Patent ID: 6292614
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A closure for containing optical fiber splices and that can be efficiently serviced through the use of a clamping device, the closure comprising:a housing defining an internal cavity;a support assembly operative for supporting the optical fiber splices, wherein a substantial portion of the support assembly is capable of being contained in the cavity to provide an enclosed configuration, and the support assembly is further capable of being removed from the cavity to provide an unenclosed configuration, the support assembly comprising an end cap and a support frame that is connected to and extends rearward from the end cap; anda holding bracket connected to the support assembly and movable between an extended configuration and an unextended configuration, wherein the holding bracket is arranged so as not to interfere with movement of the support assembly from the unenclosed configuration to the enclosed configuration while the holding bracket is in the unextended configuration, the holding bracket comprising a rear portion that is in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the support frame, a forward portion connected to the end cap in a manner that causes the rear portion of the holding bracket to be interlocked to the support frame, and a protruding portion that extends outwardly from the support assembly while the holding bracket is in the extended configuration so the protruding portion is available to be clamped by the clamping device, whereby the clamping device does not substantially interfere with the servicing of the optical fiber splices.