Abstract:
A closure includes a cover and seal block. A feeder cable pathway and rear cover is provided for separation of feeder cables from drop cables. The organizer in the closure includes an end cap and rear cable storage. Cable fixation clips, linear or bendable, can be used individually or daisy chained together. Cable fixation chambers are positioned on top of the gel block housing. The organizer is a click together organizer. Dual heights on cable guides on sides of the groove plate facilitate cable installation. Tray supports with rounded ends prevent looseness of the tray mounts. Other organizers include cable routing features for compact storage.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to telecommunications enclosures, and more particularly to telecommunications enclosures including cable organizers for fiber optic cables. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Telecommunications system typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Telecommunications cables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical telecommunications network also includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures or “closures” are adapted to house an protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, and wave division multiplexors. 
         [0003]    It is often preferred for telecommunications enclosures to be re-enterable. The term “re-enterable” means that the telecommunications enclosures can be reopened to allow access to the telecommunications components housed therein without requiring the removal and destruction of the telecommunications enclosures. For example, certain telecommunications enclosures can include separate access panels that can be opened to access the interiors of the enclosures, and then closed to reseal the enclosures. Other telecommunications enclosures take the form of elongated sleeves formed by wrap around covers or half-shells having longitudinal edges that are joined by clamps or other retainers. Still other telecommunications enclosures include two half-pieces that are joined together through clamps, wedges or other structures. Telecommunications enclosures are typically sealed to inhibit the intrusion of moisture or other contaminants. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The enclosure includes a cover having a dome configuration with an open end. A seal block seals the open end. The seal block allows for cables to enter and exit an interior of the enclosure. The seal block includes a gel seal with cable openings in one embodiment. The seal block includes an upper portion and a lower portion. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the seal block includes arms which are moveable relative to a remainder of the seal block to allow for cable access during assembly or re-entry. The seal block mounts to the cover with side latches. The cover is not cylindrical and has at the open end a dimension L which is longer than a dimension W in the cross-direction. Arms on the seal block between the side latches mount to tabs on the cover to further secure the seal block to the cover. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the seal block mounts to a base. The base mounts to the dome with a seal. 
         [0007]    An upper portion of the seal block defines mounting locations for cable fixation clamps which mount to cables entering or exiting enclosure. 
         [0008]    The interior defines a space for telecommunications equipment, such as storage, splitter or splice trays, positioned on a frame. Various areas for cable routing are also provided in addition to the cable routing on the storage trays. The enclosure can be used in any orientation. In the present description, the seal block is positioned at the bottom. 
         [0009]    A cable organizer mounts to the seal block with snaps or other mounting structures such as fasteners. The organizer includes various clips, dividers, or other elements which define cable pathways and cable retention features for the internal cabling within the interior. 
         [0010]    A first block of the organizer mounts to an upper portion of the seal block. One or more groove plates for holding trays mount to the first block and to each other in a stack. An end loop mounts to the upper most groove plate. On a front side of the organizer, trays can be mounted. On a rear side of the organizer, loop cable storage can be provided. Preferably the first block snap mounts to the upper portion of the seal block. Preferably the groove plates snap to the first block and to each other, and to the end loop plate. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, one or more organizer blocks mount to the seal block, and cable trays are mounted to the organizer blocks. 
         [0012]    In the present description, the front and rear are relative terms and could be reversed, or could be top/bottom if the enclosure&#39;s orientation is changed. 
         [0013]    The first block defines one or two cable slots, on at least one side, and preferably has two slots on each side. 
         [0014]    The first block includes a cable storage area on the front. The first block further includes mounting posts for mounting of clips for cables extending to the organizer. On a rear side of the organizer, a divider plate mounts to a rear of first block to provide for segregated cable passageways between feeder cables and drop cables. 
         [0015]    The divider plate preferably includes mounting posts for mounting of clips. 
         [0016]    On the groove plates, pairs of fiber retainer fingers are provided for fiber retention. At least one finger includes a tab, and one finger is taller than an end of an adjacent finger. Such a construction facilitates ease of fiber placement. 
         [0017]    The rear side further defines a loop cable storage basket formed by the first block, the groove plate or plates, and the end plate. The loop pathway is further constructed with clips mounted to mounting posts. 
