Patent Publication Number: US-10768390-B2

Title: Mounting system and kit for aerial mounting of a fiber optic enclosure

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/960,687, filed Dec. 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,939,602; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/089,492, filed Dec. 9, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to mounting configurations for mounting fiber optic enclosures to aerial strands. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Aerial routing configurations are commonly used to distribute fiber optic cables to various locations within a fiber optic network. In a typical aerial routing configuration, fiber optic cables are lashed to metal strands (e.g., metal wires or cables) that are routed aerially from power pole to power pole. At various locations throughout the fiber optic network, it is desirable to access optical fibers of the fiber optic cables (e.g., for splicing to drop cables). At typical access locations, cable jackets of the fiber optic cables are cut and/or removed to provide access to the optical fibers. The access locations are typically housed within sealed, re-enterable protective enclosures that frequently contain fiber optic components such as splice trays. In a typical application, a fiber optic cable is routed through a fiber optic enclosure and within the fiber optic enclosure one or more of the optical fibers is accessed for splicing to a drop cable. It is frequently desirable to aerially mount the fiber optic enclosures. There exists a need to provide enhanced configurations for aerially mounting fiber optic enclosures. 
     SUMMARY 
     To enhance access for a re-enterable aerial fiber optic enclosure, it is desirable to mount such aerial enclosure at a location below and laterally offset from its corresponding aerial strand. With the fiber optic enclosure mounted below and laterally offset from the strand, the center of gravity of the fiber optic enclosure is offset from the strand thereby causing torque to be applied to the strand. Generally, the strand lacks the structural strength to resist this type of torque and therefore twists in response to the torque such that the fiber optic enclosure moves to a position directly beneath the strand where the center of gravity of the fiber optic enclosure passes through the strand. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to aerial mounting configurations that provide torque resistance that prevents rotational movement of the fiber optic enclosure about the strand such that the center of gravity of the fiber optic enclosure can remain laterally offset from the strand (i.e., the fiber optic enclosure does not rotate downwardly directly beneath the strand). In this way, to enhance accessibility, the fiber optic enclosure can be effectively hung below and laterally offset from it corresponding aerial strand. 
     Teachings of the present disclosure relate to a mounting configuration for hanging an enclosure at a location laterally offset from a corresponding aerial strand that allows torque generated by the weight of the enclosure to bypass the strand (i.e., not be applied to the strand). In this way, the strand is prevented from twisting and the enclosure remains laterally offset from the strand. In one example, a rod can be used to transfer the torque generating force corresponding to the weight of the offset enclosure to a nearby pole. In other words, the rod and the pole cooperate to provide a reactive force that opposes the force vector about the strand corresponding to weight of the offset enclosure such that the net torque applied to the strand is zero. In certain examples, the rod can be cut to length to accommodate a desired offset distance between the enclosure and the pole. 
     Teachings of the present disclosure relate to a mounting system for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand at a location near a pole. The mounting system includes a hanger arrangement that clamps to the aerial strand and that hangs the enclosure below the aerial stand at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure is laterally offset from the aerial strand. The mounting system also includes a rod that is secured to the hanger arrangement and to the pole for preventing the enclosure from rotating about the aerial strand toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure is located directly beneath the aerial strand. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand at a location near a pole. The method includes hanging the aerial strand at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure is laterally offset from the aerial strand such that a weight of the enclosure generates a torque force relative to the aerial strand; and transferring the torque force generated by the weight of the enclosure to the pole with an anti-rotation rod such that the enclosure is prevented from rotating about the aerial strand toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure is located directly beneath the aerial strand. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mounting system for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand. The mounting system includes a hanger assembly having a cradle component. The cradle component can have a first leg, a second leg that defines a proximal end and a distal end. The second leg can extend perpendicularly to the first leg at the proximal end. The cradle component can have a hook member at the distal end of the second leg for holding the enclosure. The first leg of the cradle component can be mountable to the aerial strand such that the enclosure is positioned in an off-set position to the aerial strand. The mounting system includes a bracket assembly that can be connected to a pole. The bracket assembly includes a mounting plate and extensions extending perpendicularly from the mounting plate. The mounting plate can define an elongated slot for receiving a fastener therein. The bracket assembly includes an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal member, a vertical member, and a joint member disposed between the horizontal and vertical members. The horizontal member can define a first slot and the vertical member can define a second slot. The bracket assembly further includes an elbow bracket having a short flange and a long flange at a substantially right angle to each other. The short and long flanges each can have