Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2001-06-19
Sanghavi, Hemang (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249633
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.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,896 to Krafcik, for example, discloses a so-called butt splice closure wherein the ends of two cables to be spliced together are routed through one end plate of a generally cylindrical housing. The housing is provided by a pair of generally circular end plates, and a tubular cover connecting the two end plates. Raychem, the assignee of the present invention also manufactures butt splice closures wherein the cables to be spliced are brought in from a single end of the housing. A series of pivotally mounted splice organizers are provided. The pivotally connected splice organizers permit organizers to be moved to a raised position to facilitate access to an underlying organizer. A fixed slack basket may be positioned under the splice organizers to store slack buffer tubes, for example.
Another general type of splice closure is the in-line closure wherein cables enter the overall housing from opposing ends. An in-line splice closure may be particularly desirable for a drop or branch cable location where the main cable includes a significant number of fibers that can pass through the closure without requiring splicing. Only those fibers that need to be dropped are spliced and the remaining fibers can be stored within the housing.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,979 to Bossard et al. discloses such an in-line fiber optic splice closure. The closure includes two mating shell portions which are secured together to define an overall protective housing. Cable entry ports are provided at each end of the housing and are defined by arcuate wall portions between the base and cover housing portions. A slack storage area is defined in the base by a pair of inwardly extending retaining brackets connected at a medial portion of the base. The cable ends are terminated adjacent the cable ports. A series of splice organizers are connected to the base above the slack storage area. Each splice organizer stores a number of individual fiber splices.
Unfortunately, access to the slack after the splice organizers are secured is restricted. The splice organizers must be carefully removed to prevent damage to the fibers to gain access to the stored slack. Re-access is typically required to add additional fiber drops, for example, such as to add a new user or increase the capacity of an existing user.
A splice closure is also desirably relatively compact and rugged for installation in any of a number of locations, such as in a manhole, on a supporting pole, or direct buried. A compact closure may also be less expensive to manufacture, since less materials may be required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fiber optic splice closure and associated method that provides a compact arrangement for the routing of spliced fibers, provides slack storage, and provides splice organizers for the splices.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a splice closure that facilitates re-entry and access to slack fibers, such as to permit additional fibers to be dropped at a location.
These and other objects features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a splice closure comprising a housing, a support within the housing adjacent a side thereof, at least one splice organizer pivotally connected to the support, and a slack storage holder pivotally connected to the support. More particular, the housing preferably has opposing ends and at least one cable port therein for receiving at least one fiber optic cable therethrough. The housing also has opposing sides extending between the ends, and preferably includes first and second mating housing portions detachably secured together. The support may be connected to an interior of the first housing portion adjacent a side thereof.
The support preferably includes portions defining a plurality of pivotal mounting locations. The slack storage holder is preferably pivotally connected at a first pivotal mounting location of the support and is pivotally movable between a stored position and a raised position. Moreover, the slack storage holder when in the stored position is preferably generally parallel to and in spaced apart relation from adjacent interior portions of the first housing portion. Accordingly, the slack storage holder thus preferably defines a fiber routing area with adjacent housing portions. The slack storage holder can be moved to the raised position facilitating access to the fiber routing area.
The housing defines a longitudinal housing axis, and the pivoting arrangement of the slack storage tray defines a pivot axis generally parallel with the longitudinal housing axis. The pivoting arrangement of the slack storage holder permits the slack to be conveniently stored and handled, permits a compact housing construction, and permits access to the underlying fiber routing area. The fiber routing area would typically permit routing of fiber transport tubes containing individual fibers, from the cable ends to the desired splice organizers.
The at least one splice organizer may also be pivotally connected to the support at a pivotal mounting location above the first pivotal mounting location. The at least one splice organizer when in the stored position is also preferably generally parallel with adjacent housing portions.
In one embodiment, the slack storage holder preferably comprises a base panel and wall portions extending outwardly therefrom. The orientation of the slack storage holder is such as to define an access direction from above for positioning slack fibers therein. In other words, the splice organizers are moved to the raised position to obtain access to the open side of the slack storage holder.
In another embodiment, the slack storage holder is oriented so that the access direction is from below for positioning slack fibers. In other words, the access opening defined by the slack storage holder faces downward toward the first housing portion.
In accordance with another variation of the invention, a splice organizer may be secured to the base panel of the slack storage holder. Accordingly, the splice organizer may have a side pivotally connected to the support and the splice holder is carried by the splice organizer.
A method aspect of the invention is for making a fiber optic splice closure comprising a housing including a pair of first and second mating housing portions. The method preferably comprises the steps of: providing a support within the housing adjacent a side thereof, the support including portions defining a plurality of pivotal mounting locations; and pivotally connecting a slack storage holder at a first pivotal mounting location of the support to be pivotally movable
Heisey William Keith
Radelet Christopher
Vanhentenrijk Robert
Wandels Jean-Pierre
Wittmeier, II David Arthur
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Sanghavi Hemang
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