IL34502A - Wire-splicing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

D' 'n -ns'n'? ne»s?i ipnn Wire-splicing apparatus and method MINNESOTA, MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY C: 32614 WIRE-SPLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention relates to the splicing of communications cables. There is provided means and method for making electrical connection between corresponding wire-ends of such cables in a simple, rapid and effective manner, with production of a neatly and compactly assembled, easily traced and tested splice assembly. Stripping of insulation and soldering of wire-ends is avoided. Identity of wires and wire -pairs is easily determined and maintained. A minimum of space is required. All loose wire-ends and connectors are eliminated.

One common prior art procedure for joining together corresponding wire-ends of communications cables involves stripping the insulation and then twisting together and soldering the opposed ends. More recently, solderless so-called "spring compression reserve" wire-connectors have been employed, one form of such device being described in Levin et al U.S. patent No. 3 , 012, 219 issued December 5, 1961. A specifically different form of solderless connector is described in Pasternak U.S. patent No. 3, 027, 36, issued March 27, 1962, wherein a number of the connectors are mounted on a single connector panel for convenience in assembling the several junctures in appropriate tip and ring relationship. Whereas with the Pasternak connector the excess wire-ends must be clipped and removed by hand, Leach U,S„ patent No. 3, 202, 957, issued August 24, 1965 describes a wire -cutting solderless connector again employing the "U-connector" or "spring compression reserve" principle of the Levin et al patent No. 3, 012, 219.

The present invention likewise provides for the solderless spring compression reserve connection of insulated wires, and for the removal of excess terminal portions, and for the convenient assembly of multiple tip-and-ring Junctions, but in novel manner and using novel components and combinations resulting in reduced space and time requirements and in other advances and advantages as will be described more in detail hereinafter and particularly with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view, and Figure 2 a view in front elevation, showing somewhat schematically a presently preferred form of cable-splicing assembly with cable-ends in position for splicing, and including two sorting and splicing stations, Figure 3 is an end elevation of one of the sorting and splicing stations of Figures 1 and 2 and supporting a splicing module shown in dotted outline, Figure 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the station and module of Figure 3 taken approximately at line 4-4 of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional elevation taken at line 5-5 of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a partial plan view of a sorting and splicing station with the base member of the splicing module in position for entry of wire-ends and with a first pair of wire-ends in position, Figure 7 is a view of typical portions of the several insulating layers of a three-layer splicing module shown in top and bottom elevation.

Figure 8 is a view in cross-section of a portion of a three-layer splicing module showing a single double-ended contact element and associated pair of wire-cutting - - - blades, as applied in the interconnection of wire-ends.

Figure 9 is a partial sectional elevation of a single spring compression reserve connection, taken approximately along line 9-9 of Figure 8, Figure 10 represents portions, partly in section, of representative forms of probe members for use with a completed module, Figure 11 is a representation in perspective, partly cut away, of a typical fold-back splice assembly em- ploying a plurality of splicing modules and prepared in accordance with the principles of the invention, Figure 12 is a view in perspective of contact and blade elements as used in the splicing module of Figure 8, Figure 13 is a representation in perspective of a presently preferred form of pressure assembly device, and Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing a clamp member useful in connection with the assembly of Figure 11.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the general positioning of the several parts just prior to splicing together the corresponding conductors of two opposing cable-ends. A tubular frame member 10 is attached between opposing cable ends 11 by clamps 12 and in turn supports clamps 135 braces 14, clamps 15 and pins 16, the latter supporting the sorting and splicing stations 17 which will thus be seen to be capable of rotary, horizontal, and vertical adjustment. Additional support for the frame 10 may be supplied if necessary, for example in the form of extended leg or support members similarly clamped to the frame; but the relatively rigid cable ends themselves ordinarily provide adequate support.

Each cable end contains a number of wire-bundles 18. A typical bundle may contain 25 pairs of twisted color-coded plastic insulated copper wires. Other cables may contain 50 or 100 pairss of twisted paper- or pulp-insulated wires; and the stations 17 and the connector modules are de-signed to accept the full number of pairs or some convenient sub-multiple. The position of the stations 17 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is particularly convenient for use by two splicers working together in making fold-back splices, but other positions may be preferred in particular instances. Thus the two stations may be supported in fixed axial alignment for move convenient operation by an individual splicer; e. in making a "no-slack" splice.

