Patent Publication Number: US-6706968-B2

Title: Environmentally sealed wrap-around sleeves having a longitudinal sealant chamber

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/556,230, filed Apr. 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,219, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sealing of cables. More particularly, this invention relates to wrap-around cable sleeves. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the electrical utilities industry, maintaining cable integrity may be critical. A loss of cable integrity, for example, a short circuit in a high voltage cable, may result in a crippling power outage, or, even worse, a loss of life. One everyday task that may pose a great threat to cable integrity is the formation of electrical connections. 
     When electrical connections are formed, a bare metal surface may be exposed such as a splice connector. These bare metal surfaces may be particularly hazardous when formed in the field where they are exposed to the environment. This environment may include rocks and other sharp objects as well as moisture when the connection is to be buried under ground and rainfall when the connection is to be suspended in the air. Thus, there is a need to protect such electrical connections from the environment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,005 to Huynh-Ba et al. proposes the use of a gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component. The closure may include first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides. The closure may have a hinge joining the first and second bodies along a lateral edge. The closure may be integrally made of a thermoplastic material by injection molding. The thermoplastic material may have a tensile yield strength of at least 3,500 pounds per square inch (psi). The closure may include reinforcing ribs that decrease the deflection in the closure near fingers as the enclosed gel expands during service at elevated temperatures. 
     While the gel may protect the connection from moisture and the closure may provide protection from rocks and other buried sharp objects, such a solution may ultimately be less than optimal. The reinforcing ribs may need to be designed to withstand a given internal pressure. As a result, valuable engineering resources may need to be expended to create a satisfactory closure. Moreover, standard electrical connectors are typically not used by electrical utilities across the country. Instead, connectors may assume a variety of shapes and sizes. As the above closure may be formed in molds by injection molding, large capital investments may be required to manufacture them. Oftentimes, the ultimate market for these specialty closures may not be large enough to warrant such an investment. Furthermore, the gel may have to be placed in the closures in a discrete step, either in the manufacturing process or in the field, which may be inefficient. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,070 to Clark et al. proposes a flexible envelope having therein a sealing material. As noted above, gels may expand when heated causing internal stresses on the flexible envelope. If the flexible envelope is made of an elastomer having sufficient elasticity to absorb the expansion of the gel, the closure may become susceptible to splitting if placed in contact with a sharp object such as a rock. If the flexible envelope is made of a rigid material capable of withstanding such contact, the closure may become susceptible to stresses similar to those encountered by the closure, as noted above. Furthermore, the gel may typically be positioned within the flexible envelope in the field. Providing the gel in a discrete step may be inefficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Wrap-around cable sleeves are provided for environmentally sealing a cable section. The cable sleeves include a wrap-around body member of an electrically insulating material and have a longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section. The longitudinally extending portion defines a portion of a cable chamber extending around the cable section when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A closure edge extends along a first longitudinal edge of the body member. A sealant chamber extends along a second longitudinal edge of the body member. The sealant chamber has an opening configured to receive the closure edge when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A sealant material is positioned in the sealant chamber to environmentally seal the longitudinal edges of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, the cable sleeves further include a first sealant material layer on an inner face of the body member at a first end thereof that extends transversely across the first end of body member to define a continuous environmental seal between the cable section and the first end of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A second sealant material layer may be provided on the inner face of the body member at a second end thereof, longitudinally spaced apart from the first end to define a gap portion between the sealant material layers. The second sealant material layer extends transversely substantially across the second end of body member to define a continuous environmental seal between the cable section and the second end of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The first and second sealant material layer and the sealant material positioned in the sealant chamber, in various embodiments, sealingly contact each other when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, the sealant chamber includes a first opening in the inner face of the body member at the first end of the body member and a second opening at the second end. The sealant material in the sealant chamber and the first sealant material layer sealingly contact each other through the first opening and the sealant material in the sealant chamber and the second sealant material layer sealingly contact each other through the second opening. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, restraint members are tightened around the first end and the second end of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section to place the sealant material layer under pressure in a radial direction. The body member may include a first slot in an outer face of the first end of the body member and a second slot in the outer face of the second end of the body member and the first and second restraint members may be positioned in respective ones of the slots when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, the closure edge and the sealant chamber each include a contact surface on the inner face of the body member configured to contact the cable section to faciliate sliding thereon while the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The closure edge may also include a locking member configured to engage a mating portion of the sealant chamber to connect the closure edge and the sealant chamber when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section may be a first polymer having an associated rigidity and the locking member and the mating portion of the sealant chamber may be a second polymer that provides the locking member and the mating portion of the sealant chamber a greater rigidity than the longitudinally extending portion. The first polymer may be a thermoplastic elastomer and the second polymer may be polypropylene. The body member may be co-extruded thermoplastic elastomer and polypropylene materials. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, the inner face of the body member includes a gap portion between the longitudinally spaced apart first and second sealant material layers without sealant material thereon. The sealant material and the first and second sealant material layers environmentally seal the cable chamber when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The cable chamber may have a range taking in a radial direction of at least about 15 percent and the longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section may have a flexural modulus of between about 4,000 and 100,000 psi. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, the sealant material and the first and second sealant material layers are a silicone gel. The closure edge is configured to place the silicone gel in the sealant chamber under compression when the body member is wrapped around the cable section and the closure edge is received in the opening of the sealant chamber. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, the body member also includes a first collar portion adjacent a first end of the cable chamber and a second collar portion adjacent a second end of the cable chamber. The first and second collar portions have a range taking in a radial direction of less than 10 percent. The cable chamber may have a range taking in the longitudinal direction of less than about 10 percent. The longitudinally extending portion may have a 100% tensile modulus of between about 250 psi and 3000 psi. The longitudinally extending portion may have a tension set less than about 60 percent. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, wrap-around cable sleeves are provided for environmentally sealing a cable section. A wrap-around body member of an electrically insulating material and having a longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section is provided. The longitudinally extending portion defines a portion of a cable chamber extending around the cable section when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A closure edge extends along a first longitudinal edge of the body member and a sealant chamber extends along a second longitudinal edge of the body member. The sealant chamber has an opening configured to receive the closure edge when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A silicone gel is positioned in the sealant chamber to environmentally seal the longitudinal edges of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The closure edge is configured to place the silicone gel in the sealant chamber under compression when the body member is wrapped around the cable section and the closure edge is received in the opening of the sealant chamber. 
     A first sealant material layer is positioned on an inner face of the body member at a first end thereof and extends transversely across the first end of body member to define a continuous environmental seal between the cable section and the first end of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The first sealant material layer sealingly contacts the silicone gel in the sealant chamber. A second sealant material layer is positioned on the inner face of the body member at a second end thereof, longitudinally spaced apart from the first end to define a gap portion therebetween. The second sealant material layer extends transversely across the second end of body member to define a continuous environmental seal between the cable section and the second end of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. The second sealant material layer sealingly contacts the silicone gel in the sealant chamber. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, methods are provided for forming a wrap-around cable sleeve. A web of electrically insulating material is extruded with a longitudinally extending sealant chamber therein. The web is cut to a selected length. A gel is then inserted into the sealant chamber. Gel is also applied to an inner face of the web at a first end thereof and a second end thereof. The applied gel contacts the gel in the sealant chamber at the first end and the second end to form the wrap-around cable sleeve. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 in a position defining a cable chamber. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention including a spring clamp connector. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a la 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having interlocking upright members. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 including a sealant material on the interior surface of the longitudinally extending body according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a longitudinally extending body with substantially flat end portions. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8 defining a cable chamber with collar portions according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating lateral cross-sections of the embodiments illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     FIGS. 11A,  11 B and  11 C are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having first and second restraint members positioned in slots. 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating radial range taking according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating lateral range taking according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating longitudinal range taking of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve having pin and socket members according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a pin with a semi-circular leading edge and a grip surface having straight and arcuate portions. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a pin with a half-arrowhead leading edge and grip surfaces having an arcuate shape. 
     FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members slidably engaging first and second upright members. 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members and a longitudinally extending sleeve connector. 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members and a locking member having a living hinge, an arm, and a hook. 
     FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members comprising a rigid coating. 
     FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a plurality of pin and socket members. 
     FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members and a lip member. 
     FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a sealant material in a sealant chamber along a lateral edge thereof. 
     FIGS. 25A and 25B are schematic diagrams illustrating lateral cross-sections of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 24 in an opened and closed position, respectively. 
     FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 24 positioned around a cable section. 
     FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 24 positioned around a cable section and having restraint members around the ends thereof. 
     FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lateral cross-section of further embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  100  has a longitudinally extending body  110  and a connector  170 . The longitudinally extending body  110  includes a longitudinally extending portion  119  having a first longitudinal edge  115  and a second longitudinal edge  116  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  115 . The connector  170  includes a first connecting portion  120  adjacent the first longitudinal edge  115  of the longitudinally extending portion  119  and a second connecting portion  130  adjacent the second longitudinal edge  116  of the longitudinally extending portion  119 . While the preferred embodiments described herein illustrate specific connecting portion configurations, it is to be understood that various suitable connecting portion configurations understood by those skilled in the art may be used. 
     The longitudinally extending body  110  as illustrated in FIG. 1 is made from an electrically insulating material. This material may be a variety of electrically insulating materials as will be understood by those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers. The electrically insulating material, preferably, is a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer may be various thermoplastic elastomers as will be understood by those skilled in the art, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of polypropylene/rubber blends and polyurethanes. The most preferable thermoplastic elastomers are the polypropylene/rubber blends commercially available from Advanced Elastomer Systems of Akron, Ohio and sold under the Santoprene™ trademark. The longitudinally extending portion  119  may have a hardness as measured on the Shore A scale of at least about 55, preferably at least about 80, and more preferably at least about 90. The longitudinally extending portion  119  preferably has a flexural modulus between a lower limit and an upper limit. The lower limit is preferably about 2,000 psi, more preferably about 4,000 psi, and most preferably about 6,000 psi. The upper limit is preferably about 100,000 psi, more preferably about 25,000 psi, and most preferably about 10,000 psi. The longitudinally extending portion  119  preferably has a 100% tensile modulus as measured using ASTM D412 between a lower limit and an upper limit. The lower limit is preferably about 250 psi, more preferably about 800 psi, and most preferably about 1300 psi. The upper limit is preferably about 3000 psi, more preferably about 1800 psi, and most preferably about 1600 psi. The longitudinally extending portion  119  preferably has a tension set as measured using ASTM D412 of less than about 60 percent, more preferably less than about 50 percent, and most preferably less than about 20 percent. The longitudinally extending portion  119  may preferably have a lateral range taking, as described below in FIG. 13, of at least about 15%, more preferably of at least about 30%, and most preferably of at least about 50%. The longitudinally extending portion  119  may preferably have a longitudinal range taking, as described below in FIG. 14, of less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a lateral cross-section of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be described. The longitudinally extending portion  119  has a corrugated lateral cross-section. The longitudinally extending portion  119  has an exterior side  112  and an interior side  114 . While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 contains a longitudinally extending portion  119  having a W-shaped zig-zag pattern, it is to be understood that corrugated lateral cross-sections of the present invention should not be limited to any particular corrugated pattern. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the first connecting portion  120  has a first upright member  122  coupled to and extending from an exterior side of the first connecting portion  120 . The first upright member  122  has an increased lateral cross-section at its distal (furthest from the connecting portion  120 ) end having an engaging surface  124 . The first upright member  122  also has a closure side  121 . The first connecting portion  120  also has a grip member  126  having a grip surface  128 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second connecting portion  130  has a second upright member  132  coupled to and extending from an exterior side of the second connecting portion  130 . The second upright member  132  has an increased lateral cross-section at its distal end  134 . The second upright member also has a closure side  131 . The second connecting portion  130  further has a grip member  136  having a grip surface  138 . While the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1,  6  and  8  contain first and second connecting portions having grip members, it is to be understood that connecting portions according to the present invention do not require grip members. 
     The first connecting portion  120 , as shown in FIG. 2, has a lip member  123 . The lip member  123  may act as a guide to facilitate alignment of the first and second upright members  122  and  132 , respectively, when the body  110  is wrapped around a cable section. Moreover, the lip member  123  may also act as a moisture barrier, which may reduce the amount of moisture that enters a cable chamber formed by the longitudinally extending portion  119  when the body  110  is wrapped around a cable section. Furthermore, the lip member  123  may prevent sealant material from entering between closure sides  121  and  131  of upright members  122  and  132 , respectively, which may otherwise occur when a wrap-around cable sleeve having sealant material thereon is wrapped around a cable section. Although the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1,  6  and  8  contain lip members, it is to be understood that connecting portions according to the present invention do not require lip members. Wrap-around cable sleeves of the present invention may be provided as part of a kit for environmentally sealing a cable section. The kit may also include sealant material, among other things, which may be desired when the wrap-around cable sleeve is not provided with sealant material thereon. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the embodiments of FIG. 1, positioned to define a cable chamber and further having a connector including a connecting member, will now be further described. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a connector  370  includes the first connecting portion  122 , the second connecting portion  132 , and a longitudinally extending sleeve element  300 . The body  110  may be wrapped around a cable section by positioning the closure side  121  of the first upright member  122  of the first connecting portion  120  adjacent the closure side  131  of the second upright member  132  of the second connecting portion  130 . The grip member  126  and the grip member  136  may aid in this positioning. When the body  110  is wrapped around a cable section, the longitudinally extending portion  119  defines a portion of a cable chamber  180 . The cable chamber  180  extends substantially around the cable section. The exterior side  112  of the longitudinally extending portion  119  defines a portion of the exterior surface of the cable chamber and the interior side  114  of the longitudinally extending portion  119  defines a portion of the interior side of the cable chamber  180 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3A, the longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  may be used as a connecting member to connect the first connecting portion  120  to the second connecting portion  130 . The longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  has an inner surface  310  configured to slidably engage the distal end  124  of the first upright member  122  and an inner surface  320  configured to slidably engage the distal end  134  of the second upright member  132 . The longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  has a plurality of sections  330  separated by gaps  340 . While embodiments of the longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  as illustrated in FIG. 3A have a plurality of sections  330  separated by gaps  340 , it is to be understood that longitudinally extending sleeve elements of the present invention may have other configurations as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the longitudinally extending sleeve element of the present invention may be a longitudinally extending corrugated tube having a longitudinally extending slit along its length. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the sections  330  are connected to one another at edges  350  and  351 . The longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  may comprise various rigid materials, including but not limited to, thermosetting plastics, metals, and rigid thermoplastics having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 90° C. The longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  preferably comprises metal and more preferably comprises stainless steel. 