Cable closure end cap

• US 4,857,672 A
• Filed: 05/12/1988
• Issued: 08/15/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Rebers, Kenneth D., Krenz, Dean C., Seim, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nimmo, Morris H.
• Application Number:
  US07/193,736
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 174/41, 174/77 R, 174/92, 174/93
• US Class Current: 174/93
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/483 Installation of aerial type
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/013 Sealing means for cable inlets inlets for cables filled with, or surrounded by, gas or oil H02G15/32
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/117 for multiconductor cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/192 with support means for ends of the sleeves

Abstract

A cable closure end cap arrangement is provided, to achieve a sealing between a cable splice closure, and a cable end in communication therewith. The arrangements according to the invention may be adapted to accommodate more than one cable extending into an end of a cable closure. Preferred arrangements comprise a composite of inner and outer members, each having a bore therein. Each bore is preferably defined by an arrangement of concentric rings, or a circular ridge/trough arrangement. The circular rings include transverse walls extending therebetween, in a preferred manner permitting an accordion-like flexibility. The accordion-like rings accommodate; cables of different sizes; cables at various angles relative to the end cap arrangement and the cable closure; and, movement of the cable closure, for example upon an aerial messenger wire. End cap arrangements according to the present invention are mounted by means of a slit in communication with each bore. The slits are preferably prepared by cutting slots formed in the end cap arrangement during manufacture. Preferred end cap arrangements are made from a rubber, or thermoplastic rubber material, for flexibility and long life.

Claims

1. An end cap arrangement for sealing an end of a splice closure about at least one cable member directed therein;

said end cap arrangement comprising;

(a) a wall member having first and second opposite faces and having an outer peripheral edge and at least one longitudinal cable bore;

the at least one cable bore being defined by a plurality of substantially concentric ring members spaced from one another by transverse wall sections;

(i) said transverse wall sections being positioned generally centrally along a longitudinal extension of said ring members and the at least one cable bore to define, with said ring members, a ridge/trough arrangement of alternating ridges and troughs;

ridges defined thereby being directed in both of opposite longitudinal directions from said transverse wall sections;

(ii) transverse wall sections on opposite sides of each associated ring member being longitudinally spaced from one another to form an undulating central wall extending through said concentric ring members and substantially normal thereto; and

(b) mounting means constructed and arranged to facilitate mounting said end cap arrangement on a cable member directed through said at least one cable bore;

said mounting means including a slot arrangement communicating partially through said wall member, from a position adjacent to, but spaced from, said wall member outer peripheral edge and toward said at least one cable bore;

said slot arrangement also communicating partially through said wall member between said first and second opposite faces.

2. An end cap arrangement according to claim 1 including:

(a) anchoring means constructed and arranged to selectively retain said end cap arrangement within a splice closure;

said anchoring means including first and second mounting ears projecting outwardly, in opposite directions, from said wall member.

3. An end cap arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the at least one cable bore is occluded by a cut-out portion of material.

4. An end cap arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said transverse wall sections define first and second sets of transverse wall members;

(i) all members of said first set of transverse wall members being aligned substantially co-planar, in a first plane substantially normal to a longitudinal extension of said ring members;

(ii) all members of said second set of transverse wall members being aligned substantially co-planar, in a second plane substantially normal to a longitudinal extension of said ring members, and longitudinally spaced from said first plane;

(b) whereby said undulating central wall is defined by said first and second sets of transverse wall members.

5. An end cap arrangement according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said wall member is defined by first and second end cap members positioned against one another, each end cap member having an outer face collectively defining said wall member opposite outer faces; and

, each end cap member including a portion of said at least one wall member bore therein.

6. An end cap arrangement according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) an interface line separating said first end cap member from said second end cap member extends generally centrally through said undulating wall.

7. An end cap arrangement according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said slot arrangement includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

a first slot in said first end cap member extending from a position adjacent to and spaced from an outer edge of said first end cap member to a portion of said at least one cable bore therein, said first slot being spaced from said first end cap member outer face; and

, a

second slot in said second end cap member extending from a position adjacent to and spaced from an outer edge of said second end cap member to a portion of said at least one cable bore therein;

said second slot being spaced from said second end cap member outer face;

(i) said first and second slots being aligned non-coplanar with respect to one another, when said first and second end cap members are operationally positioned with respect to one another.