an outside surface and an inside surface. The short flange of the elbow bracket can include a first slot opening and a second slot opening for receiving the fasteners. The long flange of the elbow bracket can define a plurality of holes. U-bolts can be disposed on the hanger assembly and adjacent the outside surface of the long flange of the elbow bracket. The U-bolts can define openings having a diameter selected to define a close fit with a rod inserted therethrough for providing anti-rotation movement of the enclosure about the aerial strand. The first slot of the horizontal member can be arranged and configured to align with the elongated slot of the mounting plate such that the fastener is inserted therethrough both the elongated slot of the mounting plate and the first slot of the horizontal member to secure the L-shaped bracket to the mounting plate. The vertical member of the L-shaped bracket can be mounted adjacent to the outside surface of the short flange of the elbow bracket such that the first and second slot openings align with the second slot of the vertical member where the fastener can be inserted therethrough for coupling the short flange of the elbow bracket to the vertical member of the L-shaped bracket. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mounting system kit including a hanger assembly for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand. The hanger assembly including cradle components sized to hold the enclosure. The kit can include a bracket assembly connected to a pole where the bracket assembly includes a mounting plate for securing the bracket assembly to the pole; an L-shaped bracket mounted against the mounting plate by a fastener; an elbow bracket held against the L-shaped bracket by the fastener; and U-bolts disposed along an outside surface of the elbow bracket and the hanger assembly. The U-bolts can define a hole having a diameter selected to define a close fit with a rod inserted therethrough for providing anti-rotation movement of the enclosure about the aerial strand. The mounting system can be constructed to suspend the enclosure off-set from the aerial strand. 
     A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting system including an enclosure, a hanger assembly, and a retention bracket arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the retention bracket arrangement of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the retention bracket arrangement of  FIG. 2  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of  FIG. 1  installed in an upper U-bolt location in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of  FIG. 4  installed in a lower U-bolt location in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pipe being installed in the mounting system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the pipe being fully installed attached to the hanger assembly and pole; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a bracket assembly being inserted between a strand clamp and the pole in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the bracket assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a mounting system  10  (e.g., component) for suspending an enclosure  12  (e.g., splice enclosure) from an aerial strand  18  in an off-set position at a location near a post  20 , a hanger arrangement  14  (e.g., cradle components), and a retention bracket arrangement  16  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In one example, the enclosure  12  is a single-ended dome style closure that can be mounted on the hanger arrangement  14  to secure the enclosure  12  to an elongate support substrate, such as a messenger cable or the aerial strand  18 . The enclosure  12  may be formed of a thermoplastic polymeric material, for example. In some examples, the enclosure  12  may be formed of a metal such as steel. In some examples, the enclosure  12  may be about 24 inches (in) long by 9.8 inches (in) diameter. In other examples, the enclosure  12  may be about 30 in. long by about 11.5 in. diameter. In still other examples, the enclosure  12  may be about 19 in. long by about 8 in. diameter. It will be appreciated that the length and diameter of the enclosure  12  may vary with other examples. 
     The aerial strand  18  may be of any suitable construction. The strand may include only one unitary cable strand or filament or may be comprised of a plurality of strands or filaments helically tested about one another. For example, the aerial strand  18  may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel. In some examples, the aerial strand  18  can have an outer diameter in the range of from about 0.25 to 0.5 inches. In another example, the aerial strand  18  may be secured to the post  20  (e.g., pole) by the retention bracket arrangement  16 . The retention bracket arrangement  16  is illustrated and described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     The enclosure  12  includes a base  22 , a removable dome  24  that attaches to the base  22 , and a clamp  26  (e.g., v-band clamp) for securing the removable dome  24  to the base  22 . Closure splice and storage compartments are accessible via the removable dome  24 . One or more cables may be stored within the enclosure  12 . In one example, the cables are data transmission cables. In another example, the cables are fiber optic telecommunication cables. In other examples, the cables are copper telecommunication cables. In still other examples, the cables are telephone and/or CATV cables. In one example, the removable dome  24  can be one piece such that one end slides into the base  22  and is clamped thereon. In one example, the orientation of the enclosure  12  may be directed towards the post  20  while being parallel to the aerial strand  18 . In other examples, the orientation of the enclosure  12  may be directed away from the post  20  while being parallel to the aerial strand  18  by reversing the hanger arrangement  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , an example retention bracket arrangement  16  is shown. The retention bracket arrangement  16  includes a strand clamp  28  (e.g., strand mount) for securing the aerial strand  18  to the post  20  and a bracket arrangement  30  for securing a rod or anti-rotation pipe  32  (see  FIG. 7 ) to the post  20 . The bracket arrangement  30  is illustrated and described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 9-11 . 