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the lateral cross-section of FIG.  4 . The wrap-around cable sleeve  400  includes a longitudinally extending body  410  and a connector  470 . The longitudinally extending body  410  includes a longitudinally extending portion  419  having a first longitudinal edge  415  and a second longitudinal edge  416  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  415 . The connector  470  includes a first connecting portion  420  adjacent the first longitudinal edge  415 , and a second connecting portion  430  adjacent the second longitudinal edge  416 . The first connecting portion  420  has a first upright member  422  with an increased lateral cross-section at its distal end  424 . The second connecting portion  430  has a second upright member  432  with an increased lateral cross-section at its distal end  434 . The connector  470  includes a spring clamp connecting member  440 . The spring clamp connecting member  440  has a first arm  441  and a second arm  442 . The first arm  441  has a first end  443  and a second end  445  opposite the first end  443 . The second arm  442  has a first end  444  and a second end  446  opposite the first end  444 . The first arm  441  is coupled to the second arm  442  by a spring member  447  such that the spring member  447  causes the first end  443  of the first arm  441  to be directed toward the first end  444  of the second arm  442 . The spring clamp  440  may be positioned adjacent the longitudinally extending body  400  such that the first end  443  of the first arm  441  is adjacent the first upright member  422  and the first end  444  of the second arm  442  is adjacent the second upright member  432  such that the first upright member  422  and the second upright member  432  are held in close proximity to one another. Spring clamps of the present invention may be made from a variety of materials as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, spring clamps may comprise metals and thermosetting plastics. Spring clamps are preferably metal, and more preferably comprise stainless steel. Spring clamps of the present invention may extend substantially entirely along the length of the longitudinally extending body or a plurality of longitudinally spaced spring clamp connectors may be used. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5A and B, embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a latching connector will now be described. FIG. 5B illustrates a lateral cross-section of illustrated embodiment of FIG.  5 A. As shown in FIG. 5A, a wrap-around cable sleeve  500  has a longitudinally extending body  505  and a connector  525 . The longitudinally extending body  505  has a first longitudinal edge  515  and a second longitudinal edge  516  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  515 . The connector  525  has a first connecting portion  511  adjacent the first longitudinal edge  515 , and a second connecting portion  521  adjacent the second longitudinal edge  516 . The first connecting portion  511  has a first upright member  510 , and the second connecting portion  521  has a second upright member  520 . The first upright member  510  has a closure side  512  and the second upright member  520  has a closure side  522 . The longitudinally extending body  505  is wrapped around a cable section such that the closure side  512  of the first upright member  510  is adjacent the closure side  522  of the second upright member. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the connector  525  has a latch member  530 . The latch member  530  has a first latch end  532  and a second latch end  534  longitudinally spaced from the first latch end  532 . The first latch end  532  is rotatably connected to the first upright member  510  at a first connection point  514 . The second latch end  534  is rotatably connected to the first upright member  510  at a second connection point  516  longitudinally spaced from the first connection point  514 . The latch member  530  is configured to engage the second upright member  520  when the latch member  530  is rotated to a position adjacent the second upright member  520 , as illustrated by the broken lines in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Latch members of the present invention may be made from various rigid materials as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, latch members may be made from thermosetting plastics, metals, and rigid thermoplastics having heat deflection temperatures greater than about 90° C. Latch members of the present invention are preferably metal, more preferably stainless steel. 
     Although the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 3-5 have shown particular mechanical connectors, it is to be understood that connectors of the present invention may be any suitable connector as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, connectors of the present invention may be mechanical connectors having different configurations, chemical connectors (e.g., adhesives), and the like. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve having interlocking upright members according to the present invention will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  600  has a longitudinally extending body  610  and a connector  670 . The longitudinally extending body  610  includes a longitudinally extending portion  619  having a first longitudinal edge  615  and a second longitudinal edge  616  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  615 . The connector  670  includes a first connecting portion  620  adjacent the first longitudinal edge  615  of the longitudinally extending portion  619 , and a second connecting portion  630  adjacent the second longitudinal edge  616  of the longitudinally extending portion  619 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a lateral cross-section of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 will now be described. The longitudinally extending portion  619  has a corrugated lateral cross-section having a generally U-shaped zig-zag pattern. The longitudinally extending portion  619  has an exterior side  612  and an interior side  614 . The interior side  614  has a sealant material  710  positioned on it. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the first connecting portion  620  has a first upright member  621 . The first upright member  621  has a first recess portion  622 , a first extending element  623 , a closure side  624  and an engaging surface  626 . The first connecting portion  620  also has a guide slot  625 , and a first grip member  627  having a grip surface  628 . The second connecting portion  630  has a second upright member  631 . The second upright member  631  has a second extending element  632 , a second recess  633 , a closure side  634  and an engaging surface  636 . The second connecting portion  630  also has a guide member  635 , and a second grip member  637  having a grip surface  638 . 
     When the body  610  is wrapped around a cable section, guide member  635  may be inserted into guide slot  625  and first closure side  624  may be positioned adjacent second closure side  634  such that first extension member  623  engages second recess  633  and second extension member  632  engages first recess  622 . The first and second upright members  621  and  631  may thus be positioned in an interlocking relationship. A longitudinally extending sleeve element  300  as described above with reference to FIG. 3 may be used to connect the first upright member  621  to the second upright member  631  by slidably engaging the engaging surface  626  of the first upright member  621  and the engaging surface  636  of the second upright member  631  with the longitudinally extending sleeve element  300 . 
     The sealant material  710  may be a variety of sealant materials as will be understood by those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, greases, gels, thixotropic compositions, and mastics. The sealant material is preferably a gel. The term “gel” has been used in the prior art to cover a vast array of materials from greases to thixotropic compositions to fluid-extended polymeric systems. As used herein, “gel” refers to the category of materials which are solids extended by a fluid extender. The gel may be a substantially dilute system that exhibits no steady state flow. As discussed in Ferry, “Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers,” 3 rd  ed. P. 529 (J. Wiley &amp; Sons, New York 1980), a polymer gel may be a cross-linked solution whether linked by chemical bonds or crystallites or some other kind of junction. The absence of the steady state flow may be considered to be the key definition of the solid like properties while the substantial dilution may be necessary to give the relatively low modulus of gels. The solid nature may be achieved by a continuous network structure formed in the material generally through crosslinking the polymer chains through some kind of junction or the creation of domains of associated substituents of various branch chains of the polymer. The crosslinking can be either physical or chemical as long as the crosslink sites may be sustained at the use conditions of the gel. 
     Preferred gels for use in this invention are silicone (organopolysiloxane) gels, such as the fluid-extended systems taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,207 to Debbaut (hereinafter “Debbaut &#39;207”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,233 to Camin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,063 to Dubrow et al.; and “Dubrow &#39;300”). These fluid-extended silicone gels may be created with nonreactive fluid extenders as in the previously recited patents or with an excess of a reactive liquid, e.g., a vinyl-rich silicone fluid, such that it acts like an extender, as exemplified by the Sylgard® 527 product commercially available from Dow-Corning of Midland, Mich. or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,260 to Nelson. Because curing is involved in the preparation of these gels, they are sometimes referred to as thermosetting gels. An especially preferred gel is a silicone gel produced from a mixture of divinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, tetraks(dimethylsiloxy)silane, a platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex, commercially available from United Chemical Technologies, Inc. of Bristol, Pa., polydimethylsiloxane, and 1,3,5,7-tetravinyltetra-methylcyclotetrasiloxane (reaction inhibitor for providing adequate pot life). 
     Other types of gels may be used, for example, polyurethane gels as taught in the aforementioned Debbaut &#39;261 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,476 Debbaut (hereinafter “Debbaut &#39;476”) and gels based on styrene-ethylene butylenestyrene (SEBS) or styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene (SEPSS) extended with an extender oil of naphthenic or nonaromatic or low aromatic content hydrocarbon oil, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,284 to Chen; U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,183 to Gamarra et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,270 to Gamarra. The SEBS and SEPS gels comprise glassy styrenic microphases interconnected by a fluid-extended elastomeric phase. The microphase-separated styrenic domains serve as the junction points in the systems. The SEBS and SEPS gels are examples of thermoplastic systems. 
     Another class of gels which may be considered are EPDM rubber based gels, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,143 to Chang et al. However, these gels tend to continue to cure over time and thus may become unacceptably hard with aging. 
     Yet another class of gels which may be suitable are based on anhydride-containing polymers, as disclosed in WO 96/23007. These gels reportedly have good thermal resistance. 
     The gel may include a variety of additives, including stabilizers and antioxidants such as hindered phenols (e.g., Irganox™ 1076, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), phosphites (e.g., Irgafos™ 168, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), metal deactivators (e.g., Irganox™ D1024 from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), and sulfides (e.g., Cyanox LTDP, commercially available from American Cyanamid Co. of Wayne, N.J.), light stabilizers (i.e., Cyasorb UV-53 1, commercially available from American Cyanamid Co. of Wayne, N.J.), and flame retardants such as halogenated paraffins (e.g., Bromoklor 50, commercially available from Ferro Corp. of Hammond, Ind.) and/or phosphorous containing organic compounds (e.g., Fyrol PCF and Phosflex 390, both commercially available from Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc. of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and acid scavengers (e.g., DHT-4A, commercially available from Kyowa Chemical Industry Co. Ltd through Mitsui &amp; Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, and hydrotalcite). Other suitable additives include colorants, biocides, tackfiers and the like described in “Additives for Plastics, Edition 1” published by D.A.T.A., Inc. and The International Plastics Selector, Inc., San Diego, Calif. 
     The gel has a hardness, as measured by a texture analyzer, preferably between about 5 and 100 grams force, more preferably between about 5 and 60 grams force, and most preferably between about 10 and 40 grams force. The gel has a stress relaxation that is preferably less than about 80%, more preferably less than about 50%, and most preferably less than about 35%. The gel has a tack that is preferably greater than about 1 gram, more preferably greater than about 5 grams, and most preferably between about 10 and 50 grams. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, hardness, tack and stress relaxation may be adjustable for specific applications. The gel has an elongation, as measured according to the procedures of ASTM D-638, of at least 55%, more preferably of at least 500%, and most preferably of at least 1000%. Suitable gel materials include Powergel™ sealant gel available from Tyco Electronics Energy Division of Fuquay-Varina, N.C. under the Raychem™ brand. 
     The hardness, stress relaxation, and tack may be measured using a Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer TA-XT2 commercially available from Texture Technologies Corp. of Scarsdale, N.Y., or like machines, having a five kilogram load cell to measure force, a 5 gram trigger, and ¼ inch (6.35 mm) stainless steel ball probe as described in Dubrow &#39;300, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, for measuring the hardness of a gel a 60 mL glass vial with about 20 grams of gel, or alternately a stack of nine 2 inch×2 inch×⅛″ thick slabs of gel, is placed in the Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer and the probe is forced into the gel at the speed of 0.2 mm per sec to a penetration distance of 4.0 mm. The hardness of the gel is the force in grams, as recorded by a computer, required to force the probe at that speed to penetrate or deform the surface of the gel specified for 4.0 mm. Higher numbers signify harder gels. The data from the Texture Analyzer TA-XT2 may be analyzed on an IBM PC or like computer, running Microsystems Ltd, XT.RA Dimension Version 2.3 software. 
     The tack and stress relaxation are read from the stress curve generated when the XT.RA Dimension version 2.3 software automatically traces the force versus time curve experienced by the load cell when the penetration speed is 2.0 mm/second and the probe is forced into the gel a penetration distance of about 4.0 mm. The probe is held at 4.0 mm penetration for 1 minute and withdrawn at a speed of 2.00 mm/second. The stress relaxation is the ratio of the initial force (F i ) resisting the probe at the pre-set penetration depth minus the force resisting the probe (F f ) after 1 min divided by the initial force (F i ), expressed as a percentage. That is, percent stress relaxation is equal to            (       F   i     -     F   f       )       F   i       ×   100      %                   
     where F i  and F f  are in grams. In other words the stress relaxation is the ratio of the initial force minus the force after 1 minute over the initial force. It may be considered to be a measure of the ability of the gel to relax any induced compression placed on the gel. The tack may be considered to be the amount of force in grams resistance on the probe as it is pulled out of the gel when the probe is withdrawn at a speed of 2.0 mm/second from the preset penetration depth. 
     An alternative way to characterize the gels is by cone penetration parameters according to ASTM D-217 as proposed in Debbaut &#39;261; Debbaut &#39;207; Debbaut &#39;746; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,057 to Debbaut et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Cone penetration (“CP”) values may range from about 70 (10 −1  mm) to about 400 (10 −1  mm). Harder gels may generally have CP values from about 70 (10 −1  mm) to about 120 (10 −1  mm). Softer gels may generally have CP values from about 200 (10 −1  mm) to about 400 (10 −1  mm), with particularly preferred range of from about 250 (10 −1  mm) to about 375 (10 1  mm). For a particular materials system, a relationship between CP and Voland gram hardness can be developed as proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,646 to Dittmer et al. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a longitudinally extending body with substantially flat end portions will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  800  has a longitudinally extending body  810  and a connector  870 . The longitudinally extending body  810  includes a longitudinally extending portion  819  having a first longitudinal edge  815  and a second longitudinal edge  816  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  815 . The connector  870  includes a first connecting portion  820  adjacent the first longitudinal edge  815  of the longitudinally extending portion  819 , and a second connecting portion  830  adjacent the second longitudinal edge  816  of the longitudinally extending portion  819 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinally extending body  800  also includes a first end portion  817  adjacent the first end  811  of the longitudinally extending portion  819  and extending from the first connecting portion  820 . The longitudinally extending body  810  also includes a second end portion  818  adjacent the second end  813  of the longitudinally extending portion  819  and extending from the first connecting portion  820 . The first and the second end portions  817  and  818 , respectively, preferably have substantially flat lateral cross sections. The first and the second end portions  817  and  818 , respectively, each preferably have a lateral range taking, as described below with reference to FIG. 13, of less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, the embodiments of FIG. 8 positioned to define a cable chamber and collars will now be described. The components having reference numerals  819 - 836  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  119 - 136  as described above in FIGS. 1-3 and will not be further described. When wrapped around a cable section, the longitudinally extending body  800  may be positioned as described above in FIG.  3  and shown in FIG. 9 such that the longitudinally extending portion  819  defines a portion of a portion of a cable chamber  880 , the first end  811  of the longitudinally extending portion  819  defines the first end of the cable chamber  880  and the second end  813  of the longitudinally extending portion  819  defines the second end of the cable chamber  880 . The first end portion  817  defines a first collar portion adjacent the first end of the cable chamber  880 . The second end portion  818  defines a second collar portion adjacent the second end of the cable chamber  880 . The first and second collar portions each have a radial range taking, as defined below with reference to FIG. 10, of preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to lateral cross-sections of the embodiments of FIG. 9 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 10 A, the end portion  817  defines a collar portion having a substantially flat lateral cross-section. The collar portion extends substantially around a cable section  1020 . A sealant material  1010  is positioned between the collar portion and the cable section  1020 . While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10A shows a sealant material positioned between the collar and the cable section, it is to be understood that the present invention does not require that sealant material be positioned between the collar and the cable section. 
