Cable joint with end bodies and a longitudinally slotted sleeve

A cable joint comprising a pair of end bodies and a longitudinally slotted sleeve which is secured on the end bodies with a sealing system arranged therebetween characterized by the sealing system having two annular portions and at least one longitudinal portion and an arrangement for clamping the sleeve in sealing engagement on the end bodies. Preferably, the sealing system is reusable and the assembly can be accomplished with ordinary tools such as a screwdriver. In one embodiment, the annular portions are separate from the longitudinal portions. In another embodiment, a single ring-shaped element forms both the annular portions and the two longitudinal portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a cable joint with end bodies having 
sealing glands for cables to extend through and a sleeve having a 
longitudinally extending slot which is wrapped around the spaced apart end 
bodies with a sealing system interposed therebetween to seal the 
longitudinal slot and the junctions between the sleeve and each of the end 
bodies. 
A cable joint having a pair of end bodies coacting with a sleeve having a 
longitudinal slot is disclosed in German Pat. No. 2,427,677 and in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,103,911. In these patents, the end bodies are formed by joined 
together members, which have cable inlet openings which can be adapted to 
the size of the cable which is to be utilized. In the assembled state, the 
end bodies are provided at their outer peripheral surface with the sealing 
means and a sleeve having a longitudinally extending slot is clamped 
thereon. Along the longitudinal slot, the sleeve has, for example, 
clamping closure elements which consist of wedge-shaped beads or flanges 
along the slot which receive a matching, clamping bar that is drawn on the 
beads to urge them to a closed and sealing position. An example of such a 
clamping bar is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,190, which is based on 
German Gebrauchamuster No. 7,620,440. In cable joints of this kind, 
particularly in large embodiments, considerable closing forces are 
necessary which in addition to requiring special tools also require 
special care when forming the seal between the various components. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to improve upon the cable joints of 
the above described types in such a manner that the assembly at a location 
does not require special tools and where both in general and in particular 
in respect to the sealing inserts, the assembly is to simplified. 
The object is obtained by an improvement in a cable joint having a pair of 
end bodies with sealing glands for openings receiving the cable, a sleeve 
having a longitudinally extending slot with edge portions, said sleeve 
being wrapped around the spaced end body and held thereon by clamping 
means engaging closure elements disposed along the edges of the slot. The 
improvement comprising a sealing system having annular portions for 
forming a seal between each of the end bodies and the sleeve and a 
longitudinal portion for forming a seal at said slot, said portions being 
of an elastic material and being sufficiently flexible to be positioned on 
the end bodies and at the slot prior to assembly of the sleeve on the end 
bodies so that the closing means and the closure elements are constructed 
to maintain the necessary closing pressure and to be assembled on the 
joint by means of conventional tools. 
In the exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the 
sealing system has the annular portions positioned between the peripheral 
surface of each of the end bodies and the sleeve and also has a 
longitudinally extending portion positioned to seal the longitudinal slot 
with these portions consisting of elastic material. In comparison to 
previous bonded sealing inserts, the structure provides easier assembly 
conditions and the advantage consists, in particular, that these sealing 
portions can be reused. This means that when it is necessary to open the 
cable joint, it can be reclosed in accordance with the present invention 
without additional means or replacing sealing material. Furthermore, the 
sealing system along the slot in the sleeve is matched to the sealing 
elements in respect to shape, elasticity and fixing in such a manner that 
it is unnecessary to use special tools. Opening and also subsequent 
reclosing of the sleeve thus does not necessitate special measures and 
therefore, these procedures can be carried out without problems. The 
closing elements which are used in combination with the sealing elements 
in accordance with the invention require, for example, only a conventional 
screw driver which is available in all tool kits. The sealing elements or 
portions themselves are easily fixed with ease of assembly in the 
individual sleeve elements so that no special skills or manual measures 
are required. 
All the described variations of the exemplary embodiments are based on this 
described aim which is fulfilled by the principles in accordance with this 
invention. Other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the 
following description, drawings and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in a cable 
joint generally indicated at 100 in FIG. 1. The cable joint 100 has a pair 
of end bodies 7, which are spaced apart by a connecting bar 13, and a 
sleeve 8, which has a longitudinally extending slot and is wrapped and 
held tightly therearound. To provide a water-tight seal both for the 
engagement between the sleeve 8 and each of the end bodies 7 and the 
longitudinally extending slot of the sleeve, a sealing system having 
annular or end portions 1 and two horizontal or longitudinal portions 2 is 
provided. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sealing system has the portions 1 
and 2 interconnected as a single, continuous ring-shaped member to form an 
endless sealing element. This endless sealing element is positioned with 
the annular portions 1 being received in peripheral grooves in each of the 
bodies 7 and the longitudinal extending portions 2 being positioned on the 
connecting bar 13 which is formed of a impervious material. Thus, by 
positioning of the sleeve 8 wrapped onto the end bodies 7 with the edges 
forming the slot positioned over the horizontal portions 2, and by 
clamping the sleeve in this position, a water-tight seal is obtained. In 
this arrangement, the connecting bar 13, which was originally provided to 
hold the two end bodies 7 at the desired spacing, now simultaneously is 
used as a support for the longitudinal extending seal portions 2. Each of 
the end bodies 7 are formed of two members joined together to form a 
sealing engagement with a cable K, which is to extend through an opening 
therein. The end bodies 7 can have structure of the various modifications, 
that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,911, whose disclosure is 
incorporated by reference thereto. 
