Fiber optic cable system including main and drop cables and associated fabrication method
First Claim
1. A fiber optic cable splice closure of the type for joining a fiber optic main cable to a fiber optic drop cable, the fiber optic main cable comprising a buffer tube having an opening at a first location, and at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending through the opening at the first location, the fiber optic drop cable having an end secured to the main cable at a second location downstream from the first location, the fiber optic drop cable comprising at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending outwardly from the end of said drop cable, the end portion of the at least one optical fiber of the drop cable being spliced together with an end portion of the at least one optical fiber of said main cable thereby defining at least one spliced together fiber portion, said splice closure comprising:
- fiber guide means adapted for extending adjacent the main cable between the first and second locations and for guiding the at least one spliced together fiber portion adjacent the main cable in a generally longitudinal direction devoid of a slack coil of optical fiber, said fiber guide means comprising;
an elongate tube having a logitudinally extending slot therein adapted for receiving therein the spliced together fiber potions, and tube securing means adapted for securing said elongate tube to the main cable; and
a housing surrounding the main cable and said fiber guide means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic cable system, such as a preterminated fiber cable, includes a main cable and one or more drop cables connected to the main cable at spaced apart locations along the main cable. The drop cable is spliced to the main cable using a splice closure including a fiber guide that secures spliced together end portions of the respective fibers in a longitudinally extending direction and devoid of any slack coils of optical fibers. Accordingly, the overall diameter of the splice closure is relatively small thereby permitting the cable system to be stored on a reel and to be readily placed within small diameter conduits. The splice closure includes a heat recoverable housing surrounding the fiber guide. Cable sheath end portions are sealed by melting C-shaped bodies of heat flowable material positioned adjacent cable sheath end portions.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A fiber optic cable splice closure of the type for joining a fiber optic main cable to a fiber optic drop cable, the fiber optic main cable comprising a buffer tube having an opening at a first location, and at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending through the opening at the first location, the fiber optic drop cable having an end secured to the main cable at a second location downstream from the first location, the fiber optic drop cable comprising at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending outwardly from the end of said drop cable, the end portion of the at least one optical fiber of the drop cable being spliced together with an end portion of the at least one optical fiber of said main cable thereby defining at least one spliced together fiber portion, said splice closure comprising:
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fiber guide means adapted for extending adjacent the main cable between the first and second locations and for guiding the at least one spliced together fiber portion adjacent the main cable in a generally longitudinal direction devoid of a slack coil of optical fiber, said fiber guide means comprising; an elongate tube having a logitudinally extending slot therein adapted for receiving therein the spliced together fiber potions, and tube securing means adapted for securing said elongate tube to the main cable; and a housing surrounding the main cable and said fiber guide means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fiber optic cable splice closure of the type for joining a fiber optic main cable to a fiber optic drop cable, the fiber optic main cable comprising an outer sheath surrounding the one or more buffer tubes, wherein a longitudinally extending portion of the sheath is removed from the main cable and defines first and second cable sheath end portions adjacent respective first and second locations along the main cable, at least one such buffer tube having an opening at a first location, and at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending through the opening at the first location, the fiber optic drop cable having an end secured to the main cable at a second location downstream from the first location, the fiber optic drop cable comprising at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending outwardly from the end of said drop cable, the end portion of the at least one optical fiber of the drop cable being spliced together with an end portion of the at least one optical fiber of said main cable thereby defining at least one spliced together fiber portion, said splice closure comprising:
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fiber guide means adapted for extending adjacent the main cable between the first and second locations and for guiding the at least one spliced together fiber portion adjacent the main cable in a generally longitudinal direction devoid of a slack coil of optical fiber; and a housing surrounding the main cable and said fiber guide means, said housing including a heat recoverable material and a heat shield layer underlying said heat recoverable material for protecting said fiber guide means when heating said housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification