# US 8,465,212 B2 · Connector cover for outside plant applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,212 B2 - Document ID: US8465212B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/749,576 - Filed: 2010-03-30 - Published: 2011-07-14 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-08 - Assignees: OFS Fitel, LLC - Applicants: Kelvin B. Bradley - Inventors: Kelvin B. Bradley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465212B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)} - Y10T 29/49204: Contact or terminal manufacturing - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Certain embodiments of the invention may include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a connector cover for outside plant application. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a connector cover assembly is provided. The assembly can include an elongated hollow cylindrical cover having a closed first end, and open second end. The assembly includes a plug comprising an elastomeric material and having a plug first end, a plug second end, a bore extending through the plug from the plug first end to the plug second end, and a cover mating surface adjacent to the plug first end. The cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover, and the plug is operable to surround and slidingly engage optical fiber cordage extending through the bore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical cover having a closed first end, and an open second end; and a plug comprising an elastomeric material, the plug further comprising: a plug first end; a plug second end; a bore extending through the plug from the plug first end to the plug second end; a clamp surface adjacent to the plug second end; a cover mating surface adjacent to the plug first end; and a flange disposed between the plug first end and the plug second end, the flange disposed around a circumference of extending out from an outer surface of the plug and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cover mating surface and a diameter of the clamp surface, wherein the flange defines a boundary between the clamp surface and the cover mating surface, wherein the cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover and mate with and securely seal the open send end of the cover by an interference fit, and wherein the plug is operable to surround and slidingly engage optical fiber cordage extending through the bore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a clamp for sealably securing the plug to the optical fiber cordage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange positioned approximately mid-way between the plug first end and the plug second end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug further comprises a radial slit through the length of the plug and extending from the plug first end to the plug second end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising optical fiber cordage, a connector, and an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber cordage is operable to protect the optical fiber and the connector terminates the optical fiber, wherein the cover is operable to slidingly protect the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein the plug, is further operable to engage with and seal an installation hole, wherein the optical fiber cordage and the connector may pass through the installation hole. ### Claim 7 A system comprising: an optical fiber; optical fiber cordage protecting the optical fiber; an optical fiber connector terminating the optical fiber; an elongated hollow cylindrical cover having a closed first end and an open second end, and operable to surround the optical fiber connector; and a plug comprising an elastomeric material, the plug further comprising: a plug first end; a plug second end; a bore extending through the plug from the plug first end to the plug second end; a clamp surface adjacent to the plug second end; a cover mating surface adjacent to the plug first end; and a flange disposed between the plug first end and the plug second end, the flange disposed around a circumference of extending out from an outer surface of the plug and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cover mating surface and a diameter of the clamp surface, wherein the flange defines a boundary between the clamp surface and the cover mating surface, wherein the cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover and mate with and securely seal the open second end of the cover by an interference fit, and wherein the plug is operable to surround and slidingly engage the optical fiber cordage extending through the bore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the plug is further operable to securely and sealably mate with the optical fiber cordage extending through the bore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a clamp for sealably securing the plug to the optical fiber cordage, wherein the clamp comprises one of a cable tie, bolt clamp, snap grip clamp, spring clamp, or hose clamp. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the plug further comprises a radial slit through the length of the plug and extending from the plug first end to the plug second end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the flange is positioned approximately mid-way between the plug first end and the plug second end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the plug, is further operable to engage with and seal an installation hole, wherein the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber cordage may pass through the installation hole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the plug comprises an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness ranging from about 30 to about 80. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover mating surface comprises a smooth outer surface having an outer diameter; and wherein the cover comprises a smooth inner surface disposed inside the hollow cylindrical cover and adjacent the open second end, the smooth inner surface having an inner diameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover by the smooth inner surface of the cover contacting and expanding about the smooth outer surface of the cover mating surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the outer diameter of the smooth outer surface of the cover mating surface is greater than the inner diameter of the smooth inner surface of the cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover mating surface comprises a first outer diameter, wherein the clamp surface includes a second outer diameter; wherein the flange includes a third outer diameter, a first end disposed adjacent the cover mating surface, and a second opposing end disposed adjacent the clamp surface; wherein the third outer diameter is greater than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter and wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the cover mating surface comprises a smooth outer surface having an outer diameter; and wherein the cover comprises a smooth inner surface disposed inside the hollow cylindrical cover and adjacent the open second end, the smooth inner surface having an inner diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover by the smooth inner surface of the cover contacting and expanding about the smooth outer surface of the cover mating surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the smooth outer surface of the cover mating surface is greater than the inner diameter of the smooth inner surface of the cover. ### Claim 21 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the cover mating surface comprises a first outer diameter; wherein the clamp surface includes a second outer diameter; wherein the flange includes a third outer diameter, a first end disposed adjacent the cover mating surface, and a second opposing end disposed adjacent the clamp surface; wherein the third outer diameter is greater than the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter and wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter. ### Claim 22 An assembly comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical cover having a closed first end, and an open second end; and a plug comprising an elastomeric material the plug further comprising a plug first end; a plug second end; a bore extending through the plug from the plug first end to the plug second end; a cover mating surface adjacent to the plug first end; and a radial slit through the length of the plug and extending from the plug first end to the plug second end, wherein the cover mating surface is operable to slidingly engage the cover, and wherein the plug is operable to surround and slidingly engage optical fiber cordage extending through the bore.