WO1993013580A1

WO1993013580A1 - Connection and branching sleeve for telecommunications cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables

Info

Publication number: WO1993013580A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/002350
Authority: WO
Inventors: Günter Hill; Dieter Fremgen
Original assignee: Walter Rose Gmbh & Co. Kg; Raychem Limited
Priority date: 1991-12-21
Filing date: 1992-12-18
Publication date: 1993-07-08
Also published as: DE4142586C2; MX9207480A; DE4142586A1; GB9310638D0; ZA929927B; AU3166493A; CN1075233A

Abstract

Using a connection and branching sleeve for telecommunications cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables, comprising a multi-part sleeve body having cable entry and outlet pipes, wherein, in use, the parts forming the sleeve body are fastened to each other in a moisture proof manner, and having strain relief means for the incoming and outgoing cables, a solution is to be provided with which one connection and branching sleeve can be used in a variety of ways, is adapted in an optimum manner to each desired application, and especially, in its design, can subsequently be opened, without being destroyed, and manipulated and closed again. This is achieved as a result of the fact that at least part of the sleeve body (2) is provided with locating elements (5), especially factory-mounted locating elements, and an exchangeable mounting device (4) enabling the optical or electrical connection or branch to be made is provided between the locating elements (5) according to the type of cable used.

Description

Connection and branching sleeve for telecommunications cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables

The invention relates to a connection /branching sleeve for telecommunications cables.

Various forms of construction of such sleeves are known. One known solution comprises placing half-shells in the form of cast plastics parts around specially prepared cable splices, the plastics half-shells serving as a protection for the additionally formed sleeve actually lying inside as is described, for example, in US-4 135 587. A solution comprising only one surrounding pipe, on the one hand, and tubes that can be shrunk around the incoming and outgoing cables, on the other hand, is disclosed in DE-19 08 996-C A sleeve enclosure that is to be clamped over cable entries by means of hose clamps is disclosed in US-36 24 594. A metallic supporting body and plastics cable entries which are fastened to each other by means of shrinkable tubing are disclosed in DE-25 42 508-A. A similar solution is disclosed in DE-16 65 977-A and DE-19 77460-U. A solution that is again of comparable construction but that is very complicated, in which the outer enclosure is fixed by means of damping rails, is disclosed in DE- 30 29 848-A, to mention but a few of the known solutions here.

The known solutions are used as a rule for telecommunications cables, the splice as a rule being produced at the construction site itself. An at least partially prefabricated sleeve construction for communications cables is described in DE-3320916-A.

A disadvantage common to all of the solutions is that they cannot be used for different applications or different cable networks with their essential constructional elements, that is to say, for example, they are not suitable for being used in the same manner for conventional cables in communications technology and for coaxial cable technology, let alone for glass fibre technology. Subsequent opening of the sleeves in order, for example, to be able to connect a further consumer is not possible with the known solutions.

The problem of the invention is, therefore, to provide a solution with which one connection and branching sleeve can be used in a variety of ways, is adapted in an optimum manner to each desired application and, especially, in its design, can subsequently be opened, without being, destroyed, and manipulated and closed again.

This problem is solved according to the invention as a result of the fact that at least part of the sleeve body is provided with locating elements, especially factory mounted locating elements, and an exchangeable mounting device enabling the optical or electrical connection or branch to be made is provided between the locating elements according to the type of cable being used.

The present invention therefore provides a connection and branching sleeve for cables such as telecommunications cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables, comprising a sleeve body having cable entry and outlet pipes, characterised in that at least part of the sleeve body is provided with locating elements, preferably factory-mounted locating elements, and an exchangeable mounting device carrying the optical or electrical connector or branching means is provided between the locating elements according to the type of cable being used.

As a result of the invention, it is merely necessary, in a simple manner, to provide the end user installing corresponding communications networks with a small number of individual elements in order to meet all requirements. Thus, the same type of sleeve can be used irrespective of whether conventional multi-conductor telephone cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables are involved, merely by exchanging the device, for example a connection or branching cassette, provided in the interior.