A second embodiment of the cable joint is generally indicated at 100a in 
FIG. 2. This embodiment includes a pair of end bodies 7 and a sleeve 8(1). 
In this embodiment, the sealing system has the two annular sealing 
portions 1 and at least one longitudinal sealing portion 2 which are 
separate units or elements with the annular sealing portions 1 being 
disposed on the peripheral surface of the split end bodies 7 and a 
longitudinal portion 2 being fixed on one of the two longitudinal edges of 
the sleeve 8(1). Thus, the sleeve can be supplied as a cohesive, 
individual component. This arrangement obviates the need for the assembly 
work present in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Since, as already mentioned, the 
sealing portions 1 and 2 consist of elastic material, the joint body can 
be repeatedly opened and closed using the sealing system. 
A third embodiment of the cable joint system is generally indicated at 100b 
in FIG. 3. In the third embodiment, the sealing system again has annular 
and longitudinal portions 1 and 2 which are formed of continuous, single 
ring-shape elements and these are carried on a split sleeve 8(2). As in 
the embodiment of FIG. 1, a connecting bar or member can be provided for 
spacing the two end bodies 7 and for acting with the horizontal portions 2 
and forming the seal. This arrangement will be discussed later on with 
regard to FIG. 38. 
The sealing system of the embodiment 100 of FIG. 1 and the embodiment 100b 
of FIG. 3 have the annular portions 1 interconnected to the horizontal or 
longitudinal extending portions 2 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. As 
illustrated, the two annular portions 1 are at the end and are 
interconnected by two parallel longitudinally extending portions 2. The 
shape can be inserted in a particularly simple manner into the sealing 
grooves of already assembled end bodies of the cable joint and 
simultaneously positioning of the longitudinal seals will also occur and 
can be inserted in the provided sealing zone, for example, of the 
exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The insertion operation is 
simple and no incisions are necessary. 
The sealing system of FIG. 4 can have various different constructions as 
far as cross sections. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the portions 1 and 2 have 
an elastic base core 1a or 2a, which is formed of a silicone-rubber and is 
provided with an additional coating 1b or 2b consisting of a suitable 
material for permeation protection, for example an elastomer coating. This 
cross sectional shape can be virtually, arbitrarily varied although it 
must correspond to the profile of the sealing zone. Thus, rectangular 
cross sections with or without curved surfaces can also be utilized as are 
double profiles and the like. However, the base material for the sealing 
element is of essential importance and an example of the exemplary 
embodiemnts in accordance with the present invention preferably consist of 
an elastomer. This applies to all of the following described sealing 
elements. 
A modification of the cross section of the sealing element is illustrated 
in FIG. 6. In this modification, both the annular and longitudinal 
portions 1 and 2 have a rectangular or box-shaped cross section with a 
groove extending along one side to form two spaced sealing lips 1c or 2c. 
The provision of the sealing lips makes the sealing element rendered 
softer and more adaptable to forming a seal. 
It is also possible to use a tubular element for the sealing portions 1 and 
2. If the interior of a tubular sealing element is supplied with internal 
pressure, it will become more adapted to a particular sealing condition. 
In this way, the closing pressure necessary for the sealing process can be 
set extremely accurately and easily and the closing elements of the 
closure system can be designed to be correspondingly of a simpler 
construction since the necessary closing pressure need not be applied at 
the time of assembly. Thus, by way of examples illustrated in FIG. 7, a 
tubular sealing element, which is a continous, ring-shaped member having 
portions 1 and 2 integrated together, is provided with a valve 3 through 
which the required internal pressure can be provided in the interior of 
the tubular sealing element. Thus, this endless tubular system can be 
filled with a pressure medium, which may be gas or liquid, following the 
closure of the sleeve. The inner walls of the tube are protected from 
permeation by providing a special coating. The pressure medium can be 
pumped into the tube by a handpump or a supply cartridge. The supply 
cartridge can remain attached to a flange and can be used for a refill in 
the event of a pressure loss. 
Whereas the pressure control in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 is 
achieved by an appropriate supply of pressure medium, another modification 
is illustrated in FIG. 8 in which no supply of the pressure medium is 
necessary. The pressure increase is achieved by compressing a container 4, 
which is permanently connected to the closed pressure system of the 
tubular sealing system having the continuously connected portions 1 and 2. 
