The present invention relates to an article, an assembly and a kit of parts for enclosing one or more elongate objects.

Elongate objects such as, for example, cables, wires or pipes often need to have parts thereof enclosed for example at junctions or splices or when the object is damaged. Many different systems for enclosing elongate objects are known but there is a continual need to improve the reliability, strength, environmental sealing, ease of assembly and ease of re-entry of the enclosures.

United States Patent No. 4117259 describes a cable sleeve formed from two plastic sleeve portions which are mated together to enclose a cable joint. Each sleeve portion has end sealing portions containing holes to allow cables to extend into the sleeve. The sleeve is sealed by means of sealant which is prevented from leaking out of the sleeve by a series of axially disposed sealing rings.

United States Patent No. 4421945 describes a re-enterable assembly for sealing a junction between conduits, comprising a split tube and support means for positioning at each end of the tube, one on each side of the junction. The support means are provided with laterally enterable channels for the conduits and the channels may be provided with sealing means to seal the channels against moisture ingress.

United States Patent No. 4350842 describes a cable sleeve outlet for a splice case comprising a cylindrical member having one or more channels provided with a longitudinal opening to the exterior of the outlet, and a fastening means or support means that is insertable into the open end of the cylindrical member to bridge and hold closed the or each longitudinal opening in the cylindrical member.

A cable sleeve assembly is described in United States Patent No. 4203000, in which sleeve heads are provided, the sleeve heads having cable inlet parts and an axially extending slot between each cable inlet part and the exterior of the sleeve head. The cable inlet parts of the sleeve heads are heat-shrinkable so that they may be shrunk around cables extending through them, and the sleeve heads

include a metal supporting ring.

European Patent No. 0057742 describes a cable sleeve with a longitudinally - split heat-shrinkable sleeve and a filler element for filling the spaces between cables inserted into the sleeve. The filler element comprises a heat-shrinkable material and may be provided with a supporting body.

United States Patent No. 4103911 describes a sealing member for forming a gas-tight closure about a cable at an inlet to a hollow cable sleeve fitting. The sealing member is designed to have holes bored through it so that cables may extend therethrough and a reinforcement member is provided between longitudinally - spaced ribs of the sealing member. The sealing member is divided in a plane parallel to the cable axis for assembly about the cables.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article for enclosing one or more elongate objects, comprising a body portion at least part of which is resiliently deformable and a frame, wherein at least part of the frame is contained within the body portion, the body portion is provided with at least one orifice that is arranged to allow at least one elongate object to extend therethrough and is also provided with a slit extending along the length of at least one orifice and extending between the orifice and the exterior of the body portion, the slit is arranged to be opened by deformation of the body portion in order to allow one or more elongate objects to be removably inserted into the orifice through the slit, and the frame is arranged so that, in use, deformation of the body portion by opening the slit causes at least part of the frame to be opened.

The article according to the first aspect of the invention has an advantage over previous articles in that it normally combines ease of installation, re¬ enterability, good environmental sealing and strength. Because the body portion is formed at least partly from resiliently deformable material and it is provided with a slit to allow insertion of one or more elongate objects (eg. cables), the article normally allows ease of insertion and removal of the elongate objects and also the possibility of good environmental sealing. In addition, because a frame is contained within the body portion, the body portion is generally given a degree of rigidity and the article as a whole is generally given strength. Furthermore, because the frame is arranged so that deformation of the body

portion by opening of the slit causes at least part of the frame to be opened, the frame may partially or substantially completely surround the or each orifice extending through the body portion (and thereby strengthen the article) without preventing 'side-entry' or lateral insertion of elongate objects into the article. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention at least part of the frame substantially surrounds at least one orifice extending through the body portion.

The frame preferably gives a degree of rigidity to the body portion but it may also have a degree of flexibility. For example, in some embodiments of the invention the frame may be sufficiently flexible that it may be opened when, in use, the or each slit in the body portion is opened merely due to its inherent flexibility. Preferably, however, the frame is substantially rigid. According to a preferred embodiment therefore, the frame is jointed, and preferably it is hinged, thereby allowing at least part of the frame to be opened.