The sleeve preferably also comprises strain relief devices and sealing devices at the cable entries. The term "cable entries" is used sometimes in this specification to describe cable entry and outlet ports. In order to be able to meet the requirements of the particular application in an optimum manner, the branching and connection sleeve is constructed according to the invention in a variety of ways, some of the constructions provided here being known per se but being used here in an especially advantageous manner to achieve the desired objective.

The sleeve may be provided with the locating elements for the mounting devices in its base body, in which case it is necessary merely to close the base body in a moisture proof manner. In another construction, the parts of the sleeve, that is to say the sleeve base body and the sleeve cover body, may be constructed as mirror images of each other.

It may be especially advantageous to provide at least part of the sleeve body with a pivoted and sealed lid, the lid advantageously being so constructed that it is possible to exchange the cassette while the remainder of the sleeve body is closed. In another embodiment a multi part sleeve may be provided, in which one part, the sleeve cover body, is designed as a lid, that can preferably be pivoted and closed in a sealing manner against a sleeve base body. These constructions incorporating lids can advantageously be arranged so that the cable entries into the sleeve do not need to be opened again after final mounting of the cable entries, which is beneficial especially to their impermeability, and, similarly, the strain relief provided does not need to be opened again or altered. Thus, if the maximum number of incoming cables has been connected at the entry side, it is possible to make connections to new consumers on the outlet side at a different time, for example in stages, without interruption.

It is advantageous if the cable entries and outlets can be opened and closed separately from the remainder of the sleeve body, as is also provided according to the invention, precisely in order to be able to connect further consumers added later. In order to be able especially to meet the variety of requirements of the desired applications, as a development the invention provides a sleeve having cable entries each of which is provided with a strain relief device (preferably supported on the cable jacket) and a sealing device associated with that strain relief device, the sleeve body being provided with devices that can, for example, be brought together as a close fit around corresponding cable entry elements, or which can be acted on by a force member, such as a screw activated plate, to urge against the cable entry elements. By "cable elements" is meant the cable entries per se, the strain relief elements and the sealing devices.

As demonstrated by the prior art mentioned at the beginning, a versatile construction of the sleeves was hitherto possible only to a limited extent since, for example, only the sleeve end caps with their cable entries existed in a form that could be varied if necessary. It was known to provide different designs of cable entry for one cable, two cables or three cables, an example of this being DE-30 29 848-A already mentioned above. More extensive adaptation is not possible according to the prior art, the latter also not having as a rule any separation between the sealing region, on the one hand, and the strain relief region, on the other hand. The shrinkable cable entries have to assume both functions to some extent, which is not the case with the invention according to the construction described herein.

The fact that the cable entry elements can be connected to the sleeve body by a form-fit or other suitable method creates the possibility of adapting those cable entries to the incoming and outgoing cables not only in type but in number also.

In a development, the invention makes provision for the sealing chamber to be in the form of an integral component of the cable entries of the sleeve elements and for the strain relief device to be in the form of separate elements that can be fastened to the sleeve or, conversely, for the strain relief device to be in the form of an integral component of the cable entries of the sleeve elements and for the sealing chamber to be in the form of a separate element that can be fastened to the sleeve.

Both the sealing region and the clamping region can be constructed in different ways, it being possible to use for the seal sealing gel provided in chambers or other types of seal, and, for strain relief, clamping ramps or the like. The cable entries may be in the form of chambers which are arranged side by side, optionally divided in the plane of partition of the sleeve, and which are pressed against each other in the closed position by means of clips; the cable entries may also be arranged according to the invention, for example, about an imaginary central axis.

As prior art relating to mounting devices, for example for optical wave guides, reference is made to EP-0216 073 of the Applicant or EP-0 101 970-A, DE-3405309-A or FR-2559 277-A.

