FIBER OPTIC CABLE ASSEMBLIES WITH FURCATION BODIES HAVING FEATURES FOR MANUFACTURING AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20100202740A1
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Klavuhn, Tory A., Dean, David L. JR., Barlowe, Edward K., Walters, Jeffery M., Cooke, Terry L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,290,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

Fiber optic cable assemblies having furcation bodies with features that are advantageous for manufacturing are disclosed along with methods of making the same. The furcation body include at least one anti-rotation feature for mounting the furcation body and a viewing portion and/or weep hole. The viewing portion is advantageous since it allows the observation during filling of the cavity with an epoxy, adhesive, or the like to strain relieve components of the fiber optic cable assembly within the furcation body. Simply stated, the viewing portion is translucent or clear for observing the filling of the furcation body and detecting if an air bubbles/air pockets are formed so that they can be reduced and/or eliminated. The furcation body may also have a weep hole for allowing air bubbles/air pockets to escape. Additionally, the furcation body of the fiber optic cable assembly may be secured within a clip or other suitable structure for mounting the same.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

a cable having a furcation body with at least one viewing portion, wherein the furcation body has at least one anti-rotation feature for mounting the furcation body.

2. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one viewing portion is molded into the furcation body.

3. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the furcation body includes an end cap.

4. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 3, wherein the end cap is translucent or clear.

5. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the furcation body includes at least one weep hole.

6. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the furcation body is secured within a clip.

7. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip has one or more attachment features disposed on a bottom surface for mounting the clip;

and

a cover that attaches to a portion of the clip for securing a portion of the furcation plug within a cavity of the clip.

8. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the one or more attachment features being a keyhole member.

9. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the cover being attached to the clip with a living hinge.

10. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the clip further including at least one catch on the bottom surface of the clip for securing the clip when mounted.

11. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the clip further including one or more guide arms.

12. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip can secure more than one fiber optic cable assembly.

13. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the cover slides or snaps onto the clip.

14. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the clip including a cover latch for securing the cover.

15. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, the clip further including a cutout disposed between a first cover latch and a second cover latch.

16. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip is secured in a furcation management structure.

17. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the clip is secured in a furcation management structure, the furcation management structure having an aperture that allows mounting of the clip two different orientations.

18. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6 being a portion of an assembly having a plurality of clips for securing a plurality of fiber optic cable assemblies.

19. A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

a cable having a furcation body with at least one weep hole, wherein the furcation body has at least one anti-rotation feature for mounting the furcation body.

20. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 19, wherein the furcation body includes at least one viewing portion.

21. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one translucent viewing portion is molded into the furcation body.

22. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 20, wherein the furcation body includes an end cap.

23. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 22, wherein the end cap is translucent or clear.

24. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 19, wherein the furcation body is secured within a clip.

25. A method of making a fiber optic cable assembly comprising the steps of:

providing a fiber optic cable for making a fiber optic cable assembly;

providing a furcation body having at least one viewing portion and at least one anti-rotation feature for securing the furcation body;

furcating the fiber optic cable within the furcation body; and

filling the furcation body with an epoxy or adhesive.

26. The method of claim 25, further including the step of providing a clip for securing the furcation body.

27. The method of claim 26, further including the step of securing the clip within a connector housing.