In this case, the tube is filled with an unpressurized fashion with a 
pressure medium of gas or liquid. When the sleeve has been closed, 
necessary pressure is obtained by compressing the container 4 as will be 
explained later with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
As mentioned above, the cross sectional shape of the sealing element for 
the sealing portions 1 and 2 can have various shapes. In an embodiment 
illustrated in FIG. 9, it has a hollow, rectangular shape with the walls 
of the square or rectangular shape, particularly the lateral walls 1e and 
2e, being concave walls having inwardly extending depressions so that when 
the tube is compressed in a vertical direction, which is the preferred 
direction of collapse, the wall 1e or 2e collapsed into the interior 1d or 
2d when the compression pressure exceeds a limited value which is governed 
by the shape and the material. When applying this compression, the tube 
will support the pressure because of the elastic material properties and 
when the forementioned limit value is reached, the pipe or tube will 
collapse inwardly until it is finally completely compressed. Thereafter, 
the compression is governed only by the elasticity of the material. This 
design is particularly favorable for sealing elements and sealing zones of 
cable joints since the profile is combined with the elastic properties of 
material and can be constructed to be such that the pressure in the 
sealing system firstly increases in a linear fashion until the necessary 
closing pressure is reached. During the next portion of the closing stroke 
which occur, for example, when closing elements are screwed further, the 
pressure in the sealing system will remain virtually the same. This means 
that the closing element need be designed only for this necessary closing 
pressure. It is thus impossible for the permitted value for the closing 
element to be widely exceeded and therefore, there is adequate protection 
from overloads and from damage. Furthermore, in this sealing profile, an 
opening or aperture 1f or 2f can be formed as an inlet in one of the walls 
facing towards the interior of the cable joint. Thus, with these openings 
1f or 2f, any excess pressure prevailing, for example, in the sleeve can 
be utilized or exploited in the sealing system so that additional excess 
pressure will prevail and the sealing system will serve as a backup in the 
sealing system in the described sense. 
An elastic characteristic of this kind is also represented in the graph of 
FIG. 10 wherein the pressure P versus the closing stroke S are plotted for 
the element of FIG. 9. The first section of the curve has a linearly, 
increasing characteristic in that an increasing closing stroke or distance 
occurs almost exclusively from the elastic property of the material used 
for the sealing element. After the first bend in the curve, the collapse 
of the laterally indented or concave walls 1e and 2e of the sealing 
portions 1 and 2 in FIG. 9 will start. Here, the closing pressure remains 
virtually uniform and the height of this section is adjusted to be such 
that it will correspond precisely to the necessary closing pressure. When 
the closing stroke S is reached when the closing elements are further 
clamped, the closing pressure does not raise within a wide range. As a 
result, the tolerance range can be extended so as to virtually avoid the 
damage of overloading the sealing element providing the closing stroke is 
not increase beyond the second bend SM of the curve. This, however, can be 
prevented by suitable measures and limitations. If no limitation occurs 
following the second bend SM, the normal compression is restored, which is 
governed solely by the material used for the sealing element or forming 
the portions 1 and 2. 
In using a sealing system, such as illustrated in FIG. 8, having the 
container 4, the joint will have the construction at one of the end bodies 
7 as illustrated in FIG. 11. As illustrated, the sleeve 8(2a) has a groove 
for holding at least the annular portion 1 of the seal against the 
periphery of the end body 7. A container 4 is in the fluid communication 
with the interior of the tubular member and is pressed by a cap 5 which is 
secured on the outer surface of the body 7 by screws 6. To increase the 
internal pressure of the fluid in the tubular member forming the portions 
1 and 2, the pressing of the container 4 between the cap 5 and the end 
surface of the end bodies 7 will cause a uniform pressure in the hollow, 
tubular sealing system to cause a uniform pressing against the various 
sealing surfaces. The dimensions of the cap 5 are such that when it forms 
a stable contact with the appropriate shaped end wall of the body 7, an 
adequate sealing pressure is achieved. In contrast, by detaching the cap 5 
by means of loosening the screws 6, the container 4 can be released and 
the fluid pressure in the interior of the sealing system will be decreased 
so that the sleeve 8(2a) can be reopened without exerting much force. The 
advantages of the sealing system, which operates indirectly through an 
internal pressure in the sealing element or portions, has special 
advantages since it offers uniform distribution of pressure, ease of 
opening and closing of the sleeve with a pressureless tube and the simple 
facility of varying the pressure of the seal and thus, compensating for 
production tolerances. 
In the embodiment of the cable joint 100 of FIG. 1, the annular portions 1 
are carried in peripheral grooves of the end bodies 7 while the 
longitudinally extending portions 2 are carried on a annular bar or member 
13. As best illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the sealing system has two 
longitudinal portions 2 which extend between the two annular portions 1. 
The two longitudinal portions are each held in space relationship in 
grooves 13a of the connecting bar 13 and are spaced apart by a ridge or 
rib 13b. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the annular portions 1 are received in 
a peripheral groove in the end body 7. Preferably, the sealing element 
having the portions 1 and 2 is assembled in this manner. The sleeve 8 
along each edge of the slot has two bead-like projections or flanges 8a 
and 8b wherein the projection 8a has a groove for receiving a 
longtidunally extending projection on the bead or flange 8b. The 
projection and groove have a wedge shape and for closure are compressed by 
means of one or more clamping bars, such as the clamping bar 43 
illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 3. The sleeve 8 on an internal surface 
adjacent each of the edges has guide portions or members 8c which are 
arranged along the sealing zone so that when the sleeve 8 is closed, these 
will move behind the connecting bar 3 and provide a precise guidance. In 
the illustrated embodiment, the sealing element forming portions 1 and 2 
is circular; however, this is not essential. The diameter of the element 
forming the portions 1 and 2 is selected to be such that the sealing 
portions project beyond the groove 13a of the connecting bar 13. However, 
the groove 13a is designed to be such that it contains sufficient bypass 
area for the later compressed seal while maintaining the necessary sealing 
pressure. The sealing element forming the portions 1 and 2 can either be 
pressure free or can be acted upon by an internal pressure. 
