Optical waveguides – Accessories – External retainer/clamp
Patent
1996-08-06
1999-01-19
Ullah, Akm E.
Optical waveguides
Accessories
External retainer/clamp
385147, G02B 600
Patent
active
058622918
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cable routing device, particularly intended for routing optical fibre cables within optical fibre installations, and to a tube retaining clip for use with such routing devices.
Optical fibres are becoming evermore widely used. Where a large number of fibres need to be connected to individual terminal fittings, there is a need for a fibre management system which will ensure that the fibres are correctly handled, not unduly stressed and not damaged, and which also enables the individual fibres to be properly organised so that they can be positioned and routed correctly and can be identified.
Optical fibres are conventionally guided within a protective sheath or outer cable which provides physical protection for the fibre. However where the fibre has to be terminated and/or connected to other fibres, the fibre has to emerge from the outer cable, and at this point care is needed to ensure that the fibre is not mis-handled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a cable routing device comprising a body, a plurality of cable passages through the body, each passage having an entry socket adapted to receive a cable end, an exit in line with the entry socket and a lateral opening, and each passage further having a cross-sectional reduction between the entry end and the exit to limit longitudinal movement of a cable along the passage.
In this specification, the terms `entry` and `exit` merely denote opposing physical ends of a passage; they do not imply or signify any particular use or any particular direction of flow through the passage.
The body is preferably a plastics moulding, and the passages may be cylindrical. The exit end of each passage may be of smaller diameter than the entry socket, or alternatively the exit end may be formed with an exit socket of similar diameter to the entry socket.
Where the exit end does not have a socket, but merely provides a passage in which a fibre can be directly accommodated, the exit end may have a flared bell-mouth end to ensure that exiting fibres are not bent more sharply than a predetermined radius.
The width of the lateral opening is smaller than the diameter of the entry socket, and the width of the opening is preferably from 2 to 4 mm, most preferably from 2.5 to 3.5 mm. The diameter of the entry socket (and of the exit socket if present) is preferably at least 4.5 mm.
The plurality of passages may be arranged in a linear array, in an arcuate array or in any other arrangement.
It is an important feature of the invention that fibre is housed within outer sheathing which is always anchored to fixed structures at either side of any position where fibre leaves an outer sheathing or is not directly protected by an outer sheathing.
The device can be used in combination with a cable retaining clip adapted to retain a cable in the entry and/or exit socket, the clip comprising a tubular body with a discontinuous circumference, inwardly projecting tangs extending from the walls of the tubular body into the cylindrical space bounded by the tubular body, and outwardly projecting tangs extending outwardly from the walls of the body, the inwardly projecting tangs being adapted to engage external walls of a cable and the outwardly projecting tangs being adapted to engage the internal walls of the socket.
The tubular body is preferably constructed from sheet metal, for example stainless steel.
The tangs are present to prevent unintended withdrawal either of a cable end from the clip or of the clip from the socket. Thus the tangs are constructed to allow the components to be pushed together, but to hinder withdrawal of the cable from the socket. The tangs may be barbs with sharp edges which bite into the material of the cable and/or of the socket, or they may be shaped, moulded formations formed to engage with parts of the cable and/or socket.
The tubular body is circumferentially discontinuous so that it can be fitted from one side onto a cable from which a fibre extends, without having
REFERENCES:
patent: 4167303 (1979-09-01), Bowen et al.
Benton Simon C. T.
Jenkins Peter D.
Stockman Anthony J.
Miniflex Limited
Ullah Akm E.
LandOfFree
Cable routing device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cable routing device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cable routing device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1253503