     In FIG. 10B, the longitudinally extending portion  819  defines a portion of a cable chamber  880 . The cable chamber  880  extends substantially around the cable section  1020 . The sealant material  1010  is positioned within the cable chamber between the longitudinally extending portion  819  and the cable section  1020 . As used herein, a cable section may be a portion of a cable or a connection of two or more cables. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 11A,  11 B, and  11 C, embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having first and second restraint members positioned in slots will now be described. As illustrated by the embodiments of FIG. 11A, first and second restraint members  1120  and  1140  are positioned in first and second slots  1160  and  1162 . FIG. 11B illustrates embodiments having first and second restraint members  1120  and  1140  positioned in first and second slots  1170  and  1172 , respectively. FIG. 11C illustrates a lateral cross-section of the illustrated embodiment of FIG.  11 A and FIG. 11B containing sealant material  1135 . The wrap-around cable sleeve  1100 , as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, includes a longitudinally extending body  1145  wrapped around a cable section  1131 . The longitudinally extending body  1145  includes a cable chamber  1150  having a first end portion  1110  and a second end portion  1130 . The second end portion  1130  is longitudinally spaced from the first end portion  1110 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11A, the first end portion  1110  has a first slot  1160  passing through first and second upright members  1122  and  1132 , respectively. The first restraint member  1120  is positioned over the first end portion  1110  of cable chamber  1150  and is positioned in the first slot  1160 . The second end portion  1130  has a second slot  1162  passing through first and second upright members  1122  and  1132 , respectively. The second restraint member  1140  is positioned over the second end portion  1130  of the cable chamber  1150  and is positioned in the second slot  1162 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11B, the first end portion  1110  has a first slot  1170  passing through first and second upright members  1122  and  1132 , respectively. The first restraint member  1120  is positioned over the first end portion  1110  of the cable chamber  1150  and is positioned in the first slot  1170 . The second end portion has a second slot  1172  passing through first and second upright members  1122  and  1132 , respectively. The second restraint member  1140  is positioned over the second end portion  1130  of the cable chamber  1150  and is positioned in the second slot  1172 . 
     The first restraint member  1120  limits a range taking in a radial direction, as described below with reference to FIG. 12, of the first end portion  1110  to preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. Similarly, the second restraint member  1140  limits a range taking in a radial direction, as described below with reference to FIG. 12, of the second end portion  1130  to preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. The restraint members  1120  and  1140  may be various articles that will reduce the radial range taking of the longitudinally extending portion as will be understood by those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, tie wraps, spring hose clamps, rope, strap clamps, worm drive hose clamps, and snap hose clamps. When the restraint members are positioned within slots configured as grooves, such as the first and the second slot  1160  and  1162 , respectively, as illustrated in the embodiments of FIG. 11A, the restraint members are preferably snap hose clamps. When the restraint members are positioned within slots configured as holes, such as the first and the second slots  1170  and  1172 , respectively, as illustrated in the embodiments of FIG. 11B, the restraint members are preferably tie wraps. 
     Although the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B show first and second restraint members as having the same configuration, first and second restraint members of the present invention may have different configurations. While the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B show restraint members positioned in slots, it is to be understood that restraint members of the present invention may be positioned over end portions of wrap-around cable sleeves that do not have such slots. Slots are preferable, however, because they may reduce the likelihood that the restraint member will slip off of the end of the wrap-around cable sleeve. Although the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 11B each show first and second slots having the same configuration, it is to be understood that first and second slots of the present invention may also have different configurations. While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11C shows the restraint member  1120  to extend substantially entirely around the end portion, restraint members of the present invention may extend only around a portion of the longitudinally extending portion (e.g., by using a c-shaped clamp). 
     Referring now to FIG. 12, a radial range taking according to the present invention will now be described. A lateral cross-section of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having a longitudinally extending body  1200  is shown. The longitudinally extending body  1200  has a longitudinally extending portion  1205 , which defines a portion of a cable chamber  1280 , and a connector  1270  including first and second connecting portions  1250  and  1260 , respectively. The cable chamber has an inside diameter d 1  as measured from a first point  1210  to a second point  1220  when the cable chamber is in a first position, as represented by the solid lines in FIG.  12 . After the cable chamber expands to a second position, as represented by the broken lines in FIG. 12, the cable chamber has an inside diameter d 2  as measured from the first point  1210  to the second point  1220 . Radial range taking may be defined as the percent change in inside diameter as calculated by the following formula: 
     
       
         radial range taking=[( d   2   −d   1 )/ d   1 ]×100% 
       
     
     Although the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 shows the inside diameter measured at two particular points, it is to be understood that the inside diameter can be measured at any two points of the longitudinally extending portion  1205  that define an inside diameter while using the same points for measuring both d 1  and d 2 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, a lateral range taking according to the present invention will now be described. A longitudinally extending portion  1300  has a first longitudinally extending side  1310  and a second longitudinally extending side  1330  laterally spaced from the first longitudinally extending side  1310 . The longitudinally extending portion  1300  has a width w 1  as measured from a first point  1320  on the first longitudinally extending side  1310  to a second point  1340  on the second longitudinally extending side  1330  when the longitudinally extending portion  1300  is in a first position as represented by the solid lines in FIG.  13 . The longitudinally extending portion  1300  has a width W 2  as measured from the first point  1320  to the second point  1340  when the longitudinally extending portion  1300  is in a second position represented by the broken lines in FIG.  13 . Lateral range taking may be defined as the percent change in width as defined by the following formula: 
     
       
         lateral range taking=[( w   2   −w   1 )/ w   1 ]×100% 
       
     
     While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 13 shows the width measured at two specific points, it is to be understood that the width can be measured at any two points located directly opposite one another while using the same points for both w 2  and w 1 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 14, a longitudinal range taking according to the present invention will now be described. A longitudinally extending portion  1400  has a first end  1410  and a second end  1430  longitudinally spaced from the first end  1410 . The longitudinally extending portion  1400  has a length l 1  as measured from a first point  1420  on the first end  1410  to a second point  1440  on the second end  1430  when the longitudinally extending portion  1400  is in a first position as represented by the solid lines in FIG.  14 . The longitudinally extending portion  1400  has a length l 2  as measured from the first point  1420  to the second point  1440  when the longitudinally extending portion  1400  is in a second position represented by the broken lines in FIG.  14 . Longitudinal range taking may be defined as the percent change in length as defined by the following formula: 
     
       
         longitudinal range taking=[( l   2   −l   1 )/ l   1 ]×100% 
       
     
     While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 14 shows the length measured at two specific points, it is to be understood that the length can be measured at any two points located directly opposite one another while using the same points for both l 1  and l 2 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 15, a lateral cross-section of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  1500  includes a longitudinally extending body  1560  and a connector  1570 . The longitudinally extending body  1560  includes a longitudinally extending portion  1561  having a first longitudinal edge portion  1562  and a second longitudinal edge portion  1564  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge portion  1562 . The connector  1570  includes a pin member  1510  coupled to and extending from the first longitudinal edge portion  1562  and a socket member  1520  coupled to and extending from the second longitudinal edge portion  1564 . While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15 shows the pin and socket members to be integrally formed with the longitudinally extending portion, pin and socket members of the present invention may be coupled to first and second longitudinal edge portions by various means as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, pin and socket members may be coupled to the first and second longitudinal edge portions using a rail and channel system as described with reference to FIG. 18 below. Pin and socket members may also be coupled to the first and second longitudinal edge portions by bonding the pin and socket members to the first and second longitudinal edge portions. The bonding may be done in various ways as will be understood by those skilled in the art. When the pin and socket members comprise materials different from those of the longitudinally extending portion, the bonding is preferably accomplished by coextruding the pin and socket members with the longitudinally extending portion. 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the pin member  1510  includes a pin  1511  extending from a closure side  1512  of the pin member  1510 . The pin  1511  has a leading edge  1514  with a tapered profile shown in FIG. 15 as generally an arrowhead shape, a first hook member  1515  and a second hook member  1516 . While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15 shows a pin having generally an arrowhead shaped leading edge, the leading edge of pins according to the present invention may be a variety of shapes as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a wrap-around sleeve  1600  includes a pin  1634  having a leading edge  1635  with a tapered profile having a generally semi-circular shape. The components having reference numerals  1610 - 1626  and  1660 - 1670  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  1510 - 1526  and  1560 - 1570  as described herein with reference to FIG.  15 . As shown in FIG. 17, a wrap-around sleeve  1700  includes a pin  1740  having a leading edge  1743  with a tapered profile having a generally half-arrowhead shape. The components having reference numerals  1710 - 1726  and  1760 - 1770  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  1510 - 1526  and  1560 - 1570  as described herein with reference to FIG. 15 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the socket member  1520  includes a socket  1524  in a closure side  1522  of the socket member  1520 . The socket  1524  is configured to connectably engage with the pin  1511 . The socket  1524  includes a first seating element  1525  and a second seating element  1526 . 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the pin and socket members  1510  and  1520  may include grip surfaces  1517  and  1527 , respectively, that may aid in wrapping the longitudinally extending body  1500  around a cable section. While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15 shows substantially straight grip surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinally extending body, grip surfaces of the present invention may have various other configurations as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the grip surface  1630  of the illustrated embodiment has a substantially straight portion  1631  extending from the body  1600  and an arcuate portion  1632  at its distal end. The grip surfaces  1741  and  1742  of the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 17 have a generally arcuate shape. 
