Methods of and apparatus for forming strips of non-metallic and metallic material into tubular covers having overlapped seams

A strip (56) of non-metallic material and one (59) of a metallic material are wrapped simultaneously about an advancing cable core (32) to enclose partially the core. Then longitudinal edge portions (71, 72) of the strip of non-metallic material are separated by a shoe (150) which permits movement of the edge portions in a direction circumferentially of the core. One longitudinal edge portion (72) of the non-metallic strip becomes confined in a guideway (118) of a tool (99) and longitudinal edge portions (73, 74) of the metallic strip (59) are guided along guideways (117, 118) of the tool as the strips are moved through a converging passageway (103). This controls the relative circumferential movement between the edge portions as the strips are moved through the passageway to form a core wrap (33) and a shield (34). As a result, the longitudinal edge portions of the non-metallic and metallic strips are caused to form seams which are aligned radially of the core and which are overlapped in opposite circumferential directions. This arrangement obviates the necessity for binding the core wrap prior to the forming of the shield.