Multi-purpose sealing device
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorMichel T. Menguy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-purpose sealing device is described herein for use in a port structure of fiber terminal, telecommunication enclosure; or a bulkhead. The exemplary sealing device has a body having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end includes a removable portion and a pulling device to facilitate removal of the exemplary sealing device from a port structure. In one aspect, the exemplary sealing device is a single part made of a resilient material, while an alternative aspect, the exemplary sealing device includes a rigid connection portion disposed within the open end of the body. The exemplary device can be used as a dust cap or plug prior to making a service connection and/or it can be used as a port/cable sealing device after the service connection is made.
Claims19
A multi-purpose sealing device for a port structure in a fiber terminal, enclosure or bulkhead, the sealing device comprising:
- a body having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end includes a removable portion and a pulling device to facilitate removal of the exemplary sealing device from the exemplary sealing device from a port structure, and
- a connection portion configured to secure the sealing device in the port structure.
A multi-purpose sealing system for a port structure in a fiber terminal, enclosure or bulkhead, the sealing device to enable plug and play service for fiber optic drop cable connections;
- the system comprising:
- an optical fiber connector adapter;
- a port adapter to secure the optical fiber connector adapter at least partially within the port structure and
- a multi-purpose sealing device configured to environmentally seal the port structure before and after a service connection is made, wherein the multi-purpose sealing device comprises a body having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end includes a removable portion and a pulling device to facilitate removal of the sealing device from the port structure, and a connection portion configured to secure the sealing device in the port structure.
A method of making a service connection, comprising:
- providing a fiber terminal having a plurality of ports, an optical fiber connector adapter disposed in at least one of the plurality of ports and a multi-purpose sealing device removably disposed in the at least one of the plurality of ports, wherein the sealing device has a body having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end includes a removable portion and a pulling loop;
- extracting the sealing device by grabbing onto the pulling device and exerting an extraction force away from the fiber terminal;
- tearing the removable portion away from the closed end of the sealing device to create an insertion opening;
- inserting a non-ruggedized optical fiber connector through the insertion opening of the sealing device;
- plugging the non-ruggedized optical fiber connector into the optical fiber connector adapter disposed within the at least one of the plurality of ports;
- and installing the sealing plug into one of the plurality of ports over the non-ruggedized optical fiber connector by inserting the open end of the sealing device into said port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.