Fiber optic cable splice closure
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsRonald G. Bossard, Dean C. Krenz, Russell P. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic splice closure for protecting the splice made into a transmission cable, containing a plurality of fibers which are to remain unsevered, comprises a base to which the cable is anchored and in which slack fibers in the uncut cable are looped and stored free of transverse barriers. The seal is made with the cables and the base by a mating cover provided with a second area to receive splice trays and slack fibers selected from the cable for splicing.
Claims13
A splice closure assembly for a branch-line fiber optic cable splice which fiber cable comprises an outer sheath, a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member, said assembly comprising
- a pair of mating shell-like closure members including base means and cover means for defining a three dimensional chamber, said base means and cover means each having a mating surface having opposed arcuate wall portions defining at least a pair of cable entry ports when assembled,
- anchor means within said base means and disposed in generally aligned relationship with said entry ports for securing a strength member of a said fiber optic cable to said base means,
- said chamber having length, width and depth dimensions to afford a first open storage area for at least one loop of optical fiber therein without deleterious effect on said optical fiber,
- retaining means supported by said base means for positioning said at least one loop of optical fiber in said base means, and
- said cover means affording means for receiving and storing at least one splice tray supported from said base means and spaced from said first storage area.
A splice closure kit for fiber optic cable splices comprising
- a generally rectangular base with a mating surface surrounding a central cavity defining a first storage area,
- a mating cover for attachment to said base, said cover having a mating surface surrounding a cavity defining a second storage area, said cover and base having cooperating arcuate wall means in said mating surfaces defining cylindrical cable entry ports into said first storage area,
- a strength member anchor adapted to be attached to said base in said first storage area and disposed in generally aligned relationship with said entry ports,
- a splice tray adapted to be secured to said base and be received in said second storage area,
- sealing cord of a mastic sealant for fitting between said mating surfaces of said base and cover to seal the same, and
- sealing tape for wrapping a said cable to seal the entry ports when said base and cover are in mating engagement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.