To close the slot, as illustrated in FIG. 13, matching wedge-shaped closing 
bars 43 are utilized. The sleeve 8 has been contracted in the closure zone 
and longitudinal edges of the sleeve 8 have pressed the sealing portions 2 
into the groove 13a of the connecting bar. Also, because the guide 
portions 8c engage the bar 13, an accurate positioning of the bar and 
sleeve will occur. 
An endless sealing element will have corners of transition between the 
longitudinal portion 2 and the annular portion 1 which are illustrated in 
the zone Z of FIG. 1 and shown in greater detail in FIG. 14. The 
particular difficulties which will occur with these transition zones are 
described with regard to FIGS. 14-16. 
As illustrated in FIG. 14, in the region of longitudinal portion 2 for the 
connecting bar 13, there is a bridge or ridge 13b which extends between 
the grooves 13a. At the zone or turning point Z (FIG. 1), the ridge 13b 
tapers and narrows to a portion 13b' best illustrated in FIG. 16 to form a 
gusset region. In this region, the two sealing portions 2 will merge 
together and into side by side engagement and as illustrated, to ensure 
that the gusset region is completely sealed in a longitudinal direction. 
The annular sealing portion 1 then continues in the continued deformation 
of the sealing portion along the periphery of the end body 7. 
The change in the structure of the bridge element 13b to the portion 13b' 
is best illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. As illustrated, the bridge 13b 
goes from a rectangular cross section to a wedge-shaped cross section 
having two curved surfaces. It is also noted, that a part of the portion 
13b' is formed in the actual periphery of the end member 7. As illustrated 
in FIG. 15, the bar 13 forms a butt joint with an inner planar surface of 
the body 7. To ensure a good seal, the two portions 2 should be merged 
together prior to crossing this joint to ensure sealing the cable joint 
from the exterior. 
As mentioned with regard to the embodiment 100a of FIG. 2, the portions 1 
can be separate portions from the longitudinally extending portions 2. 
When utilizing separate portions, they can be annular rings or they can be 
split annular rings, such as the split seal 84 of FIG. 17. The split seal 
84 has two components which are matched in length and dimensions to the 
characteristics of the peripheral surface of the end body 7 or an inner 
peripheral surface of the sleeve if it is to be carried thereon. In order 
to ensure a simple and reliable guidance of these annular seals 84, the 
division 88 has a T-shaped end 86. Thus, in accordance with the division 
area Y of FIG. 2 of the end body 7, the overall annular seal 84 consists 
of a plurality of components which are inserted into the peripheral 
grooves of the end body 7. The T-shaped end 86 of the annular sealing 
component 84 is provided as an anchor in the sealing body and can be 
received in a transverse groove similar to a groove 87 formed in a 
separation plane between elements of the end body as illustrated in FIG. 
7. Each of the components of the annular seal 84 is located with bias in 
the end body peripheral groove and, due to the anchorage in the transverse 
groove 87, cannot slide out. The T-shaped end 86 of the annular sealing 
component 84 are designed in such a manner that the round rear of the 
annular seal 84 continues to the division 88 and that when the sealing 
body components are screwed together, the T-shaped ends 86 are pressed 
against one another. When the split sleeve, such as 8(1), has been clamped 
around the end body 7, the annular seal 84 will be pressed onto the 
peripheral groove of the end body 7 and against the inner wall or surface 
of the sleeve until the desired sealing effect is achieved. 
In FIGS. 18 and 19, a sleeve 8(1a) is illustrated in the sealing zone of 
the junction between the longitudinal sealing portions 2 and the annular 
portion 1. The two straight longitudinal portions 2 of the sealing system 
of FIG. 18 are accommodated in longitudinal grooves 9 of flanges 10 of the 
sleeve 8(1a). The shape of the sealing grooves 9, and a sealing groove 11 
on the sleeve 8(1a) matches the corresponding already described sealing 
forms. The two annular sealing portions 1 of the sealing system are 
accommodated in the annular grooves 11 located at the two joined ends of 
the sleeve 8(1a). These annular grooves 11 of the sleeve are arranged in 
the form of segments 12 along an inner periphery surface of the sleeve 
8(1a) in order not to impair the elasticity required for the closure 
process and to allow wrapping and unwrapping of the sleeve around the end 
bodies 7. Thus, in the case of an endless seal, the two longitudinal 
portions 2 are inserted into the longitudinal grooves 9 of the flanges 10 
of the sleeve 8(1a) where they are pressed against one another. Following 
the assembly and the closure of the sleeve 8(1a), the interior of the 
joint is closed off from the exterior so as to be pressure tight. The 
sealing system and the sealing grooves are adapted to one another in such 
a manner that having the sealing elements or portions pressed into the 
grooves, the portions remain sealed therein and cannot slide out. In this 
way, the sleeve 8(1a) and the required seal portions 1 and 2 can be 
supplied as a unit and assembled at the location of use. As illustrated in 
FIG. 19, the two transverse groove 87 which are in the division plane of 
the body 7 represent an extension of the sealing groove 11 and serve to 
anchor the split annular seal 84. In such an arrangement, the body 7 may 
be provided with a very shallow groove which coacts with the groove 11. 
