Abstract:
A cable fixation device ( 100, 200, 300, 400 ) includes a base ( 102, 202 ) with fastener holes ( 104 ), an upright ( 110, 208 ) projecting from the base and including a fixation projection ( 126, 212, 316, 318 ) having a reduced dimensional portion ( 128, 214, 324 ) for receiving a cable tie ( 152, 222, 326 ). Protrusions ( 130, 218, 320 ) are provided for engaging the cable jacket. Variations on the cable fixation device include a fixation element ( 130, 218, 320 ) which can slide and/or rotate about a vertical rod; a plate element ( 304 ) which includes a plurality of fixation projections extending between two rods; and a plurality of uprights ( 208 ) integrally formed with the base and including forwardly and rearwardly projecting projections. The base ( 102, 202 ) and the fixation projections ( 126, 212, 316, 318 ) can be made from molded plastic.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/917,754 filed on Dec. 18, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Telecommunications systems such as fiber optic communications systems are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to delivery high band width communication capabilities to customers. Fiber optic communications systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Being part of a large fiber optic network, cables routed to and from telecommunications equipment may be exposed to pulling, pushing or rotational forces. It is desirable to provide effective cable fixation or termination for fiber optic cables that are secured or anchored to telecommunications equipment or fixtures to limit damage to optical fibers within the cables and/or connections within the telecommunications equipment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One aspect of the present invention relates to a cable fixation device including a base mountable to telecommunications equipment and including at least one upright projecting from the base. The upright includes a fixation projection having a reduced dimensional portion for receiving a cable tie. 
         [0004]    In one implementation, the reduced dimensional portion includes protrusions for engaging a cable jacket. 
         [0005]    In one implementation, the base and the fixation projection are made from plastic. 
         [0006]    In a further implementation, the upright along with the base and the fixation projection are made from plastic. 
         [0007]    In one implementation, the base includes at least one hole for receiving a rod. The rod forms an upright, and the fixation projection is positioned on the rod. 
         [0008]    In one implementation, the rod receives a plurality of separate fixation projections. 
         [0009]    In one implementation the base includes at least two holes, each hole receiving a rod, and each rod forming an upright. Each rod receives a plurality of separate fixation projections. In some implementations, the fixation projections can pivot on the rod or rods. In some implementations, the fixation projections are positioned on plates which connect to two rods. 
         [0010]    One implementation of the cable fixation device includes a base with at least one hole for a projecting rod wherein the rod receives one or more fixation elements for each connecting to a cable. The fixation elements can move in one or more of the following manners: axially along the rod, transversely relative to the rod, and rotationally relative to the rod. 
         [0011]    In one implementation, the fixation element can include a strength member clamp. 
         [0012]    In another implementation, the fixation element can include two reduced dimensional portions, each portion sized for receiving a cable tie. 
         [0013]    In one implementation, the cable fixation device includes a base with two upright rods and a plurality of plates which span between the two rods to hold a plurality of fixation projections on each plate. The plate includes two holes, one for receiving each rod, wherein one of the holes includes an oval shape. The plates are moveable axially along the rods. 
         [0014]    The plurality of different holes on the base can be provided so that the rods can be selectively placed in a desired hole or holes. 
         [0015]    Another implementation of the cable fixation device includes a base integrally formed with one or more uprights. Each upright includes a plurality of fixation projections projecting outwardly from the upright. In one implementation, each upright includes a forwardly projecting fixation projection and a rearwardly projecting fixation projection. The forwardly and rearwardly projecting fixation projections are axially aligned. Each fixation projection can receive a cable tie. In one implementation, the pairs of fixation projections can receive one, two, three or four cables. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a telecommunications enclosure that includes several cable fixation devices, and shown without the enclosure cover, and without the cables; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is the perspective view of claim  1 , with some example cables shown fixed to the enclosure; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are perspective views showing the cable entry locations, and the cable fixation devices positioned in and exploded from the rest of the enclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cable fixation device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a base of the cable fixation device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fixation element of the device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a further perspective view of the fixation element of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the fixation element of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the fixation element of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the fixation element of  FIG. 9 , taken along lines  9 - 9 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows the cable fixation device of  FIG. 4  fixing three cables to the enclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is another view of the cable fixation device, cables, and enclosure of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cable fixation device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is another perspective view of the cable fixation device of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show the cable fixation device of  FIGS. 13 and 14  fixing cables to the enclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  a perspective view of a third embodiment of a cable fixation device; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a cable fixation plate of the device of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the cable fixation device of  FIG. 17  fixing cables to the enclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The present disclosure relates to arrangements and methods for providing effective fixation of telecommunications cables to telecommunications equipment. 