     In one example, the strand clamp  28  includes a first mounting plate  34  and a second mounting plate  36 . The first and second mounting plates  34 ,  36  can be secured together by fasteners  38 . In some examples, a bolt  40  having a cap screw  42  and washer  44  can be used to secure the strand clamp  28  to the post  20 . The stand clamp  28  can include a first strand grip protrusion  46  that mounts the aerial strand  18  between the first and second mounting plates  34 ,  36  of the strand clamp  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , the hanger arrangement  14  is shown without the enclosure  12 . The hanger arrangement  14  may be configured to clamp to the aerial strand  18  with the enclosure  12  hung below the aerial strand  18  at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure  12  is laterally offset from the aerial strand. The hanger arrangement  14  includes J-shaped cradles  48  and  50  (e.g., offset cradles) for supporting the enclosure  12 . The J-shaped cradles  48  and  50  may be used to secure the enclosure  12  to the aerial strand  18  by, for example, attachment devices  52  such as, but not limited to, clamps, zips ties, or nuts. It will be appreciated that other types of fastening or coupling devices may be used. 
     In certain examples, the attachment devices  52  may each include a pair of opposed clamp plates  54 ,  56  connected by fasteners  58 . The fasteners  58  can be received within first openings  60  defined by each of the opposed clamp plates  54 ,  56 . The fasteners  58  can be used to couple the attachment devices  52  to the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  through first holes  62  of the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50 . The fasteners  58  can secured to the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  by a flat washer  64 , a split lock washer  66 , and a nut  68 . Each attachment device  52  enables the respective associated J-shaped cradled  48 ,  50  to be coupled to the aerial strand  18 . 
     In certain examples, the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  can each include a first leg  70 , a second leg  72  having a proximal end  69  and a distal end  71  extending perpendicularly to the first leg  70  and a hook member  74  located at the distal end  71  of the second leg  72 . The J-shaped cradle  48  includes a second leg  72   a  that has a length L 1  longer than a length L 2  of the second leg  72   b  of the J-shaped cradle  50 . The hook  74   a  of the J-shaped cradle  48  is also smaller than the hook  74   b  of the J-shaped cradle  50 . The hook  74   a  can be adapted to receive a shaft  76  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the enclosure  12  and the hook  74   b  can be adapted to receive the base  22  of the enclosure  12 . In certain examples, the J-shaped cradles can be fastened to the enclosure  12  to prevent the enclosure  12  from falling out. It will be appreciated that the hook  74  can be fabricated in a variety of sizes. 
     In one example, the enclosure  12  can be positioned between about 2 inches to about 10 feet from the post  20 . The J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  can be positioned respectively at first and second ends  11 ,  13  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the enclosure  12 . The J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  can hold the enclosure  12  such that the enclosure  12  can be positioned off-set from the aerial strand  18 . When in the off-set position, the aerial strand  18  can be positioned behind the enclosure  12 . In certain examples, the aerial strand  18  can flex and move thereby making the enclosure  12  want to gravitate downwardly. In one example, the enclosure  12  may have a tendency to gravitate downwardly such that the enclosure  12  moves in a position below the aerial strand  18 . 
     The pipe  32  may be secured to the hanger arrangement  14  and to the post  20  for preventing the enclosure  12  from rotating about the aerial strand  18  toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure  12  is located directly beneath the aerial strand  18 . In certain examples, the pipe  32  may be used to transfer the torque generating force corresponding to the weight of the enclosure  12  to the post  20 . For example, the pipe  32  and the post  20  may cooperate to provide a reactive force that opposes the force vector about the aerial strand  18  corresponding to weight of the enclosure  12  such that the net torque applied to the aerial strand  18  is zero. 
     In one example, the pipe  32  may be attached to the hanger arrangement  14  by U-bolts  78 . In other examples, the pipe  32  may be attached to the hanger arrangement  14  at a location vertically between the aerial strand  18  and the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50 . The enclosure  12  may be prevented from rotating about the aerial strand  18  toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure  12  is located directly beneath the aerial strand  18 . In some examples, the pipe  32  may be mounted parallel to the aerial strand  18 . 