The closure means for holding the edges of the sleeves can take various 
configurations. 
For example, a sleeve 8(3) of FIGS. 20 and 21 utilize a plurality of toggle 
closure devices having toggles 24 for clamping the pair of horizontal 
portions 2 in tight sealing engagement as the edges of the sleeve 8(3) are 
clamped together. The individual toggles 24, which have a self-locking 
device, are commercially available and are adapted to the conditions along 
the longitudinal slot. Thus, in any case, individual toggles 24 of this 
kind will be engaged in the region of the end bodies 7 to allow the 
clamping forces to act directly on the underlying annular seal portion 1 
which is disposed between the periphery of the end body 7 and the sleeve 
8(3). The clamping force upon the longitudinal seal portions 2 is 
transferred, for example, via two web plates 25 which are fastened by 
screws 26 to the exterior of the sleeve 8(3) as can be seen in FIGS. 20 
and 21. These plates 25 act on the edges flanges of the sleeve 8(3). 
In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 22-24, the closure means will 
require no special tools. Here again, the device consists of individual 
closing toggles 28, which are arranged in series with one another along a 
longitudinal slot of a sleeve 8(3a). These closing toggles 28 are provided 
with one or more than one insertion slot 29 (FIG. 22) and a tension wire 
30 is hooked in the slots in order to clamp the closure device. As can be 
seen from FIG. 24, the tension wire 30 curves in a serpentine formation to 
provide hook portions interconnected by parallel wire portions to hook 
portions on the opposite side and with a number of hook portions 
corresponding to the number of closing toggles 28. The offset is such that 
one side are inserted into insertion slots 31 on the flanges of the sleeve 
8(3a) and the offset on the other side are inserted into insertion slots 
29 of the closing toggle element 28. When the closing toggle 28 has been 
pressed down, the tension wire 30 is tightened and provides the necessary 
closing pressure to the sealing system and the longitudinal seal of the 
sleeve 8(3a) and in the annular seal system as the sleeve 8(3a) is thus 
simultaneously clamped onto the end bodies 7. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 
and 23, the toggle is mounted with a pin pivotally received on a portion 
of the opposite flange of the sleeve 8(3a) and has pivotal movement 
between a closed position, illustrated in bold lines in FIG. 22, to an 
open position, illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 22. When in the open 
position, the opposite offset portions will be released from the grooves 
31, to release the seal portions 2. 
Instead of utilizing toggles for the closure elements, a closure bar 32 
(FIGS. 25 and 26), which has parallel flanks and can be used for holding 
the flanges or beads of a sleeve 8(4) together. A longitudinal bead to the 
sleeve 8(4) is provided at the outer surface with longitudinally extending 
undercuts and to which an inwardly bent flank of the closing bar 32 is 
engaged. The clamping of the closure device comprising the bar 32 with the 
longitudinal bead is carried out by a plurality of eccentric cams 33 with 
axles 34 which cams are mounted at a short interval along the length of 
the bar 32. The cams are mounted in such a manner that they can engage an 
undercut on the other longitudinal bead when they are turned inward from 
the exterior in order to clamp the two beads together by the bar. By 
virtue of the eccentric design of the cams 33, the closing pressure along 
the longitudinal slot can be produced continuously by using a simple tool, 
for example, a screwdriver in the case of a slotted design of the 
rotational axles 34. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the longitudinal seal 
portions 2 are placed in longitudinal grooves in the edge flanges of the 
sleeve 8(4) and the edges also have a wedge-shaped projection received in 
the wedge-shaped groove to aid in their aligned during forming of the 
closure. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the eccentrically designed cams 33 
have an oval shape so that a double stroke is produced on rotation around 
their axle 34. For this purpose, the end of the axles 34 are slotted to 
receive a screwdriver. However, they can be provided with a square, or 
hexagonal head or socket. To simplify the assembly of the closing bar 34, 
the flange opposite to the one engaged by the cams 33 is provided with 
inlet bevels 35 and 36. Here again, the sealing portions 2 of FIG. 25 are 
illustrated as being solid elements. 