Mechanical sealing elements are described, for example, in DE-24 27 677-A and a possible method of sealing, for example by means of sealing gel, is disclosed in EP-0 191 609-B.

As already mentioned at the beginning, in some applications it is desirable for a sleeve to be capable of being opened subsequently in order to connect further consumers. Not only the latter purpose but also that of . simple and versatile handling is served by a further construction of the invention which comprises providing a row of rapid-action clamp connectors for the incoming cable conductors and a row of rapid-action clamp connectors for the outgoing cable conductors and connecting the rapid-action clamp connectors to each other by connection elements, such as a board, a ribbon cable or the like, it being possible to make provision in construction for a device for testing and/or cutting the electrical connections between the corresponding incoming and outgoing conductors to be provided between the rapid-action clamp connectors. These connectors are carried on the mounting device.

It is precisely with this design that it is possible, as already mentioned above, to connect the maximum number of incoming cables at the entry side, for example a 100-pair cable can be installed with all its conductors in the rapid-action clamp connector. According to the requirements, twenty outgoing cable conductor pairs are then installed in the other rapid-action clamp connector and connection of other consumers can then be made later without any problem.

The rapid-action damp connectors may, for example, be in the form of connector strips having a plurality of connection sites arranged side by side or alternatively in the form of a single connector; they may be arranged, for example, on a board which is either in the form of a flat component of alternatively, as is also provided by the invention, in the form of a cylindrical element.

It may be advantageous to provide the rapid-action damp connectors, whether they are in the form of individual elements of in the form of a strip, in such a manner that they can be telescoped or plugged on corresponding mounting device carrier elements in order to facilitate the exchanging procedure and/or the handling during contacting or testing operations.

A single type of mounting device may be provided that can carry optical connectors, or coaxial cables or copper cables (e.g. telecommunications cables). Alternativdy different mounting devices can be provided for each type of cable. Where different mounting devices are provided these preferably can be retained by common locating elements in the sleeve body.

It is also advantageous to effect the electrical disconnection between incoming and outgoing conductors, for example, by means of a mechanical, electrically non-conductive blocking element, as is also provided according to the invention; it may be advantageous to push apart, by means of an electrically non-conductive element, conductive tongues which normally rest against each other and ensure contact, in order thereby to effect electrical disconnection.

In order to make possible not only rapid and reliable contacting but also, especially, as provided by the present invention, subsequent disconnection using simple means, the invention also makes provision for a snap-in element that is able to move the rapid-action damp connector(s) from a non-contacting into a contacting position to be provided.

Rapid-action clamp connectors are known per se in other contexts, individual connectors being known, for example, from DE-37 08 782-C of the Applicant or from DE-23 14 330-C. Connector strips are known from DE-1640 108, DE-1765 271, DE-23 30 150 or DE 2725 551, to mention only a few examples here.

The sleeve may be also provided with a shield continuity system. This may take the form of a conductive plate in the sleeve body which conductively contacts the shields on incoming and outgoing shield cables.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and by reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a simplified three-dimensional view of a sleeve in the opened state,

Fig. 2 shows a section approximately along the line II-II in Fig. 1 with the

Fig. 3 shows a modification embodiment in the sectional view according to Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the clamp connector, Fig. 5 is a simplified plan view of one element of a sleeve with damp connectors indicated,

Fig. 6 shows a portion of a contact strip according to one illustrative embodiment,

Fig. 6a is a side view of two assembled contact strips with operable contacting damps,

Figs. 7 and 8 are three-dimensional views of different embodiments of rapid-action damp connectors,

Fig 9 shows a section through two asso ated rapid-action damp connectors in a further illustrative embodiment,

Fig. 10 is a plan view of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 9

Fig. 11 is a side view of a further embodiment of the arrangement of rapid-action damp connedors,

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the cable entry and outlet region in one form of the sleeve according to the invention.