     When the longitudinally extending body  1560  is wrapped around a cable section such that the closure side  1512  of pin member  1510  is positioned adjacent the closure side  1522  of socket member  1520 , the pin  1511  may connectably engage the socket  1524  such that the first hook member  1515  is adjacent the first seating element  1525  and the second hook member  1516  is adjacent the second seating element  1526 . Although the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 15 shows the pin and socket members extending substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal extending body, pin and socket members according to the present invention may also extend from the longitudinally extending body at any angle that allows the pin to connectably engage the socket when the body is wrapped around a cable section. 
     Referring now to FIG. 18, a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members slidably engaging first and second upright members will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  1800  includes a longitudinally extending body  1850  and a connector  1855 . The longitudinally extending body  1850  includes a longitudinally extending portion  1860  having a first longitudinal edge portion  1862  and a second longitudinal edge portion  1864  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge portion  1862 . A connector  1855  includes a pin member  1810  coupled to and extending from the first longitudinal edge portion  1862  and a socket member  1820  coupled to and extending from the second longitudinal edge portion  1864 . 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the pin member  1810  may be coupled to the first longitudinal edge portion  1862  as follows. The connector  1855  has a first connecting portion  1830  adjacent the first longitudinal edge portion  1862 . The first connecting portion  1830  has a first upright member  1832 . The first upright member  1832  has an increased lateral cross-section at its distal end  1834 . The pin member  1810  has, at a first end, a channel defined by a first channel member  1814  and a second channel member  1816 . The channel may be configured to slidably engage the distal end  1834  of the second upright member  1832 . 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the socket member  1820  may be coupled to the second longitudinal edge portion  1864  as follows. The connector  1855  has a second connecting portion  1840  adjacent the second longitudinal edge portion  1864 . The second connecting portion  1840  has a second upright member  1842 . The second upright member  1842  has an increased lateral cross-section at its distal end  1844 . The socket member  1820  has, at a first end, a channel defined by a first channel member  1824  and a second channel member  1826 . The channel may be configured to slidably engage the distal end  1834  of the second upright member  1832 . At an end opposite the first end, the socket member  1820  has a socket  1822  that may be configured to connectably engage the pin  1810  when the pin and socket members  1810  and  1820  are positioned so as to be aligned when the longitudinally extending body  1850  is wrapped around a cable section. 
     The pin and socket members of the present invention may be made of the same material as the longitudinally extending portion. However, pin and socket members so constructed may have a tendency to disengage when subjected to outwardly directed forces. These forces may occur when sealant material is positioned within the cable chamber and the sealant material undergoes thermal expansion. This tendency may be reduced or eliminated in a variety of ways, a number of which will now be described. 
     The tendency of pin and socket members to disengage may be reduced or eliminated by providing an additional locking mechanism. As shown by the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 19, the external surfaces of a pin member  1910  and a socket member  1920  may be configured to receive a longitudinally extending sleeve element  1930 . The longitudinally extending sleeve element  1930  slidably engages the external surfaces of the pin and socket members  1910  and  1920 . While various longitudinally extending sleeve elements known to one skilled in the art may be utilized, the longitudinally extending sleeve element may preferably be as described above with reference to FIG.  3 . 
     As shown by the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 20, a wrap-around cable sleeve  2000  is provided having a longitudinally extending body  2002  and a connector  2004 . The longitudinally extending body  2002  has a longitudinally extending portion  2060  having a first longitudinal edge portion  2062  and a second longitudinal edge portion  2064 . The connector  2004  has a pin member  2010  coupled to and extending from the first longitudinal edge portion  2062 , and a socket member  2020  coupled to and extending from the second longitudinal edge portion  2064 . The pin member  2010  extends substantially entirely along the first longitudinal edge  2062  and the socket member  2020  extends substantially entirely along the second longitudinal edge  2064 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, a living hinge  2030  is pivotally connected to the pin member  2010 . An arm  2040  extends from the living hinge  2030 . The arm  2040  has a hook  2042  at an end opposite the living hinge  2030 . The hook  2042  is configured to engage the socket member  2020  when the arm  2040  is rotated to a position adjacent the socket member  2020 , as shown by the broken lines. While the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 20 show the living hinge connected to the pin member and the hook engaging the socket member, it is to be understood that the living hinge may, alternatively, be connected to the socket member and the hook may engage the pin member. 
     The tendency for the pin and socket members to disengage may also be reduced by providing pin and socket members having a rigidity greater than that of the longitudinally extending portion. For example, pin and socket members of the present invention may comprise a more rigid material. The longitudinally extending portion may comprise a first material as described above while the pin and socket members may comprise a second material that is more rigid than the first material. The second material may comprise thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, and metals that are more rigid than the first material. The second material may preferably comprise a thermoplastic material, most preferably nylon. The second material has a heat deflection temperature, as measured using ASTM D648@66 psi, of preferably greater than about 100° C., more preferably greater than about 120° C., and most preferably greater than about 150° C. The second material has a flex modulus greater than about 150,000 psi, more preferably greater than about 200,000 psi, and most preferably greater than about 250,000. 
