SPLICE PROTECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBERS

Abstract: A splice protector for optical fibers including two halves, each having not less than one at least practically flat surface. Each half includes an elastic coating (3), said coatings engaging against each other on both sides of a splice (7) and enclosing it. The splice protector further includes a means, e.g. in the form of an adhesive material (4), for keeping elastic coatings in a stationary position relative each other, and stiffening means (1) for preventing deformation of the assembled splice protector.

Description: SPLICE PROTECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBRES. /η TECHNICAL HELD •* ! The invention relates to a splice protector for optical fibres and includes two halves, each having not less than one at least practically flat surface. Optical fibres may be spliced, e.g. by welding the ends together. The actual splice is then a weak link which should be protected against stresses. BACKGROUND ART 5 An already known splice protector, described in GB, A, 2060196, consists of two elongate covering members. These are each provided on one surface with grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the members. This protector is only suitable for fibre conductors provided with cladding, the latter being stripped ' in the vicinity of the splice when two conductors are connected. 10 Another disadvantage is that the parts are kept together stiffly, which results in the possibility that the fibre may be subjected to mechanical stresses at changes in temperature. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a splice protector suitable for use with optical fibre conductors both with and without cladding and for 15 conductors having different diameters. Furthermore, elastic movement as a result of temperature changes will be enabled. The problem is solved by the splice protector comprising two halves which are kept together elastically. The invention is characterized by the disclosures in the accompanying claims. ~ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing, 20 where Figure 1 shows one half of a splice protector in perspective and Figure 2 illustrates a complete splice protector in side view. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In Figure 1, which illustrates one half of a splice protector, there is an elongate stiff plate 1, e.g. of metal, which is joined by an adhesive coating 2 to a coating _5 of an elastic material, e.g. foamed plastics. A further adhesive coating 4 is applied to the elastic coating for adhering to a corresponding elastic coating on the other half, which is identical with the first half. The numerals 5 and 6 denote fibre conductors which are welded together at their end surfaces. In Figure 2 identical parts have the same reference denotations as in Figure 1. For the sake of clarity the halves are illustrated spaced from the conductors 5, 6 and their splice 7. On assembly, the halves are pressed against each other so that they grip around the fibre conductors and adhere to each other along their adhesive coatings 4. The fibre conductors are thus kept firmly between the two protective halves. The advantage achieved with the inventive splice protector is that it does not need to be provided with grooves. It can thus be used for fibre conductors with or without cladding and with different diameters. Furthermore, there is achieved the advantage with the embodiment in accordance with the Figures that the fibre conductors are not subjected to pressure caused by the com- ponents of the splice protector expanding inwards at temperature increases. This is because the parts are kept together elastically. The invention can be varied within the scope of the following claims. For example, the stiff plates may be formed with varying cross sections. The elastic coatings do not need to be adhered to the plates, but instead they may be kept against them by clamping. The entire splice protector can be optionally kept together solely by an exterior clamp. The splice protector may, of course, also be utlilized for several splices simultaneously.

Claims: CLAIM A splice protector for protecting finished splices (7) between optical fibres (5, 6) including two halves, each having not less than one at least practically flat surface, characterized in that each half (1-4) includes an elastic coating (3), these coatings engaging against each other and surrounding the fibre (5, 6) on both sides of the splice (7), means (4), in the form of a coating of an adhesive material on the surfaces of the elastic coatings (3) facing towards each other, for keeping these coatings (3) in a stationary position in relation to each other, and wafer-like stiffening means (1) for preventing deformation of the assembled splice protector.

Inventors: BOETTCHER OWE JENS, BOETTCHER, OWE, JENS
Applicants: BOETTCHER OWE JENS, ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, BOETTCHER, OWE, JENS, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G02B6
IPC codes: G02B6