Figs. 13 and 13a are simplified side views of strain relief elements,

Fig. 14 is a three-dimensional view of a combined strain relief and sealing element,

Fig. 15 is a side view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of a sleeve body according to the invention,

Fig. 16 is a side view approximately along the line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is a plan view approximately in the direction of the arrow XVTI in Fig. 15, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 18 shows a partial section through a cable entry region in a further construction of the invention,

Fig. 19 is a plan view of that region in the direction of the arrow XIX in Fig. 18,

Fig. 20 is a side view of that cable entry region in the direction of the arrow XX in Fig. 19,

Fig. 21 shows a modified embodiment of the cable entry region approximately in the view shown in Fig. 20,

Fig. 22(a), (b) and (c) are side sectional views showing body bases incorporating various mounting devices;

Fig. 23 is a cross-section through a connector suitable for use in the sleeve of the invention;

Fig. 24 (a) and (b) show an array of connedors of the type of Figure 23; and

Fig. 25 is another design of sleeve body incorporating sealing devices and strain devices and strain relief elements.

A connection and branching sleeve generally designated 1 in Fig. 1 has a sleeve body 2 comprising a sleeve base body 2a and a sleeve cover body 2a with cable entries, generally designated 3 in Fig. 1, which in this case are shown divided approximately centrally in the form of cable inlet and outlet pipes 3a. In the interior of the sleeve body 2, a mounting device 4, shown greatly simplified in Fig. 1, is provided carrying connectors depending upon the type of incoming cable, for example an dectrical or optical splice cassette. These mounting devices which are, in themselves, of very different design are fixed in or on locating elements 5 which, in the example shown in Fig. 1, are arranged on the sleeve body 2a.

These locating dements may be snap-in dements, cylindrical damping and screwing elements and the like, and their approximate position and arrangement can also be seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

As will also be seen in Fig. 1, part of the sleeve body 2, in this case the sleeve cover body 2b, may be equipped, for example, with a lid 6 that is pivoted but can be dosed in a sealed manner such that, when the lid is open, work can still be carried out on the mounting device 4 when cables 7a and 7b, indicated merely by broken lines in Fig. 1, have been installed, without having to perform any manipulations on the cable entries 3 or the cable inlet pipes 3a with the remainder of the sleeve dosed. The lid 6 is as a rule of a size such that, with the remainder of the sleeve dosed, the mounting device or cassette 4, for example, can be exchanged.

Figs.2 and 3 each show sleeve bodies 2' of which the basic body 2a and the cover body 2b can be pivoted with resped to each other by means of a hinge 9; with the interposition of a seal 8, the two open elements can then be fastened to each other, for example, by means of a damping rail 9a.

These Figures show that there are arranged on the locating elements 5 in the case of Fig. 2, for example, several optical connection cassettes 4a, whereas in the case of Fig. 3 splice cassettes 4b for multi- condudor cables are arranged. A highly simplified three-dimensional view of such a splice cassette 4b is shown, for example, in Fig. 4 and a plan view thereof is shown in Fig. 5. It should be mentioned at this point that the reproduction of the mounting devices 4a and 4b in the drawings is highly simplified since various possible designs are intended to be embraced here simultaneously.

Figs. 4 and 5 in conjunction with the further Figs. 6 to 11 show different possible designs of the mounting device 4 for multi-conductor communications cables. Fig. 4 shows a possibility of providing, for example on a board 10, a row 11 a, for example for incoming cable conductors, and a row lib, for outgoing cable conductors, of rapid-action damp connedors generally designated 12. Provided between the rows 11a and lib is a device 13 for testing, switching over and /or cutting the electrical connections between incoming cable conductors designated 14a and the outgoing cable conductors designated 14b. This can be accomplished by inserting into slots 15 a testing device or, alternatively, a non-conductive cutoff jack 16 (Fig. 9), which is possible without any problem when the sleeve is open. In order to be able to carry out testing also when the sleeve is closed, the slots 15 may also be provided with their own connections 17 leading to a common testing or diagnostic plug 18.