The frame may be formed from polymeric materials, but preferably at least part of the frame is formed from metal, more preferably it is formed from steel.

The body portion of the article according to the invention preferably substantially entirely encloses at least part of the frame. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the body portion is moulded around at least part of the frame. Preferred materials for the body portion are elastomeric materials, e.g. silicone rubbers, nitrile rubbers, ethylene/propylene rubbers and natural rubbers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention opposing sides of the slit or slits in the body portion are separated when the body portion is in a relaxed state. This has the advantage that expansion of the body portion due to changes in temperature may be accommodated. Alternatively, however, in some embodiments of the invention the opposing sides of the slit or slits may be in contact when the body portion is in a relaxed state. This has the advantage of improved environmental sealing along the length of the slit. In any case, it is normally preferred for opposing portions of the frame, on either side of the slit or slits, to be separated even when the frame substantially surrounds the or each orifice in the body portion. This has an advantage in that the resiliently

deformable material of the body portion may be located beyond each opposing portion of the frame so that opposing sides of the slit comprise resiliently deformable material, aiding environmental sealing.

Preferably the article further comprises one or more gripping members for gripping at least one elongate object extending, in use, through the body portion. The or each gripping member may advantageously be mounted on the frame, or alternatively the gripping member or members may themselves comprise part of the frame. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one gripping member comprises a member, preferably a ring, that may be tightened around one or more elongate objects extending through the body portion.

The article is preferably provided with one or more fastening means which is/are arranged to maintain opposing sides of the slit or slits in the body portion substantiallyin a fixed positional relationship with respect to each other, preferably substantially in contact with each other, when in use one or more elongate objects extend through the orifice in the body portion. Preferably the or each fastening means comprises a clamp, a clasp, a hasp, a brace or a clip. The or each fastening means may be arranged to be inserted into slots or holes provided in the body portion and/or the frame on each side of the slit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for enclosing one or more elongate objects, comprising two articles according to the invention spaced apart from each other and connected together by means of at least one connecting member.

The assembly according to the invention may for example by used to form a splice, a junction or a connection between two or more elongate objects (e.g. wires or cables), with each article in the assembly arranged to support the elongate objects and to seal the splice etc. from moisture. The or each connecting member may therefore be arranged to provide rigidity and/or strength to the splice. In preferred assemblies, the articles are connected together by means of at least two elongate connecting members mounted on the frame of each article. Preferably the connecting members are mounted towards or at the radial periphery of the articles so that, for example, a cable splice may be formed substantially between the members.

Preferably the assembly according to the invention fμrther comprises at least one closure member that is arranged to enclose the space between the two spaced apart articles. The closure member may for example be of either tubular or 'wrap-around' form. 'Wrap-around' is a term that is well known in the cable accessories art and means having the ability to be installed around a cable without access to its ends. The closure member may for example comprise a sleeve that is arranged to be wrapped around the assembly and have two opposing portions thereof joined together substantially along the length of the sleeve to enclose the assembly. Alternatively the closure member may be formed from two or more portions that are arranged to be connected together to enclose the assembly. The closure member may, if desired, be dimensionally heat- recoverable, that is to say the member may have a dimensional configuration that may be made substantially to change when subjected to heat treatment.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for enclosing one or more elongate objects, comprising: (i) an article which comprises a body portion at least part of which is resiliently deformable and a frame, wherein at least part of the frame is contained within the body portion ^' and the body portion is provided with at least one orifice that is arranged to allow at least one elongate object to extend therethrough; and (ii) at least one inflatable sealing member that is arranged to be inserted into the orifice and inflated to form a seal between the body portion and the or each elongate object extending through the orifice.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for enclosing one or more elongate objects, comprising: (i) an assembly which comprises two articles, wherein each article has a body portion at least part of which is resiliently deformable and a frame, at least part of the frame is contained within the body portion and the body portion is provided with at least one orifice that is arranged to allow at least one elongate object to extend therethrough, and wherein the two articles are spaced apart from each other and are connected together by means of at least one connecting member; and (ii) at least one inflatable sealing member that is arranged to be inserted into the orifice and inflated to form a seal between the body portion and the or each elongate object extending through the orifice.

