Fiber optic cable assembly for securing a fiber optic cable within an input port of a splice closure

• US 5,745,633 A
• Filed: 12/24/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siecor Technology, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Siecor Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Adams, Charles K., Giebel, Markus A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Application Number:
  US08/773,040
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135-138, 385/76, 385/86, 385/87, 385/100, 385/147, 174/70 R, 174/72 R, 174/77 R, 174/138 F, 174/139, 174/140 R, 156/158
• US Class Current: 385/136
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4428 Penetrator systems in pressure-resistant devices
• 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 6/4454 with splices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44775 Cable seals e.g. feed-through cable seals integrated to the box seals G02B6/4444; pulling eyes G02B6/44465

Abstract

The fiber optic cable assembly secures a fiber optic cable within an input port of a splice closure without extending significantly beyond the walls of the splice closure. In addition to a fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable assembly includes a plug encasing a portion of the fiber optic cable such that the fiber optic cable extends both forwardly from the plug into the splice closure and rearwardly from the plug away from the splice closure. The plug typically has a predetermined shape and size which matches the predetermined shape and size of the input port. Since the end of the input port which opens into the splice closure is partially closed, the plug is retained within the input port and does not extend into the interior cavity defined within the splice closure. In order to further retain the plug within the input port, the fiber optic cable assembly includes a retaining member mounted upon a portion of the fiber optic cable rearward of the plug for operably engaging the opposite end of the input port. The various components of the fiber optic cable assembly are therefore disposed within the input port and do not extend significantly beyond the wall of the splice closure. In addition, the fiber optic cable assembly provides strain relief and torsion relief to the optical fibers due to the secure engagement by the plug of the fiber optic cable.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable assembly for providing a sealed junction within an input port of a splice closure, the fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

a fiber optic cable having an end portion adapted to extend through the input port and into the splice closure;

a plug encasing a portion of said fiber optic cable such that said fiber optic cable extends both forwardly from said plug into the splice closure and rearwardly from said plug away from the splice closure, said plug having a predetermined shape and size such that said plug can be disposed within the input port;

an annular grommet mounted about said fiber optic cable and adjacent said plug, said grommet also having a predetermined shape and size such that said grommet can also be disposed within the input port; and

a retaining member mounted about a portion of said fiber optic cable rearward of said plug for operably engaging the input port of the splice closure such that said grommet, said plug and the portion of said fiber optic cable encased by said plug are securely retained therein.

2. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 1 wherein said fiber optic cable comprises at least one optical fiber disposed within a respective buffer tube, a strength member extending lengthwise along said buffer tube and a protective jacket surrounding said strength member and said buffer tube, and wherein said protective jacket has been removed from the end portion of said fiber optic cable such that said at least one optical fiber and said respective buffer tube extend through the input port and into the splice closure.

3. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 2 wherein said plug encases a portion of said fiber optic cable from which said protective jacket has been removed such that said plug engages said lengthwise extending strength member.

4. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined shape and size of said plug is selected to match the shape and size of an internal cavity defined by the input port.

5. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 1 wherein said plug is comprised of a water impervious material.

6. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 5 wherein said plug is comprised of an epoxy.

7. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 1 wherein said grommet is disposed forward of said plug.

15. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 3 wherein said fiber optic cable comprises at least one optical fiber disposed within a respective buffer tube, a strength member extending lengthwise along said buffer tube and a protective jacket surrounding said strength member and said buffer tube, and wherein protective jacket has been removed from the end portion of said fiber optic cable such that said at least one optical fiber and said respective buffer tube extend through the aperture defined by the first end of said sleeve and into the splice closure.

8. An input port assembly for providing a sealed junction upon the insertion of a fiber optic cable into a splice closure, the input port assembly comprising:

a sleeve mounted within a wall of the splice closure, said sleeve extending between opposed first and second ends, said first and second ends defining respective apertures through which the fiber optic cable extends, wherein the aperture defined by the first end opens into the splice closure and is smaller than the aperture defined by the second end;

a plug encasing a portion of the fiber optic cable such that the fiber optic cable extends both forwardly from said plug into the splice closure and rearwardly from said plug away from the splice closure, said plug disposed within said sleeve and having a predetermined shape and size which is larger than the aperture defined by the first end of said sleeve; and

a retaining member mounted about a portion of the fiber optic cable rearward of said plug for operably engaging the second end of said sleeve such that said plug and the portion of the fiber optic cable encased by said plug are securely retained within the sleeve.

9. An input port assembly according to claim 8 wherein said sleeve defines an internal cavity having a predetermined shape and size, and wherein the predetermined shape and size of said plug is selected to match the predetermined shape and size of the internal cavity defined by said sleeve.

10. An input port assembly according to claim 8 wherein said sleeve further comprises an anchoring member extending outwardly for engaging the wall of the splice closure.

11. An input port assembly according to claim 8 wherein said plug is comprised of a water impervious material.

12. An input port assembly according to claim 11 wherein said plug is comprised of an epoxy.

13. An input port assembly according to claim 8 further comprising an annular grommet mounted about said fiber optic cable and adjacent said plug, said grommet also having a predetermined shape and size such that said grommet can be disposed within said sleeve.

14. A fiber optic cable assembly for providing a sealed junction upon insertion into a splice closure, the fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

a sleeve mounted within a wall of the splice closure, said sleeve extending between opposed first and second ends, said first and second ends defining respective apertures, wherein the aperture defined by the first end opens into the splice closure and is smaller than the aperture defined by the second end;

a fiber optic cable having an end portion extending through the respective apertures defined by the first and second ends of said sleeve and into the splice closure;

a plug encasing a portion of said fiber optic cable such that said fiber optic cable extends both forwardly from said plug into the splice closure and rearwardly from said plug away from the splice closure, said plug disposed within said sleeve and having a predetermined shape and size which is larger than the aperture defined by the first end of said sleeve;

an annular grommet mounted about said fiber optic cable and disposed within said sleeve adjacent said plug; and

a retaining member mounted about a portion of said fiber optic cable rearward of said plug for operably engaging the second end of said sleeve such that said grommet, said plug and the portion of said fiber optic cable encased by said plug are securely retained within said sleeve.

16. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 14 wherein said plug encases a portion of said fiber optic cable from which said protective jacket has been removed such that said plug engages said lengthwise extending strength member.

17. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 14 wherein said sleeve defines an internal cavity having a predetermined shape and size, and wherein the predetermined shape and size of said plug is selected to match the predetermined shape and size of the internal cavity defined by said sleeve.

18. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 14 wherein said sleeve further comprises an anchoring member extending outwardly for engaging the wall of the splice closure.

19. A fiber optic cable assembly according to claim 14 wherein said grommet is disposed forward of said plug.