         [0035]    According to one example embodiment, the telecommunications equipment discussed herein are fiber optic equipment and the telecommunications cables discussed herein are fiber optic cables that define an outer jacket and at least one optical fiber therein. In some implementations, the fiber optic cables include a strength member or members. In some implementations, the fiber optic cable may include multiple optical fibers. 
         [0036]    It should be noted that a fiber optic cable is simply one example of a telecommunications cable that may be used to describe the inventive features of the cable fixation device of the present disclosure and other types of cables, including electrical cables and hybrid cables that may be terminated with the devices discussed herein. 
         [0037]    According to one example embodiment, the fixation device of the present disclosure may be referred to as a cable fixation device  10 . As will be described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, several embodiments are provided for cable fixation device  10 . The cable fixation device  10  of the present disclosure may be used to fix cables to a variety of different telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications equipment, including fiber optic equipment, to which telecommunications cables are fixed using device  10  of the present disclosure may also be referred to as equipment, fixture, or enclosure  12 . As used herein, the examples shown are for an enclosure  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , enclosure  12  includes a base  14 , a cover  16 , and an interior  18  for receiving telecommunications cables, connections, splices, splitters, and/or other equipment. 
         [0039]    Cables enter enclosure  12  through one or more cable ports  22 . Not all of cable ports  22  need be used in every application. In the illustrated example, all four ports  22  are used. Cable ports  22  can be covered by a panel which is removed when cables are used with enclosure  12 . The panel can be a breakaway design. Various cable seals  30 ,  32 ,  34  are used to seal the individual cables entering at each cable port  22  from the environment, such as from dust or water. Cable seals  30 ,  32 ,  34  vary for different sized cables. As shown, different cables  40 ,  42  are used with different seals  30 ,  32 . Seal  34  is used with a still further different cable. 
         [0040]    Each cable fixation device  10  is mounted to base  14  of enclosure  12  with a plurality of fasteners  38 . 
         [0041]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4-12 , a first embodiment of a cable fixation device  100  is shown including a base or base element  102 . The base element  102  includes mounting holes  104  for mounting base element  102  to base  14  of enclosure  12 . Projections  106  each include a hole  108  for receiving a bolt  110 . Bolt  110  is used as an upright to hold one or more fixation elements  116 . Each fixation element  116  is used to fix a cable to cable fixation device  100 . A nut  112  keeps the fixation elements  116  on bolt  110 . Base element  102  can receive more than one bolt  110 . Pairs of projections  106  can be selected depending on cable types and locations entering through port  22 . 
         [0042]    Fixation element  116  includes a body  118  having a first end  120  and a second end  124 . Disposed at first end  120  is a tie area  126  having a reduced diameter portion  128 . Tie area  126  can receive a tie or strap or other fastening loop  152  for connection an exterior of a cable to tie area  126 . A zip tie, or a hose clamp are two examples that may be used. Tie area  126  may also include protrusions  130  to increase frictional engagement with the cable. Fixation element  116  may include a second tie area  134  including a hole  136  through body  118  to allow for receipt of a tie or strap. Second tie area  134  may also include protrusions  130 . 
         [0043]    Adjacent to second end  124  of fixation element  116  is a strength member fixation device  138  for fixing a strength member  48  of the cable to fixation element  116 . Strength member fixation device  138  can include a nut  140 , a screw  142 , and a clamping element  144 . Strength member fixation device  138  is not used if cable  42  does not have a strength member, or if the user desires not to secure to the strength member if present. 
         [0044]    Fixation element  116  includes an opening  146  for receipt of bolt  110 . Opening  146  is located adjacent to a middle area of body  118 . Also, it is to be appreciated that opening  146  is oval-shaped. 