The sorting and splicing station 17 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 3* and 5 · A main frame 19 sup-ported on pin 16 terminates in opposing generally triangularly shaped end pieces 20 inwardly vertically channeled to receive a folded flat spring member 21 having an elongate protruding ridge 22 extending towards the opposite end member 20 and serving as a retaining guide for the connector module as will subsequently be described in more detail. The frame 19 is further provided with a series of hook-shaped wire-guides 23 and knife-edged separators 24 aligned in staggered arrangement as more particularly shown in Figures 5 and 6 . Along the opposite side of the frame 19 there is supplied a narrow shelf 25 between end plates 26 which additionally carry a reversible spring assembly 27 consisting of two elongate coil spring members 28, 29 supported on a resilient frame 30 removably retained within slots in the end plates 26 - The splicing module 31 is supported on the sorting and splicing station 17 in the general position shown at 32 in Figure 1 and comprises a base member 33> at least 1 body member 34, and a cover member 35 as seen in Figure 4 and in more detail in the segment illustrated in Figure 8„ In the embodiment shown, the body member 34 will be seen to consist of upper and lower segments 36 and 37· Contact elements 69 and blades 39 as shown in Figure 12 are incorporated within the module as will further be described.

The structure of the separate members of the base 33^ body elements 36 and 37, and cover 35 is indicated in greater detail in Figure 7· Each of these members is extended at body ends to provide a slotted terminal portion where in an L-shaped slot 40 provides means for aligning and securing the member between the spring members 21 in the ends 20 of the main frame 19.

The upper surface of the base 33 is deeply channeled to provide wire-receiving channels 41 and somewhat deeper square shaped openings 42, the latter centrally extending into the base below and nearly to the center of the bottom surface of alternate channels 4l to leave narrow wire-supporting residual ridges . The base is further slotted transversely of the channels 4l to provide deep narrow slots 45 having a depth slightly greater than that of the channels 4l, for a purpose to be described.

The lower surface of the lower segment 37 of the body member 34 is formed with transverse ridges 46 in alignment with channels 4l of the base 33* and with extended posts 47 in line with openings 42. The ridges 46 are cut away at both edges to leave narrow central wire-supporting segments 48, and the panel is perforated across each ridge and between opposing posts 7 to provide slots 9 which will be seen to extend through the member and to be visible from the upper surface. The upper surface is provided with a shallow channel 50 longitudinally of, and adjacent one edge of, the segment, and another channel along a central portion, the slots 9 being aligned along the centers of these channels. Slightly deeper channels 52 extend from said slots 49 and, more narrowly, to the edge of the panel farthest from channel 50.

As seen from the bottom, the upper segment 36 of the body member likewise is perforated to provide slots which are aligned with segments 48 of lower segment 37 and have chamfered edges. A flat ridge 56 extends along one side in general alignment with the channel 0 of segment 373 and projections 57 similarly match with portions of channel 51. Very narrow low relief ridges 58 extend across the width of the panel and further separate the slots and projections.

The upper surface of the segment 36 is similar to the surface of the base 33 except for the presence of the slots 54, and comprises wire-receiving channels 59* square-shaped openings 60, ridges 6l and slots 62 corresponding respectively to channels 4l, openings 42, ridges 44 and slots 4 of the base.

The lower surface of the cover 35 meshes with the upper surface of the segment 36 and comprises ridges 63, posts 64 and ridges 66 corresponding respectively to ridges 46, posts 47, and ridges 48 of the lower surface of segment 37· Unlike segment 37* the cover 35 is not perforated and it has a smooth flat upper surface which may have a matte - finish or be otherwise receptive of identifying indicia.

Each of the above-described base and body members is slightly indented along one edge between the laterally extended end members and is provided with identifying ridges between alternate pairs of wire-receiving locations, such ridges being shown as ridges 67 and 68. The cover member retains full width along its entire length but is periodically lightly grooved to provide identifying grooves 65 in line with the identifying ridges and preferably extending transversely across the flat outer surface. These optional ridges and grooves are of assistance in quickly identifying the position of tip and ring locations for each wire-pair.