     The pipe  32  may be cut to a desired length that corresponds to a desired offset distance between the enclosure  12  and the post  20 . In one example, the pipe  32  may be a ¾ inch pipe having 10 feet length sections. In other examples, the pipe  32  may be less than 10 feet in length prior to cutting. The pipe  32  can be attached to the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  by the U-bolts  78 . The U-bolts  78  can be designed to be inserted into second holes  80  and third holes  82  of the first leg  70  of the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50 . The U-bolts  78  can be secured to the first leg  70  of the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  by the flat washer  64 , the split lock washer  66 , and the nut  68 . In other examples, the U-bolts  78  can be designed to be inserted into the third holes  82  and fourth holes  84  of the first leg  70  of the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In one example, the U-bolts  78  define an opening  86  (e.g., a hole) having a diameter selected to define a close fit with the pipe  32  inserted therethrough. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the pipe  32  is shown being installed. The pipe  32  can be secured to the post  20  through the strand clamp  28  via the bracket arrangement  30  that attaches to the strand clamp  28 . The pipe  32  can extend any distance desired from the post  20 . The pipe  32  can be inserted within the opening  86  of the U-bolts  78 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the pipe  32  is shown fully inserted and attached to both the J-shaped cradles  48 ,  50  and the post  20 . The pipe  32  can help to eliminate rotation of the enclosure  12  about the aerial strand  18  such that the pipe  32  provides anti-rotation movement of the enclosure  12 . The pipe  32  can be positioned adjacent to and parallel to the aerial strand  18 . In one example, the pipe  32  can be positioned against the aerial strand  18 . In other examples, the pipe  32  can be a distance below the aerial strand  18 . In either position, the enclosure  12  is off-set from the aerial strand  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the mounting system  10  is shown in an exploded view. The bracket arrangement  30  can include a mounting plate  88  and extensions  90  extending perpendicularly from the mounting plate  88 . The mounting plate  88  defines an elongated slot  92  for receiving a flat head bolt  94  therein. The extensions  90  of the mounting plate  88  can be arranged and configured to slide behind the strand clamp  28  to secure the mounting plate  88  to the post  20 . The bolt  40  may be used to tighten the strand clamp  28  against the extensions  90  of the mounting plate  88  adjacent to the post  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , shows an enlarged view of the bracket arrangement  30  being inserted between the strand clamp  28  and the post  20 . In one example, the bracket arrangement  30  further includes an L-shaped bracket  96  that can be coupled to the mounting plate  88  at the elongated slot  92 . The L-shaped bracket  96  can include a horizontal member  98  and a vertical member  100  joined together by a joint member  99 . In the depicted example, the horizontal member  98  defines a first slot  102  and the vertical member  100  defines a second slot  104 . The horizontal member  98  can be arranged and configured such that the first slot  102  aligns with the elongated slot  92  such that the flat head bolt  94  can be inserted within both the elongated slot  92  and the first slot  102  to secure the L-shaped bracket  96  to the mounting plate  88 . In the depicted example, the horizontal member  98  is positioned across the mounting plate  88  in a T-shape like configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , an enlarged exploded view of the bracket arrangement  30  is shown. The bracket arrangement  30  includes an elbow bracket  106  having a short flange  108  and a long flange  110  at a substantially right angle to each other and having an outside surface  112  and an inside surface  114 . The vertical member  100  of the L-shaped bracket  96  can be mounted adjacent to the outside surface  112  of the short flange  108  of the elbow bracket  106 . The short flange  108  includes a first slot opening  116  and a second slot opening  118  for receiving flat head bolts  94 . The flat head bolts  94  can be arranged and configured to engage the second slot  104  of the vertical member  100  for coupling the short flange  108  of the elbow bracket  106  to the vertical member  100  of the L-shaped bracket  96 . The flat head bolts  94  are secured by coupling together the flat washer  64 , the split lock washer  66 , and the nut  68 . 
     The long flange  110  of the elbow bracket  106  defines a plurality of holes  120  for receiving a row of U-bolts  78 . The U-bolts  78  can be secured to the long flange  110  with the flat washers  64 , the split lock washers  66 , and the nuts  68 . In certain examples, the pipe  32  can be mounted to the outside surface  112  of the long flange  110  of the elbow bracket  106  within openings  86  of the U-bolts  78 . 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for suspending the enclosure  12  from the aerial strand  18  at a location near the post  20 . The method can include the steps of hanging the aerial strand  18  at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure  12  is laterally offset from the aerial strand  18  where a weight of the enclosure  12  can generate torque about the aerial strand  18 . The method also can include the step of transferring the torque that can be generated by the weight of the enclosure  12  to the post  20  with the anti-rotation pipe  32  such that the enclosure  12  is prevented from rotating about the aerial strand  18  toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure  12  is located directly beneath the aerial strand  18 . 
     From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.