         [0045]    Fixation element  116  in the example shown has a plurality of directions of freedom of movement. Fixation element  116  can move up and down axially along bolt  110  to better align with the incoming cable  40 . Fixation element  116  can also move transversely relative to bolt  110  to accommodate different cables, and/or different locations of the cable entering the enclosure  12 . Fixation element  116  can also rotate about bolt  110  to improve alignment with the incoming cable. It is to be appreciated that the preferred fixation element  116  is provided with all three types of freedoms of movement. However, less freedoms of movement can be provided, if desired. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13-16 , a second embodiment of a cable fixation device  200  is shown having a base  202  and mounting holes  204  for mounting base  202  to base  14  of enclosure  12 . Cable fixation device  200  includes one or more uprights  208 . Each upright  208  has one or more fixation projections  212 . Each fixation projection  212  includes a reduced diameter portion  214 . Small projections  218  are provided on each fixation projection  212  to increase frictional engagement with the cables attached to cable fixation device  200 . As shown, each fixation projection  212  includes protrusions  218  on opposite sides so as to receive a cable  42  on each side of the fixation projection  212 . As shown, each upright  208  includes a plurality of first fixation projections  224  projecting in a first direction and a plurality of second fixation projections  226  aligned with the first fixation projections  224  and projecting in an opposite direction. With the illustrated embodiment, each pair of fixation projections  224 ,  226  can receive one, two, three or four cables. Two ties  222  are shown used to fix the four cables  42  in a bundle to each upright  208 , with the upright  208  positioned in the middle of two opposed pairs of cables. Each fixation protection  212  defines a T-shape in the illustrated example. Fixation device  200  includes a one-piece body  216  including base  202 , uprights  208 , and fixation projections  212 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5, and 17-19 , a third cable fixation device  300  is shown. Cable fixation device  300  includes a base element  102  which mounts in a similar manner to base  14  with fasteners. Fastener holes  108  of projections  106  receive one or more bolts  110 . In the preferred example, two bolts  110  are shown, and two nuts  112  are shown. Bolts  110  hold a plurality of plates  304  in a stacked arrangement. Each plate includes a first hole  306  at a first end  310  and a second hole  308  at a second end  312 . Second hole  308  is oval shaped. The oval shape accommodates variations in the spacing of bolts  110 . Each plate  304  also includes a plurality of fixation projections  316  which can receive a tie  326  for holding a cable to the fixation projection  316 . Each fixation projection  316  includes small protrusions  320  to improve frictional engagement with each cable held to cable fixation device  300 . As shown, base element  102  also includes fixation projections  318  for each receiving a cable and a cable tie. Small protrusions  320  are also provided on fixation projections  318 . Plates  304  can slide axially along bolt  110  as needed to improve cable alignment with cable fixation device  300 . Each fixation protection  316 ,  318  defines a T-shape in the illustrated example with a reduced diameter portion  324 . Each fixation protection  316 ,  318  receives at least one tie  326 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , two ties  326  are used for each cable  42 . A wrap  328  may be placed around each cable  42  to increase the fixation force. 
         [0048]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1-3 , a fourth embodiment of a cable fixation device  400  is shown which includes two columns  402  of fixation elements  116  and two bolts  110  mounted to base element  102 . Fixation device  400  can hold more cables than device  100 . 
         [0049]    The various cable fixation devices  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  can be used as desired depending on the situation for cable fixation and the enclosure  12 . 
         [0050]    Some of the parts, such as base  102 , are useable in several configurations. Multiple numbers of bolts  110  can be used, and the locations of the bolts can be varied. 
         [0051]    The floating features of the mounting arrangements of the parts allow the parts to be used with different cables and different cable locations. 
         [0052]    In one example embodiment, base element  102 , fixation element  116 , body  216  including base  202  and uprights  208 , and plates  204 , arc made from molded plastic. 
         [0053]    Different cables can be accommodated with the various parts, such as cables with strength members and cables without. 
         [0054]    A kit can provided with the various parts to be used with a variety of cable sizes and locations, without requiring custom made brackets specific to a certain cable size or cable location. 
         [0055]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  cable fixation device 
           12  enclosure 
           14  base 
           16  cover 
           18  interior 
           22  cable port 
           30  cable seal 
           32  cable seal 
           34  cable seal 
           38  fasteners 
           40  cable 
           42  cable 
           48  strength member 
           100  cable fixation device 
           102  base element 
           104  mounting hole 
           106  projection 
           108  hole 
           110  bolt 
           112  nut 
           116  fixation element 
           118  body 
           120  first end 
           124  second end 
           126  tie area 
           128  reduced diameter portion 
           130  protrusions 
           134  second tie area 
           136  hole 
           138  strength member fixation device 
           140  nut 
           142  screw 
           144  clamping element 
           146  opening 
           148  middle area 
           152  tie 
           200  cable fixation device 
           202  base 
           204  mounting hole 
           208  uprights 
           212  fixation projection 
           214  reduced diameter portion 
           216  body 
           218  protrusions 
           222  tie 
           224  first fixation projection 
           226  second fixation projection 
           300  cable fixation device 
           304  plate 
           306  first hole 
           308  second hole 
           310  first end 
           312  second end 
           316  fixation projection 
           318  fixation projection 
           320  protrusions 
           324  reduced diameter portion 
           326  tie 
           328  wrap 
           400  cable fixation device 
           402  column