Splice holder with self locking feature

Details Splice holder with self locking feature Splice holder with self locking feature

1999-07-30

2001-05-01

Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

Accessories

External retainer/clamp

C385S134000, C385S135000, C385S136000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06226439

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for securing and retaining fiber optic splices, which facilitates insertion and prevents accidental dislodgment by providing a self locking feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications utilizing fiber optic technology improves the quality of communications and can handle a higher volume of voice and data transfer than similar sized copper electrical wiring and cables. To provide interconnections between widely separated points, splicing is required to join cables and wires. The splices are used, in part, to interconnect subscribers to a telecommunication provider, such as a telephone service provider.
Two common types of fiber optic splices are the single fusion splice and the mass fusion splice, both generally known in the art of fiber optic technology. Due to the need to maintain the quality of transmission over the spliced connection, splices are secured in some manner, such as a splice holder, to prevent undesired agitation and/or damage. A splice holder also organizes and arranges the splices to facilitate identification and servicing by a technician. Splice holders are typically made of a foam material. Splice holders are placed on a fiber optic tray forming part of a distribution panel usually located in a basement of a subscriber.
A prior art single fusion splice holder may be further described with reference to FIG.
1
.
FIG. 1
shows a splice holder
10
comprising seven parallel, spaced apart members
11
1
. . .
11
7
extending upwardly from an integral base
12
. Each adjacent pair of members, such as
11
1
-
11
2
, defines a C-shape channel
13
therebetween having a constricted neck
14
. Splice holder
10
typically further comprises a plastic housing (not shown) for mounting the base
12
to provide further structural support to splice holder
10
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a single fusion splice
15
rests along the length of channel
13
, which has a cross-section generally corresponding to that of splice
15
to provide frictional hold. Constricted neck
14
being dimensioned to be slightly narrower than the width of splice
15
further frictionally secures splice
15
along channel
13
. However, constricted neck
14
disadvantageously interferes with the insertion of splice
15
along channel
13
. Furthermore, although members
11
are made of foam and allow their corresponding compression and temporarily widening of the constricted neck
14
in accepting a splice
15
, the resiliency of members
11
diminish over time after repeated insertion and removal of splice
15
, resulting in a channel
13
without a constricted neck
14
for securing splice
15
.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved splice holder for securing splices, facilitating insertion and preventing accidental dislodgment by providing a self locking feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The improved splice holder of the present invention provides easy insertion and affirmation retention of splices.
The splice holder of this invention comprises a base having at least one set of a plurality of spaced apart members in parallel alignment extending therefrom. Each adjacent pair of members defines a generally U-shape channel therebetween for situating and retaining a splice. Each member comprises two spaced apart upwardly extending pliable and resilient sidewalls in parallel alignment to each other, interconnected by a generally pliable tab generally parallel to the base and at the upper end of each sidewall. A small protrusion extends from each sidewall above the interconnecting tab.
The upper entry portion of each U-shape channel has a predetermined width corresponding to the width of a splice to be placed therein to facilitate insertion of the splice. The upper entry portion is wider than the lower portion such that upon inserting a splice, the opposing sidewalls of adjacent members deflect or buckle to accommodate the splice, causing the opposing sidewalls to arch and urging the corresponding protrusions toward each other thereby hugging the splice and narrowing the upper entry portion of the channel to affirmatively secure the splices along the channel to prevent accidental dislodgment.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5530786 (1996-06-01), Radiff et al.
patent: 5566268 (1996-10-01), Radiff et al.
patent: 5566269 (1996-10-01), Eberle, Jr. et al.

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