Patent Publication Number: US-2009220197-A1

Title: Apparatus and fiber optic cable retention system including same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/035,573, entitled, “Apparatus and Fiber Optic Cable Retention System Including Same,” which was filed on Feb. 22, 2008, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This application discloses an invention that is related, generally and in various embodiments, to an apparatus for use with a fiber optic retaining system. 
     Fiber optic cable systems provide a large bandwidth capacity for the transmission of voice and data. In order to extend such systems closer and closer to the premises of the end subscribers, more and more fiber optic connections are required. Such connections are typically made by highly skilled field personnel utilizing specialized tools and equipment. 
     A conventional way of making an optical connection at a subscriber premise is to plug an end of a run of fiber optic cable into a fiber optic receptacle located at the premise. In order to form a satisfactory connection configuration at the end of the run of fiber optic cable, field personnel generally utilize a two-part crimp housing and a crimp band. The two-part crimp ring is positioned around a connector assembly which typically includes a connector body, a ferrule, a ferrule holder, a spring and a spring push. The crimp band is then positioned around the two-part crimp ring to secure the position of the two-part crimp ring. Although the field process of utilizing the two-part crimp ring and the crimp band to form a satisfactory connection configuration for the end of the run of fiber optic cable provides an adequate result, the use of a two-part crimp ring adds to the overall cost and complexity of producing the proper connection configuration. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one general respect, this application discloses an apparatus. The apparatus includes a body member that defines a passageway which is configured to receive a rugged fiber optic cable at a first end of the passageway and a fiber optic connector at a second end of the passageway, a first arm member connected to the body member and a second arm member connected to the body member and coplanar with the first arm member. The first and second arm members are configured to receive the fiber optic connector therebetween. 
     Aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The body member, the first arm member, or the second arm member may comprise a thermoplastic. The body member, the first arm member and the second arm member can be integrally formed. The body member can include a first portion which defines a first portion of the passageway, wherein the first portion of the passageway is configured to receive the rugged fiber optic cable, and a groove along a first surface of the body member, wherein the groove is configured to receive a strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. The body member can include a second portion connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion of the body member defines a second portion of the passageway. The body member can include a third portion connected to the second portion of the body member, wherein the third portion of the body member defines a third portion of the passageway, wherein the third portion of the passageway is configured to receive the fiber optic connector. The first, second and third portions of the body member can be integrally formed. The first and second arm members can be connected to the third portion of the body member. The body member can define a second groove along the first surface of the body member, wherein the second groove is configured to receive a second strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. The first arm member can define a first hook portion at an end thereof and the second arm member can define a second hook portion at an end thereof. The first hook portion may extend toward the second hook portion. The first and second hook portions can be configured to cooperate to secure a position of the fiber optic connector. 
     In another general aspect, this application discloses a fiber optic cable retention system. The system comprises a fiber optic connector, an apparatus which surrounds a first portion of the fiber optic connector, and a crimp ring which surrounds a first portion of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a body member, wherein the body member defines a passageway which surrounds the first portion of the fiber optic connector and a groove along a first surface of the body member. The apparatus also includes a first arm member connected to the body member, and a second arm member connected to the body member and coplanar with the first arm member. At least one of the first and second arm members partially surround a second portion of the fiber optic connector. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the invention are described herein by way of example in conjunction with the following figures. 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate various views of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an optical portion of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1A  according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates first and second strength members of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates various embodiments of a fiber optic cable retention system; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the positioning of a crimp ring of the fiber optic cable retention system of  FIG. 4  over a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  according to various embodiments; 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate various views of an apparatus according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an optical portion of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 6A  according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates first and second strength members of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus of  FIG. 6A  according to various embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates various embodiments of a fiber optic cable retention system; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the positioning of a crimp ring of the fiber optic cable retention system of  FIG. 9  over a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 6A  according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate various views an apparatus  10  according to various embodiments. The apparatus may comprise a portion of a fiber optic cable retention system as described in more detail hereinbelow with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , which is a top view of the apparatus  10 , the apparatus  10  includes a body member  12 , a first arm member  14  connected to the body member  12 , and a second arm member  16  connected to the body member  12 . The apparatus  10  may be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, according to various embodiments, the body member  12  and/or at least one of the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  are fabricated from as plastic (e.g., a thermoplastic). The body member  12 , the first arm member  14  and the second arm member  16  may be formed integral with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , which is a sectional view of the apparatus  10  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 1A , the body member  12  defines a passageway  18  which is configured to receive a rugged fiber optic cable at a first end  20  of the passageway  18  and a fiber optic connector at a second end  22  of the passageway  18 . The body member  12  also defines a groove  24  along a first surface  26  (see  FIG. 1A ) of the body member  12 . The groove  24  is configured to receive a strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. According to various embodiments, the body member  12  may define a second groove  28  along the first surface  26  which is configured to receive another strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. The second groove  28  may be configured the same as or similar to the groove  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , which is a rear view of the apparatus  10 , the second groove  28  may be positioned opposite the first groove  24 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1A , according to various embodiments, the body member  12  comprises a first portion  30 , a second portion  32  connected to the first portion  30 , and a third portion  34  connected to the second portion  32 . The first, second and third portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  of the body member  12  may be formed integral with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the first portion  30  of the body member  12  defines a first portion  36  of the passageway  18 , and the first portion  36  of the passageway  18  is configured to receive the rugged fiber optic cable. The first portion  30  of the body member  12  also defines the groove  24 , and according to various embodiments, also defines the second groove  28 . The second portion  32  of the body member  12  defines a second portion  38  of the passageway  18 . The third portion  34  of the body member  12  defines a third portion  40  of the passageway  18 , and the third portion  40  of the passageway  18  is configured to receive the fiber optic connector. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1A , the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  are connected to the third portion  34  of the body member  12 , and are configured to receive the fiber optic connector therebetween. The first arm member  14  defines a first hook portion  42  at an end thereof. The second arm member  16  defines a second hook portion  44  at an end thereof. The first hook portion  42  extends toward the second hook portion  44 . Thus, a distance between the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  is smallest between the first and second hook portions  42 , 44 . The first and second hook portions  42 , 44  are positioned opposite one another and are configured to cooperate to secure a position of the fiber optic connector when the fiber optic connector is received between the first and second arm members  14 ,  16 . By comparing  FIG. 1C  (which is a rear view of the apparatus  10 ) and  FIG. 1D  (which is a front view of the apparatus  10 ), it is apparent that the orientation of the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  is rotated approximately ninety degrees from the orientation of the first and second grooves  24 ,  28 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an optical portion  50  of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1A  according to various embodiments. The optical portion  50  is received in the first portion  36  of the passageway  18  of the apparatus  10 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates a fiber optic connector  52  positioned between the first and second arm members  14 ,  16 . The fiber optic connector  52  may be any suitable type of connector (e.g., SC, LC, MT, ST, etc.), According to various embodiments, the fiber optic connector  52  may include a first tab  54  which cooperates with the first hook portion  42  of the first arm member  14  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  52  with respect to the apparatus  10 . The fiber optic connector  52  may also include a second tab  56  which cooperates with the second hook portion  44  of the second arm member  16  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  52  with respect to the apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates various other portions (i.e., first and second strength members  58 ,  60 ) of a rugged fiber optic cable connected to the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1A  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first and second strength members  58 ,  60  of the rugged fiber optic cable are respectively seated in the first and second grooves  24 ,  28  of the apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a fiber optic cable retention system  70  according to various embodiments. The system  70  comprises the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1A , a fiber optic connector  72 , and a crimp ring  74 . The fiber optic connector  72  may be any suitable type of connector (e.g., SC, LC, MT, ST, etc.), and may be similar to or identical to the fiber optic connector  52 . In addition to the apparatus  10 , the fiber optic connector  72 , and the crimp ring  74 , the system  70  may also comprise a coupling nut  76  and a shroud  78 . The system  70  may be utilized to configure a rugged fiber optic cable for connection to a receptacle. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the system  70  may further include a cable boot  80  and a protective cap  82 . 
