Abstract:
A splice cradle for use with fiber optic splices to hold such splices in place. Pairs of leaf springs are bowed towards each other to firmly engage a splice inserted therebetween.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a splice cradle for use with fiber optic splices to hold such splices in place and protect such splices from damage. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The need for some mechanical means to hold in place and otherwise protect fiber optic splices is well known. Such a device is generally referred to as a splice cradle. In patent application Ser. No. 116,851 filed on Nov. 5, 1987 naming David A. Cooper and Robert W. Barlow as applicants a splice cradle is disclosed wherein fiber optic splices are protected by holding the fibers rather than the splice in place. However, generally prior art splice cradles have been used to engage the splice per se. Due to the variety of splices in existence, it has become necessary to provide a different type of splice cradle having different specific physical parameters for each different type of splice. It will be apparent that the existence of such diversity in fiber optic splices requires that the user have access to many types of splice cradles, whether the user is splicing fibers in a manufacturing facility or in the field. 
     It is highly desirable to provide a splice cradle which can be used with the many types and sizes of splices which the user encounters in the manufacturing facility and in the field. 
     It is also desirable to provide such a splice cradle which will retain a splice in place with firm spring pressure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention achieves these and other results by providing a splice cradle comprising a housing having a base which includes a first peripheral edge extending in a longitudinal direction and an opposite second peripheral edge spaced from the first peripheral edge and also extending in such longitudinal direction. A plurality of entrance slots extend along the first peripheral edge and a plurality of exit slots extend along the second peripheral edge. A plurality of grooves are provided in the base and extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Each of the entrance slots is in alignment with a corresponding one of the exit slots, and each groove is in alignment with a corresponding one of the entrance slots and exit slots. Means are associated with the base for retaining a plurality of splice retention members in place relative to the plurality of grooves. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a splice cradle of the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a splice cradle of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The embodiment of this invention which is illustrated in the drawings is particularly suited for achieving the objects of this invention. FIG. 1 depicts a splice cradle comprising a housing 2 having a base 4. The base 4 includes a first peripheral edge 6 extending in a longitudinal direction 8 and an opposite second peripheral edge 10 spaced from first peripheral edge 6 and extending in the longitudinal direction 8. A plurality of entrance slots 12 extend along the first peripheral edge 6 and a plurality of exit slots 14 extend along the second peripheral edge 10. A plurality of grooves 16 in base 4 extend in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction 8. Each entrance slot 12 is in alignment with a corresponding exit slot 14, and each groove 16 is in alignment with a corresponding entrance slot 12 and exit slot 14. For example, entrance slot 12&#39;, exit slot 14&#39; and groove 16&#39; are in alignment along axis 18. 
     Means associated with base 4 is provided for retaining a plurality of splice retention members in place relative to the plurality of grooves 16. For example, in FIG. 1 such retaining means includes first spring slots 20 and second spring slots 22 located at one end of each groove 16 on opposite sides thereof and third spring slots 24 and fourth spring slots 26 located at an opposite end of each groove 16 on opposite sides thereof. Spring slots 20, 22, 24 and 26 are formed in respective bosses 28 which extend vertically from base 4 as depicted in the drawings. Although not necessary, the embodiment thus far described can be formed from a molded thermoplastic material. 
     When in use with a splice of any type other than a rotary splice, the plurality of splice retention members includes a plurality of spring members. For example, such plurality of spring members can comprise a plurality of leaf springs. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings at least one leaf spring 30 is held in place by and extends between each first spring slot 20 and each corresponding third spring slot 24, and at least one other leaf spring 30 is held in place by and extends between each second spring slot 22 and each corresponding fourth spring slot 26. Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment first pairs 32 of two leaf springs 30 are held in place by and extend between corresponding first spring slots 20 and third spring slots 24, and second pairs 34 of two other leaf springs 30 are held in place by and extend between corresponding second spring slots 22 and fourth spring slots 26. Respective leaf springs 30 extending between first and third spring slots 20, 24 and respective leaf springs 30 extending between second and fourth spring slots 22, 26 are bowed towards each other as depicted in FIG. 2. Although only three pairs of leaf springs 30 are depicted in FIG. 2, the present invention contemplates more or less such pairs extending between corresponding opposite bosses 28 as desired. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, leaf springs 30 contact adjacent leaf springs 30 as depicted at 36 when the splice cradle is in a non-splice engaging mode. When in a splice engaging mode, as when a splice 38 is forced between adjacent leaf springs 30, such leaf springs 30 are forced out of contact with each other as at 40, and the splice 38 is retained in place by the firm spring pressure exerted against the splice by the leaf springs. 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the base 4 includes a third peripheral edge 42 and an opposite fourth peripheral edge 44, edges 42, 44 extending transverse to the longitudinal direction 8. The first pairs 32 of two leaf springs and the second pairs 34 of two leaf springs alternate in the longitudinal direction 8 between the third edge 42 and the fourth edge 44. In this embodiment a single leaf spring 30 is provided adjacent third edge 42 and held in place by and extending between corresponding spring slots 20, 24, and a single leaf spring 30 is provided adjacent fourth edge 44 and held in place by and extending between corresponding spring slots 20, 24. Such single leaf springs are each bowed towards an adjacent leaf spring. 
     The splice cradle of the present invention can also be used with a rotary splice generally depicted at 46. Rotary splices per se are known in the art to include a central portion 48 into which pairs of optical fibers F extend to be spliced in a known manner. Each rotary splice 46 has opposite end portions 50 separated from the central portion 48 by respective springs 52. In the splice cradle of the present invention, the splice formed using a rotary splice 46 is held in place by removing leaf springs 30, moving opposite end portions 50 towards each other by compressing springs 52, and inserting the rotary splice between bosses 28 such that the springs 52 urge the opposite end portions 50 against respective bosses 28 as depicted in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the opposite end portions 50 and respective helical springs 52 form the splice retention members of the present invention. 
     The embodiments which have been described herein are but some of several which utilize this invention and are set forth here by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is apparent that many other embodiments which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art may be made without departing materially from the spirit and scope of this invention.