8. An end cap arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said first and second slots are generally directed toward opposite sides of the axis of said well member at least one cable bore.

9. An end cap arrangement according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said slot arrangement includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

said slots being oriented such that when said end cap members are operationally oriented to form said wall member;

(i) said slots each terminate at points adjacent to, but spaced from, an outer peripheral surface of said wall member;

(ii) said slots extend from said points adjacent to, but spaced from, said outer peripheral surface of said wall member toward opposite sides of the axis of said wall member at least one cable bore;

(iii) said points adjacent to, but spaced from, said outer peripheral surface being radially and axially spaced from one another; and

(iv) said slots extend in non-crossing paths;

(b) whereby when said slots are cut into slits, during use a continuous leak path through said wall member involving the slits, is inhibited.

10. An end cap arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said wall member is defined by first and second end cap members positioned against one another, each end cap member having an outer face collectively defining said wall member opposite outer faces; and

, each end cap member including a portion of said wall member at least one cable bore therein.

11. An end cap arrangement according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) an interface line separating said first end cap member from said second end cap member extends generally centrally through said undulating wall, and defines an interlocking interface between said first and second end cap members.

12. An end cap arrangement according to claim 11 wherein:

(a) said slot arrangement includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

a first slot in said first end cap member extending from a position adjacent to, and spaced from, an outer edge of said first end cap member through to a portion of said at least one cable bore therein, said first slot being spaced from said first end cap member outer face; and

, a second slot in said second end cap member extending from a position adjacent to but spaced from an outer peripheral edge of said second end cap member toward a portion of said at least one cable bore therein, said second slot being spaced from said second end cap member outer face;

(i) said first and second cable slots being aligned non-coplanar with respect to one another, when said first and second end cap members are operationally positioned with respect to one another.

13. An end cap arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said first and second slots are generally directed toward opposite sides of said wall member at least one cable bore.

14. An end cap arrangement according to claim 12 including:

(a) at least one auxiliary line cut-out bore therein.

15. An end cap arrangement for sealing an end of a splice closure about at least one cable member directed therein;

said end cap arrangement comprising;

(a) a wall member having first and second opposite faces and having an outer peripheral edge and at least two longitudinal cable member bores;

the at least two cable member bores each being separately defined by a plurality of substantially concentric ring members spaced from one another by transverse wall sections;

(i) said transverse wall sections associated with the at least two cable member bores each being oriented generally centrally along a longitudinal extension of said ring member, of said associated bore, to define, with said ring members, a ridge/trough arrangement for each of the at least two cable member bores comprising alternating ridges and troughs;

ridges defined thereby being directed in both of opposite longitudinal directions from said transverse wall sections;

(ii) transverse wall section, associated with each of the at least two cable member bores, on opposite sides of each associated ring member being longitudinally spaced from one another to form an undulating central wall extending through said concentric ring members substantially normal thereto; and

,

(b) mounting means constructed and arranged to facilitate mounting said end cap arrangement on cable members directed through said at least two cable member bores;

said mounting means including a slot arrangement in association with each of the at least two cable member bores;

each slot arrangement communicating partially through said wall member from a position adjacent to, but spaced from, said wall member outer peripheral edge and toward an associated one of the at least two cable member bores;

said slot arrangements each also communicating partially through said wall member without communication with said first and second opposite faces.

16. An end arrangement according to claim 15 including:

(a) anchoring means constructed and arranged to selectively retain said end cap arrangement within a splice closure;

said anchoring means including first and second mounting ears projecting outwardly, in opposite directions, from said wall member.

17. An end cap arrangement according to claim 16 wherein:

(a) each one of the at least two cable member bores is occluded by a cut-out portion of material.

18. An end cap arrangement according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) said transverse wall sections of each one of the at least two cable member bores define first and second sets of transverse wall members;

(i) all members of said first set of transverse wall members being aligned substantially co-planar, in a first plane substantially normal to a longitudinal extension of said ring members; and

,

(ii) all members of said second set of transverse wall members being aligned substantially co-planar, in a second plane substantially normal to a longitudinal extension of said ring members, and longitudinally spaced from said first plane;

(b) whereby said undulating central wall is defined by said first and second sets of transverse wall members.