The kits of parts according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention

have the advantage that they generally provide simple, easy to install and easy to disassemble products which normally provide good environmental sealing and which are normally strong and durable.

According to preferred embodiments of the kits of parts according to the invention, the body portion of the article or at least one article thereof is provided with a slit extending along the length of at least one orifice and extending between the orifice and the exterior of the body portion, and the slit is arranged to be opened by deformation of the body portion in order to allow one or more elongate objects to be removably inserted into the orifice through the slit. More preferably, the article or at least one article thereof comprises an article according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably the assembly comprises an assembly according to the second aspect of the invention.

The or each inflatable sealing member preferably comprises a sealing member substantially as described in International Patent Application No. WO 92/19034, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The inflatable sealing member preferably comprises a flexible hollow sealing member (preferably having substantially non-stretchable walls) that can be inflated to seal a gap between first and second articles and that has a hole directly through a wall or between walls thereof through which hole a probe can be inserted (and from which it can preferably be removed by mere pulling) to introduce pressurizing medium into the member, and means by which the hole is automatically sealed on withdrawal of the probe.

The product may be supplied with the probe inserted through the hole. Furthermore, insertion of the probe may be part of the manufacturing process of the sealing member.

Such hollow sealing members have been tested by being subjected to severe mechanical, temperature and pressure testing, and successful results have been obtained. In particular, the sealing members were inflated to 50 KPa and tested for leaks for fifteen minutes to measure overall strength, and for 2.8 bar for long-term testing. Helium was used for inflation, and a sophisticated helium gas detector was used to monitor any leaks. It was possible to produce an automatically sealing system where passage of helium through the hole used for

pressurization was no greater than the background level resulting from mere diffusion through the walls away from the hole. Suitable wall materials ^' (discussed below) can be chosen such that no helium is detectable. The precise nature of the materials and design of the sealing member can be chosen depending on intended use, however, a hole directly through a wall of the member, or between the walls of a lap join etc can automatically seal without the need for expensive valves and all the disadvantages they bring.

Whilst the exact design of the inflatable sealing member will be chosen according to the intended use of the product, preferred designs incorporate one or both of the following features:

Firstly, an internal flap may be provided across the hole in or between the walls of the member. The flap may seal response to pressure within the member. The flap preferably comprises a flexible polymeric sheet fixed to a wall of the member such that the probe can pass through the hole and displace the flap, the probe preferably passing between the flap and the wall substantially in the plane of the wall (say at less than 45° to that plane). A sealing material, for example a gel or a mastic, may be provided between the flap and the wall, for example as a coating on the flap. The flap may be bonded or welded to the wall along two lines separated by a small gap (say 5-20 mm), such that the probe can be inserted through the hole in the wall and between the wall and the flap generally along the axis of the channel formed between the two bond or weld lines.

The second design is particularly appropriate where the hole is between overlapping walls of a lap join. (The lap join may arise in formation of the member by forming a tube from a sheet of material.) The hole, which extends the width of the lap join, may decrease in cross-sectional size toward the outside of the sealing member. The hole may therefore have a funnel, or flattened-funnel, shape. A sealing material (preferably a mastic or a gel) may be provided within this funnel-or-other-shaped hole, such that the sealing material is driven by internal pressure to block the hole. The size of the hole and the physical properties and amount of the sealing material may be chosen such that the material does not creep out of the hole to an unacceptable extent. A flap as mentioned above may be used in conjunction with this type of hole.

