Abstract: A cable comprises at least one layer of strands (10) with each strand covered with an individual sheath (20) of rubber or plastics material. The sheaths are so shaped (16, 17, 18) that the sheaths of adjacent strands interlock. This provides a layer in which the strands have a generally fixed spatial relationship both to each other and within the cable. This reduces inter-strand forces, so increasing cable life, and also provides a dimensionally stable cable.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of splicing together two rope lengths each of which is made up of a plurality of strands individually covered with thermoplastic material. Each alternate strand of each rope length is unwound back to a predetermined point and one of the strands of the other rope length is wound in its place back to that point. This process is repeated for each of the other strands, with the respective points at which the winding and unwinding process is terminated being spaced apart along the length of the splice with respect to each other. At each of these points, the end regions of the two strands of each pair at that point are placed together and then bonded together by means of their coverings of thermoplastic material. An outer covering of thermoplastic material may then be placed over the entire splice.