It will be seen that it is possible to connect all of the conductors 14a of the incoming cable 7a to the row 11 a of rapid-action damp connectors 12, while only some of the conductors 14b of outgoing cables 7b may be conneded and, if required, others may be conneded subsequently.

Figs. 6 to 8 show differently designed rows of rapid-action clamp connedors, these rows being designated for the sake of simplicity merely 11' (Fig. 6), 11" (Fig. 7) and 11'" (Fig. 8).

The row 11' of rapid-action damp connectors shown in Fig. 6 is designed in such a manner that it cooperates with a corresponding row, likewise designated 11' in Fig. 6a. In Fig 6 the wires are inserted through circular openings (unnumbered) at the top, and contad made by depressing push button contads 19 which can be operated from the outside. In Fig 6a, snap-in element 20 can be depressed, as shown by broken lines in Fig. 6a, to provide connection of each cable condudor 14 to be contaded. When the contact element 20 is pushed from above out of the position shown by continuous lines into the lower position shown by broken lines, the contacts press into the contad strips 11 from the side, the snap-in element 20 snapping with its snap-in head 20a into a corresponding recess 21 as shown by broken lines in Fig. 6a.

Figs. 7 and 8 respe ivdy show rapid-action damp connedors arranged upright and rapid-action damp connedors arranged lying down, which enable contacting to be carried out in a simple manner. These dements may, for example, be plugged onto a board or firmly soldered thereto or they may also, for example, be conneded via a ribbon cable to a corresponding row of rapid-action damp connections.

Figs. 9 and 10 show in section and in plan view, respectively, the possibility of making an electrical connection between incoming and outgoing cable conductors 14 by means of conductive tongues 22 which rest against each other in contacting manner. If, for example, the contad is merely to be tested, then the test tips 16 of a testing element can be inserted through the openings 15 as is indicated in Fig. 9. Instead of a testing dement 16, it is also possible, for example, to insert an dectrically non- conductive plastics blade between the condudor tongues 22 in such a manner that the connection is cut. In Fig 10 the incoming cables enter from right to left, and wires from that cable then pass at right angles into the connedors.

Fig. 11 shows the possibility of providing rapid-action damp connedors either in the form of strips 11 or in the form of individual dements 12 on a cylindrical carrier 23 or a cylindrical board 10a in order to be able to contad as great a number of conductors as possible in the smallest space. It is possible, as indicated in Fig. 11, to arrange the rapid- action damp connedors, whether they are in the form of strips 11 or individual dements 12, at or on a corresponding dement in such a manner that they can be tdescoped in order to enable a better working position of those dements to be achieved for contacting purposes. Once the cable conductors, not shown here, have been contacted, the element or the entire strip can be pushed back into the locking connection.

Figs. 12 to 21 show different designs of the cable entries 3, in some cases in an extremely simplified manner. The sleeve 1 shown in Fig. 12 has on its sleeve body 2 a strain relief device, generally designated 24, and a sealing device, generally designated 25, for the incoming and outgoing cables 7.

Figs. 13 and 13a show strain relief devices 24a and 24b, there being provided on one element clamping ramps whidi are wedge-shaped and are therefore able to accept cables of different diameters, as is indicated in Fig. 13a, and the damping action of which is effeded by screwing on or snapping on a counter-dement 27a and 27b, respectively .

Fig. 14 shows the possibility of structurally combining the two elements 24 and 25 into one element comprising a forward damping region 24 and a rearward sealing chamber 25, there being shown by continuous lines a dovetailed guide 28 with which the overall cable entry, generally designated 3' here, can be fastened to the sleeve body 2 as a separate element.

