; and(e) while the clip remains on the sleeve, applying heat so as to affect shrinkage of the sleeve to activate the sealant, and form the desired seal.

Abstract: The invention provides for a modularized terminal block and an improved method of manufacturing the modular block. The block permits the connection of a plurality of drop wires or other devices in a reversible manner through the use of a standardized plug in module configuration. The module can be optimized for a given drop wire range which then uniformly connects to the base block through a standardized demateable contact. The mateable connectors each include a collapsible container filled with a sealant material such as gel or grease and an enclosed contact. Upon mating of the contacts, the deformation of the containers maintains the sealant material under compression.

Abstract: A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning the substrates within the heat-shrinkable sleeve; (b) forming at least two heat-shrinkable terminal conduits by positioning a clip having at least three elongate legs over the outer surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve at an open end thereof, wherein at least two of said legs are positioned externally of the sleeve, the substrates are within the terminal conduits and at least one of said legs is positioned internally of the sleeve, and (c) while the clip remains on the outer surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve, applying heat so as to effect shrinkage of the sleeve and to form the desired seal; in which the leg positioned internally has a coating of heat-softenable sealing material that extends beyond its distal end, the extension being such that at least a portion of extending material does not flow significantly during step (c).

Abstract: A cable splice enclosure comprising: a base having an outlet capable of receiving a cable; and a hollow cover which can be fixed to the base to close at least partially the enclosure such that adjacent external surfaces of the base and cover lie substantially mutually flush; in which the base and the cover have means which can prevent their separation, said means lying substantially flush with or below said adjacent external surfaces.

Abstract: This invention provides an enclosure for a butt splice of optical fibre cables which includes organizer trays for storing the excess lengths of individual optical fibers. The enclosure and trays provide for access to the individual fibers for splicing or repair.

Abstract: Environmental sealing may be achieved by extruding a sealing material having a cone penetration value preferably from 100-350 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% from a material-dispensing gun, having means for example a mesh, for causing the material to be mechanically deformed preferably by shear and preferably causing it to be comminuted.

Abstract: An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between at least two optical fibre cables, which comprises: a base through which respective cables can pass; at least one optical fire organizer capable of storing an optical fibre in the path from one of the outlets to another of the outlets, said path having a minimum radius of curvature no smaller than the minimum bend radius of said optical fibre; and a hollow cover which can surround the organizer and which can be fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice by sliding over the organizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of re-entering and reclosing a cable splice case enclosing a splice between first and second cables and comprising a wrap-around sleeve and a closure channel, the sleeve having opposing longitudinal edge portions, each bearing a rail, the edge portions having been brought together around the splice such that the rails are adjacent one another and the closure channel being positioned over the adjacent rails, which method comprises:(a) removing a portion of the sleeve from the splice, leaving an end portion of the sleeve attached to the first cable;(b) removing a portion of the channel from the rails of the remaining portion;(c) positioning over the rails of the end portion at a position where the portion of channel has been removed a hot-melt adhesive plug, the plug having a recess for receipt of the rails;(d) positioning a heat-shrinkable reclosure sleeve around the splice, the reclosure sleeve extending from the adhesive plug at the end portion; and(e) heating to cause