Gel-filled closure

• US 5,828,005 A
• Filed: 10/30/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Raychem Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Huynh-Ba, Thai, Yaworski, Harry, Bontatibus, Michael J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N.
• Application Number:
  US08/739,647
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 174/92, 174/76, 174/77 R, 174/91, 174/138 F, 174/84 C, 439/519, 439/521
• US Class Current: 174/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/003 Filling materials, e.g. solid or fluid insulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/007 Devices for relieving mechanical stress
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/113 Boxes split longitudinally in main cable direction
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/18 protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable two-part covers H02G15/10 ; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00

Abstract

A gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component (which may be another cable) is disclosed. The closure includes first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides; a hinge joining the first and second cavitied bodies along a lateral side thereof, such that the cavitied bodies are capable of pivoting around the hinge and closing around the connector and immediately adjacent portions of the cable and the at least one electrical component. A gel substantially fills each of the first and second cavitied bodies. At least one of the cavitied bodies has a flap disposed along the lateral edge thereof distal from the hinge, for directing gel flow in the lateral direction as the first and second cavitied bodies are closed. A locking mechanism for securing the cavitied bodies in a closed position is also provided.

Claims

1. A gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component, the closure comprising

first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides;

a hinge joining the first and second cavitied bodies along one of said lateral sides of each of the first and second cavitied bodies, such that the cavitied bodies are capable of pivoting around the hinge and closing around the connector and immediately adjacent portions of the cable and the at least one electrical component;

the connector being an insulation displacing connector;

a gel substantially filling each of the first and second cavitied bodies;

a first flap along the other one of the lateral sides of the first cavitied body distal from the hinge and projecting above a top level of said first cavitied body and a second flap along the other one of the lateral sides of the second cavitied body distal from the hinge and projecting above a top level of said second cavitied body, the first and second flaps overlapping and directing said gel to flow in the lateral direction as the first and second cavitied bodies are closed; and

locking mechanism for securing the cavitied bodies in a closed position.

2. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1, wherein each of said end sides is frangible.

3. A gel-filled closure according to claim 2, wherein each of said end sides comprises a plurality of fingers joined to immediately adjacent fingers by a frangible membrane.

4. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a plurality of alignment buttons along the other one of the lateral sides of the first cavitied body distal from the hinge and a plurality of alignment holes along the other one of the lateral sides of the second cavitied body distal from the hinge, the alignment buttons and holes being sized and positioned such that when the first and second cavitied bodies are closed, said alignment buttons are inserted through said alignment holes.

5. A gel-filled closure according to claim 4, wherein the alignment buttons include a first alignment button disposed proximate to one of the end sides, a second alignment button disposed proximate to the other of the end sides, and a third alignment button disposed substantially midway between the first and second alignment buttons.

6. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, made of a propylene polymer.

7. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the gel is silicone gel.

8. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of snap locks.

9. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

10. A gel-filled closure according claim 1 or 3, wherein the at least one electrical component is an electrical cable.

11. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the interior surfaces in the cavitied bodies intersect at intersections having fillets.

12. A gel-filled closure according to claim 1, wherein each of said flaps extends along substantially the length of the lateral sides on which each of said flaps is disposed.