Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-05-01
Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226435
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of optical communications, and more particularly, to a fiber optic splice closure and associated methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit communications signals over relatively long distances. A typical fiber optic cable includes a central core including a plurality of buffer tubes each, in turn, containing a plurality of individual optical fibers. The core also typically includes a central strength member. An outer plastic jacket may be provided over the core. Some cables may include a metallic layer beneath the plastic jacket to prevent rodent damage. Another type of cable includes optical fiber ribbons within an overall sheath. Each ribbon includes a plurality of individual fibers joined together in side-by-side relation.
Although an optical fiber cable can carry signals over relatively long distances without requiring repeaters, one common architecture includes one or more drop locations along a main cable route. In other words, it may be desirable to connect certain fibers to drop cables along the main cable route. Each such drop or splice point requires the protection of the cable ends and individual splices. More particularly, a splice closure is typically provided for terminating the cables and storing the splices. It is also important to maintain any minimum bend radius with optical fibers.
Besides the use of fiber optic cable, copper cable is also sometimes used either alone or in conjunction with fiber optic cable. These are also often used in drop splice closures, such as used in residential areas. Many closures are complicated and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a splice closure, such as useful for fiber optics and copper applications, that is inexpensive and efficient to use in the field.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a splice closure that is inexpensive and efficient to use in the field and aids in maintaining a minimum bend radius of any optical fibers.
In accordance with the present invention, a splice closure includes a splice tray having a medial portion on which at least one optical fiber splice and any slack is contained therein. The splice tray is formed from a flexible material so that the splice tray can be rolled upon itself and biased back into an unrolled condition after any rolling force is released. A bulbous configured closure has at least one opening through which the fiber optic cable to be spliced is received. The bulbous configured closure contains the splice tray after the splice tray and any optical fiber splice thereon has been received within the opening in a rolled condition, such that the splice tray is biased into an unrolled condition within the bulbous configured closure to aid in maintaining a minimum bend radius of any optical fibers. One opening could be advantageous for a butt splice configuration, while two opposing openings could also be used.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the splice tray further includes opposing stiff portions on which fiber optic cable is secured. The stiff portions can include clamps positioned for securing the fiber optic cable at the stiff portions. The bulbous configured closure can be substantially globular shaped, preferably spherical, although it could be oval or other shapes. The splice tray is preferably formed from a plastic material, as well as the bulbous configured closure. A seal, and in one aspect a heat shrink, is positioned at the opening of the bulbous configured closure for sealing the openings.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the splice tray has a substantially planar configured medial portion defined by upper and lower opposing sides and formed from a flexible material, such that the splice tray can be rolled upon itself and biased back into an unrolled condition after any rolling force is released. The upper side contains at least one optical fiber splice and any slack contained thereon. The lower side is adapted to contain at least one copper splice. The splice tray has opposing stiff portions on which fiber/copper cables are secured.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the bulbous configured closure is formed from plastic and has two opposing tubular configured extensions forming openings into the interior of the bulbous configured closure through which fiber/copper cable to be spliced is received. If only one opening is used, then only one tubular extension is used.
In a method aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a splice closure comprises the steps of splicing optical fiber received from two fiber optic cables on a medial portion of the splice tray that is formed from a flexible material, such that the splice tray can be rolled upon itself and biased back into an unrolled condition after any rolling force is released. The splice tray is rolled upon itself and inserted into an opening of a bulbous configured closure having opposing openings, such that each respective fiber optic cable extends out of the opening of the bulbous configured closure. The splice tray is biased into an unrolled condition within the interior of the bulbous configured closure to aid in maintaining a minimum bend radius of any fibers.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the step of securing the fiber optic cable to opposing stiff portions formed on the splice tray. The method also comprises the step of sealing the openings of the splice closure with heat shrink. The method also comprises the step of sliding the bulbous configured closure onto a fiber optic cable before splicing. The method also comprises the step of sliding a heat shrink tube onto respective fiber optic cables before splicing.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Connelly Michelle R.
Lee John D.
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