         [0018]    The clips can be mounted linearly, or they can be mounted at an angle. Each clip includes a mounting pocket for receiving one of the mounting posts. A snap mount feature retains the clip with the respective mounting post. A cable retention feature defines a closed loop and can be provided with a mounting clip positioned on the clip wherein the mounting pocket defines a mounting location for holding an extension of the clip. In this manner, adjacent clips mount in a daisy chain style arrangement to create closed loop areas for cables. The clips can also mount to clip elements on the frame, groove plate, front plate or rear divider plate to form a closed loop. 
         [0019]    The trays are pivotally mounted to the groove plates. A shaft is received by arms of the groove plate to retain the trays in a pivoted manner. A shaft includes a non-cylindrical portion which facilitates positioning of the tray in a desired position, such as in a storage position or in an access position. The tray includes a rounded knob which rests against a base portion of groove plate to maintain trays in the desired position, wherein looseness is reduced. 
         [0020]    Alternative cable routings are provided with alternative organizers disclosed herein. Some designs promote dense arrangements with a low profile. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the cover being removed from the seal and interior frame; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the seal and interior frame being removed from the cover; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is another cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows the organizer being snap mounted to the seal block; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows the organizer mounted to the seal block; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows in top view the organizer mounted to the seal block; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  shows in cross-section the organizer mounted to the seal block; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the snap lock between the organizer and the seal block; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the upper portion of the seal block; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the upper portion of the seal block; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lower portion of the seal block; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the lower portion of the seal block; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a view of the seal block showing the open covers; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a cable clamp; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is an end view of the cable clamp of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a side view of the cable clamp; 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the cable clamp of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is an exploded view of the cable clamp; 
           [0046]      FIG. 26  shows a plurality of the cable clamps mounted to the seal block; 
           [0047]      FIG. 27  shows the cable clamps mounted to the seal block with an alternative clip arrangement; 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the organizer and upper portion of the seal block; 
           [0049]      FIG. 29  is a further perspective view of the organizer of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 30  is an exploded view of the organizer of  FIG. 29  in perspective view; 
           [0051]      FIG. 31  is a further perspective view of the organizer of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the organizer of  FIGS. 28-31  showing a fiber tray; 
           [0053]      FIG. 33  shows a detail view of the mounting of the tray to the organizer; 
           [0054]      FIG. 34  shows a further enlarged view of a portion of the mounting of the tray to the organizer; 
           [0055]      FIG. 35  shows the cable management fingers of a groove plate; 
           [0056]      FIG. 36  shows the cable retention features of the organizer; 
           [0057]      FIG. 37  shows a cable retention finger; 
           [0058]      FIG. 38  shows an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of the organizer; 
           [0059]      FIG. 39  shows in top view an upper portion of the organizer; 
           [0060]      FIG. 40  shows in detail a latch portion of the organizer; 
           [0061]      FIG. 41  shows in cross-section a portion of the organizer; 
           [0062]      FIG. 42  shows a top view of the groove plate; 
           [0063]      FIG. 43  shows a side view of the groove plate; 
           [0064]      FIG. 44  shows a bottom view of the groove plate; 
           [0065]      FIG. 45  shows an end view of the groove plate; 
           [0066]      FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view showing the cable management fingers of the groove plate; 
           [0067]      FIG. 47  is an exploded perspective view of another telecommunications enclosure; 
           [0068]      FIG. 48  is a perspective view of the organizer of the enclosure of  FIG. 47 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 49  is a perspective view showing the opposite side of the organizer of  FIG. 49 ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 50  is an exploded perspective view of the organizer of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0071]      FIG. 51  is a side view of the organizer of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0072]      FIG. 52  is an end view of the organizer of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 53  is a top view of the organizer of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 54  is a bottom view of the organizer of  FIG. 48 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 55  is a plan view of a first tube holder; 
           [0076]      FIG. 56  is a plan view of a second tube holder; 
           [0077]      FIG. 57  shows the tube holder of  FIG. 56  with a cover removed, and one of the tube retaining members removed; 
           [0078]      FIG. 58  shows a cross-section the cover and the tube retaining member in position within the tube holder of  FIG. 56 ; 
           [0079]      FIG. 59  is a perspective view of the cable organizer tray; 
           [0080]      FIG. 60  is an exploded perspective view showing the cable organizer tray; 
           [0081]      FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view of the organizer without the pivoting trays; 
           [0082]      FIG. 62  shows the organizer in perspective view without the pivoting trays; 
           [0083]      FIG. 63  is a cross-sectional side view of the organizer of  FIG. 62 , showing a first cable crossing area; 
           [0084]      FIG. 64  is a top view of the organizer of  FIG. 62 , showing another cable crossing area; 
           [0085]      FIG. 65  is a top view of the cable organizer; 
           [0086]      FIG. 66  is a cross-sectional side view of the cable organizer; 
           [0087]      FIG. 67  shows one of the trays pivoted upwardly with a support member in position; 
           [0088]      FIG. 68  shows the view of  FIG. 67  in cross-section; 
           [0089]      FIG. 69  shows the pivotal tray mount region of the organizer; 
           [0090]      FIG. 70  shows the tray mount on the tower. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0091]    Referring now to the FIGS., closure  10  for cables  12  includes a cover  14  having a dome configuration with an open end  16 . A seal block  18  seals open end  16 . Seal block  18  allows for cables to enter and exit an interior  20  of closure  10 . Seal block  18  includes a gel seal  22 . Seal block  18  includes an upper portion  24  and a lower portion  26  with openings  28  for cables. Gel seal  22  is formed from separate portions for assembly with the cables  12 , and for re-entry. 
