Method and apparatus for anchoring an optical fiber cable
AssigneePSI Telecommunications, Inc.
InventorsTimothy A. Wilkins, Donald J. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fiber optic splice closure assembly has two end plate assemblies, and a closure base and a closure cover attached to the end plate assemblies. An adapter is secured within a cable entrance port in the end plate assembly to alter the end plate opening to accommodate a fiber optic cable. The adapter restrains the cable sheath against axial forces and provides a seal between the optical fiber cable, the adapter and the end plate assembly. A bracket assembly is provided to anchor the optical fiber cable strength member to the end plate assembly. The closure provides a mounting bar secured to said end plate assemblies proximate the closure base and a mounting platform secured to the mounting bar.
Claims14
A splice closure assembly for an optical fiber cable splice which cable comprises an optical fiber cable sheath, a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member, said splice closure assembly comprising:
- a first and a second end plate assembly, said first end plate assembly having an opening;
- a mounting mechanism secured to said first end plate assembly proximate said opening;
- a closure base and a closure cover removably attached to said first and second end plate assemblies;
- and
- anchoring means, rigidly coupled to said first end plate assembly by said mounting mechanism, for anchoring an optical fiber cable strength member, wherein the mounting mechanism and anchoring means are configured such that the anchoring means removably engages the mounting mechanism via a hooking action.
A bracket assembly for anchoring an optical fiber cable strength member to an end plate assembly of a splice closure assembly, the end plate assembly having a slotted bracket secured thereto, said bracket assembly comprising:
- a cantilevered member having a pin integrally formed therein and a means for retaining the strength member, said pin extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis of a first end of said cantilevered member and said means for retaining the strength member secured to a second end of said cantilevered member;
- a bracing member secured to said end plate by said slotted bracket, wherein said bracing member comprises a bracing leg having a series of cantilevered member retaining holes therein adapted to receive said pin, said bracing leg extending substantially perpendicularly along the longitudinal axis of the closure;
- and
- a hose clamp secured around the optical fiber cable sheath, proximate said first end of said cantilevered member and proximate said bracing leg of said bracing member, wherein when said hose clamp is tightened the optical fiber cable sheath, said cantilevered member and said bracing member are rigidly secured with such radial force to retain the optical fiber cable sheath.
A bracket assembly for securing an optical fiber cable to an end plate assembly, the optical fiber cable having an optical fiber cable sheath, a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member, the bracket assembly comprising:
- a cantilevered member having a pin integrally formed therein and a means for retaining the strength member, said pin extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis of a first end of said cantilevered member and said means for retaining the strength member secured to a second end of said cantilevered member;
- and
- a bracing member having a bracing leg including a cantilevered member retaining hole therein adapted to receive said cantilevered member pin.
A method for anchoring an optical fiber cable having an optical fiber cable sheath, a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member to a closure having an enclosed space for an optical fiber splice, the enclosed space defined at one end by an end plate assembly having a cable entrance port, the method for anchoring an optical fiber cable comprising the steps of:
- exposing a portion of the strength member of an optical fiber cable;
- rigidly securing the strength member of the optical fiber cable to the end plate assembly within the enclosed space proximate the cable entrance port with a bracket assembly;
- encircling the combination of the optical fiber cable sheath and a portion of the bracket assembly with a hose clamp;
- and
- tightening said clamp, wherein said optical fiber cable is secured to said bracket assembly within the enclosed space to securely retain the strength member relative to the end plate assembly and to prevent movement of the cable sheath relative to the end plate assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.