In assembling the body members 34, double U-connec- tor contact elements 69 as shown in Figure 12 are pressed against the upper surface of the segment 37 and each with one bifurcate tip inserted in a slot 9. The upper segment 36 is placed over the lower segment,, the other bifurcate tips passing through the appropriate slots 54, and the two segments are then welded together. The segments 36 and 3 * as also the base 33 and cover 35, are formed of electrically insulative plastic material, e.g. polycarbonate; and welding is therefore conveniently accomplished by the application of ultrasonic vibration under pressure, causing the ridges 58 to fuse and flatten and to form a strong bond between the contacting surfaces of the segments 36 and 37. Cutter blades 39 as shown in Figure 12 are force-fit into slots 62 of body 3 . Blades 39 are similarly inserted in slots 45 of base 33 » The blades are constructed of stainless steel strip, whereas the contact elements 69 are of tin-plated cartridge brass plate.

Figure 8 represents a unit splice segment of a splicing module 31. The base 33 supports a blade 39 in slot 5 and a wire 71 in channel 4l. The lower bifurcate tip of a contact element 69 fits across the wire and wire-receiving channel and into openings 2. The element 69 is sealed between the welded segments 36 and 37 forming the body member 34- The upper tip of the contact element extends through slot 4 across channel 59 of the body member and over narrow ridges 66 of the cover member 35 and makes contact with a wire 72 placed within the channel. A further blade 39 supported in slot 62 of the body member 34 and across channel 59 removes the free tip of the wire 72. Ridge 63 of the cover 35 fits into channel 59 and serves to force the wire 72 against the contact element and blade. The wires are thereby electrically interconnected, the surplus ends being cut off by the blades 39 so that the splice area is completely isolated within the assembly of insulating module members. An opening providing access to the element 69 from the outer edge of the module is provided by the channel 52. Tolerances between interengaging members are such that the assembly is held together as an integral unit or module \ adhesive or other bonding means may alternatively be employed if subsequent re-entry is not desired.

A completed spring compression reserve connection between the contact element 69 and the conductor of the insulated wire 72 is shown in Figure 9, The lobes of the bifurcate tip of the contact element will be seen to straddle the narrow ridge 665 to displace the wire-insulation and make sliding spring compression reserve contact with the copper conductor., and to remain out of contact with the - - plastic surfaces defining the ends of the slot 54.

With the apparatus in readiness as generally shown in Figures 1 and 2, and with a module base member 33 in the position 32, an opposing pair of wire-bundles 18 is first anchored in position for making a fold back splice and with the wire-pair ends positioned for easy access to the appropriate sorting and splicing station 17, the remaining bundles being temporarily retained out of the way. The several wire-pairs of the first of the two bundles are then separate-ly withdrawn and placed between appropriate guides 23, and the individual wires are separated on the separators 24 as shown in Figure 6 for wires 70, 71 of a first wire-pair.

The wire-ends are then laid across the base 33 in the appropriate channels 4l, and the end portions are held taut by being inserted between convolutions of the spring 28. In this procedure it is convenient to make the tip connection at the left and the ring connection at the right of the separator 24 in each instance, the ridges 67 indicating the positions of successive wire-pairs. Sufficient guides, separ-ators and channels are provided to accommodate all or a subgroup of the wire-pairs of a bundle.

After the wires of the first bundle are thus located, a body member 3^ is placed in alignment over the assembly and forced into contact. Each wire is thereby forced into permanent connection with its contact element and the surplus end is severed by the corresponding blade 39 a*id is discarded. Alternately, the application of the closing force may be withheld pending completion of the assembly.

The appropriate wire-pairs of the second of the two wire-bundles are then similarly located and separated, - - with the wires again being laid in the appropriate channels 59 in the upper surface of the body 34 and the extended ends of the wires being again temporarily retained in the coil spring 28 r The cover 35 is then positioned and pressed into place. Each wire is thus forced into spring compression reserve contact with its contact element and the surplus end removed. The corresponding wires of the two opposing bundles are thus effectively spliced together. The free wire-end segments are removed from the retainer and discarded „ The completed module is then easily removed from the station 17 by simply retracting the spring retainers 21 and lifting the module from the station.

Although other means of imparting the necessary closing force to the module may be used., it is convenient to employ a hydraulic press member 7 as illustrated in Figure 13 , Such a press may consist of a rigid frame having retaining end members 75 fitting around the end pieces 20 of the station 17 and one or more self-retracting hydraulic cylinders 76 for applying pressure through a face plate 77 against the upper surface of the module or sub-component thereof. The press is easily applied to and removed from the splicing station Hydraulic pressure is supplied through suitable pump means, not shown.

