Splice holder with a self-mounting feature

• US 6,370,309 B1
• Filed: 07/30/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Daoud, Bassel Hage
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US09/364,816
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3801 Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means splices by bonding G02B6/255; fusion splices G02B6/2551
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4454 with splices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps

Abstract

The combination of a fiber optic tray and a splice holder with a self-mounting feature for fiber optic cables with the fiber optic tray having a latch therein in the form of an undercut recess. The splice holder has a latch engaging element in the form of tabs extending therefrom. The latch and latch engaging element adapted to cooperate with each other in order to permit the splice holder to be mounted in the fiber optic tray and to be removed therefrom.

Claims

1. A combination of a fiber optic tray and a splice holder for holding splices,

said fiber optic tray having a latch element and a splice holder receiving well therein,

said receiving well having opposite sides, front and rear sides, at least one sidewall extending perpendicular to said well from said front and rear sides, at least one of said sidewall having a protrusion extending therefrom into said well, said latch element being along said opposite sides,

said latch element comprises a plurality of undercut recesses spaced apart along said opposite sides of said well,

said splice holder comprises a resilient base having an integral latch engaging element thereon,

said latch engaging element comprises at least one tab extending outwardly from said splice holder,

said latch element and latch engaging element cooperatively mating with each other in order to permit the splice holder to be mounted in the fiber optic tray and to be removed therefrom by bending said resilient base.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said splice holder further having opposite edges, said latch engaging element comprises a plurality of spaced tabs extending from said opposite edges of said splice holder adapted to enter said spaced undercut recesses on said opposite sides of said well.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said splice holder further having a base, said tabs extend from said base.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said splice holder further having a plurality of holding members to receive splices.

5. A fiber optic tray tor receiving a resilient splice holder for holding splices having

a latch element therein, and

a splice holder receiving well having opposite sides, front and rear sides, at least one sidewall extending perpendicular to said well from said front and rear sides, at least one of said sidewall having a protrusion extending therefrom into said well, said latch element being along said opposite sides,

said latch element comprises at least one undercut recess on said opposite sides of said well and being adapted to cooperate with said splice holder for receiving said splice holder therein by bending said resilient splice holder.