It should be mentioned at this point that this cable entry 3' may also be construded as an integral component of a sleeve body. The broken lines in Fig. 14 are intended to indicate this. The clamping and covering element of this cable entry 3' is designated 27 in Fig. 14. At this point, it should be mentioned that the sealing chamber 25 may, for example, be filled with a known sealing gel, but it is also possible to provide other seals, for example mechanical seals.

Fig. 15 shows the possibility of designing the cable entries 3 in such a manner that the sealing device 25 is integrally formed on the sleeve base body 2a and on the cover body 2b and divided in the plane of partition 30, whilst the strain relief device 24 can be fastened individually to each part by means of a dovetail guide 28a. In addition, as shown in Fig. 17, a further sealing chamber may be provided, which is filled with sealing gel 31.

Fig. 18 shows a modified embodiment, namely a design in which both a sealing device 25 and a strain relief device 24 are provided on a mounting extension 32 forming an integral component of the sleeve body 2, it being possible in this case to open and dose these two elements individually without having to open the entire sleeve. This solution is suitable espedally for the subsequent connection of cables of further consumers who were not connected originally.

A similar solution for several incoming cables is shown in Figs. 19 to 21, Fig. 19 showing a simplified plan view of a sealing chamber 25 for three cables and a strain relief device 24 likewise for three cables, although only two cables 7 are shown. A predetermined breaking point 33, indicated by broken lines in Fig.20, is provided for the cable that has not yet entered. I order to be able to exert an appropriate damping force it is possible to provide dips 35, also shown by way of suggestion here, in addition to a dosure rail 34.

In Fig. 21, a corresponding device is provided, but the cable entries are shown in an approximatdy circular arrangement rather than side by side. I this case also, the cable entry dement 3'" can be conneded to the sleeve body 2 in a manner similar to that in the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 18 and 19.

Figures 22 (a), (b) and (c) show a series of cross-sectional views through a sleeve body base.

In Figure 22 (a) the sleeve body base 40 is provided with locating dements 42 in the form of projections jutting inwardly of the sleeve body. A universal mounting device 44 is provided which is retained in the sleeve body by ridges or projections 46 which cooperate with the locating dements 42. The cooperating ridges and projections 42 and 44 are resilient so that the mounting device can be inserted and removed by the user from the sleeve body 40. This resiliency is a general feature of the invention not restrided to this specific embodiment. The mounting device 44 is "universal" in the sense that it can carry 'connectors of different types, or branching means. These may sit on trays on ledges 48 of the mounting device, or be conneded in some other way.

Figure 22 (b) shows a similar arrangement with locating elements 42 on the sleeve base 40 cooperating with projections 46 on the mounting device 44. The mounting device 44 carries plates 50 provided with connedors 52 for copper wire telecommunications cables. In other words in this case the mounting device 44 is not universal, but is specifically adapted to carry connedors for copper wires.

Figure 22 (c) shows another arrangement. In this case the mounting device 44 carries plates 54 for optical fibre cassettes 56, i.e. it is specifically adapted to carry connedors for optical fibres. Other parts in Figure 22 (c) corresponding to those in Figures 22 (a) and 22 (b) carry like reference numerals. In each of the Figures the plates 50 and 54 can be pivotally arranged on the mounting device 44.

Figure 23 shows in more detail a suitable connector 59 for copper wire type telecommunication cables. The connedor 59 comprises a base 60 and upper part 62 pivoted about 64. Contact blades 66 press into wires 68 arranged in a channel in upper part 62, as the upper part 62 is moved towards the base. The blades 66 are shown from the side. They comprise a blade which comprises three prongs in its upper part thereby providing two cutting channds into whidi two respective wires are pressed. The second wire 68 is hidden in the Figure, since it is directly behind the first. Two blades 65 are provided. One has prongs differently spaced from the other so that contact to wires of different sizes can be ensured. This is described in DE 4008739, the disdoure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The device is also provided with a strain relief element 68. Figures 24a and 24b show two different arrangements of connectors 59, (as shown in Figure 23) on a carrier plate carried by a mounting device of the type shown in Figures 22. The dotted line 61 above each set of connedors indicates the pivoting line for half shells of a sleeve in which the mounting devices are carried. Excess wire and cable, to allow flexible connection is stored in the channds 70 between the connectors, or behind or above the plane of the paper, within the sleeve. Guiding means 71 for the reserve lengths of the bundles of wires 73 are also indicated in Figure 24a. They would also be present in the embodiment of Figure 24b, but are not shown for darity in the drawings.

