Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Patent
1995-05-03
1997-03-11
Kincaid, Kristine L.
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
174 87, 174 91, 174 92, H02G 1504, H02G 1508
Patent
active
056103697
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cable splice closure, particularly for communications cables (including optical fibre cables).
Typically a closure for cable splices comprises a base having ports for the entry of the cables, and a tubular cover which is closed at one end and arranged to fit at its other end around the periphery of the base, the cover when fitted enclosing splices which have been made between the cables. It is necessary to form a seal between the base and the end of the cover and typically a clamping arrangement is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have now devised a cable splice closure which includes a simple but effective seal between the cover and base.
In accordance with this invention there is provided a cable splice closure which comprises a base having ports for the entry of cables to be spliced, and a tubular cover for sliding axially over a peripheral surface of the base, said surface tapering towards the end from which the cover is applied and carrying an O-ring seal which is engaged by the cover and rolled along said tapering surface as the cover is slid onto the base.
Thus, as the tubular cover is slid onto the base, the O-ring seal is rolled into a position where it is more firmly gripped between the cover and the base, and so seals effectively.
A quantity of sealing composition e.g. grease may be applied to the tapering surface. This may be applied either in the field immediately before the cover is slid onto the base, or in the factory (in which case it is provided with a temporary protection, e.g. a length of tape wound around the base to cover the grease).
In one embodiment the tubular cover is closed at one end by an end wall. The end wall of the cover is preferably formed with a projection for mounting the closure to a support rail.
In an alternative embodiment the tubular cover is open at its opposite ends, so that the cover may be applied to bases at its opposite ends. The bases may be interconnected so that the tubular cover can be applied axially from one end of the interconnected bases, each base thus has its peripheral surface tapering towards the end from which the cover is applied.
Also in accordance with this invention there is provided a base for a cable splice closure, the base comprising ports for the entry of cables to be spliced, and a peripheral surface over which a tubular cover member is to be axially slid, said surface tapering towards the end from which the cover is to be applied and carrying an O-ring seal arranged to be engaged by the cover and rolled along said tapering surface as the cover is slid onto the base.
Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an end view of an embodiment of cable splice closure in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the cable splice closure, on the line II--II shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cable splice closure, on the line III--III shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 comprises sectional views to illustrate diagrammatically the manner in which an O-ring of the closure is displaced as a tubular cover is slid onto the closure base; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through an alternative embodiment of cable splice closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. to 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of cable splice closure which comprises a base 10 and a tubular cover 30, each of plastics material. The base 10 comprises a tubular portion 12 and an end wall 14, with a plurality of tubular projections e.g. 16 extending outwards from its end wall 14 and forming cable entry ports. The tubular portion 12 has a peripheral surface 18 formed with a groove 20, an edge of the groove being formed by a ring 22 applied to the end of the tubular portion 12 of the base. The peripheral surface of the tubular portion 12, within the groove 20, tapers inwardly in the axial direction tow
REFERENCES:
patent: 4736072 (1988-04-01), Hvidsten
patent: 4902855 (1990-02-01), Smith
Bowthorpe plc
Gordon David P.
Kincaid Kristine L.
Nguyen Chau N.
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