The sealing material may comprise for example a mastic or a gel. Mastics

may be preferred due to their good adhesion to the wall of the sealing member. A seal can therefore remain even on loss of some or all of the internal pressure that forces the flap against the wall. Mastics however have high, generally 100% compression set and where that is likely to be a problem the mastic may be replaced or supplemented by a gel. For example if the probe is likely to leave a channel in the mastic on withdrawal, a gel could be provided as a supplementary layer between the mastic and the wall, preferably of smaller surface area than (and therefore totally surrounded by) the mastic. A gel may be formed by oil- extension of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be cross-linked. Preferably the gel has a hardness at room temperature as determined using a Stevens-volland Texture Analyser of greater than 45g, particularly greater than 50g especially greater than 60g. It preferably has a stress-relaxation less than 12%, particularly less than 10% and especially less than 8%. Ultimate elongation, also at room temperature, is preferably greater than 60%, especially greater than 1000%, particularly greater than 1400%, as determined according to ASTM D638. Tensile modulus at 100% strain is preferably at least 1.8, more preferably at least 2.2 MPa. In general compression set will be less than 35%, especially less than 25%. Preferred gels are made by extending with an oil block copolymers having hard blocks and rubbery blocks. Examples include triblock copolymers of the styrene-ethlyene-butylene-styrene type (such as those known by the Shell Trade Mark Kraton, eg G1650, 1651 and 1652). The amount of block copolymer may be, say from 5 - 35% of the total weight of the gel, preferred amounts being 6-15%, especially 8 - 12%. The amount of copolymer, and its molecular weight may be varied to give the desired physical properties such as hardness.

Inflation of the inflatable sealing member may be carried out by attaching a probe to a source of pressurizing fluid and (if it is not supplied in place) inserting the probe through the hole in the wall or between walls of the sealing member. The pressurizing fluid is preferably compressible, air or nitrogen or other inert gas being preferred. If a liquid, such as water, is used it will generally be necessary for the sealing member to be stretchable in order that a reserve of pressure be provided to compensate for movement of the first and second surfaces. If the sealing member is stretchable it is likely to be subject to creep or set. Preferably it has minimal stretch and a gas is used for inflation.

The wall of the sealing member will in general be preferably flexible, and thus able to conform to substrates of various sizes and /or of irregular or

awkward shape. It may comprise at least three layers, for example one serving to retain fluid, one to provide mechanical strength for example tensional strength against internal pressure, tear-strength or puncture resistance and one layer serving to form a seal to the substrate by accommodating small scale irregularities in the surface of the substrate. To this end the wall may comprise a first layer of metal (or metallized plastics material or metal-coated plastics material) optionally with which the fluid is in contact, and a second strengthening layer such as high density polyethylene, together with a third layer, and positioned between the first layer and the substrate. The third layer referred to above may comprise a deformable material such as a rubber or other elastomer or a foam. Other materials may be used as this third layer, for example sealing materials such as sealants, for example as referred to above. Preferably for many uses no permanent adhesion occurs between the sealing member and the duct and cable. In general that the second layer preferably has a hardness of from 35-85, more preferably 40-80, especially 45-75 shore. The various functions referred to above may, however, be provided by fewer layers, where one layer has two or more functions.

The wall may comprise for example a laminate of a metal film and a layer of plastics material either side. Such plastics layers may allow the wall to be heat-welded to itself to make the envelope. A flap weld or bond, which will be under shear rather than peel when the article is inflated, preferably extends along the length of the sealing member where the sealing member is generally cylindrical. Simple welds that will be in peel may then be formed by hot stamping to close its ends.

Accordingly, in preferred embodiments of the article according to the first aspect of the invention, at least one orifice is arranged to receive an inflatable sealing member that is arranged to be inserted into the orifice and inflated to form a seal between the body portion and the or each elongate object extending through the body portion. Preferably at least one orifice of the article is arranged to receive a quantity of sealant, preferably gel, in order to form a seal between the body portion and the or each elongate object extending through the body portion. Alternatively or additionally, preferably at least one orifice of the article is arranged to receive a quantity of sealant, a sealing member and/ or plug in order substantially to close the orifice.

A preferred embodiment of the assembly according to the second aspect of the invention further comprises at least one inflatable outer sealing member that is arranged to be inflated in order to form a seal between at least one article and the or each closure member. Preferably, the inflatable outer sealing member is arranged to extend between the two spaced apart articles. More preferably, the assembly further comprises at least one support member that is arranged to support the inflatable outer sealing member along at least part of the length of the sealing member between the two spaced apart articles. The support member(s) may for example comprise elongate metal members, particularly steel, for example in the form of half-shells.

