Shield bond strain connector for fiber optic closure

• US 5,617,501 A
• Filed: 03/31/1995
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Schroeder, Ellwyn J., Miller, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Application Number:
  US08/414,181
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135, 385/136, 385/134, 385/137, 439/98, 439/99, 439/391, 439/411, 439/423, 439/435, 439/623, 174/78, 174/88 R
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4442 Cap coupling boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps

Abstract

A shield bond strain connector for a cable which has strength members therein, such as a fiber optic telecommunications cable having an outer jacket surrounding the strength members and optical fibers, the connector having (i) an inner clamping element positioned against an inner surface of the cable jacket, with a first mounting bolt attached to the inner clamping element, and a prong formed along an end of the inner clamping element, (ii) an outer clamping element positioned against an outer surface of the cable jacket, having a hole therein receiving the first mounting bolt, and being forcibly urged against the cable jacket toward the inner clamping element, (iii) a clamping plate having a second mounting bolt thereon, and (iv) a shield bond extension element having first, second and third holes therein, the first hole receiving the first mounting bolt, the second hole receiving the prong, affixing the extension element to the inner and outer clamping elements, while the third hole receives the second mounting bolt, securely fastening the strength members between the clamping plate and the extension element. The first mounting bolt extends the same direction as the second mounting bolt. The extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements, with the first hole being formed in the narrowed end portion. A flange formed on the clamping plate provides a positive stop and a friction fit with the top edge of the shield bond extension element. Each of these elements is preferably formed of a metallic material, such as tin-plated brass. The connector extends the shield bond and provides strain relief to the strength members located within the cable jacket.

Claims

1. A shield bond strain connector for use with a cable jacket connector and a cable having strength members, the shield bond strain connector comprising:

a clamping plate having a mounting bolt attached thereto; and

a shield bond extension element having first, second and third holes therein, said first hole positioned to receive a mounting bolt of the cable jacket connector, and said second hole positioned to receive a prong of the cable jacket connector, such that said extension element is affixed to the cable jacket connector when the mounting bolt thereof is engaged in said first hole and when the prong thereof is engaged in said second hole, said third hole further being positioned to receive said mounting bolt of said clamping plate such that the strength members of the cable may be securely fastened between said clamping plate and said extension element.

2. The shield bond strain connector of claim 1 wherein said extension element and said clamping plate are formed of a metallic material.

3. The shield bond strain connector of claim 2 wherein said metallic material is brass.

4. The shield bond strain connector of claim 1 wherein:

the cable jacket connector includes inner and outer clamping elements, the mounting bolt thereof being formed on the inner clamping element and sized to pass through a hole in the outer clamping element; and

said extension element is flat and is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements of the cable jacket connector when the mounting bolt thereof is engaged in said first hole and when the prong thereof is engaged in said second hole.

5. The shield bond strain connector of claim 4 wherein said mounting bolt of said clamping plate extends the same direction as the mounting bolt of the inner clamping element when said extension element is affixed to the cable jacket connector and said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

6. The shield bond strain connector of claim 4 wherein said extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements of the cable jacket connector.

7. The shield bond strain connector of claim 4 further comprising flange means formed on said clamping plate for providing a friction fit with said shield bond extension when said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

8. The shield bond strain connector of claim 7 wherein said extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements of the cable jacket connector.

9. The shield bond strain connector of claim 8 wherein said mounting bolt of said clamping plate extends the same direction as the mounting bolt of the inner clamping element when said extension element is affixed to the cable jacket connector and said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

10. The shield bond strain connector of claim 1 further comprising flange means formed on said clamping plate for providing a friction fit with said shield bond extension element when said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

11. An article for securing a portion of a cable jacket to a support member, the article including an inner clamping element, an outer clamping element, means for forcibly securing the inner clamping element to the outer clamping element with the portion of the cable jacket interposed therebetween, and means for attaching the inner and outer clamping elements to the support member, the inner and outer clamping elements together forming a shield bond, the improvement comprising means for extending the shield bond and for providing strain relief to strength members located within the cable jacket, including:

a clamping plate having a mounting bolt attached thereto; and

a shield bond extension element having first, second and third holes therein, said first hole positioned to receive a mounting bolt attached to the inner clamping element, and said second hole positioned to receive a prong on the inner clamping element, such that said extension element is affixed to the inner clamping element when the mounting bolt thereof is engaged in said first hole and when the prong thereof is engaged in said second hole, said third hole further being positioned to receive said mounting bolt of said clamping plate such that the strength members may be securely fastened between said clamping plate and said extension element.

12. The article of claim 11 further comprising flange means formed on said clamping plate for providing a positive stop against said shield bond extension element when said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

13. The article of claim 12 wherein:

said mounting bolt of said clamping plate extends the same direction as the mounting bolt of the inner clamping element when said extension element is affixed to the inner clamping element and said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element; and

said extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements.

14. The article of claim 11 wherein said mounting bolt of said clamping plate extends the same direction as the mounting bolt of the inner clamping element when said extension element is affixed to the inner clamping element and said mounting bolt of said clamping plate is engaged in said third hole of said extension element.

15. The article of claim 11 wherein said extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements.

16. An enclosed cable termination comprising:

a cable having a plurality of optical fibers, a cable jacket surrounding said fibers, and at least one strength member within said cable jacket;

a closure having a support member therein; and

a shield bond strain connector including

an inner clamping element positioned against an inner surface of said cable jacket, having a first mounting bolt, and having a prong formed along an end thereof,

an outer clamping element positioned against an outer surface of said cable jacket, having a hole therein receiving said first mounting bolt, and being forcibly urged against said cable jacket toward said inner clamping element, said first mounting bolt being secured to said support member,

a clamping plate having a second mounting bolt thereon, and

a shield bond extension element having first, second and third holes therein, said first hole receiving said first mounting bolt, said second hole receiving said prong, affixing said extension element to said inner and outer clamping elements, and said third hole receiving said second mounting bolt, securely fastening the strength member between said clamping plate and said extension element.

17. The cable termination of claim 16 further comprising flange means formed on said clamping plate providing a positive stop against said shield bond extension element.

18. The cable termination of claim 16 wherein said first mounting bolt extends the same direction as said second mounting bolt.

19. The cable termination of claim 16 wherein said extension element has a narrowed end portion which is interposed between the inner and outer clamping elements, said first hole being formed in said narrowed end portion.