Mass fusion splice tray

• US 5,995,700 A
• Filed: 01/15/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fitel USA Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Cobb, Gary Simpson, Burek, Denis Edward, Jones, Marc Duane, Jones, Wesley Willing
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, HUNG NHAT
• Application Number:
  US09/007,636
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables

Abstract

A mass fusion splice tray assembly increases the capacity of a splice closure which has support members thereon for supporting the assembly. The assembly include a splice tray which latches to a support member and which has locating slots to contain two splice holder inserts. A cover member has latching legs which latch to wedge shaped latches on the splice tray. The cover member is adapted for pivotally mounting a discrete splice tray on the top surface thereof so that the total splice capacity of the splice tray assembly is increased.

Claims

1. For use in a splice closure having a floor and at least one support member extending therefrom wherein the support member has a distal end with latching means thereon, an optical fiber splice tray assembly comprising:

a splice tray comprising a plate member having first and second ends and first and second surfaces;

a first wall member extending from said first surface of said plate member at said first end and a second wall member extending from said first surface of said plate member at said second end, each of said wall members having an upper edge and a ledge projecting therefrom;

latching means in said plate member adjacent each of said wall members for mating with the latching means on the support member;

a splice holder insert having first and second locating members thereon;

locating slots in said wall members for receiving and holding said locating members;

a cover member comprising a plate member having first and second surfaces;

at least two spaced latching legs depending from said first surface of said plate member; and

latching means on said wall members for mating with said latching legs to secure said cover member to said splice tray.

2. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ledge projecting from each of said first and second wall members has an opening therein through which one of said latching legs passes.

3. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said latching means on said wall members comprises at least one wedge shaped latch.

4. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latching means in said plate member comprises first and second openings in said plate member and a latching flange in each of said openings.

5. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said latching flanges is curved to conform to the configuration of the support member extending from the floor of the splice closure.

6. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second surface of said splice tray plate member has first and second spaced securing brackets extending therefrom.

7. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said securing brackets is U-shaped for receiving securing means on the support member.

8. The splice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover member has means thereon for pivotally mounting a discrete splice tray thereon.