         [0092]    Seal block  18  mounts to cover  14  with latches  30 . Cover  14  is not round and has at open end  16  a dimension L which is longer than a dimension W in the cross-direction. 
         [0093]    Under pressure, there may be a tendency for cover  14  to expand outwardly, thereby resulting in a loss of seal. Arms  34  on seal block  18  mount to tabs  38  on cover  14  to further secure seal block  18  to cover  14 . 
         [0094]    Upper portion  24  of seal block  18  defines mounting locations  44  for cable fixation clamps  46  which mount to cables  12  with strength members  32  entering or exiting enclosure  10 . Clamps  46  can mount to the cables outside of closure  10 , then be mounted to closure  10 . Clamps  46  fit into pockets  50  and are held with chips  54 . Clamps  46  can float within pockets  50  in the z direction. Alternative clips  54  are shown in  FIG. 27 . Clamps  46  are adjustable for different cables and strength members. 
         [0095]    As shown, interior  20  defines a space for telecommunications equipment, such as splitter or splice trays  48 . Various areas for cable routing are also provided in addition to the cable routing on the trays  48 . 
         [0096]    As shown in the FIGS., seal block  18  also includes arms  52  with gel seal  22  which are moveable (pivotable) relative to a remainder of seal block  18  to allow for cable access during assembly or cable re-entry. A cable organizer  60  mounts to seal block  18  with snaps  64 . Organizer  60  includes various clips  68  which define cable pathways and cable retention features for the internal cabling within interior  20 . 
         [0097]    A first block  72  snaps to upper portion  24  of seal block  18 . Groove plates  74  snap mount to first block  72  and to each other with snaps  80 . An end plate  78  mounts to the upper most groove plate with snaps. Preferably end plate  78  is removable with snaps  70 . On a front side  82  of organizer  60 , flip trays  48  can be mounted. Trays can be any of storage, splice, splitter or other function. On a rear side  84  of organizer  60 , cable storage can be provided. 
         [0098]    First block  72  defines two cable openings  92 ,  94  on each side. First block  72  further includes a cable storage area  100 . First block  72  further includes mounting posts  104  for mounting of clips  68  for cables extending to organizer  60 . 
         [0099]    On rear side  84  of organizer  60 , a divider plate  110  snap mounts to a rear of first block  72  to provide for segregated cable passageways. Divider plate  110  includes mounting posts  114  for mounting of clips  68 . One use of divider plate  110  is to separate feeder cables (loop cables in one example) as they enter enclosure  10 . These cables pass under divider plate  110 , and are stored as loops on the rear side of organizer  60 . Cables needed on the front side are passed through one of openings  92 ,  94  to the front side for use on a tray  48  or storage in area  100 . 
         [0100]    On groove plates  74 , pairs of fiber retainer fingers  120 ,  122  are provided for fiber retention. As shown, finger  120  includes a tab  124 . Further, finger  122  is taller than an end of tab  124 . Such a construction facilitates ease of fiber placement. 
         [0101]    Rear side  84  further defines a loop cable storage basket formed by first block  72 , groove plates  74 , and end plate  78 . The loop pathway is further constructed with clips  68  mounted to mounting posts  134 . Loop ties can also be used if desired. 