Figure 25 shows another sleeve design comprising a base body part 72 and a cover body part in the form of a lid 74, that is pivoted to base 72. The lid can be retained against base 72 by screw 76. Cable entries 78 are provided at either end of base 72 and a sealing device 80 secured on dther side of the entry pipes to the base 72. This sealing device comprises two mating half shells secured to each other an to the base 72 by screws 82. Also secured thereto by the same screws 82 is a strain relief device 84. This comprises a base part 86 and cable holding pieces 88 that can be tightened with the base 86 around the cables by screws 90. Strain relief devices are preferably provided on both sides of the base, but they are only shown on one side in the drawing for simpliάty.

The locating dements in sleeve base 72 for the mounting devices (not shown) comprise channds 92 and resilient retaining plugs 94. The mounting device can be provided with downwardly extending ridges that engage channds 92 to guide the entry of the device. The device is then retained in place by plug 94 which can be depressed to allow entry of the mounting device.

Claims

Claims:

1. A connection and branching sleeve for cables such as telecommunications cables, coaxial cables or glass fibre cables, comprising a sleeve body having cable entry and outlet pipes, charaderised in that at least part of the sleeve body is provided with locating elements, preferably factory-mounted locating elements, and an exchangeable mounting device carrying the optical or electrical connector or branching means is provided between the locating elements according to the type of cable being used.

2. A sleeve according to daim 1, wherein the sleeve body is multi part, and the parts are fastenable to each other, in use, in a moisture proof manner.

3. A sleeve according to daim 1 and 2, wherein the sleeve is also provided with strain relief means for the incoming and outgoing cables.

4. A sleeve according to claim 1, 2 or 3 charaderised in that the locating dements are provided in a sleeve base body which, in use, is dosed by a sleeve cover body with the indusion of the particular mounting device (4), carrying, for example, an optical fibre cassette, fastened to the locating elements.

5. A sleeve according to one of the preceding daims, charaderised in that the sleeve comprises a sleeve cover body, provided in the region between the cable entry pipes , which is designed as a lid that can be pivoted and dosed in a sealing manner against a sleeve base body.

6. A sleeve according to daim 5, characterised in that the pivoted lid is of a size that permits a mounting device to be exchanged while the remainder of the sleeve body is dosed.

7. A sleeve according to daim 5 or 6, characterised in that strain relief devices are provided for the incoming and outgoing cables, and the lid covers the said strain relief devices.

8. A sleeve according to daim 1 or one of the subsequent daims, charaderised in that the cable entries and outlets can be opened and dosed individually.

9. A sleeve according to any preceding daim, wherein the cable entries are provided (a) with a strain relief device, which is preferably supported on the cable jacket, and (b) with a sealing device assodated with the strain relief device, characterised in that the sleeve body is provided with devices that retain the cable entry dements, that is the cable entries, the strain relief devices and the sealing devices, preferably by being a dose fit around the cable entry dements, or by the use of a mechanically applied holding means.

10. A sleeve according to daim 9, diaraderised in that the sealing device is in the form of an integral component of the cable entries of the sleeve and the strain relief dement is in the form of a separate dement that can be fastened to the sleeve body.

11. A sleeve according to daim 9, characterised in that the strain relief device is in the form of an integral component of the cable entries of the sleeve and the sealing chamber is in the form of a separate dement that can be fastened to the sleeve.

