Preconnectorized optical splice closure

• US 5,042,901 A
• Filed: 07/31/1990
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siecor Technology, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Siecor Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zimmer, Rainer M., Merriken, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US07/560,202
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22, 350/96.23
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3816 for use under water, high pressure connectors provisionally see G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/444 Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44465 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00

Abstract

A watertight fiber optic splice closure has a passage in an end wall which is closed by a plug. A preconnectorized optical connector sleeve is mounted to be accessible from the passage, so that an outside optical fiber may be connected to a drop fiber without dismantling the closure.

Claims

1. A fiber optic splice closure comprising:

(a) a watertight container comprising a first exterior wall having a passage therein;

(b) a removable plug for the passage in the first exterior wall;

(c) a fiber optic splice tray in the container;

(d) a first optical fiber mounted to the splice tray;

(e) a first optical connector connected to the first optical fiber; and

,

(f) connection means for physically connecting the first optical connector with the first exterior wall, whereby, after removal of the plug, a second optical connector may be at least partially inserted through the passage in the first exterior wall and optically connected to the first optical connector.

2. A fiber optic splice closure as recited in claim 1, the connection means comprising an optical connector sleeve mounted to the first optical connector.

3. A fiber optic splice closure as recited in claim 2, the connection means further comprising a housing having a passage therein mounted to the first optical connector sleeve.

4. A fiber optic splice closure as recited in claim 3, the connection means further comprising blocking flanges on the housing and the first exterior wall.