     To utilize the system  70 , according to various embodiments, a rugged fiber optic cable is first passed through the coupling nut  76 , then through the shroud  78 , then through the crimp ring  74 . Once this has taken place, an optical portion of the rugged fiber optic cable is inserted into the first portion  36  of the passageway  18  of the body member  12  of the apparatus  10 , and the first and second strength members  58 ,  60  of the rugged fiber optic cable are respectively seated in the first and second grooves  24 ,  28  of the first portion  30  of the body member  12 . The first groove  24  partially surrounds the first strength member  58 , and the second groove  28  partially surrounds the second strength member  60 . The crimp ring  74  may then be positioned over the first and second strength members  58 ,  60  and the first portion  30  of the body member  12  to secure the position of the rugged fiber optic cable relative to the apparatus  10 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the positioning of the crimp ring  74  over the first and second strength members  58 ,  60  and the first portion  30  of the body member  12  according to various embodiments. 
     Either before, after, or concurrently with one or more of the above-described actions, the fiber optic connector  72  is passed between the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  of the apparatus  10  and is inserted into the third portion  40  of the passageway  18  of the body member  12 . As described previously, first and second tabs of the fiber optic connector  72  may cooperate with the first and second hook portions  42 ,  44  of the first and second arm members  14 ,  16  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  72  relative to the apparatus  10 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention. The apparatus  100  may comprise a portion of a fiber optic cable retention system as described in more detail hereinbelow with respect to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , which is a top view of the apparatus  100 , the apparatus  100  includes a body member  120 , a first arm member  140  connected to the body member  120 , and a second arm member  160  connected to the body member  120 . The apparatus  100  may be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, according to various embodiments, the body member  120  and/or at least one of the first and second arm members  140 ,  160  are fabricated from plastic (e.g., a thermoplastic). The body member  120 , the first arm member  140  and the second arm member  160  may be formed integral with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , which is a sectional view of the apparatus  100  taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 6A , the body member  120  defines a passageway  180  which is configured to receive a rugged fiber optic cable at a first end  200  of the passageway  180  and a fiber optic connector at a second end  220  of the passageway  180 . The body member  120  also defines a groove  240  along a first surface  260  (see  FIG. 6A ) of the body member  120 . The groove  240  is configured to receive a strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. According to various embodiments, the body member  120  may define a second groove  280  along the first surface  260  which is configured to receive another strength member of the rugged fiber optic cable. The second groove  280  may be configured the same as or similar to the groove  240 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , which is a rear view of the apparatus  100 , the second groove  280  may be positioned opposite the first groove  240 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6A , according to various embodiments, the body member  120  comprises a first portion  300 , a second portion  320  connected to the first portion  300 , and a third portion  340  connected to the second portion  320 . The first, second and third portions  300 ,  320 ,  340  of the body member  120  may be formed integral with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the first portion  300  of the body member  120  defines a first portion  360  of the passageway  180 , and the first portion  360  of the passageway  180  is configured to receive the rugged fiber optic cable. The first portion  300  of the body member  120  also defines the groove  240 , and according to various embodiments, also defines the second groove  280 . The second portion  320  of the body member  120  defines a second portion  380  of the passageway  180 . The third portion  340  of the body member  120  defines a third portion  400  of the passageway  180 , and the third portion  400  of the passageway  180  is configured to receive the fiber optic connector. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 6A and 6D , the first and second arm members  140 ,  160  are connected to the third portion  340  of the body member  120 , and are configured to receive the fiber optic connector therebetween. The first arm member  140  defines a first hook portion  420  at an end thereof. The second arm member  160  defines a second hook portion  440  at an end thereof. The first hook portion  420  extends toward the second hook portion  440 . The first arm member  140  and the second arm member  160  are coplanar. The first hook portion  420  and the second hook portion  440  are also coplanar. Thus, a distance between the first and second arm members  140 ,  160  is smallest between the first and second hook portions  420 ,  440 . The first and second hook portions  420 ,  440  are positioned opposite one another and are configured to cooperate to secure a position of the fiber optic connector when the fiber optic connector is received between the first and second arm members  140 ,  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6E , the first portion  300  of the body member  120  defines a first portion  360  of the passageway  180 . The first portion  360  of the passageway  180  is configured to receive the rugged fiber optic cable. The third portion  340  of the body member  120  defines a third portion  400  of the passageway  180 . The third portion  400  of the passageway  180  is configured to receive the fiber optic connector. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an optical portion  500  of a rugged fiber optic cable received by the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 6A  according to various embodiments. The optical portion  500  is received in the first portion  360  of the passageway  180  of the apparatus  100 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates a fiber optic connector  520  positioned between the first and second arm members  140 ,  160 . The fiber optic connector  520  may be any suitable type of connector (e.g., SC, LC, MT, ST, etc.), According to various embodiments, the fiber optic connector  520  may include a first edge  540  which cooperates with the first hook portion  420  of the first arm member  140  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  520  with respect to the apparatus  100 . The fiber optic connector  520  may also include a second edge  560  which cooperates with the second hook portion  440  of the second arm member  160  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  520  with respect to the apparatus  100 . The connector  520  is assembled into the body member  120 . The arm members  140 ,  160  bend outwardly to receive the connector  520 . The connector  520  moves along the sloped hook surface of the hook portion  420  at the end of the arm member  140  and along the sloped hook surface of the hook portion  440  at the end of the arm member  160 . The arm members  140 ,  160  return to the unbent position when the connector  520  is in the inserted position. The underside of the hook portions  420 ,  440  extend over the top edge  521 ,  522  of the connector  520 . The hook portions  420 ,  440  act to lock the connector  520  into the passageway of the body  120 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates various other portions (i.e., first and second strength members  580 ,  600 ) of a rugged fiber optic cable connected to the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 6A  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first and second strength members  580 ,  600  of the rugged fiber optic cable are respectively seated in the first and second grooves  240 ,  280  of the apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded view of a fiber optic cable retention system  700  according to various embodiments. The system  700  comprises the apparatus  100  of  FIG. 6A , a fiber optic connector  720 , and a crimp ring  740 . The fiber optic connector  720  may be any suitable type of connector (e.g., SC, LC, MT, ST, etc.), and may be similar to or identical to the fiber optic connector  520 . In addition to the apparatus  100 , the fiber optic connector  720 , and the crimp ring  740 , the system  700  may also comprise a coupling nut  760  and a shroud  780 . The system  700  may be utilized to configure a rugged fiber optic cable for connection to a receptacle. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the system  700  may further include a cable boot  800  and a protective cap  820 . 
     To utilize the system  700 , according to various embodiments, a rugged fiber optic cable is first passed through the coupling nut  760 , then through the shroud  780 , then through the crimp ring  740 . Once this has taken place, an optical portion of the rugged fiber optic cable is inserted into the first portion  360  of the passageway  180  of the body member  120  of the apparatus  100 , and the first and second strength members  580 ,  600  of the rugged fiber optic cable are respectively seated in the first and second grooves  240 ,  280  of the first portion  300  of the body member  120 . The first groove  240  partially surrounds the first strength member  580 , and the second groove  280  partially surrounds the second strength member  600 . The crimp ring  740  may then be positioned over the first and second strength members  580 ,  600  and the first portion  300  of the body member  120  to secure the position of the rugged fiber optic cable relative to the apparatus  100 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the positioning of the crimp ring  740  over the first and second strength members  580 ,  600  and the first portion  300  of the body member  120  according to various embodiments. 
     Either before, after, or concurrently with one or more of the above-described actions, the fiber optic connector  720  is passed between the first and second arm members  140 ,  160  of the apparatus  100  and is inserted into the third portion  400  of the passageway  180  of the body member  120 . As described previously, first and second edges  721 ,  722  of the fiber optic connector  720  may cooperate with the first and second hook portions  420 ,  440  of the first and second arm members  140 ,  160  to secure the position of the fiber optic connector  720  relative to the apparatus  100 . 
     While several embodiments of the invention have been described herein by way of example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations to the described embodiments may be realized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.