Fiber splice device
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJames B. Carpenter, Dale E. Elder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber splice device includes a body comprising a ductile material. First and second end port sections located on opposite ends of the body are provided and are adapted to receive first and second optical fibers, respectively. The splice device further includes a fiber splicing section, adapted to house a fiber splice, located on the body between the end port sections. The fiber splicing section includes a fiber splice actuation section having a self-locking mechanism integral with the body. The splice device can be used in a variety of locations, such as in the access and metro areas of the fiber optic network, and it is not damaged easily.
Claims21
A fiber splice device, comprising:
- a body comprising a ductile material;
- first and second end port sections located on opposite ends of said body adapted to receive first and second optical fibers, respectively;
- and
- a fiber splicing section, adapted to house a fiber splice, located on said body between said end port sections, wherein said fiber splicing section includes a fiber splice actuation section having a self-locking mechanism integral with said body;
- a first hinge section to provide a hinge adapted to support a greater than 90 degree bend in the body;
- a second hinge section to provide a hinge adapted to support a greater than 90 degree bend in the body;
- and
- a bend region adapted to support an about 90 degree bend in the body.
A method of making a fiber splice, comprising:
- placing first and second optical fibers in first and second end port sections of a fiber splicing device such that ends of said fibers are butted to each other, the fiber splicing device further including a body comprising a ductile material, a fiber splicing section, adapted to house a fiber splice, located on said body between said end port sections, wherein said fiber splicing section includes a fiber splice actuation section having a self-locking mechanism integral with said body wherein the fiber splicing device further includes a first hinge section to provide a hinge adapted to support a greater than 90 degree bend in the body;
- a second hinge section to provide a hinge adapted to support a greater than 90 degree bend in the body;
- and a bend region adaoted to support an about 90 degree bend in the body;
- and
- engaging said fiber actuation section with the self-locking mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.