High density splice holder

Details High density splice holder High density splice holder

1999-07-30

2001-05-29

Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)

Optical waveguides

Accessories

External retainer/clamp

C385S136000, C385S099000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240236

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for securing and retaining fiber optic splices which accommodates a higher density of splices than prior art splice holders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications utilizing fiber optic technology improves the quality of communications and can handle a higher volume of voice and data transfer than similar sized copper electrical wiring and cables. To provide interconnections between widely separated points, splicing is required to join cables and wires. For example, splices are used commonly, in part, to interconnect subscribers to a telecommunication provider, such as a telephone service provider.
Two common types of fiber optic splices are the single fusion splice and the mass fusion splice, both generally known in the art of fiber optic technology. Single fusion splices have a smaller cross-sectional area and longer in length than mass fusion splices. Due to the need to maintain the quality of transmission over the spliced connection, splices are secured in some manner, such as in a splice holder, to prevent undesired agitation and/or damage. A splice holder also organizes and arranges the splices to facilitate identification and servicing by a technician whenever required. Splice holders are typically made of a foam material. Splice holders are placed on a fiber optic tray forming part of a distribution panel usually located in a basement of a subscriber.
A prior art splice holder that accommodates both single fusion and mass fusion splices may be further described with reference to FIG.
1
.
FIG. 1
shows a splice holder
10
comprising two groups of seven parallel, spaced apart members
11
1
. . .
11
7
extending upwardly from an integral base
12
. Each corresponding adjacent pair of members of each group, such as
11
1
-
11
2
, defines a holding channel
13
and an interconnected passageway
14
therebetween.
Channel
13
and passageway
14
have cross-sectional areas generally corresponding to that of, respectively, a mass fusion splice and a single fusion splice to provide frictional hold. Each corresponding pair of channels
13
1
-
13
1
and passageways
14
1
-
14
1
from the two groups are in longitudinal axial alignment and cooperatively hold two ends of, respectively, a mass fusion splice and a single fusion splice (not shown). Each channel
13
and passageway
14
have constricted necks
15
and
16
, respectively, along the top surface. Constricted necks
15
and
16
are dimensioned to be slightly narrower than the cross-sectional width of, respectively, a mass fusion splice and a single fusion splice to provide additional frictional hold.
The two groups of members
11
are spaced apart and interconnected with base
12
, which provide access for a technician to pull splices from the splice holder
10
with a finger or a tool. Splice holder
10
typically further comprises a plastic housing (not shown) for mounting the base
12
to provide further structural support to splice holder
10
.
Each channel
13
and passageway
14
is in the same plane parallel to the base such that the prior art splice holder
10
can accommodate up to only six splices, either single fusion or mass fusion splices, closely adjacent each other.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved splice holder for accommodating a higher density of splices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The improved splice holder of the present invention can securely accommodate a higher density of splices than prior art splice holder, without substantially increasing the size of such splice holder and yet allow ease of accessibility to the splices, whenever required.
The splice holder of the present invention is generally similar to the prior art splice holder described in the Background section herein, except that each member between two channels has an additional longitudinal groove for accommodating additional single fusion splices. Each groove is advantageously located at a plane parallel to base but higher than that of the channel and passageway and closer to the surface of the splice holder. Each groove has a cross-sectional area generally corresponding to that of a single fusion splice to provide frictional hold. Similar to the channels and passageways, the grooves also have constricted necks dimensioned to be slightly narrower than the cross-sectional width of either a single fusion or mass fusion splice to provide additional frictional hold. Although providing a higher density of splices, the present invention allows ease of accessibility to all the splices, whenever required.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5566268 (1996-10-01), Radliff et al.

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