19. An end cap arrangement according to claim 18 wherein:

(a) said wall member is defined by first and second end cap members positioned against one another.

20. An end cap arrangement according to claim 19 wherein:

(a) an interface line separating said first end cap member from said second end cap members extends generally centrally through said undulating wall.

21. An end cap arrangement according to claim 20 wherein:

(a) each slot arrangement in association with each one of the at least two cable bores includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

each slot in said first end cap member, and associated with one of the at least two cable member bores therein, extending from a position adjacent to but spaced from an outer edge of said first end cap member to a portion of said associated one of the at least two cable member bores; and

, each slot in said second end cap member, and associated with one of the at least two cable member bores therein, extending from a position adjacent to but spaced from an outer edge of said second end cap member to a portion of said associated one of the at least two cable member bores;

(i) no two slots in association with each bore being co-planar with respect to one another when said first and second end cap members are operationally positioned with respect to one another.

22. An end cap arrangement according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) each one of the at least two cable member bores is defined by a different number of substantially concentric ring members.

23. An end cap arrangement according to claim 15 including only two cable member bores.

24. An end cap arrangement for sealing an end of a splice closure about at least one cable member directed therein;

said end cap arrangement comprising;

(a) a wall member having first and second opposite faces and having an outer peripheral edge and at least one longitudinal cable bore;

the at least one cable bore being defined by a plurality of substantially concentric ring members spaced from one another by transverse wall sections; and

,

(b) mounting means constructed and arranged to facilitate mounting said end cap arrangement on a cable member directed through said at least one cable bore;

said mounting means including a slot arrangement communicating partially through said wall member, from a position adjacent to, but spaced from, said wall member outer peripheral edge and toward said at least one cable bore;

said slot arrangement also communicating partially through said wall member between said first and second opposite faces.

25. An end cap arrangement according to claim 24 including:

(a) anchoring means constructed and arranged to selectively retain said end cap arrangement within a splice closure;

said anchoring means including first and second mounting ears projecting outwardly, in opposite directions, from said wall member.

26. An end cap arrangement according to claim 24 wherein:

(a) the at least one cable bore is occluded by a cut-out portion of material.

27. An end cap arrangement according to claim 24 wherein:

(a) said wall member is defined by first and second end cap members positioned against one another, each end cap member having an outer face collectively defining said wall member opposite outer faces; and

, each end cap member including a portion of said at least one wall member bore therein.

28. An end cap arrangement according to claim 27 wherein:

(a) an interface line separating said first end cap member from said second end cap member extends generally centrally through said undulating wall.

29. An end cap arrangement according to claim 27 wherein:

(a) said slot arrangement includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

a first slot in said first end cap member extending from a position adjacent to and spaced from an outer edge of said first end cap member to a portion of said at least one cable bore therein, said first slot being spaced from said first end cap member outer face; and

, a second slot in said second end cap member extending from a position adjacent to and spaced from an outer edge of said second end cap member to a portion of said at least one cable bore therein;

said second slot being spaced from said second end cap member outer face;

(i) said first and second slots being aligned non-coplanar with respect to one another, when said first and second end cap members are operationally positioned with respect to one another.

30. An end cap arrangement according to claim 29 wherein said first and second slots are generally directed toward opposite sides of the axis of said wall member at least one cable bore.

31. An end cap arrangement according to claim 27 wherein:

(a) said slot arrangement includes a slot in each of said end cap members;

said slots being oriented such that when said end cap members are operationally oriented to form said wall member;

(i) said slots each terminate at points adjacent to, but spaced from, an outer peripheral surface of said wall member;

(ii) said slots extend from said points adjacent to, but spaced from, said outer peripheral surface of said wall member toward opposite sides of the axis of said wall member at least one cable bore;

(iii) said points adjacent to, but spaced from, said outer peripheral surface being radically and axially spaced from one another; and

,

(iv) said slots extend in non-crossing paths;

(b) whereby when said slots are cut into slits, during use a continuous leak path through said wall member involving the slits, is inhibited.