Field installable cable splice system

• US 9,164,233 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
• Original Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
• Inventors: Wouters, Vincent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAK, SUNG H
• Application Number:
  US13/929,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20140010502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 385/99
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/255 Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
• 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: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A combination of an inner crimp tube and a crimp sleeve provide a basis for securing a connection between respective first and second cables through which optical fibers extend and can be spliced together for signal transmission. The combination of the inner crimp tube and the crimp sleeve includes the inner crimp tube receiving at least one strength member from each respective cable, wherein the inner crimp tube is positioned along lengths of the strength members such that the strength members extend through the inner crimp tube. Loose ends of respective strength members fold back over opposite ends of the inner crimp tube to join strength members of each cable to a common structure. At least one crimp sleeve secures the respective loose ends of the strength members to the inner crimp tube.

Claims

1. A combination of an inner crimp tube and a crimp sleeve, the combination securing a connection between respective first and second cables through which optical fibers extend to splice together for signal transmission, the combination comprising:

an inner crimp tube receiving at least one strength member from each respective cable, wherein said inner crimp tube is positioned along lengths of the strength members such that said strength members extend through said inner crimp tube, wherein loose ends of respective strength members fold back over opposite ends of said inner crimp tube;

at least one crimp sleeve securing said respective loose ends of said strength members to said inner crimp tube;

a flexible sheath connected to the first and second cables and extending over an optical fiber ice, said inner crimp tube, and said crimp sleeve; and

wherein the optical fiber splice may be selectively made inwards or outwards of said inner crimp tube,

2. A combination according to claim 1, further comprising optical fibers extending from one of said cables through said inner crimp tube alongside the strength members.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said inner crimp tube comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein at least one strength member from a first cable extends through said first end of said inner crimp tube and folds back over said second end of said inner crimp tube and a strength member from a second cable extends through said second end of said inner crimp tube and folds back over said first end of said inner crimp tube.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said at east one crimp sleeve comprises a first crimp sleeve and a second crimp sleeve, wherein said first crimp sleeve secures one of the respective strength members to said inner crimp tube and said second crimp sleeve secures the other of the respective strength members to said inner crimp tube.

5. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said inner crimp tube is positioned along said respective strength members between one of the cables and an optical fiber splice.

6. A combination according to claim wherein said strength members comprise an aramid yarn.

7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said aramid yarn is sufficiently flexible for bending over an end of said inner crimp tube.

8. A system for securing a pair of cables by connecting strength members running through each cable, the system comprising:

an inner crimp tube receiving at least one strength member from each cable, said strength members extending through said inner crimp tube, wherein loose ends of respective strength members fold back over opposite ends of said inner crimp tube;

at least one crimp sleeve securing said respective loose ends of said strength members to said inner crimp tube;

a flexible sheath connected to the first and second cables and extending over an optical fiber splice said inner crimp tube, and said crimp sleeve; and

wherein the optical fiber splice may be selectively made inwards or outwards of said inner crimp tube.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said inner crimp tube comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein at least one strength member from a first cable extends through said first end of said inner crimp tube and folds back over said second end of said inner crimp tube, and wherein a strength member from a second cable extends through said second end of said inner crimp tube and folds back over said first end of said inner crimp tube.

10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one crimp sleeve comprises a first crimp sleeve and a second crimp sleeve, wherein said first crimp sleeve secures one of the respective strength members to said inner crimp tube and said second crimp sleeve secures the other of the respective strength members to said inner crimp tube.

11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said inner crimp tube is positioned along said respective strength members between one of the cables and an optical fiber splice.

12. A system according to claim 8, wherein said strength members comprise an aramid yarn.

13. A method of securing respective first and second cables by connecting strength members from each cable to a common structure, the method comprising:

extending a loose end of a respective strength member from each cable through an inner crimp tube such that said respective strength members enter and exit said inner crimp tube from respective opposite ends;

folding a respective loose end of said respective strength members over said respective opposite ends of said inner crimp tube;

securing a crimp sleeve over both said inner crimp tube and said respective loose ends of said strength members;

splicing optical fibers extending from the respective cables, wherein at least one of said optical cables passes entirely through said inner crimp tube, wherein the optical fiber splice may be selectively made inwards or outwards of said inner crimp tube; and

applying a sheath over said crimp sleeve, said inner crimp tube, and at least a portion of said strength members.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of positioning said inner crimp tube over optical fibers and strength members extending from a hose barb terminating one of said cables.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of securing said loose end of a first strength member with a first crimp sleeve and securing said base end of a second strength member with a second crimp sleeve.