         [0102]    Clips  68  can be mounted linearly, or they can be mounted at an angle. Each clip  68  includes a mounting pocket  150  for receiving one of the mounting posts  104 . A snap mount feature retains clip  68  with the respective mounting post. A cable retention feature defining a closed loop can be provided with a mounting clip  154  positioned on clip  68  wherein mounting pocket  150  defines a mounting location for holding extension  156  of clip  68 . In this manner, adjacent clips mount in a daisy chain style arrangement to create closed loop areas for cables. Clips  68  can also mount to projecting clips  158  on organizer  60 . 
         [0103]    Referring to the FIGS., trays  48  are pivotally mounted to groove plates  74 . A shaft  170  is received by arms  174  of groove plate  74  to retain trays  48  in a pivotal manner. Shaft  170  includes a non-cylindrical portion  178  which facilitates positioning of tray  48  in a desired position, such as a storage position or an access position. Tray  48  includes a rounded knob  184  which rests against a base portion  186  of groove plate  74  to maintain trays  48  in the desired position, wherein looseness is reduced. 
         [0104]    Cables can be routed into and through closure  10  as desired. Feeder cables can be routed under divider plate  110 , and stored on rear side  84  in storage area  190  in loops. Cables needed on front side  82  are passed to the front side and are stored in area  100  or sent to a desired tray  48 . The drop cables exit through seal block  18 . Clips  68  are used to secure the cables in closure  10 . Openings  92 ,  94  can be used to separate the loop cables from the cables stored on the front side of the organizer  60 . Various of the clips  68  and other fingers and tie wraps can be used to manage the cables in an organized fashion for ease of access and maintenance. 
         [0105]    Referring now to  FIG. 47 , another example embodiment of an enclosure  210  is shown with a cover  214  having an open end  216 . A base  218  mounts to cover  14  with latches  230  and a seal. A seal block  220  seals to base  218  to thereby seal the interior of enclosure  210 . Cables enter and exit through seal block  220  and are managed by organizer  260 . Seal block also includes cable fixation areas  224 ,  226 . Organizer  260  can include various functions including slack storage, splicing, and splitting of fiber optic cables. Organizer  60  could also be used. 
         [0106]    Organizer  260  is similar in function to organizer  60 , but differently constructed. 
         [0107]    Organizer  260  includes a framework  300  which supports various elements on organizer  260 . Framework  300  mounts with fasteners  304  to seal block  220 . Framework  300  defines a rear cable basket  310 , such as for storage of loop cables. Framework  300  can be made of metal for grounding of cables. Cable basket  310  includes various flanges  320  to assist with cable retention. Cables enter and exit adjacent end  330  of framework  300 . Typically, feeder cables enter at opening  332  and can be stored in basket  310 . Cables can also enter on the backside of framework  300  through bottom tube holder  340 . Additional cables can enter at top tube holder  350 . Both of top and bottom tube holders  340 ,  350  include cable slots  360  for cables entering into enclosure  210 . As shown, cable slots  360  have a curved shape which facilitates positioning of the cables in a desired direction for use in organizer  260 . The curves are generally the same length for each slot. Typically, the cables and tubes or jackets are received in the cable slots  360 . A plurality of cables in a stack can be positioned in each cable slot. To help retain the cables in the cable slots, a flexible retention tube  370  is inserted into each cable slot  360  last in order to retain the cables or cable tubes in each cable slot. Tubes  370  can have a tube handle  372  to facilitate ease of use. In addition, covers  380  are provided to retain the retention tubes  370 , and the cables in each of the cable slots. Cover  380  are snap fit over the top and bottom tube holders  340 ,  350 . 
         [0108]    Positioned on framework  300  above the bottom and top tube holder  340 ,  350  is a cable organizer or management plate  390 . Cable organizer plate  390  can be made with an integral construction, or it can be made in multiple pieces. If made in multiple pieces, cable organizer  390  can be designed to assemble together in desired configurations with different elements. As shown, a first organizer element  392  includes a  FIG. 8  configuration for changing cable directions and/or allowing cable passage from one side of cable organizer  390  to the other. A second organizer element  394  can hold cables for storage. A third organizer element  396  can hold cable splices or splitters. Each of the first, second and third organizer elements  392 ,  394 ,  396  can include cable retention tabs to assist with cable management. Organizer plate  390  snap fits to framework  300 . A side ramp  400  leads from a bottom side of cable organizer  390  to an upper side in communication with side slots  404 . Tabs  408  can assist with cable retention in side slots  404 . Upper ramp  410  leads from top tube holders  340  to side slots  404  where the cables meet with cables from the bottom side of cable organizer  390 . Elements  392 ,  394 ,  396  can be arranged in a different order or be constructed differently, if desired. The elements  392 ,  394 ,  396  can be reduced to 2 or 1 if desired, for smaller profile enclosures. 