The invention will now described by way example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of an article according to the invention;

Figures 3 A to 3F are views of a frame of an article according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows an assembly according to the invention;

Figures 5A and 5B are different views of an assembly according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows side and end views of an assembly according to the invention;

Figures 7A and 7B are schematic representations of alternative forms of article according to the invention;

Figures 8A and 8B show gripping members according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows in cross-section a fixing member attached to a frame according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows three views of a fixing member according to the invention;

Figure 11 shows in perspective a fixing member according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a view of an end of an article according to the invention;

Figure 13 shows a connecting member of an assembly according to the invention;

Figure 14 shows in cross-section an orifice through an article according to the invention containing a cable and an inflatable sealing member;

Figure 15 shows in detail an orifice in an article according to the invention;

Figure 16 shows a plug for an orifice in an article according to the invention;

Figures 17A to 17C show parts of an assembly according to the invention;

Figure 18 shows a closure member according to the invention; and

Figure 19 shows in cross-section a detail of how an assembly according to the invention may be closed and sealed.

Figure 1 shows in perspective an article according to the invention generally indicated by the numeral 1. The article comprises a body portion 3 shown in outline and a frame 5. The body portion is formed from a silicone rubber and the frame is formed from steel. The frame would not normally be visible since it is contained within the silicone rubber body portion which has been moulded over the frame, but in the drawing the frame is shown inside the

body portion. Two orifices 7 are shown extending through the body portion, and the frame is seen to be substantially surrounding each orifice. Slits 9 extend along the length of each orifice and are arranged to enable elongate objects, e.g. cables, to be inserted into each orifice laterally through each slit. Hinges 11 are provided on the frame in order to enable wing portions 13 of the frame to be opened when the slits in the body portion are opened. Fastening means 15 are provided to maintain opposing sides of the slits in the body portion together. The fastening means comprise bent wire clips which are inserted into holes in the body portion and the frame. A gap 17 between opposing wing portions of the frame is shown: this is so that opposing sides of the slits are formed from silicone rubber to enhance the longitudinal sealing along the slit.

Figure 2 is an end view of an article according to the invention which is substantially identical to the article shown in Figure 1. Shown in this view however are retaining means 19 located in each orifice, for helping to retain sealant or sealing means within the orifices. The retaining means are in the form of end portions of the orifices having a smaller diameter than the remainder of the orifices. The arrows indicate how the slits may be openend and elongate objects inserted into the orifices.

Figures 3A to 3F show a range of views of the frame 5 of an article according to the invention. The views clearly show the hinges 11 and wing portions 13 of the frame. In addition a face portion 21 is shown, which is arranged to extend out of the body portion and to have gripping members, connecting members and the like attached thereto. The dimensions shown are in millimetres and are given merely as examples.

Figure 4 is a view of an assembly 2 according to the invention. It shows two articles 1 according to the invention that are spaced apart and connected together by means of two connecting members 23. Orifices 7 are shown, and contained therein retaining means 19 for inhibiting escape of sealant from the orifices. The retaining means comprise relatively thick portions 25 and relatively thin portions 27 of elastomeric material, e.g. silicone rubber, arranged in an alternating manner around the circumference of each orifice. This arrangement provides the retaining means with a degree of strength while also allowing flexibility. Mounted on the face portion 21 of the frame of each article is a fixing member 29 that is preferably formed from metal, e.g. Steel or Aluminium. The

fixing members are arranged to allow gripping members 31 to be mounted to each article for gripping elongate objects which, in use, extend through the orifices in the articles. The connecting members 23 may be mounted directly on the face portion of each article or they may be mounted on fixing members. The assembly shown in Figure 4 is particularly suitable for use as part of a cable splice case, in which cables extending through the orifices in the articles are spliced in the space between the articles and between the connecting members.

Figure 5A is a view of the assembly shown in Figure 4 from a different angle. Figure 5B is a detail of the face portion 21, fixing member 29 and gripping members 31 of one of the articles of the assembly shown in Figure 5A. Figure 6 shows side and end views of the assembly shown in figures 4 and 5.