It is sometimes desirable to connect wires of dif-ferent diameters within a single module5 or in different modules. The reversible spring assembly 27 provides for fully adequate retention of wires of any diameter which may effectively be connected, by providing both a tightly wound and a loosely wound coiled spring and means for reversing the position of the two Selection of the various wire-pairs of a wire-bundle in accordance with a predetermined color code is conveniently accomplished by reference to color code markings supplied on the exposed upper face of the wire guides 23, for example at the colored areas JQS 79 as indicated in Figure 6 . The roughened upper flat surface of the cover 35 of the connector module affords a means for marking the position of specific wires or wire-pairs for convenience in subsequent testing or interconnec ing operations. Similarly, the shelf 25 may be provided with an indicia-receiving surface so that the position of particular wire-pairs may be indicated thereon. In an example, a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape placed upon the shelf 25 and marked in accordance with the position of the wires prior to or during the assembly operation may subsequently be removed and applied directly to the completed module, thereby preserving a record of the wire positions . Again, the grooves 65 and ridges 67 and 68 help to define the position of interconnected wire-pairs, for example for subsequent testing thereof.

Although not essential in making connections as hereinbefore described, it is desirable to provide edge perforations in line with each of the contact elements 38 in the body element 33* for purposes now to be described. Such a perforation is indicated in Figure 8 in the form of an open-ended channel 52 between the lower and upper segments 36 and 37 of the body 34. Suitable probes may be inserted through such perforations for making contact with the contact elements 69 in testing for circuit continuity or for various other purposes .

Figure 10 illustrates a number of probe modifica- - - tions which may be employed with such perforate connector modules. A first probe 80 consists of an elongate U-shaped insulating channel 8l supporting a long probe 82 and a shorter probe 83 and making spring tension contact between the movable probes and corresponding fixed external connector elements through intervening coil springs. As many additional pairs of probes as may be desired for a complete module may be included in a single elongate channel 8l; or a single pair may be used in a shorter channel. The device permits making contact between adjacent contact elements within the module, through the external connector elements or through meters, lamps, phones or other test devices attached therebetween. A second type of probe 84 employs rigid rather than spring mounted probe elements and which are of slightly reduced length so as to remain just out of contact with the contact elements of the module, so that when the exposed ends of the probes are grounded there is provided a protective high voltage flashover capability within the module. A further type of probe 85 may or may not be spring mounted and is provided with a short insulating tip 86 serving to define a fixed flashover distance between the grounded probe and the contact element.

A typical assembly of a plurality of connector modules in a completed fold back splice arrangement between two cable ends is illustrated in Figure 11 wherein the splice assembly is indicated as being hermetically enclosed within a casing 87 sealed to the cable ends at end seals 88. In this installation edge perforated modules are employed, the modules being arranged longitudinally of the splice area and assembled circumferentially thereof and with the perfor- ated edge facing outwardly. It will be apparent that such assembly makes possible the simplified testing of individual splices or groups of splices, simply by the application of suitable probes at the perforated module edges once the cas-ing 87 has been opened.

The several modules as illustrated in Figure 11 may be effectively assembled as a series of sub-assemblies using clamp members as shown in Figure 14. Each clamp 89 consists of a base 90 having extended along one side an L-shaped projection 91 and from an edge of the opposite side a centrally channeled upright member 92 carrying two buttonlike projections 93 · Two such clamps are applied one at each end of a group of completed modules by sliding the L-shaped projections of the clamps into the corresponding L-shaped slots in the ends of the several modules, as shown in Figure 14 for a total of 4 of the connector modules. Several module assemblies are then uniformly positioned about the axis of the splice area and about the mass of interconnected wire-ends in the configuration shown in Figure 11 and are held in place either by tying together the adjacent assemblies with twine placed around the extended upright portions 92, or with suitably perforated elastic strips interconnecting adjacent buttons 93 of adjacent assemblies, or by other means. Such assemblies make readily possible the subsequent removal and subsequent replacement of any specified assembly or of any specified module for whatever purpose indicated.

