Corning Cable Systems

Siecor Operations, LLC

James H Wicker

Kelly J Smith

John David Harvey

A splice closure contains multiple splice trays that can be individually pivoted and accessed so that the splice closure is capable of optimally carrying and providing access to numerous optical fibers and optical fiber splices. The splice closure has a housing defining an internal cavity and at least one opening to the internal cavity. An end cap is capable of occluding the opening of the housing to provide an enclosed configuration. A support frame has opposite front and rear ends, the front end of the support frame is connected to the end cap, and the support frame is capable of being positioned within the internal cavity of the housing during the enclosed configuration. The support frame extends in a longitudinal direction between the front and rear ends, and defines a frame axis that extends in the longitudinal direction. The multiple splice trays are pivotally carried by the support frame so that there are a plurality of axes of rotation that are generally parallel to the frame axis and about which the splice trays are respectively pivotable. Biasing mechanisms are operative for releasably holding the splice trays to the support frame.

Splice closure with removable and pivotable splice trays, and associated methods

A closure that is operative for containing optical fiber splices includes a support assembly that supports the splices. While the closure is in an enclosed configuration, the support assembly and a holding bracket are substantially contained in a housing of the closure. When the splices within the closure are to be serviced, the support assembly and the holding bracket are removed from the housing. Thereafter, the holding bracket is configured so a protruding portion of the holding bracket extends away from the support assembly to provide an extended configuration. While in the extended configuration, the protruding portion of the holding bracket is clamped to a work surface with a clamping device so the holding bracket supports the support assembly in a cantilever-like fashion and the holding bracket and the clamping device do not substantially interfere with the servicing of the optical fiber splices. After servicing the splices, the holding bracket is configured in an unextended configuration and the support assembly, with the holding bracket attached thereto, is returned to the housing, so the holding bracket is readily available for use the next time the closure is serviced.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

James H Wicker