Figures 7A and 7B are sketches of articles according to the invention. Figure 7A shows an article having three orifices 7 extending through it and Figure 7B shows an article having just one orifice. It will be appreciated that articles according to the invention may have as many or as few orifices as necessary or desired; the most common articles however have from one to three orifices. In Figure 7A, the three orifices are arranged every 120° around the article in a symmetrical manner, thereby obtaining an optimum utilisation of available space. The arrangement requires six sets of frame hinges 11 and provides three slits. In Figure 7B, the single orifice is located towards one side of the article. This provides a slit which is generally easier to open than would be a slit in an article in which the orifice was located more centrally, since with the article shown a smaller amount of resiliently deformable material, e.g. silicone rubber, is needed to be displaced.

Figures 8A and 8B show gripping members 31 for gripping elongate objects, e.g. cables, extending through an article according to the invention. Figures 9,10 and 11 show fixing members 29 that are arranged to be mounted on the face portion of a frame of an article for attaching the gripping members to the article. The leg portions 33 of the gripping members are arranged to be located in grooves 35 in the fixing member, and when, in use, the fixing member is mounted on to the frame of an article, as shown in cross-section in Figure 9, the legs of the gripping members are slidably located in the slots formed by the grooves in the fixing member being closed by the frame. This arrangement allows a tightenable ring to be positioned around the gripping members, e.g.

when two or three gripping members are located around an elongate object, and tightened in order to-tighten the slidable gripping members on to the elongate object. The dimensions shown in Figure 10 are in millimetres and are given merely as examples.

Figure 12 is a sketch of an end of an article according to the invention. The sketch shows slidably mounted gripping members 31 and a tightenable ring 32 for tightening the gripping members on to elongate objects.

Figure 13 shows in perspective a connecting member 23 for mounting on to the frames of two spaced apart articles.

Figure 14 shows in cross-section an orifice in an article according to the invention with a cable 37 extending therethrough. The orifice is sealed by means of an inflatable sealing member 39 that has been positioned, e.g. wrapped, around the cable and inserted into the orifice. The sealing member has been inflated so that it substantially fills the space between the orifice wall and the cable. Retaining means 19 help to retain the inflated sealing member inside the orifice. Figure 15 shows the arrangement of alternating relatively thick portions 25 and relatively thin portions 27 of the retaining means described above in relation to Figure 4.

Figure 16 shows a plug 41 for closing off an orifice in an article according to the invention when, in use, no elongate objects extend through the orifice. The plug is preferably formed from a polymeric material, e.g. polyethylene. The plug is shown surrounded by a quantity of gel 43 which is provided in order to seal any gap between the plug and the orifice wall. An inflatable sealing member may be provided instead of, or in addition to, the gel. The plug is provided with pins 45, preferably formed from metal, e.g. Steel, which are arranged to engage holes in the article for preventing accidental dislodgement of the plug from the orifice.

Figures 17A, 17B and 17C show parts of an assembly, e.g. a cable splice assembly, according to the invention. Figure 17A is a schematic representation of an assembly 2 as shown in figures 4 to 6. Figure 17B shows a wrap-around inflatable sealing member 47 for wrapping around the assembly of Figure 17A. Figure 17C shows two support members 49 comprising steel half-shells. Once, in

use, assembly 2 is ready to be closed and sealed, for example when a cable splice has been made, the two steel half-shells 49 are positioned around the assembly 2. The inflatable sealing member 47 is then wrapped around the half-shells. The ends of the sealing member preferably overlap the spaced apart articles. Turning now to Figure 18, a wrap-around closure member 51 with a fastening rail 53 is shown. The assembly of Figures 17A, 17B and 17C may be fully closed and sealed by wrapping the closure member 51 around the inflatable sealing member and fastening it with the fastening rail 53. In order to seal the assembly, the sealing member may then be inflated. A hole 55 is provided in the closure member to allow access to a fluid valve in the sealing member.

Figure 19 shows a detail, in cross-section, of part of the finally closed and sealed assembly of figures 17 and 18. The support member 49 is overlayed by the inflated sealing member 47 which is surrounded by the closure member 51. The inflated sealing member is also shown to be in contact with part of the body portion 3 of the article. A silicone rubber end portion 57 (also shown in Figure 18) provides extra sealing of the assembly.