Optical fiber splice case

• US 7,239,789 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
• Original Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
• Inventors: Miller, Keith A., Grubish, Christopher, Whapham, Robert, Hofstetter, John, Witgen, Luke
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Ellen E.
• Application Number:
  US11/245,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20060083475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4442 Cap coupling boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4444 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44465 Seals
• 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

An optical fiber splice case particularly adapted for providing fiber optic links directly to a home, business, et al. is provided wherein an enclosure base has a dividing wall defining a drop chamber on a first side of the wall and a splicing chamber on a second side of the wall. A first and a second cover member is selectively sealingly engaged with opposing sides of the enclosure base. The enclosure base includes a bulkhead member having a plurality of optical fiber ports therethrough.

Claims

1. An optical fiber splice case comprising:

an enclosure base having an outer flange portion extending around said enclosure base and a dividing wall defining a drop chamber on a first side of said wall and a splicing chamber on a second side of said wall;

a first and a second cover member being selectively sealingly engaged with opposing sides of said outer flange portion of said enclosure base, said first and said second cover members each extending along the length of said outer flange port on of said enclosure base;

said first cover member enclosing and sealing said drop chamber and said second cover member enclosing and sealing said splicing chamber wherein each of said cover members is selectively sealingly engaged with opposite sides of said enclosure base for independent access to one or the other of said drop chamber and said splicing chamber; and

,

said enclosure base includes an adapter bulkhead member having a plurality of optical fiber ports therethrough.

2. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said adapter bulkhead member includes an air valve therethrough.

3. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said bulkhead member includes at least one passageway adapted to receive a part of a feeder cable therethrough.

4. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said dividing wall includes an access port adapted to receive a fiber jumper therethrough.

5. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said second side of said dividing wall includes a plurality of tie down brackets.

6. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said second side of said dividing wall includes a pair of posts adapted for connecting a splicing tray thereto.

7. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure base further includes a lower and an upper sealing ring for mating engagement with a first and a second gasket contained within said first and said second cover members.

8. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fiber ports includes a fiber adapter connected thereto.

9. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 8, wherein each said fiber adapter includes a first and a second o-ring, said first o-ring adapted for selectively sealing a dust cover against said fiber adapter, said second o-ring adapted for sealing said fiber adapter against said bulkhead member.

10. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 9, wherein each said fiber adapter includes a fiber connector for connecting to a fiber jumper.

11. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cover members include an air valve therethrough.

12. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cover members being hingedly engaged with said enclosure base.

13. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of optic fiber ports each include a passageway adapted to receive a drop wire therethrough.

14. The optical fiber splice case according to claim 13, wherein said hingedly engaged cover member includes a drop wire seal for sealing said plurality of optical fiber ports.

15. An optical fiber splice case comprising:

an enclosure base having an outer flange portion extending around said enclosure base includes a dividing wall having a splicing tray attached thereto;

said enclosure base further includes an adapter bulkhead member having a plurality of optical fiber ports adapted to selectively sealingly receive drop wires;

said drop wire connected to a fiber connector;

said fiber connector and said splicing tray include a fiber jumper therebetween and;

a pair of cover members, each said cover member being contoured to selectively sealingly engage an opposing side of said outer flange of said enclosure base for providing access to one of a drop chamber and a splicing chamber.

16. A method of providing a fiber optic connection to a plurality of end users, comprising the steps of:

providing an optical fiber splice case having an enclosure base with an outer flange portion extending therearound, said enclosure base including a selectively sealable cover member engaged with said outer flange for accessing a splicing chamber and an end plate;

providing said splice case with a bulkhead having a plurality of optical fiber ports therethrough;

opening said cover member and installing a feeder cable between said end plate and said bulkhead in said splicing chamber;

connecting said feeder cable to a selected number of fiber jumpers;

connecting said selected number of fiber jumpers to a selected number of fiber connectors;

closing said cover member; and

attaching a selected number of drop wires to said selected number of fiber connectors;

providing said splice case with a plurality of fiber adaptors;

removing a selected number of dust covers from selected said fiber adapters to expose said selected number of fiber connectors; and

opening another selectively sealed cover member for accessing a drop chamber opposed to and distinct from said splicing chamber.

17. The method of providing a fiber optic connection according to claim 16, further including the step of providing said selected number of drop wires with hardened connectors.

18. The method of providing a fiber optic connection according to claim 17, further including the step of providing said hardened connectors with threaded caps for mating engagement with said selected number of fiber connectors.

19. A method of making an optical fiber splice case, comprising the steps of:

providing a double sided enclosure base having two chambers and a splicing tray in one of said chambers, each said side of said base having an outer flange portion extending therearound;

providing an end plate and an adapter bulkhead with a plurality of fiber adapters and a plurality of feeder cable ports;

said fiber adapters include fiber connectors;

connecting said fiber connectors, on one side of said bulkhead, with said splicing tray via a plurality of fiber jumpers;

installing a plurality of dust covers, on the other side of said bulkhead, to said fiber adapters;

enclosing and sealing said chambers with a pair of cover members each selectively sealingly engaged with said outer flange of a side of said enclosure base; and

one of said pair of cover members selectively enclosing and sealing one of said chambers and another of said pair of cover members selectively enclosing and sealing another of said chambers wherein each said chamber is distinct and independently accessed.

20. The method of making an optical fiber splice case according to claim 19, further including the step of selectively sealing said feeder cable ports with a plurality of plugs.

21. The method of making a splice case according to claim 19, further including the step of providing an air valve through said bulkhead to allow for pressurization and to check sealing integrity of said chambers.

22. An optical fiber splice case comprising:

an enclosure base including an outer flange portion extending around said enclosure base, and a dividing wall having, on one side, a splicing tray attached thereto and on the other side, a connector plate attached thereto;

first and second cover members being selectively sealingly engaged with opposing sides of said outer flange portion of said enclosure base, said first and said second cover members each extending along the length of said outer flange portion of said enclosure base;

said enclosure base further including a bulkhead member having a plurality of fiber ports therethrough adapted to receive a plurality of fiber drops;

said connector plate including a plurality of fiber connectors adapted to receive terminal ends of said plurality of fiber drops; and

,

said bulkhead member including at least one passageway adapted to receive a part of a feeder cable extending therethrough.