     Pin and socket members of the present invention may be coated with a second material that is more rigid than the first material. As shown by the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21, a rigid coating  2130  may preferably substantially extend over the connectably engaging portions of a pin member  2110  and a socket member  2120 . The components having reference numerals  2100 - 2126  and  2160 - 2170  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  1500 - 1526  and  1560 - 1570  as described above with reference to FIG.  15 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 22, embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve of the present invention having a plurality of pin and socket members will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  2200  has a longitudinally extending body  2210  and a connector  2220 . The longitudinally extending body  2210  has a longitudinally extending portion  2219  and first and second end portions  2215  and  2217 , respectively. The connector  2220  has a pin member  2240  having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin members  2240   a  through  2240   d , and a socket member  2250  having a plurality of longitudinally spaced socket members  2250   a  through  2250   d . The longitudinally spaced pin members  2240   a  through  2240   d  and the longitudinally spaced socket members  2250   a  through  2250   d  are positioned so as to be aligned to connectably engage when the body  2200  is wrapped around a cable section. While the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 22 show four pin members and four socket members, it is to be understood that a plurality of pin member may comprise two or more pin members and a plurality of socket members may comprise two or more socket members. 
     Referring now to FIG. 23, a lateral cross-section of embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve according to the present invention having pin and socket members and a lip member will now be described. The wrap-around cable sleeve  2300  includes a longitudinally extending body  2360  and a connector  2370 . The longitudinally extending body  2360  includes a longitudinally extending portion  2361  with a corrugated lateral cross-section. The longitudinally extending portion  2361  has a first longitudinal edge  2362  and a second longitudinal edge  2364  laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge  2362 . The connector  2370  includes a pin member  2310  coupled to and extending from the first longitudinal edge portion  2362  and a socket member  2320  coupled to and extending from the second longitudinal edge  2364 . The components having reference numerals  2310 - 2316  and  2320 - 2326  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  1510 - 1516  and  1520 - 1526  described herein with reference to FIG.  15 . The components having reference numerals  2330 - 2335  may be described and operate in substantially the same manner as the components having reference numerals  1630 - 1635  as described herein with reference to FIG.  16 . 
     As shown in FIG. 23, the pin member  2310  has an inner surface  2318  and a tail member  2317 . The tail member  2317  is coupled to the first longitudinal edge  2362 . Although the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 23 show a tail member  2317  having a generally arcuate shape, it is to be understood that tail members according to the present invention may have other configurations including a linear configuration; however, a generally arcuate shape is preferred. 
     As shown in FIG. 23, the socket member  2320  has a lip member  2327  having an outer surface  2328  and an inner surface  2329 . The lip member  2327  extends from a closure side  2322  of the socket member  2320  and has a distal end  2340  laterally spaced from the closure side  2322 . Although the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 23 show a lip member  2327  having a generally arcuate shape, it is to be understood that lip members according to the present invention may have other configurations including a linear configuration; however, a generally arcuate shape is preferred. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 23, a sealant material  2305  substantially covers the inner surface  2329  of the lip member  2327  and the inner surface of the longitudinally extending portion  2361 . While the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 23 show sealant material  2305  substantially covering these inner surfaces, it is to be understood that sealant material according to the present invention may only cover a portion of these surfaces or may not be present at all. As the wrap-around cable sleeve  2300  is wrapped around a cable section, the outer surface  2328  of the lip member  2327  is positioned adjacent the inner surface  2318  of the pin member  2310 . The lip member  2327  preferably contacts the inner surface  2318  of the pin member  2310  before the sealant material begins to be squeezed into a position between a closure side  2312  of the pin member  2310  and the distal end  2340  of the lip member  2327 . When the wrap-around cable sleeve  2300  is positioned to substantially surround the cable section such that the pin  2334  is positioned in the socket  2324 , the distal end  2340  of the lip member  2327  is preferably adjacent the first longitudinal edge  2362  of the longitudinally extending portion  2361 . As the tail member  2317  may comprise a portion of the circumference of the wrap-around cable sleeve, the corrugations are preferably sized to provide the desired range taking. 
     When a lip member is not present, sealant material  2305  may be positioned inadvertently (i.e. squeezed into a position) between a closure side  2312  of the pin member  2310  and a closure side  2322  of the socket member  2320  as the wrap-around cable sleeve  2300  is wrapped around the cable section. When sealant material  2305  is inadvertently positioned between the closure side  2312  of the pin member  2310  and the closure side  2322  of the socket member  2320 , it may become difficult to position the pin  2334  within the socket  2324 . The lip member  2327  may reduce or eliminate the amount of sealant material that may otherwise have been squeezed between the closure side  2312  of the pin member  2310  and the closure side  2322  of the socket member  2320  by blocking the escape path of the sealant material  2305 . 
     Methods of forming wrap-around cable sleeves of the present invention may include extruding a web comprising electrically insulating material, applying gel to a surface of the web, and then cutting the web to form a wrap-around cable sleeve having a first and a second end. The extruding step may include extruding a web that includes corrugations defining a corrugated lateral cross-section. The corrugations may provide a lateral range taking of at least about 15%. The extruding step may also include coextruding a rigid thermoplastic and a thermoplastic elastomer to form a web having a longitudinally extending portion comprising the thermoplastic elastomer and a connector comprising the rigid thermoplastic. The extruding step may be performed by any suitable method as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The applying step may be performed by any suitable method as will be understood by those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to spraying, coextruding, laminating, and casting. The cutting step may be performed by any suitable means known to one skilled in the art, and may include cutting the first and second ends simultaneously or in a sequential order. 
     When the extruded web includes corrugations that define a corrugated lateral cross-section, methods of forming wrap-around cable sleeves of the present invention may also include the step of stamping a portion of the web to substantially remove the corrugations therefrom. The stamping operation is preferably a heat stamping operation. The stamping may be performed before or after cutting, or may be performed substantially concurrently with cutting. If the cutting operation precedes stamping, the stamping operation preferably includes stamping the first and second ends to substantially remove the corrugations therefrom. 
     Another method of forming a wrap-around cable sleeve of the present invention includes extruding a web comprising electrically insulating material to provide a web that includes corrugations defining a corrugated lateral cross-section which provide a lateral range taking of at least about 15%, cutting the web to form a wrap-around cable sleeve having a first and a second end, and stamping a portion of the web to substantially remove the corrugations therefrom. The extruding, cutting, and stamping operations may be as described above. The stamping operation may also provide first and second ends each having a lateral range taking of less than about 10%. The method may further comprise the step of applying the gel as described above. The gel may be applied before cutting. Alternatively, the cutting may occur before the gel is applied. 
     EMBODIMENTS WITH A LONGITUDINAL SEALANT CHAMBER 
     Further embodiments of the present invention, which may be particularly useful for applications in which the cable portion to be sealed has a relatively large diameter (for example, greater than one to two inches in diameter), will now be further described with reference to FIGS. 24-28. As will be described, such embodiments include a sealant chamber (pocket) along a longitudinal edge thereof. In particular, as shown in the figures, the sealant chamber may extend adjacent and parallel to a locking mechanism along the length of the body member of a cable sleeve. Such a sealant chamber may protect the sealant material in the chamber during installation on a cable section by preventing removal of the sealant material when the body member is dragged across the cable section during installation, which may provide an improved seal along the longitudinal edge. In addition, such embodiments may provide for reliable environmental sealing of the cable chamber while using less of the sealant material, which may be particularly beneficial for larger diameter applications as a cost reduction. 
     Referring now to FIG. 24, a wrap-around cable sleeve  2400  for environmentally sealing a cable section according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described. As shown in FIG. 24, the cable sleeve  2400  includes a wrap-around body member  2405  made from an electrically insulating material. The wrap-around body member  2405  includes a longitudinally (L) extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross section  2410 . The longitudinally extending portion  2410  defines at least a portion of a cable chamber for receiving the cable section, the cable chamber extending around the cable section when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. 
