Patent ID: 7393148

Claim:
A splice enclosure assembly for enclosing a splice between first and second fiber optic cables, the first and second fiber optic cables each having a jacket and an elongate optical fiber and at least one flexible, elongate strength member extending through the jacket, the splice enclosure assembly comprising: a) an elongate bridge member having first and second opposed ends, the bridge member defining a channel extending axially between the first and second ends and including: an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends and having an intermediate portion of the channel defined therein, wherein the bridge member is configured to receive the first and second fiber optic cables in the channel such that the splice is disposed in the intermediate portion of the channel; and first and second strain relief coupling structures located on opposed sides of the intermediate portion, wherein the first and second strain relief coupling structures are configured to engage and secure the strength members of the first and second fiber optic cables to the bridge member and thereby mechanically couple the first and second fiber optic cables to one another and to the bridge member; and b) an elongate cover member configured to surround the bridge member, the first and second fiber optic cables and the splice when the first and second fiber optic cables are disposed in the channel and the strength members of the first and second fiber optic cables are engaged with the first and second strain relief coupling structures; wherein the first and second strain relief coupling structures each include a plurality of teeth defining a plurality of slots configured to receive portions of the strength members of the first and second fiber optic cables when the strength members of the first and second fiber optic cables are wound about the bridge member; and wherein the bridge member is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and defines an axially extending opening in communication with the channel.