Optical waveguides – Accessories – External retainer/clamp
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-06-19
Ben, Loha (Department: 2873)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
External retainer/clamp
C385S135000, C385S136000, C439S540100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249636
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of fiber optic cable management and, more particularly, to fiber optic cable splice holders.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
It is envisioned that one day, all telephone wires will be replaced by fiber optic cables. To be able to properly identify a particular fiber optic cable in a central office, or other station where there may be hundreds to thousands of such cables, fiber optic cable management is necessary, wherein bundles of cables/single cables are passed through holders, guides, etc., to and from terminal points. In this manner, a technician may readily identify a particular cable needing servicing or replacement by its path.
In the prior art, various devices and techniques have been developed to manage standard copper telephone wiring. However, fiber optic cables are physically much weaker and more brittle than copper wiring, and prior art copper wiring management devices and techniques are not entirely transferable to fiber optic cable management. Additionally, splices of fiber optic cables are particularly susceptible to failure and require special consideration.
There are basically two types of fiber optic cable splices: fusion splices and array ribbon splices. A fusion splice is used to join one fiber optic cable to another, wherein the two cables are fused together. An array ribbon is a flat ribbon formed by a plurality of joined fiber optic cables (sheaths disposed about the cables are joined, not the cables themselves). In an array ribbon splice, two array ribbons are mass fused with cables of both ribbons being individually joined. To prevent damage to, and possible failure of, the fused joint, a reinforcing bar is typically provided. Additionally, the reinforcing bar and the fused joint are invaginated within a protective sheath.
As can be readily appreciated, fiber optic cable systems require great numbers of splices. To facilitate management and organization of the cables within such systems, holders have been used in the prior art to hold the splices. (As used herein, the term “splice” refers to the assembly of a fused joint of fiber optic cables, and, generally, although not necessarily, a reinforcing bar and a protective sheath.) With space (in enclosures and other volumes) being at a premium, it is continuously desirable to reduce the size of a splice holder, yet increase the number of splices that it can accommodate. In other words, it is desirable to increase the density of the splice holder—i.e., obtain a higher ratio of the number of splices accommodated by a splice holder relative to the unit area of the splice holder.
Additionally, when assembled, the diameter of a fusion splice is smaller in size than the diameter of an array ribbon splice. (As used herein, the “diameter” of a fusion splice refers to the width of the splice extending between diametrically opposed points on the splice engaged by the holder. Splices generally are circular in cross-section, but may be formed with other cross-sectional shapes including other elliptical shapes, polygonal shapes and irregular shapes.) Consequently, a splice holder designed to hold fusion splices will not accommodate array ribbon splices, and vice versa.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome shortcomings in the prior art, the present invention comprises a splice holder formed with a plurality of splice holder elements and a plurality of deflectable arms extending from a base of the holder. The holder elements are preferably arranged longitudinally in pairs, with two of the arms between each pair of elements. Each pair of elements and each pair of arms is respectively arranged to engage a single splice. Additionally, each arm is matched with a splice engaging surface, which cooperates with the associated arm to engage and hold a splice.
To maximize the density of splices the holder can achieve, each of the splice holder elements is formed with a primary channel for receiving and holding a splice, preferably a fusion splice, with the center of the splice being at a first distance from the base of the holder. Secondary channels are defined between the splice holder elements for receiving and holding splices at a second distance from the base which is less than the first distance. The location and arrangement of the primary and secondary channels result in a staggered arrangement of engaged splices. As compared to an arrangement where splices are held side-by-side in a single plane, the staggered (higher and lower) arrangement provided by the subject invention allows for a greater number of splices to be accommodated on the splice holder, and, thus a higher density.
The splice holder elements are generally H-shaped, each being formed with a pair of upstanding legs and a bridge extending therebetween. Upper portions of the legs and the bridge of a splice holder element combine to at least partially define the primary channel of the respective element. Additionally, indentations are formed in lower portions of the legs. The indentations of adjacent splice holder elements at least partially define a secondary channel therebetween.
The arms are disposed between the splice holder elements, with preferably two of the arms being longitudinally aligned so as to engage and latch onto a single splice. The arms are formed to accommodate an array ribbon splice, which cross-sectionally is larger than a fusion splice. It should be noted that splices are generally circular in cross-sectional shape, but can be formed with other shapes. To enable the splice holder of the subject invention to accommodate both fusion splices and array ribbon splices, the arms are longitudinally aligned with the splice holder elements such that a splice engaged by an arm or arms will be axially aligned with a secondary channel. The secondary channels are preferably formed to receive fusion splices and are, therefore, too small in diameter to allow the passage therethrough of an array ribbon splice. As is readily appreciated, the array ribbon splice must be sufficiently shortened to fit between the splice holder elements. The portions of the splice holder elements surrounding the secondary channels act as a stop against axial movement of an engaged array ribbon splice. Also, array ribbons extending from an array ribbon splice are caused to be passed through the secondary channels, wherein the secondary channels restrict movement of the array ribbons to limit damage thereto.
The arms are resilient and formed to be deflectable. Each of the arms is formed with an upstanding stem and a latch portion extending transversely therefrom. The stem and latch portion are sized and configured to latch onto and engage an array ribbon splice. Additionally, the stems each define a splice engaging surface on a rear portion thereof, which is opposite from the latch portion. The splice engaging surface of an arm cooperates with the stem and the latch portion of a second arm to engage and hold an array ribbon splice therebetween.
As stated above, the arms are formed to engage and latch onto array ribbon splices, whereas, the primary and secondary channels are preferably formed to receive fusion splices. Accordingly, the required spacing between the stem of one arm and the splice engaging surface of an adjacent arm is greater than the diameter of the primary channel or the diameter of the secondary channel.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5530786 (1996-06-01), Radliff
patent: 5566268 (1996-10-01), Radliff et al.
patent: 5566269 (1996-10-01), Eberle, Jr. et al.
patent: 5590234 (1996-12-01), Pulido
patent: 5862291 (1999-01-01), Stockman et al.
patent: 5980312 (1999-11-01), Chapman et al.
Ben Loha
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
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