The preceding description has been primarily in terms of making splices under field conditions, wherein one or more splicers are enabled rapidly and conveniently to sort out, connect, identify., and assemble large numbers of - - wire-pair connections. The invention is however not limited to such application. As one example, the principles of the invention may be applied to pretermination connections made under factory conditions and supplied as sub-combinations or sub-assemblies to field workers « A specific example is in the assembling of corrective capacitor or inductor elements which are to be inserted into a communications line. In such an operation,, the individual corrective components are pre-connected between base and body or between body and cov-er components as herein described, and the wire-pair ends from the cable are then interconnected into these body members in the field, using appropriate cover or base members or composites thereof.

In other variations, additional wire-pair ends may be connected into the previously assembled module simply by removing the original cover member and inserting one or more additional body members and corresponding series of wire-pair ends, and then again replacing the cover member. The technique is particularly applicable in the bridging in of additional communication lines, since no interruptions of the original circuit need occur.

The practice of the invention need not be restricted to the making of contacts with an entire group of wire-pair ends in the manner hereinbefore described. Instead, single wire-pairs may be interconnected with a particular channel of a previously established multiple line system, for example by replacing the cover member with a further body member and then forcing individual wire-ends or pairs of wire-ends into the desired position or positions to make further contact therewith.

It has previously been noted that the edge perforations, desirably provided for test and other purposes may be eliminated in the original body structure. One way of accomplishing this result is to mold the contact and blade elements within a unitary plastic body. Another is to insert the contact element through an opening provided for the purpose, e.g. in the lower portion of the unitary body member. The resulting structure has the advantage tSiat the contact element is better protected from contact with out-side elements . Much the same advantages may be obtained with multi-perforated modules simply by placing a suitable sealant strip material over the edge area of the assembled module. The practice is particularly useful where three-wire connections, contained in a module comprising two body members, are to be converted to two-wire connections by removal of the unwanted third wire . A ter cutting and removing these third wires, a sealant strip material is adhered over the edge of the module to protect and insulate the residual wire-ends. - -

Claims (35)

905,122 What we claim is :

1. A multiple wire-splice module comprising in-terengaging elongate insulating base and cover members and at least one body member, wherein? said base is transversely grooved to provide a first series of parallel open-ended individual wire-receiving grooves; each said body is transversely ridged across one face to provide a first series of parallel ridges fitting within the corresponding grooves of an adjacent said base or said body, is correspondingly transversely grooved across the other face to provide a second series of parallel open-ended individual wire-receiving grooves corresponding to said first series, contains contact elements in alignment longitudinally of said body, one between each said ridge and its corresponding groove, and each having opposed bifurcate wire-receiving tips for making interconnecting permanent spring reserve connection with a wire laid along said ridge and another within said groove; and said cover is transversely ridged to provide a second series of parallel ridges fitting within the corresponding grooves of a said body=

2. The module of claim 1 wherein a wire-cutting blade is disposed across each said groove in said base and in each said body in position to sever the free ends of wires laid in said grooves during pressure-assembly of said module ,

3. The module of claim 1 wherein said body member is multiperforate from one edge to provide independent access to each said contact element with a test probe.

4. The module of claim 1 wherein said body member comprises a bottom panel and a top panel and said contact elements each have two bifurcate tips extending oppositely from and perpendicularly to a flat center disposed between said panels .

5. The module of claim wherein said body member is multiperforate from one edge and wherein the edge perforations provide access to the contact elements adjacent the juncture of one of said bifurcate tips with said flat center.

6. The module of claim 1 wherein each of said base, body and cover members includes extended end segments terminally slotted to provide generally L-shaped slot means for aligning and supporting said members.

7. The module of claim 1 wherein each of said base, body and cover members is provided with external indicia for indicating the location of mated wire-pairs within said module.

8. For use in splicing communications cables with the module of claim 1, an assembly station comprising base means for supporting said base, body and cover members in alignment, guide means extending from said base means for guiding each of a plurality of wire -pairs toward an appropriate pair of wire-receiving grooves, and separator means for separating the tip and ring wires of each of said wire-pairs for positioning in the appropriate grooves of each said pair.

9. The assembly station of claim 8 wherein each said guide means includes means for designating a specific one of a bundle of separately coded wire-pairs.

10. The assembly station of claim 8 including holding means for temporarily retaining the free wire-ends of the several wires laid across a said module member.

