The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 18, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 24, 1999
Kelly John Smith, Aledo, TX (US);
James H. Wicker, Arlington, TX (US);
Siecor Operations, LLC, Hickory, NC (US);
Abstract
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.