Patent Abstract:
A device used to secure a section of cable while one or more fiber is broken out from the cable. The device includes spaced apart clamp assemblies that hold a cable during the splicing process to protect the fairly delicate fibers within the sheathing. The disclosure also relates to a method of splicing using a clamp assembly.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/975,370 filed on Oct. 17, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    A device and method used to hold a section of cable while the content within the cable is accessed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fiber distribution cables are commonly used to connect a central office or hub to a number of end subscribers. A typical fiber distribution cable houses a large number of separate fibers, which are broken out along the length of the cable and connected to the end subscribers via secondary cables (e.g., drop cables, stub cables, etc.). 
         [0004]    The individual or group of fibers can be broken out from the distribution cables in the field or before the cable leaves the factory. The present invention provides a device and method for breaking out fibers from a main distribution cable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to a cable holder. The cable holder can be used when splicing a main fiber distribution cable. In particular, the cable holder can be used to secure a section of cable while the outer protective sheathing is cut and select fibers therein are accessed. In some embodiments, select fibers are pulled out of the main cable to create pigtails, which connect to secondary cables (e.g., drop cables, stub cables). In such embodiments, it is desirable to overmold the splice area to protect it from being damaged in the field. The cable holder can be used to safely transport the cable from work station to work station during cable processing. The cable holder can also serves as a jig or fixture during the overmolding process. In such embodiments, the cable holder holds the section of cable in a fixed orientation and protects the section of cable from being damaged or contaminated during the overmolding process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cable holder according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cable holder of  FIG. 1  with a section of cable held in the cable holder; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an assembly view of the cable holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the cable holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the cable holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the cable holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cable holder according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a partially disassembled cable holder of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the cable holder of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The cable holders according to the present disclosure are configured to secure a section of cable, for example, while the protective sheathing of a cable is cut and select fibers therein are accessed, while the section of cable is transported from one location to another, and/or during an overmolding process. The cable holders according to the present disclosure can be configured to hold a section of cable in a fixed orientation and protect it from being damaged (e.g., bent, bumped, contacted, or rotated) and/or contaminated. For example, during overmolding it is generally desirable to prevent the cable from bending and spinning. 
         [0016]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-6 , a cable holder  10  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The cable holder  10  includes an elongated base plate  12  including a first end  14 , an opposed second end  16 , and a mid portion  18  therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, a first clamp assembly  20  is mounted to the first end  14 , and a second clamp assembly  22  is mounted to the second end  16 . Each clamp assembly includes a cable chuck  24  (also referred to herein interchangeably as an insert) configured to secure a section of cable  25  above the base plate  12 . 
         [0017]    The cable chucks  24  of each clamp assembly  20 ,  22  are aligned with each other to support a section of cable  25  in a parallel orientation relative to the elongated base plate  12 .  FIG. 1  depicts the second clamp assembly  22  in the disengaged or unlocked position, and the first clamp assembly  20  in the engaged or locked position. In the depicted embodiment each of the first and second clamp assemblies  20 ,  22  are identical. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the cable holder  10  may include only one clamp assembly or multiple, different clamp assemblies. 
         [0018]    The clamp assemblies  20 ,  22  include an upper clamp portion and a lower clamp portion. In the depicted embodiment, the upper clamp portion consists of a four bar linkage bolted to the base plate  12 , and the lower portion consists of a cable chuck  24  secured to the base plate  12 . The upper portion of the clamp assembly is an over-center lock mechanism that includes a clamp pad  26  configured to press a section of cable  25  into the cable chuck  24 . In the depicted embodiment, the four bar linkage clamp member includes a T-shaped handle  28  that is arranged relative to the connector bar  30 , base bar  32 , and extender  34  such that the upper clamp pad  26  locks in place when the T-shaped handle is in the downward or engaged position as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , and  6 , the upper portion of the clamp assembly  20 ,  22  is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment, the base bar  32  of the linkage is bolted to the base plate  12  via risers  36  and pivotally attached to the lower end of the handle  28  and the lower end of the extender bar  32 . The connector bar  30  pivotally connects the handle  28  and the extender bar  34  above the lower ends and below the upper ends of the handle  28  and extender bar  34 . The upper end of the extender bar  34  supports the clamp pad  26 . In the depicted embodiment, the location of the clamp pad  26  relative to the extender bar  34  is adjustable. The extender bar  34  includes a slot  38  through which a bolt  40  extends to connect the clamp pad  26  to the extender bar  34  (see  FIG. 2 ). In the depicted embodiment, the clamp pad  26  is X-shaped and includes a resilient material  42  (e.g., foam, rubber, plastic, etc.) on its bottom surface. The resilient material  42  is configured to engage the top surface of a section of cable  25 . 
         [0020]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , and  6 , the lower portion of the clamp assembly  20 ,  22  is described in greater detail. The lower portion generally consists of the cable chuck  24  secured to the base plate  12 . In the depicted embodiment, cable chuck  24  is configured to be interchanged depending on the diameter of the section of cable  25 . In the depicted embodiment the cable chuck  24  is held to the base plate  12  via a pair of arms  44 ,  46  and a stopper  48 . The pair of arms  44 ,  46 , and stopper  48  allow the cable chuck to be easily engaged and disengaged from the base plate  12 . In particular, they engage the base of the cable chuck and allow the cable chuck  24  to slide into engagement with the base plate  12 . The front arm  44  includes a lock member  50  that interlocks with a groove  52  to secure the cable chuck in place. In some embodiments the lock member  50  is a threaded set screw, and in other embodiments it is a spring loaded boss member. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cable chuck  24  (insert) is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the cable chuck  24  includes two opposed, generally parallel walls  52 ,  54  that extend from a base member  58 . The walls  52 ,  54  are separated by a space that generally correlates with the diameter of the section of cable  25 . In the depicted embodiment the base member  58  includes a resilient material  60  that is configured to support the bottom surface of the section of cable  25 . In some embodiments the height of the walls  52 ,  54  is less than the distance between the resilient material  60  of the cable chuck  24  and the resilient material  42  of the clamp pad  26  when the clamp pad  26  is in the locked or engaged position. 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the base plate  12  is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the base plate  12  is generally rectangular in shape and includes a number of apertures  64  therein. The base plate also includes a front lip  66 , a rear lip  68 , and curved over end portions  70 . Optionally, a hood or cover  72  is connected to the base plate  12 . In some embodiments, the cover  72  is generally U-shaped and extends between the clamp assemblies  20 ,  22 . In some cable finishing processes, the cable is coated with epoxy or silicon. During such processes it is generally desirable to protect the section of cable from contact and contamination. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , a second embodiment of the cable holder is shown. The cable holder  80  of the second embodiment is similar to the cable holder  10  of the first embodiment. Some differences relate to the shape of the clamp pads  82  and the shape of the base plate  84 . Other differences relate to the manner in which the upper and lower clamp members are mounted to the base plate  84 . The upper and lower clamp members of the cable holder  80  are mounted to the base plate  84  via mounting blocks  86 . The mounting blocks eliminate the risers  36  shown in the first embodiment. In addition, the mounting blocks  86  provide an alternative quick release means for supporting the cable chuck  88 . Instead of the boss and arms shown in the first embodiment, the base  90  of cable chuck  88  is engaged in channels  92  in the mounting block  86 .  FIG. 7  also depicts cable chuck  94  and cable chuck  96 . Cable chucks  88 ,  94 ,  96  can be of different sizes and configurations. The appropriate cable chuck  88 ,  94 ,  96  can be selected to best fit the specific cable that will be used with the cable holder  80 . 
         [0024]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8