11. The station of claim 10 wherein said holding means comprises a reversible assembly of two coil spring wire-retaining members of different coil spacings.

12. The station of claim 8 wherein said base means includes upright end members each supporting a spring-mounted clamp member for aligning and removably retaining the base, body and cover members of a said module.

13. A pressure clamp member suitable for use in completing the connecting of wire-ends in a wire-splice module supported on the assembly station of claim 8, wherein said clamp member comprises a frame including terminal tension members fitting over the ends of said base means, at least one hydraulic cylinder assembly incorporated in said frame, and a face plate suspended from said assembly in position for applying pressure against an upper member of a said module.

14. Splice assembly apparatus comprising supporting frame means for clamping between opposing ends of a communications cable, adjustable holding means for temporarily rigidly retaining on said frame at least one assembly station as defined in claim 8, a said station retained thereon, and pressure means for compressing the several members of a said module together against the said assembly station base means in completing a modular splice assembly.

15. Tie means for assembling together a sub-multiple of modular splice assemblies each comprising a module as defined in claim 63 said tie means comprising a flat base having along one face a generally L-shaped projection fitting snugly within the end slots of said modules and along the opposite face a centrally channeled upright member having an outwardly expanding boss extending from one face near each end thereof.

16. A probe member comprising an elongate support carrying at least one long and one short pin probe in position for insertion into adjacent edge perforations at a mating wire-pair location of a module as defined in claim 3 for permitting flow of current between said probes and the corresponding contact elements of said module.

17. A communications cable splice assembly comprising two cable-ends having a plurality of wire-pair bundles each containing a number of wire-pairs, the individual wires of the opposing wire -pairs of the two cable-ends being connected together within a series of modules as defined in claim 33 said modules being disposed cireumferentially of the common extended axis of said cable-ends and with said perforate edges facing outwardly from said axis, the entire splice assembly being enclosed within a sealed protective cover .

18. The splice assembly of claim 17 wherein the said modules are pre-assembled in sub-groups which are in- corporated into the circumferential assembly.

19. Method of splicing communications cable comprising assembling a plurality of wire-pairs from a first cable-end with the wire-ends laid in appropriate sequence within the transverse grooves of a connector module base member, placing a module body member over and in alignment with said base, assembling a corresponding plurality of wire-pairs from a second cable-end with the wire-ends laid in appropriate sequence within the transverse grooves of said body member, placing a module cover member over and in alignment with said body member, and forcing said members together to complete the splice between opposing wires, said module being as described in claim 1.

20. « The method of claim 19 wherein a wire-cutting blade is disposed across each said groove in said base and said body and including the step of severing and removing the surplus wire-ends.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said modules are mul iperforate from one edge to provide independent access to each said contact element and wherein said modules after completion of the splicing operation are disposed around the periphery of the cable joint area parallel with said cable and with their multiperforate access edges accessible from without said area,

22. The method of obtaining access to communications cable wire-pairs comprising splicing together corresponding wire-ends of corresponding wire-pairs in multiple wire-splice modules as defined in claim 3 and then inserting conductive probe members in appropriate perforations of said modules .

23. The method of protecting communications cable from the disruptive effects of surges of high voltage comprising introducing in said cable a plurality of perforate splice modules as defined in claim 3s inserting in said perforate modules a corresponding number of probes each of said probes coming just short of making electrical contact with the corresponding contact element of said modulus, and grounding said probes.

24. A pre-assemblage of circuit components for introduction into a communications cable circuit, comprising a plurality of components each connected into at least one sub-assembly of a module as defined in claim 1, said subassembly comprising a said body member.

25. , A wire-splice module substantially as described and illustrated herein.

26. An assembly station as claimed in Claim 8 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

27. · A pressure clamp member as claimed in Claim 13 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

28. Splice assembly apparatus according to Claim 14 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

29. » Tie means as claimed in Claim 15 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

30. A probe member as claimed in Claim 16 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

31. A communications cable splice assembly as claimed in Claim 17 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

32. A method as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 21 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

33. · A method as claimed in Claim.22 substantially as described and illustrated herein*

34. A method as claimed in Claim 3 substantially as described and illustrated herein.

35. A pre-asseablage of circuit components according to Claim 24 substantially as described and illustrated herein. For