US Patent 7282644 Aerial cable splice closure

When making splices of communication cables above ground, a protective closure can be placed around the cable at the location of the splice, thereby protecting the splice from the elements. Rubber walls at either end of the protective closure, which otherwise form a sealed closure, may be breached by wind and/or animals desiring a habitat. A protective shield is affixed to the outside of each of the rubber end walls, at both ends of the closure, to protect the rubber end walls and thereby prevent the closure from being breached. The shield is non-conductive and can be made from plastic.