1Z A sleeve according to daim 9 or one of the subsequent daims, diaraderised in that the sealing device is in the form of a sealing chamber which is filled with sealing gd and completdy surrounds the cable in use.

13. A sleeve according to daim 9 or one of the subsequent daims, characterised in that the strain relief device is provided, as is known per se, with opposing damping ramps whidi, in use, receive the cable between them.

14. A sleeve according to daim 9 or one of the subsequent daims, diaraderised in that the cable entries are in the form of chambers lying side by side and divided substantially in the plane of partition of the sleeve.

15. A sleeve according to claim 14, characterised in that clips which press the cable entry halves against each other in the dosed position are provided between the incoming cables.

16. A sleeve according to daim 9 or one of the subsequent daims, diaracterised in that the cable entries are arranged with the cable entry element approximately around the central axis of the sleeve.

17. A sleeve according to daim 1 or one of the subsequent daims, diaraderised in that a row of rapid-action clamp connectors is carried on the mounting device for the incoming cable condudors and a row of rapid-action damp connectors is also carried on the mounting device for outgoing cable conductors, and the rapid- action damp connectors are connected to each other by connection elements, such as a printed circuit, a ribbon cable or the like.

18. A sleeve according to daim 17, diaracterised in that a device for testing and/or cutting and/or switching over the electrical connections between the corresponding incoming and outgoing conductors is provided between the rapid-action clamp connedors.

19. A sleeve according to claim 17 or 18, charaderised in that a plurality of individual rapid-action damp connedors or rapid-action clamp connector strips is provided on a common board.

20. A sleeve according to daim 17, 18 or 19, diaracterised in that the rapid-action damp connectors are arranged on a cylindrical board or on a corresponding carrier element on the cylindrical outer surface.

21. A sleeve according to daim 17 or one of the subsequent daims, diara erised in that the rapid-action damp connectors in the form of individual dements and/or individual strips are arranged in such a manner that they can be tdescoped or plugged on the carrier element.

22. A sleeve according to one of the preceding daims, diaraderised in that the dectrical disconnection between incoming and outgoing condudors can be effeded by means of a mechanical, dectrically non-conductive blocking element.

23. A sleeve according to daim 22, charaderised in that the dectrical contacting between incoming and outgoing cable conductors is effeded by means of conductive tongues which lie centrally opposite each other and which can be moved from a contacting position into a contad-free position by a non-conductive dement by inserting the latter between them.

24. A sleeve according to one of the preceding daims with damping/cutting dements or the like for contacting the cable condudors, diaraderised in that a snap-in element that is able to move the rapid-action damp connedors from a non-contacting to a contacting position is provided.

25. A sleeve according to any preceding daim, diaracterised in that the sleeve comprises a sleeve base body and a sleeve cover body in the form of substantially structurally identical, mirror-symmetrical half-shells with divided cable entry pipes.

26. A kit of parts comprising:

(a) a connection and branching sleeve having cable entry and outlet pipes, and locating elements for locating and releasably retaining a mounting device for optical or electrical connedors or a brandling means, and

(b) two or more distinct mounting devices carrying different connector types and/or branching means

wherein any one of the mounting devices can be selected and located and releasably retained by the said locating elements.

27. A kit of parts comprising:

(a) a connection and branching sleeve having cable entry and outlet pipes, and locating dements for locating and releasably retaining a mounting device for optical or electrical connedors or a branching means, and

(b) a mounting device adapted to carry different connedor types and/or branching means.

28. A sleeve or kit of parts according to any preceding daim, wherein the locating elements in the sleeve cooperate with and retain the mounting devices by means of cooperating ridges and projecting flanges.

29. Use of a single connection and branching sleeve to make connections between cables of different types or branches between cables of different types, the sleeve having cable entry and outlet ports and being provided with locating elements to locate exchangeable mounting devices, the use involving selecting an appropriate mounting device, depending on the type of connection or branch to be made, and retaining the mounting device on the locating dements of the sleeve.