At&t Bell Laboratories

William H Bensel, Iii

Gary S Cobb

John F Malluck

Dean R Frey

Robert H Gladden, Jr

Robert R Ross

Andrew H Williamson, Jr

Neil W Sollenberger

A closure (20) which may be used temporarily in the restoration of service to an optical fiber cable (50) which has been damaged includes a base (22) and a cover (24) which include mating longitudinal edge portions. The base and the cover are secured together with longitudinally extending C-clamps (97--97) which are moved slidably to engage the mating longitudinal edge portions of the base and the cover. Cables to be spliced enter the closure through openings in compliant end blocks (67--67). Modules (40,40) are disposed within the closure and hold connective devices used to make connective arrangements between optical fibers of the cables. The closure is easy to assembly is lightweight and may be reused.

Optical fiber closure

An optical fiber closure (20) which is particularly suitable for connecting small fiber count cables and for repairs of same includes a longitudinally extending electrical bonding and support member (70) for supporting in-line connections between optical fibers of cable end portions which enter the closure from opposite ends thereof. Each cable end portion extends through a cable and clamping and sealing means (40) which is adapted to become secured to a tubular member (60) in which is disposed the support member and which is adapted to provide sealed engagement with the entering cable end portion to prevent the ingress of moisture.

Closure for optical fiber connective arrangements and method of

A closure (20) includes a grommet (50) having passageways (52-52) therethrough for allowing cables to extend into the closure. The grommet (50) comprises a unitary elastomeric body (60). Each passageway is defined by an interior sidewall from which a plurality of longitudinally spaced circumferential ridges (74-74) extend. For a substantial portion its circumference, each ridge has an axis of projection which forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the associated passageway and is sufficiently elongated in longitudinal cross section so as to be capable of flexing with respect to the axis of projection during insertion of a portion of a cable and enlarging its opening diameter to accommodate and form a seal about the inserted cable portion. A slit (71) which is parallel to a longitudinal axis (73) of an associated passageway extends between end faces (62,64) and from the associated passageway to an outer surface portion of the grommet to facilitate insertion of a portion of a cable into the associated passageway. The grommet also includes a plurality of ribs (69,69) on an outer surface portion which provides a seal with a surface of an opening in which the grommet is disposed. Provisions are made to cause portions of each ridge and rib adjacent to each slit to be maintained with at least some overlap during installation and use of the closure in order to maintain the sealing effectiveness of the grommet.

Cable closure including grommet having enhanced sealing capability

An optical fiber cable closure (20) includes a cable termination assembly (22) and a cover (23) into which the termination assembly is inserted. The cable termination assembly includes two spaced end plates (34,36) through which cables (28,29) to be spliced extend. One of the end plates supports a frame (101) which supports a plurality of optical fiber splicing trays (120--120). Adjacent end portions of the trays are staggered and hinged so that some trays may be moved pivotally to expose others. Optical fibers from each incoming cable are routed in individual tubes (115--115) from an optical fiber breakout (110) mounted in the framework to selected ones of the trays. Hinge lock plates (130--130) which complete a hinge for each tray also serve to clamp the tubes incoming to each tray to prevent unintended movement.

Growing community of inventors

Lawrenceville, GA, United States of America

William H Bensel, Iii