     A closure edge  2415  extends along a first longitudinal edge of the body member  2405 . A sealant chamber  2420  extends along a second longitudinal edge of the body member  2405 , opposite from the first longitudinal edge. The sealant chamber  2420  includes a longitudinally extending opening  2425  that is configured to receive the closure edge  2415  when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. A sealant material  2430  is positioned in the sealant chamber  2420  to environmentally seal the longitudinal edges of the body member  2405  when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. 
     As is further illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIG. 24, a first sealant material layer  2435  is provided on the illustrated inner face of the body member  2405  at a first end  2440  of the body member  2405 . The sealant material layer  2435  extends transversely substantially across the first end  2440  of the body member  2405  to define a continuous environmental seal between a cable section and the first end  2440  of the body member  2405  when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. In addition, a second sealant material layer  2460  on the inner face of the body member  2405  is positioned at a second end  2465  of the body member  2405 . The second sealant material layer  2460  is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end  2440  to define a gap portion  2442  therebetween from the first end  2440  of the body member  2405 . The second sealant material layer  2460  extends transversely substantially across the second end  2465  of the body member  2405  to define a continuous environmental seal between the cable section and the second end  2465  of the body member  2405  when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. 
     To provide a continuous seal for the cable chamber of the wrap-around cable sleeve  2400 , the first sealant material layer  2435 , the second sealant material layer  2460  and the sealant material  2430  positioned in the sealant chamber  2420  sealingly contact each other when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. More particularly, as shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 24, a first opening  2445  is provided in the inner face of the body member  2405  at the first end  2440  and a second opening  2470  is provided in the inner face of the body member  2405  at the second end  2465 . Thus, the first sealant material layer  2440  may sealingly contact the sealing material  2430  through the first opening  2445  and the second sealant material layer  2460  may contact the sealant material  2430  through the second opening  2470 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 25A and 25B, embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the schematic diagrams illustrating lateral cross-sections of the wrap-around sleeve  2400  in an opened and closed position respectively. As shown in FIG. 25A, the closure edge  2415  includes a locking member  2450 . The locking member  2450  is configured to engage a mating portion  2455  of the sealant chamber  2420  when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section. In the particular embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 24,  25 A, and  25 B, the locking member  2450  and the mating portion  2455  run adjacent and parallel along substantially the entire length of the body member  2405 . In particular embodiments of the present invention, the sealant may be, for example, a silicone gel, and the closure edge  2415 , as shown in FIG. 25B, may be configured to place the silicone gel  2430  in the sealant chamber  2420  under compression (i.e., elongation as described for preferred embodiments of the gel above) when the body member  2405  is wrapped around the cable section and the closure edge  2415  is received in the opening  2425  of the sealant chamber  2420 . 
     As shown in FIG. 25B, a locking connection is provided by snapping the closure edge  2415  over the mating portion  2455  with the fish hook shape of the mating portion  2455  being engaged by the edges of the locking mechanism  2450  and retained therebetween. While the silicone gel  2430  is shown in FIG. 25B as having a portion of the silicone gel pushed out of the sealant chamber  2420 , such an overfilling of the sealant material need not be used. 
     FIG. 26 illustrates embodiments of the wrap-around cable sleeve  2400  in position wrapped around a cable section  2605 . FIG. 27 shows further embodiments of a wrap-around cable sleeve  2700  wrapped around a cable section  2605 . In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 27, the wrap-around cable sleeve  2700  further includes a restraint member  2705  around one end of the cable sleeve  2700  and a second restraint member  2710  around the opposite end of the cable sleeve  2700 . The restraint members  2705 ,  2710  are positioned around the ends of the cable sleeve  2700  to limit range taking of the cable sleeve  2700  and/or to compress the sealant material layers  2435 ,  2460  in the end regions in a radial direction. Thus, restraint members  2705 ,  2710  may be positioned adjacent the sealant material layers  2435 ,  2460  to compress the sealant material layers and may thereby effect a moisture seal. As illustrated in the FIGS. 11A and 11B, the restraint members  2705 ,  2710  may be positioned around the wrap-around cable sleeve  2700  in slots  1160 ,  1162 ,  1170 ,  1172 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 28, further embodiments of the present invention will now be described. As shown in the embodiments illustrated in the lateral cross section of FIG. 28, the wrap-around cable sleeve  2800  includes a longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section  2810  made of first polymer, while the sealant chamber  2420  and the closure edge  2415  are made of a second, different (i.e., type and/or formulation) polymer. Thus, the locking member  2850  and the mating portion  2855  may be provided a greater rigidity than the longitudinally extending portion  2810 . The first polymer, forming the longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section  2810 , may be a thermoplastic elastomer and the material having a greater rigidity may be a polypropylene. 
     As is further shown in FIG. 28, the closure edge  2815  includes a contact surface  2875  on the inner face of the cable sleeve  2800 . Similarly, the sealant chamber  2820  includes a contact surface  2880  on the inner face of the cable sleeve  2800 . The contact surfaces  2875 ,  2880  are configured to contact the cable section  2605  to facilitate sliding along the cable section  2605  when the wrap-around sleeve  2800  is wrapped around the cable section  2605 . Furthermore, the contact surface  2875  of the closure edge  2815  my also operate to compress the sealant material in the sealant chamber when the cable sleeve  2800  is wrapped around the cable section  2605 . The contact surface  2880  of the sealant chamber  2820  may further operate to compress the sealant material layers when the cable sleeve  2800  is wrapped around the cable section  2605 . 
     Methods for forming wrap-around cable sleeves  2400 ,  2700 ,  2800  as described previously will now be further described. A web of electrically insulating material with a longitudinally extending sealant chamber  2420  therein is extruded. For the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 28, a rigid thermoplastic and a thermoplastic elastomer may be co-extruded to form a web having a body made of the thermoplastic elastomer and having longitudinal edges  2815 ,  2820  defining the sealant chamber made from a rigid thermoplastic to allow a greater flexibility for expansion of the corrugated body portion  2810 . The extruded web is cut to a selected length. After the web is cut to the selected length, the sealant material (or gel)  2430  is inserted into the sealant chamber  2420 . In addition, gel is applied to the inner face of the web at first and second ends thereof to define the sealant material layers  2435 ,  2460 . The applied gel contacts the gel in the sealant chamber at each end to form the wrap-around cable sleeve. 
     As described previously with reference to other embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the wrap-around cable sleeves  2400 ,  2700 ,  2800  may have a range taking in a radial direction of at least about 15% and the corrugated lateral cross-section may have a flexural modulus of between about 4,000 and 100,000 psi. The cable chamber may have a range taking in a longitudinal direction of less than about 10% and the corrugated longitudinally extending portion may have a 100% tensile modulus of between about 250 psi and 3000 psi. The longitudinally extending portion may also have a tension set less than about 60%. 
     While embodiments of the present invention including a longitudinal sealant chamber have been generally described above with reference to FIGS. 24-28, it is to be understood that others of the embodiments described above also provide for a longitudinal sealant chamber and may be provided with sealant material layers at the ends thereof as described above with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 24-28. Examples of such alternative embodiments are shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  15 - 21  and  23 . It is further to be understood that restraint members  1120 ,  1140  that may be used with such embodiments are further shown and described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Collar portions  817 ,  818 ,  2215 ,  2217  that may be used with such embodiments are shown and described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A,  8 ,  9 ,  20  and  22 . 
     In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.