In an embodiment of the closure which is illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, a 
sleeve 8(5) has alternately arranged flange portions 37 which overlap 
adjacent edge portions of the sleeve 8(5). The projecting end of the 
overlapping longitudinal flanges 37 is designed to have a concave face and 
the concave faces coact to produce a locking groove 40 extending in the 
longitudinal direction. A rod 38 can now be engaged in this lock-in groove 
40 along the entire length of the slot. However, the diameter of the rod 
38 must be such that the longitudinal flanges 37 can be moved apart until 
a longitudinal edges of the sleeve 8(5) are compressed in a sealed fashion 
onto the inserted sealing system portions 2. Inlet bevels 41 on an edge of 
each of the longitudinal flanges 37 simplify the insertion of the closing 
rod 38. An improvement as represented in FIGS. 27 and 28 provide the 
closing rod 38 with an oval cross section with a narrow axis and a major 
axis. In this way, the closing rod 38 is introduced into the groove 40 
with its major axis extending radially relative to the axis of the sleeve 
8(5). Then, the rod is rotated 90.degree. to place the major axis to 
extend between the surfaces of the grooves 40 and to provide the closing 
pressure on the sealing system. As best illustrated in FIG. 28, the 
flanges 37 are alternately overlapping from opposite sides of the sleeve 
8(5). The closing rod 38 extends parallel to the longtidunal direction and 
can be shaped preferably at an end 39 to enable rotation by means of a 
simple tool. 
The closure devices or means for the cable joint can comprise tapering 
connecting bars 42 and 43 which coact with tapering closing flanges 44 
that extend along the longitudinal slot of a sleeve 8(6) (FIG. 30). The 
tapering flanges taper from a narrow portion adjacent each end to a wider 
portion at the center and the elements 43 also have this tapering 
condition so that when the two elements 43 and 42 are drawn together they 
apply a closing pressure on the flanges 44 and any seal portions 2 
disposed therebetween. As best seen from FIG. 30, the two closing bars 42 
and 43 are provided for the closure of the sleeve 8(6) and are laterally 
positioned on the corresponding longitudinally tapering flanges 44. In the 
region of the sleeve center, these longitudinal flanges contain radial 
recesses 45 which are arranged in series. Through openings 46 in the 
closing bars 42 and 43, these closing bars can be moved in a longitudinal 
direction by a levering movement, for example, by using a screwdriver 
inserted through the opening and engages in a recess 45. During the 
closing of the sleeve, the two closing bars 42 and 43, which have been 
drawn towards one another are locked by means of a rachet lever 47, which 
is arranged on the closing bar 42 and engages into a corresponding recess 
or aperture 48 as illustrated in FIG. 31. The rachet lever or hook element 
47 can be unlocked by being lifted by a screwdriver inserted in the 
groove, such as 49, whereupon the wedge-shaped bars 42 and 43 are released 
by again inserting a screwdriver through the above mentioned apertures 46 
to engage a recess 45 and apply leverage to move the bars. 
In the previously described closure system, two horizontal portions 2 are 
utilized. In the system illustrated in FIGS. 32-37, only a single 
horizontal portion is provided. Thus, like the arrangement of FIG. 2, the 
annular portions 1 are separate from the horizontal portion 2. However, 
they are arranged so that in the area of the two end bodies 7, the annular 
portions 1 intersect the single, horizontal portion provided by the single 
seal 63. This point of intersection is shown by the zone W in FIG. 2. 
Special provisions must be made for this purpose in order to adhere to the 
necessary closing conditions. On the whole, any system in accordance with 
the invention can be used for the annular seal portions 1 which can be 
designed to be self-closed or split rings. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 32, a cross sectional view of a longitudinal 
closure device represents an arrangement of this longtidunal seal 63 which 
follows the application of a tapering closing bar 66 and is pressed by 
means of a pressure strip 64 and the securing screws 65 thereof into a 
longtidunal groove 67 which is formed in a longitudinal flange of a sleeve 
8(7). Due to the bevel of the longitudinal groove in the upper 
longitudinal flange of the sleeve 8(7), the longitudinal seal 63 is also 
pressed against the flat surface of the underlying longitudinal flange. In 
this way, the desired compression of the seal 63 is achieved with the 
pressure strip 64 firmly screwed into the position. For example, until 
after the closing bar 66 has been applied, the pressure strips 64 may be 
in a loosely received position without applying pressure on the seal 63. 
Subsequent to applying the bars 66, the screws are then tightened by 
inserting a screwdriver through the bore 68 to move the pressure strips 64 
to a position to apply pressure on the seal 63. This will have the 
advantage, that the pressure for forming the seal between the flanges and 
63 is not done until after the bar 66 is applied. 
An embodiment or modification of this arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 
33. A sealing or pressure bar 70 has been integrated into two tapering 
closing bars 69 which have a longitudinally extending groove 71 for 
receiving the pressure strips 70. Additionally, screws 72 are provided for 
applying or exerting pressure on the strip 70. This is a variation which 
provides greater ease of assembly in comparison to the embodiment of FIG. 
32 because the necessary components are preassembled. By tightening a 
screw 72 after the mounting of the closing bar 69, the inserted 
longitudinal seal 63 is then compressed in a sealing groove formed in the 
longitudinal flanges of a sleeve 8(8). 
Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 34-37. In this embodiment, an 
annular seal 60 is carried by the end bodies 7 with the longitudinal seal 
63 being arranged as in the two embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 
33. Thus, as shown in FIG. 36, a groove base 74 of the upper longitudinal 
flange is opened in this intersecting zone so that at this intersecting 
zone the annular seal 60 and the longitudinal seal 63 can contact one 
another. The so-called gusset, which is formed in this contact zone, can, 
in some cases, also be filled with a locally applied permanently plastic 
bonding compound. For the sealing of this gusset, an inner sealing lip 75 
of each of the two longitudinal flanges of the sleeve 8(9) taper in to 
form blades (see FIG. 34). In the region of the annular seal 60, the 
longitudinal seal 63 is deflected out of the inner contour of the 
longitudinal flange by an appropriately shaped spring or pressue element 
73 of a pressure strip 64' so that the two sealing portions are compressed 
at the point of intersection. As illustrated in FIG. 37, the end of the 
pressure strip 64' with the projecting spring or portion 73 will effect 
the deflection of the longitudinal seal 63. This deflection can also be 
seen in FIG. 36 in which the portion of the longitudinal seal 63 in the 
remaining region of the longitudinal slot has been indicated in broken 
lines. This ensures that a reliable seal of the gusset zone is also 
obtained at the intersection point of the two sealing element portions. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the system 100b has the sealing portions 1 and 2 
carried on the sleeve 8(2). Preferably, the portions 1 and 2 are also 
integral so that they are formed by a single, continuous loop element. As 
best illustrated in FIG. 38, the sleeve 8(2) has the annular portions 1 
received in the annular grooves formed by segments 12 of the sleeve 8(2) 
so that when the sleeve 8(2) is closed, the portions 1 will be pressed 
onto the peripheral surface of the end body 7. The longitudinal portions 2 
are secured at the longitudinal edges of the sleeve 8(2) in grooves formed 
in edge flanges 12'. Following the assembly of the end bodies and the 
connecting bar 13(1), the sleeve 8(2) is mounted in such a manner that the 
two longitudinal seal portions 2 are arranged opposite the connecting bar 
13(1). Here, the connecting bar 13(1) contains a recess 13c which leaves a 
space adjacent the recesses or grooves in the flanges 12' of the sleeve 
8(2) to automatically produce a mutual alignment. During the closure of 
the sleeve 8(2) with the aid of a closing bar, the two longitudinal edges 
are drawn towards one another whereby the seal portions 2 attach 
themselves in a sealing fashion onto the closing bar 13(1). As already 
explained with reference to FIGS. 14-16, the closing bar 13(1) is provided 
with corresponding recesses in order to be reliably sealed, the gusset 
zones which is formed at the junction of the portions 1 and 2. 
A modification of the arrangement of FIG. 38 is illustrated in FIG. 39 
wherein the longitudinal seal portions 2 are again pressed by a sleeve 
8(2b) onto a connecting bar 13(2) which is located in the interior of the 
cable joint. Connecting bar 13(2) is firmly secured by lateral surfaces 
following the assembly of the cable in the end bodies 7. In order to avoid 
a different longitudinal expansion in the event of temperature changes, 
the connecting bar 13(2) likewise consists, for example, of a synthetic 
material. In this examplary embodiment, threaded bolts 14 are secured into 
the connecting bar 13(2) at short intervals in series with one another and 
extend outwardly through correspondingly free-half bores in the two 
longitudinal flanges of the sleeve 8(2b) and through a flange bar 15. The 
flange bar 15 is then tightened by a corresponding nut 16 against the 
longitudinal flanges of the sleeve 8(2b) so that the two longitudinal 
flanges of the sleeve 8(2b) are pressed onto one another and the 
connecting bar 13(2) is pressed against the two longitudinal seal portions 
2. This prevents the connecting bar 13(2) from yielding due to inadequate 
rigidity of shape. This double-sided bevel of the two longitudinal flanges 
of the sleeve 8(2b) and of the flange bar 15 facilitate the positioning of 
the flange bar 15 and permit the double-sided pressure of the longitudinal 
flanges towards one another. The threaded bolts 14 are sealed from the 
exterior by an elastomer disk 17. Also, indicated in the background in the 
annular seal 1 which is fixed in an annular groove formed by segments 12 
of the sleeve 8(2b). 
Another modification or alternate construction is illustrated in FIG. 40. 
Here, in addition to being pressed onto a connecting bar 13(3), the two 
longitudinal seal portions 2 are also pressed against one another thus 
increasing the sealing effect. A longitudinal flange 18 of the sleeve 
8(2c) has a hook shape and overlaps a second projecting longitudinal 
flange 19. The lower longitudinal flange 19 is placed on a threaded bolt 
20 which is screwed into the connecting bar 13(3) and is covered by the 
upper longitudinal flange 18 through which the bolt 20 likewise projects. 
The necessary sealing pressure is produced by means of a hexagonal nut 21 
and the screw bore is again sealed by an elastomer disk 22 positioned 
between the two longitudinal flanges. An inlet bevel 23 on the inner 
longitudinal flange 19 facilitates the overlap of the two longitudinal 
flanges and also permits the two longitudinal seal portions 2 to be 
pressed onto one another. 
