Forming of cable splice closures

Abstract

A method of forming a molded encapsulation around a sealed spliced region between two cables in which the cables pass through a mold with the splice region in the mold cavity and correctly centered before molding. To allow for the centering operation to be performed, apertures are provided in the mold. Hook members are passed through the apertures. These hook members are caused to engage both inner and outer mold surfaces and they also engage tie means at two circumferentially spaced positions around the splice region to centralize the region within the cavity. The mold is then filled with molten material and the hooks removed from the apertures with the material still molten. Hook removal may take place either when the cavity is completely filled or after sufficient molten material has entered the mold to hold the splice region in fixed position. The method is applicable to low pressure molding, i.e. below 100 psi and preferably below 50 psi.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.