         [0109]    A tower  420  mounts to an end of cable organizer  390  and defines mounting locations  422  for mounting pivoting trays  426 . Trays  426  pivot upwardly away from cable organizer  390  as desired. Each tray  426  can receive an incoming and outgoing single or multiple fibers which can be managed by each tray. Each tray  426  can include cable routing areas  428  and cable splicing areas  430 . 
         [0110]    One or more trays  426  can be received within an interior region  432  of cable organizer  390  and disposed between side slots  404  for improved space savings. In addition, area  440  between top tube holder  350  and cable organizer  390  can be utilized for cable storage. 
         [0111]    As shown in  FIGS. 62-64 , cables entering cable organizer  390  from the top side and from the bottom side they need to cross one another at crossing area  450  (vertical plane). In addition, cables may need to cross a second time to enter cable organizer  390 , or continue to tower  420  at second crossing area  460  (horizontal plane). As shown, these areas are separated to allow for crossings of cables into planes, without causing potential tangling or knotting of the cables. If all of the crossings were located in area, in both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane, a greater potential for tangling or knotting of the cables could occur. 
         [0112]    As shown in  FIG. 65 , pivoting trays  426  are received in a curved pocket formed by top tube holders  350  for improved space efficiencies. The cables are directed toward the side slots  404  via upper ramps  410   
         [0113]    Referring now to  FIGS. 67-70 , pivoting trays  426  are mounted to tower  420  for pivoting movement to allow selected access to a desired tray. Tower  420  is angled relative to the plane defined by cable organizer  390 . Such angling allows for trays  426  to lay flat on top of one another, for improved space efficiency. Increased density of the cable trays is facilitated by the staggering of the hinges  480  between adjacent trays as shown in  FIGS. 69 and 70 . Also, each tray has a non-rounded hinge shaft  490  which allows for each tray to pivot into position and maintain this position while pivoted. Should additional support be desired, such as due to the weight of the tray and its contents, a support element  500  can be provided to hold the desired number of trays upwardly allowing a technician to access a lower tray. Support element  500  is located to not interfere with any fiber routing of the exposed tray  426 . Fiber management tool  504  can be used to help locate selected fibers on trays  426  or organizer  390 . 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  enclosure 
           12  cables 
           14  cover 
           16  open end 
           18  seal block 
           20  interior 
           22  gel seal 
           24  upper portion 
           26  lower portion 
           28  openings 
           30  latches 
           32  strength member 
         L length of open end 
         W width of open end 
           34  arms 
           36  openings 
           38  tabs 
           44  mounting locations 
           46  cable fixation clamps 
           48  trays 
           50  pockets 
           52  arms 
           54  clips 
           60  organizer 
           64  snaps 
           66  snaps 
           68  clips 
           70  snaps 
           72  first block 
           74  groove plate 
           78  end plate 
           80  snaps 
           82  front side 
           84  rear side 
           92  opening 
           94  opening 
           100  cable storage area 
           104  mounting posts 
           110  divider plate 
           120  finger 
           122  finger 
           124  tab 
           150  mounting pocket 
           154  mounting clip 
           156  extension 
           158  projecting clip 
           160  cable tie location 
           170  shaft 
           174  arms 
           178  non-cylindrical portion 
           184  knob 
           186  base portion 
           210  enclosure 
           214  cover 
           216  open end 
           218  base 
           220  seal block 
           224  cable fixation areas 
           226  cable fixation areas 
           230  latches 
           260  organizer 
           300  framework 
           304  fasteners 
           310  cable basket 
           320  flanges 
           330  end 
           332  opening 
           340  bottom tube holder 
           350  top tube holder 
           360  cable slots 
           370  retention tube 
           372  tube handle 
           380  covers 
           390  cable organizer plate/management plate 
           392  first organizer element 
           394  second organizer element 
           396  third organizer element 
           398  tabs 
           400  side ramp 
           404  side slots 
           408  tabs 
           410  upper ramp 
           420  tower 
           422  mounting locations 
           426  pivoting trays 
           428  cable routing areas 
           430  cable splicing areas 
           432  interior region 
           440  cable storage area 
           450  first crossing area 
           460  second crossing area 
           480  hinges 
           490  shaft 
           500  support element 
           504  management tool 
           506  tray cover