Patent ID: 12206229

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to telecommunication enclosure configurations adapted for facilitating optical splicing between fiber optic cables. In certain examples, optical splicing between optical fibers of optical cables can be used for providing cable repairs, for splicing branch fibers (e.g. drop fibers) to optical fibers of a distribution cable, or the like. In certain examples, the enclosure provides a variety of internal functions such as cable anchoring, maintaining shield continuity between cables connected to opposite ends of the enclosure, fiber management, splice securement, protection and positioning, and other functions. Enclosures in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure preferably are environmentally sealed and re-enterable. In certain examples, enclosures in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can be used to repair a broken optical fiber of a cable routed through the enclosure by splicing a length of optical fiber between the ends of the broken fiber to provide a bridge across the broken section of the optical fiber.

FIGS.1-6depict a telecommunication enclosure20in accordance of the principles of the present disclosure. The enclosure20includes an elongate housing22having a length L1that extends from a first end24to a second end26. The first and second ends24,26each define cable sealing ports28for allowing cables to be routed into an interior39of the housing22. In certain examples, the cable sealing ports28include a sealant such as sealing gel for providing sealing around the cables routed into the interior39of the housing22and for sealing the ends24,26of the housing22. The housing22also includes first and second opposite sides30,32that extend along the length L1of the housing22between the first and second ends24,26. The housing22includes first and second housing sections34,36that cooperate to enclose the interior of the housing22. In the depicted example, the first and second housing sections34,36are housing half sections that each define half of the housing22and that each extend from the first end24to the second end26of the housing22. The first and second housing sections34,36meet at parallel seal locations38positioned at the first and second sides30,32of the housing22. The parallel seal locations38extend along the length L1of the housing22from the first end24to the second end26. The first and second housing sections34,36are separable from one another to allow the interior39of the housing22to be accessed.

The enclosure20also includes a plurality of latches40positioned along each of the first and second sides30,32for latching the first and second housing sections34,36together. In certain examples, latches40can bias and clamp the first and second housing sections34,36together and can compress the seal locations38to ensure effective sealing between the housing sections34,36.

In certain examples, the first housing section34and the second housing36can each have a plastic construction can be molded as a single unitary piece. In other examples, the first housing section34and the second housing section36can each be formed by a plurality of housing pieces secured (e.g. welded) together. In the depicted example, the first housing section34is formed by housing pieces34A,34B that are welded together end-to-end, and the second housing section36is formed by housing pieces36A,36B that are welded together end-to-end.

Referring toFIGS.4-6, the enclosure20also includes an internal bracket arrangement42including first and second brackets44A,44B positioned within the interior of39of the housing22. The first and second brackets44A,44B each have a length L2that extends along the length L1of the housing22. The brackets44A,44B are positioned in end-to-end arrangement. Each of the brackets44A,44B also includes a width W that is transversely aligned with respect to the length L1and that extends between the first and second sides30,32of the housing22. The first bracket44A includes a first splice holder mounting platform46A having a length L3(seeFIG.9) that extends along a majority of the length L2of the first bracket44A. The first bracket44A also includes a first cable anchoring location48A positioned adjacent the first end24of the housing22. The second bracket44B includes a second splice holder mounting platform46B having a length L3that extends along a majority of the length L2of the second bracket44B. The second bracket44B also includes a second cable anchoring location48B positioned adjacent the second end26of the housing22.

The enclosure20further includes a plurality of splice holder modules50each being selectively mountable at a plurality of different locations along the lengths L3of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. The ability to mount the splice holder modules at different locations along the lengths L3of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B allows the system to better accommodate optical cables having optical fibers with different lengths. For longer optical fibers, the splice holder modules50can be mounted closer to a mid-region of the length L1of the housing22. In contrast, for shorter optical fibers, the splice holder modules can be mounted closer to the ends24,26of the housing22. In certain examples, the length L3are at least 25 centimeters, or at least 30 centimeters to provide a relatively large length over which the splice holder modules50can be mounted. In certain examples, the splice holder modules50are secured to the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B by adhesive. In certain examples, the splice holder modules50can each hold a plurality of splice sleeves each configured for reinforcing an optical splice. A typical fiber optic splice sleeve includes a reinforcing rod for reinforcing a splice location, and an adhesive filled heat shrinkable layer that is formed over the splice location with the reinforcing rod contained therein. In other examples, splice holder modules can be configured for holding mass fusion splices or other types of splices.

