High density fusion splice holder

Details High density fusion splice holder High density fusion splice holder

1999-09-07

2001-09-04

Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)

Optical waveguides

Accessories

External retainer/clamp

C385S135000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06285815

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of fiber optic cable management and, more particularly, to fiber optic cable splice holders.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
It is envisioned that one day, all telephone wires will be replaced by fiber optic cables. To be able to properly identify a particular fiber optic cable in a central office, or other station where there may be hundreds to thousands of such cables, fiber optic cable management is necessary, wherein bundles of cables/single cables are passed through holders, guides, etc., to and from terminal points. In this manner, a technician may readily identify a particular cable needing servicing or replacement by its path.
In the prior art, various devices and techniques have been developed to manage standard copper telephone wiring. However, fiber optic cables are physically much weaker and more brittle than copper wiring, and prior art copper wiring management devices and techniques are not entirely transferable to fiber optic cable management. Additionally, splices of fiber optic cables are particularly susceptible to failure and require special consideration.
There are basically two types of fiber optic cable splices: fusion splices and array ribbon splices. A fusion splice is used to join one fiber optic cable to another, wherein the two cables are fused together. An array ribbon is a flat ribbon formed by a plurality of joined fiber optic cables (sheaths disposed about the cables are joined, not the cables themselves). In an array ribbon splice, two array ribbons are mass fused with cables of both ribbons being individually joined. To prevent damage to, and possible failure of, the fused joint, a reinforcing bar is typically provided. Additionally, the reinforcing bar and the fused joint are invaginated within a protective sheath.
As can be readily appreciated, fiber optic cable systems require great numbers of splices. To facilitate management and organization of the cables within such systems, holders have been used in the prior art to hold the splices. (As used herein, the term “splice” refers to the assembly of a fused joint of fiber optic cables, and, generally, although not necessarily, a reinforcing bar and a protective sheath.) With space (in enclosures and other volumes) being at a premium, it is continuously desirable to reduce the size of a splice holder, yet increase the number of splices that it can accommodate. In other words, it is desirable to increase the density of the splice holder —i.e. obtain a higher ratio of the number of splices accommodated by a splice holder relative to the unit area of the splice holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome shortcomings in the prior art, the present invention comprises a splice holder formed with a plurality of deflectable fiber optic cable arms extending from a base of the holder. The arms are arranged in pairs, with each pair positioned to engage a single splice. Additionally, each pair of arms is matched with facing splice engaging surfaces, which cooperate with the associated arms to engage and hold a splice.
To maximize the density of splices the holder can accommodate, adjoining arms are staggered in adjacent offset relation to face opposing directions, thereby being arranged to share a deflection space. The longitudinal boundaries of the deflection space are defined by the arms. Specifically, each of the arms is formed with an inner edge that faces the matched splice engaging surface. An imaginary plane is defined by each of the inner edges, and the spacing between the imaginary planes of adjoining arms defines the width of the deflection space. Stated differently, in undeflected states, the inner edges of adjoining arms define the width of the deflection space.
Each of the arms is deflectable rearwardly to engage and latch onto a fiber optic cable splice, wherein, the rearward deflection of the arms causes the respective arm to travel the full extent over a deflection distance. The deflection space has a width (D
S
) that is less than the sum of the deflection distance swept by one of the arms (D
1
) in a pair of adjoining arms and the deflection distance swept by the other arm (D
2
) in the pair. Stated algebraically, D
S
<D
1
+D
2
.
With the subject invention, the simultaneous engagement of different splices by adjoining arms results in simultaneous deflection of the arms into a single deflection space. The use of the single deflection space to accommodate the deflection of adjoining arms allows for a smaller holder area to be utilized than if adjoining arms had not been staggered and arranged in adjacent offset relation.
Furthermore, some of the splice engaging surfaces are formed on obstruction walls. The obstruction walls are advantageously disposed between opposing arms, thereby reducing the required area of the holder, since each of the obstruction walls defines two splice engaging surfaces. Consequently, a separate obstruction wall is not required for each splice that is to be held by the holder of the subject invention.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5222184 (1993-06-01), Foss
patent: 5515472 (1996-05-01), Mullaney et al.
patent: 5530786 (1996-06-01), Radliff et al.
patent: 5566268 (1996-10-01), Radliff et al.
patent: 5566269 (1996-10-01), Eberle, Jr. et al.
patent: 5805758 (1998-09-01), Kim

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