Self-sealing telecommunications enclosure

• US 6,300,562 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1999
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Daoud, Bassel Hage
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/363,572
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/50, 174/53, 174/58, 174/17.R, 174/60, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/4.02, 439/535, 385/134, 385/135, 298/68, 297/29
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4444 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.

Abstract

A sealed fiber optic enclosure assembly includes a fiber optic enclosure having an inner rim, and an end cap shaped to fit the enclosure. The end cap has a pliable membrane depending from it. The membrane is approximately a cylindrical structure. The membrane may have a wedge-shaped cross section. The wedge-shaped cross section may have an elbow in it. The membrane and end cap may be formed from a single piece of a pliable material, such as polypropylene. The membrane extends into the rim of the enclosure when the end cap is in place on the enclosure. The enclosure has a neck that transitions from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The second diameter is smaller than a diameter of the membrane. A clamp is placed over mating portions of the enclosure and end cap, for clamping the end cap to the enclosure. The clamp may be a V-clamp. Pressure is introduced to the enclosure. The membrane is forced against the rim when the enclosure is pressurized, to form a seal between the membrane and the rim. A gap is present between the membrane and a neck portion of the rim before the enclosure is pressurized. The membrane moves to bridge the gap when the enclosure is pressurized. The integrity of the seal can be verified by visually inspecting the enclosure to check whether the end cap is inserted in the enclosure.

Claims

1. A method for sealing a telecommunications enclosure, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing an end cap on the telecommunications enclosure, the end cap having a pliable membrane depending therefrom, the membrane extending into a rim of the enclosure when the end cap is in place on the enclosure; and

(b) pressurizing the enclosure, so as to force the membrane against the rim, thereby to form a seal between the membrane and the rim.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane is approximately a cylindrical structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane and end cap are formed from a single piece of material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane is formed of polypropylene.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane has a wedge-shaped cross section.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the membrane has an elbow in the wedge-shaped cross section.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a gap is present between the membrane and a neck portion of the rim before step (b) is performed, the membrane moving to bridge the gap when step (b) is performed.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(c) verifying the integrity of the seal by visually inspecting the enclosure to check whether the end cap is inserted in the enclosure.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of clamping the end cap to the enclosure after step (b).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a V-clamp is used to perform the clamping.

11. A sealed telecommunications enclosure assembly, comprising:

a telecommunications enclosure having an inner rim; and

an end cap shaped to fit the enclosure, the end cap having a pliable membrane depending therefrom, the membrane extending into the rim of the enclosure when the end cap is in place on the enclosure, the membrane being forced against the rim when the enclosure is pressurized, thereby to form a seal between the membrane and the rim.

12. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the membrane is approximately a cylindrical structure.

13. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the membrane and end cap are formed from a single piece of material.

14. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the membrane is formed of polypropylene.

15. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the membrane has a wedge-shaped cross section.

16. The enclosure assembly of claim 15, wherein the membrane has an elbow in the wedge-shaped cross section.

17. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein a gap is present between the membrane and a neck portion of the rim before the enclosure is pressurized, the membrane moving to bridge the gap when the enclosure is pressurized.

18. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, further comprising a clamp for clamping the end cap to the enclosure.

19. The enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the clamp is a V-clamp is used to perform the clamping.

20. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the enclosure has a neck that transitions from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the second diameter being smaller than a diameter of the membrane.