It will be appreciated that because the splice holder modules50are secured to the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B by adhesive, the splice holder modules50can be positioned at an infinite number of different positions along the length L3of each of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. Further, the splice holder modules50can also be mounted at different locations across the width W of each of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. In certain examples, it will further be appreciated that no specific pre-defined individual splice holder mounting locations are defined by the first and second splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. Instead, the splice holder modules50can be mounted virtually anywhere on the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B at the discretion of the installer based on the splicing conditions corresponding to a specific field splice.

Referring toFIGS.9-14, the first and second brackets44A,44B each include a pair of sidewalls52that extend along the length L3of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. The sidewalls52are separated by the width W of the first and second brackets44A,44B and project upwardly from the first and second splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. The first and second mounting brackets44A,44B further include lips54at upper ends of the sidewalls52that overhang the first and second splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B adjacent the sides30,32of the housing22.

Referring toFIG.13, each of the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B includes integrated cable tie-down tabs56positioned at opposite ends of the length L3of the first splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B. The cable tie-down tabs56are generally T-shaped and are configured for allowing cable or optical fiber to be secured to the platforms46A,46B by a cable tie or other type of structure. In the depicted example, the cable tie-down tabs56are unitarily formed with the platforms46A,46B and can be formed by a punching process.

In certain examples, the length L1of the housing22is equal to or greater than 75 centimeters. In certain examples, the lengths L3are equal to or greater than 25 centimeters, or equal to or greater than 30 centimeters.

Referring toFIGS.7and7A, the first and second cable anchoring locations48A,48B can include electrical ground connection locations60for electrically connecting cable shields or grounding cables to the first and second brackets44A,44B. It will be appreciated, that the brackets44A,44B are preferably constructed of a material that is electrically conductive such as a metal material. Therefore, the brackets44A,44B can be used to provide ground continuity through the length L1of the housing22between cable sections routed through opposite ends24,26of the housing22. In certain examples, the electrical ground connection locations60can each include a fastener61such as a screw or bolt secured within an opening (e.g. a threaded opening) defined at the cable anchoring locations48A,48B. In certain examples, the electrical ground connection locations60can also include electrical contact plates63mounted on the fasteners61.

For the brackets44A,44B to provide ground continuity through the length of the housing22, it is preferred for the brackets44A,44B to be electrically connected together. For example, an electrical wire65(seeFIG.4) can be used to electrically connect the first and second brackets44A,44B together. The electrical wire65can traverse an axial gap defined between ends of the brackets44A,44B. In certain examples, the ends of the brackets44A,44B can include ground continuity tabs67for electrically connecting the electrical wires65to the brackets44A,44B. The ground continuity tabs67can define openings for receiving fasteners68(e.g. threaded fasteners threaded within threaded openings defined by the ground continuity tabs67) which secure and electrically connect the electrical wires65to the brackets44A,44B.

Referring toFIGS.9-14, the brackets44A,44B include lower platforms70A,70B connected to the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B by angled steps72A,72B. The brackets44A,44B extend lengthwise between first and second ends74,76. The lower platforms70A,70B are located at the first ends74of the brackets44A,44B and the splice holder platforms46A,46B extend from the angled steps72A,72B to the second ends76of the brackets44A,44B. The brackets44A,44B each include first and second mounting tabs78,80for fastening the mounting brackets44A,44B to the housing section36via fasteners such as screws or bolts. The mounting tabs78,80each have angled configurations with stand-off portions82and attachment portions84that project outwardly from lower ends of the stand-off portions82. The attachment portions84preferably define fastener opening for receiving fasteners such as screws used to secure the brackets44A,44B to the first housing section34. The stand-off portions82of the first mounting tabs78project downwardly from the splice holder mounting platforms46A,46B and the stand-off portions82of the second mounting tabs80project downwardly from the lower platforms70A,70B.

The cable anchoring locations48A,48B of the brackets44A,44B are defined by cable anchoring tabs90having angled configurations with stand-off portions92that project upwardly from the lower platforms70A,70B and cable attachment portions94that project outwardly from upper ends of the stand-off portions92. In certain examples, the cable attachment portions94provide locations where cables96(seeFIGS.7and7A) can be secured to the brackets44A,44B by fasteners such as hose clamps98. In certain examples, the cable attachment portions94can define the openings59for receiving the fasteners61that define the electrical ground connection locations60.