Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Patent
1996-01-05
1998-05-19
Bovernick, Rodney B.
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
385134, 385136, G02B 600
Patent
active
057547238
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to enclosures for multi-filament cable splices, and in particular to an enclosure for a splice between optical fibre cables.
In splicing arrangements for multi-filament cables especially optical fibres, the joined optical fibres are arranged on organiser trays which retain the optical fibres at the correct minimum bend radius. These devices provide easy access to the individual fibres contained within the trays and each tray can be marked to identify the different fibres. The trays are typically stacked next to one another and may be hinged to a carrier allowing them to move relative to one another for access to the individual organiser trays.
Such a device is shown in EP-A-159857, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,853.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an enclosure for a splice for multifilament cables giving improved access to organiser trays within the enclosure.
Accordingly there is provided a multi-filament (preferably an optical fibre, but possibly a copper wire or other filament) splice enclosure having a normally closed opening allowing access to a plurality of filament organiser trays arranged in a stack within the enclosure, the organiser trays being mounted within the enclosure on guide means allowing the stack of trays to be raised through the opening when open to provide access to the or each organiser tray.
Preferably the enclosure comprises a substantially box-like body with an opening lid hinged or otherwise moveably fixed at one side of the box, and the stack of trays is accessible through the lid when open, the trays being liftable away from, and preferably out, of the interior of the box.
The guide means may have an abutment thereon to limit the upward movement of the stack of trays.
Preferably the guide means is formed integrally with the box-like body (although it may be formed separately and subsequently bonded, bolted riveted or interlocked with it) which is a preferably plastics moulding, preferably formed from polypropylene or polyamide, but other polymer materials such as high density polyethylene, acrylics etc. may be suitable.
The stack of trays may be locked in a lifted position by a releasable detent. The detent may be formed on at least one of the guide means.
The organiser trays may be arranged in a carrier unit which is in turn mounted on the guide means. In this case the detent could be formed on the carrier unit.
The organiser trays are moveable within the carrier unit, preferably by being pivoted or slidably fixed thereto, for access to the filaments.
The splice is especially useful in the field of optical fibres, for example in a telecommunications network, and the invention is applicable to both butt splice enclosures and in-line splice closures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B of which shown in isometric view and in transverse sections respectively an enclosure for a splice for multi-filament cables, showing the enclosure in an open condition with the stack of organiser trays in a raised position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The enclosure 11 illustrated is for an in-line cable splice but the invention is not restricted to in-line splices. The enclosure 11 may be manufactured from a plastics material such as polypropylene, or polyamide and comprises a box-like body 12 having a lid 13 which is hinged to the body at one side by hinges 14. The other side of the lid away from the hinged 14 has lugs 15 thereon which are engageable with locking nuts 16 and screw-threaded struts 17 pivoted on the other side of the box-like body 12 to hold the lid in a closed position.
The lid 13 and body 12 have interengaging rims 18, 19 which seal the interior of the box against the ingress of moisture. If necessary a sealing aid for example, a sealing material such as silicone or other rubber, gel, or mastic may be applied to the interengaging surfaces. Other sealing aids th
REFERENCES:
patent: 4266853 (1981-05-01), Hutchins
patent: 4595255 (1986-06-01), Bhatt et al.
patent: 4792203 (1988-12-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4812004 (1989-03-01), Biederstedt et al.
patent: 5189723 (1993-02-01), Johnson
patent: 5495549 (1996-02-01), Schneider et al.
Bovernick Rodney B.
Burkard Herbert G.
Raychem GmbH
Sanghavi Hemang
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