As mentioned here and before, when utilizing sealing systems, such as a 
tubular system of FIGS. 7 and 8, an indirect sealing force can be applied. 
In this arrangement, the closure system is more or less slackly assembled 
and the necessary sealing pressure is finally produced by pressure medium 
inside of the tubular sealing system. As illustrated in FIG. 41, a 
longitudinal seal of a sleeve 8(10) is initially not subjected to closing 
pressure because it has a tubular sealing element 50 inserted into a 
longitudinally extending sealing groove. The two longitudinally extending 
sealing flanges of the sleeve 8(10) are held together by a closing bar 51 
wherein the groove and projection combinations serve to align the 
longitudinal flanges. The application and locking of the closing bar 51 is 
facilitated by bevels 53 along the longitudinal flanges so that the 
closing bar 51 can be locked in position by being pressed down into 
externally located grooves 52. Following the simple positioning and fixing 
of the longitudinal flanges, the previously pressureless tubular seal 50 
is now expanded by a pressure medium which is applied by either method 
described hereinbefore. This pressure medium provides the necessary 
closing pressure to be built up by the formation of the internal pressure. 
As illustrated in FIG. 42, the final state is achieved wherein the tubular 
seals 50 entirely fill the groove areas and in some cases, even deform the 
connecting bar 51 until it strikes against the longitudinal flange 
surface. In a closure system of this type, no longitudinal connecting bars 
are required for the sealing purpose so that the position of the 
longitudinal closing device is noncritical. 
A modification of this system is illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44 wherein the 
longitudinal section of the sealing zone of the cable joint is obtained 
without the addition of the closing component. In this modification, the 
lower longitudinal flange 54 of a sleeve 8(11) is hooked-shaped and 
overlaps an upper longitudinal flange 55. The flanges 54 and 55 have 
facing grooves which receive the longitudinal portion of the tubular seal 
56. With the tubular seal inserted, the longitudinal flange 54 is moved 
across the longitudinal flange 55 and the assembly is facilitated by the 
provision of a bevel 57. After forming the assembly, the tubular system 
has a pressure medium inserted to the interior until necessary closure 
pressure has been produced (see FIG. 44). This compression also serves to 
achieve the necessary mechanical hooking engagement of the closure system. 
Another modification utilizing an internal pressure system is illustrated 
in FIGS. 45 and 46. In order to simplify the molding tools for the 
production of a sleeve, a sleeve 8(12) is utilized. In the hook-shaped 
formation of the flanges corresponding to the flanges of 54 is provided by 
a U-shaped bar 58. The bar 58 is attached to a lower part of the sleeve 
8(12) by a fastener 59. The assembly is accomplished with no internal 
pressure in the tubular seal 56 and after assembly, a pressue medium is 
inserted in the tubes 56 to expand them to the condition illustrated in 
FIG. 46 to form the seal therebetween. 
As mentioned hereinabove, problems with provided peripheral sealing grooves 
on an inner surface of a sleeve in the region of the end bodies 7 for 
receiving the annular sealing portion 1 occur. On the one hand, the 
sealing groove is to serve to fix the annular sealing portion 1 and on the 
other hand, flexibilty of the sleeve should not be impaired by a 
peripheral groove of this type. It is particularly difficult to 
manufacture a sleeve with integral peripheral groove since the removal of 
the sleeve from the mold presents particular complications. Thus, it is 
expedient to provide separate elements which can be subsequently attached 
to the sleeve by bonding, insertion or clamping. Such elements 12a are 
illustrated in cross section in FIG. 47 and are secured on a sleeve 8(2c). 
As illustrated in FIG. 48, the groove elements 12a which is the elongated 
form are arranged in series as a strip and can be maintained flexible by 
transverse slots or indentations. These strip-like structures are then 
easily positioned onto projections 12b formed on the inner portion of 
sleeve 8(2c). 
In order to fix a tubular seal 89 in a sleeve, such as the sleeve 8(13) of 
FIG. 49, a groove in a longitudinal flange of the sleeve 8(13) is provided 
with a longitudinally extending groove 90 into which a bracket strip 91 
which is laterally molded into a sealing element 89 is inserted in a shape 
locking fashion. This design of a tubular sealing element can be applied 
to all of the previously described embodiments and therefore, further 
explanation is unnecessary. 
Preferably, the tubular sealing element 89 is of the kind consisting of a 
special rubber mixture corresponding to the prerequisite elasticity and 
permitted permeation. The endless sealing elements are preferably filled 
with a gas subject to a slight overpressure. The compressible gas filling 
of the sealing element of this kind provides an all-around uniform 
pressure and thus permits the compensation of the production tolerances in 
respect to cross sectional constrictions of the sealing groove and the 
like. When the sleeve 8(13) is closed by means of a tapered closing bar, 
as has been described several times, the gas pressure in the tubular 
sealing element which pressure required for sealing of a maximum of 0.7 
bar inner pressure, is produced by pressing the closing bars against one 
another and onto an end body. 
Although various minor modifications may be suggested by those versed in 
the art, it should be understood that we wish to employ within the scope 
of the patent granted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and 
properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.