CONDUCTOR SPOOL AND OPTICAL FIBER / ELECTRICAL COMPOSITE CABLE WITH CONDUCTOR SPOOL ASSEMBLY

• US 20140367163A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: ISLAM, Nahid
• Granted Patent: US 9,790,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/70.R
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/08 of circular or polygonal cross-section cans or receptacles B65H75/16
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/18 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/50 Methods of making reels, bobbins, cop tubes, or the like by working an unspecified material, or several materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4447 with divided shells G02B6/4448 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4448 Electro-optic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4457 Bobbins; Reels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4472 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A conductor spool with a frame is provided with a plurality of first fingers, the first fingers and the frame defining a first spool surface. The frame is provided with an entry slot and an exit slot, a retainer gasket coupled to the frame proximate each of the entry slot and the exit slot. A cover is seated upon the frame, the cover enclosing the first spool surface. The conductor spool may be included in a wire harness and conductor spool assembly, the conductor spool seated upon a conductor lead furcated from a composite cable including at least one optical and at least one electrical conductor.

Claims

1. A conductor spool assembly, comprising:

a frame provided with a plurality of first fingers, the first fingers and the frame defining a first spool surface;

the frame provided with an entry slot and an exit slot;

a retainer gasket coupled to the frame proximate each of the entry slot and the exit slot; and

a cover seated upon the frame, the cover enclosing the first spool surface.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein ends of the first fingers are provided with hooks, the hooks defining an outer edge of the first spool surface.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein a mold release aperture is provided in the frame opposite each hook.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fingers are provided along an inner diameter of the first spool surface and an outer diameter of the first spool surface.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first spool is provided on a first side of the frame and a second spool surface is provided on a second side of the frame.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the second spool surface is defined by a plurality of second fingers;

the first fingers and the second fingers extending from the frame, along a common extension axis with respect to the frame, at positions spaced apart from one another such that the first fingers and the second fingers do not overlap one another along the extension axis.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover seats within cover slots provided in the frame.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the frame has an entry end and a stop end;

the entry end provided with an outer diameter dimensioned to receive the cover there over and the stop end dimensioned to provide a stop surface for the cover, the stop surface inhibiting further travel of the cover within the cover slots.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the frame has a stop aperture and a stop pin inserted into the stop aperture;

whereby the stop pin inhibits movement of the cover along the cover slots.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer gasket has a dumbbell profile dimensioned to seat in a boss proximate each of the entry and the exit slots;

each of the retainer gaskets retained against the respective boss by a fastener.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover has a c-shape with an ovaloid cross-section.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one interconnection aperture in the frame, the interconnection aperture dimensioned to receive a mounting fastener for coupling the cable spool to a desired location.

13. A method for manufacturing a cable spool, comprising:

injection molding a frame provided with a plurality of first fingers, the first fingers and the frame defining a first spool surface;

the frame provided with an entry slot and an exit slot;

providing a retainer gasket proximate each of the entry slot and the exit slot; and

seating a cover upon the frame, the cover enclosing the first spool surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the injection molding of the frame is performed with a two part mold.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cover is a portion of sheet metal.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first spool surface is provided on a first side of the frame and a second spool surface is provided by a plurality of second fingers on a second side of the frame;

the first fingers and the second fingers extending from the frame, along a common extension axis with respect to the frame, at positions spaced apart from one another such that the first fingers and the second fingers do not overlap one another along the extension axis.

17. A wire harness and conductor spool assembly, comprising:

a composite cable including a first conductor and a second conductor;

a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead furcated from the composite cable; and

a conductor spool seated along the first conductor lead;

the first conductor passing through the composite cable and the first conductor lead without a conductor splice or intermediate interconnection.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the conductor spool further comprises:

a frame provided with a plurality of first fingers, the first fingers and the frame defining a first spool surface;

the frame provided with an entry slot and an exit slot;

a retainer gasket coupled to the frame proximate each of the entry slot and the exit slot; and

a cover seated upon the frame, the cover enclosing the first spool surface.

19. The assembly of claim 18, the first spool surface is provided on a first side of the frame and a second spool surface is provided on a second side of the frame;

the first conductor lead seated within the first spool surface and the second conductor lead seated within the second spool surface.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover seats within cover slots provided in the frame;

the frame provided with an entry end and a stop end;

the entry end provided with an outer diameter dimensioned to receive the cover there over and the stop end dimensioned to provide a stop surface for the cover, the stop surface inhibiting further travel of the cover within the cover slots.