AU2008303328A1

AU2008303328A1 - Optical cable termination device

Info

Publication number: AU2008303328A1
Application number: AU2008303328A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Bos; Johan Geens; Dirk Kempeneers
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
Current assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Priority date: 2007-09-24
Filing date: 2008-09-05
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Also published as: CN101861540A; WO2009040567A1; GB0718588D0; EP2191314A1

Description

WO 2009/040567 PCT/GB2008/050790 1 OPTICAL CABLE TERMINATION DEVICE This invention relates to a cable termination device for fixing in position or pulling an optical cable. Cable pulling caps for pulling optical cables through ducts are described for example in WO-A-2007/039585 (E-TO-00080) comprising two half-shells which snap-fit together 5 around an optical connector attached to an optical fibre cable, the half-shells and the optical connector having respective formations which abut against each other in the cable-pulling direction to transmit a pulling force to the cable when the cap is pulled. The present invention relates to cable termination devices which apply lateral compression forces. The invention accordingly provides an optical cable termination device 10 for fixing in position or pulling an optical cable to which the device is fitted in use, comprising first and second elongate compression members adapted for fitting together around the cable to extend lengthwise along the cable and to apply non-penetrative lateral gripping pressure to the optical cable and/or to an optical connector or other fitting attached to the cable, wherein the compression members incorporate hinge formations adapted to 15 hinge the compression members together at or near one end of the termination device and securing means adapted to secure the compression members together, arranged so that the compression members can be hingedly assembled around the cable (when present) in an open-jaw position and can then be angularly closed to engage the securing means and apply the gripping pressure, substantially without penetrating or bending the optical cable. 20 The device is preferably adapted to apply the gripping pressure at a location between the hinge and the other end of the device. The cable termination devices according to this invention can be adapted for use either as optical cable pulling caps as hereinafter described, or alternatively as optical cable locating terminations, for example as described in our co-pending British Patent Application 25 No. (E-TO-00 164) the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The hinged closure action of the termination devices according to this invention facilitates rapid and reliable installation without undue reliance on installer skills or special tools. This is especially advantageous when the gripping pressure is applied at a location between the hinge end and the other end of the device, preferably closer to the hinge end, so 30 as to provide a mechanical advantage when the closing pressure is applied near the other end of the device. Rapid and reliable installation is becoming increasingly desirable where WO 2009/040567 PCT/GB2008/050790 2 multiple cable installations are involved, especially installations of drop cables for fibre-to-the home (FTTH) services. In preferred forms of the present invention, the securing means comprises snap-fit formations on the compression members. When the device according to the invention is to 5 act as an optical cable pulling attachment, it is preferred that the compression members comprise two half-shells assemblable to form a cable pulling cap having a cable-pulling eye at or near the end of the device remote from the hinge. In some forms, the device may be adapted to apply the lateral gripping pressure by compressing a resilient ring fitted around the cable and/or the said connector or other fitting in use, for example when the resilient ring 10 is part of a protective cap of elastomeric or other resilient material removably fitted over the end of the cable (when present). In some preferred embodiments, the said cap and the said half-shells are dimensioned to enclose a connector attached to the end of the cable in use. Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 15 Figure 1 shows an optical cable 110 having an optical connector 105 of known kind attached to the cable end, Figure 2 shows a protective rubber cap 100 having a sealing ring 120 ready for fitting over the connectorised cable end, Figure 3 shows the cap 100 fitted over the end of cable 110. 20 Figure 4 shows a "bottom" part 125 of a two-part cable pulling cap having a pulling attachment eye 150 and hinge part 140 near its respective ends, and cavity 130 adapted to receive and compress the sealing ring 120 of the protective cap, Figure 5 shows the cap fitted into the pulling cap part 125 with the sealing ring 120 received in the aforementioned cavity 130, 25 Figure 6 shows a "top" part 160 of the cable pulling cap having a cavity (not shown) matching the cavity 130 of the "bottom" part 125, and a hinge part 170 co-operating with that of the "bottom" part 125 to hinge the two shells together in open-jaw formation; and a snap closure member 165 for securing the device, Figure 7 shows the pulling cap after the hinged shell parts 125 and 160 have been 30 closed together, thereby compressing the sealing-ring, and secured together by the snap closure member 165 engaging suitable detent member, Figure 8 shows in cross-section the assembly of Fig. 7 compressing the ring 120 in the now closed cavity 130 to apply the lateral gripping pressure to the connectorised cable, WO 2009/040567 PCT/GB2008/050790 3 Figure 9 shows a "bottom" part 20 and a "top" part 30 of a two-part cable termination device according to the invention and shows use of this device in mounting an optical fibre drop cable 50 on a mounting support plate 40, with an optical fibre 52 extending from the end of the cable and beyond the end of the device. 5 References to "bottom" and "top" parts of the termination device are for convenient description and do not imply any specific orientation of the device relative to its surroundings in use. The bottom part 20 has a pair of hinging bosses 24 near one of its ends and a pair of snap-fit projections 26 near its other end. The top part 30 has a pair of hinging recesses 32 near one of its ends which are engageable with the bosses 24 of the bottom part, 10 and has a pair of snap detent apertures 34 near its other end. The projections 26 of the bottom part snap fit into the apertures 34 of the top part on closure of the two parts together with the top part 30 fitting over and outside the bottom part 20, as shown on the mounting plate 40. Guide bosses 29 on the bottom part fit into guide recesses 36 of the top part, and stop shoulders 29 are provided on the bottom part to help control the closure of the device. 15 The respective parts are made of materials providing sufficient flexibility for the snap-fitting action. The top part of the device carries a pair of resilient plate-like tongues 38, which apply the lateral compression force to the cable when the device is closed. The bottom part of the device carries integral mounting feet 21, 23 designed to fit into mounting slots on the 20 mounting plate 40, with a detent tooth 22 on the foot 21 as further described below. Figure 10A shows a first step wherein the parts 20, 30 of the termination device are assembled around the cable 50 in a hinged open-jaw position, proceeding as indicated by the large white arrow to a second step wherein the device is snapped closed to grip the cable. In Figure 1 OB, the thus-terminated cable is moved towards mounting plate 40 as indicated by 25 the large black arrow A in a third step wherein the mounting feet 21, 23 of the termination device are inserted into mounting slots 41, 43 of the mounting plate, followed by sliding movement in a direction towards the cable 50 to snap the detent tooth 22 of foot 21 into a detent aperture 42 of the mounting plate, thus securing the cable laterally to the mounting plate.

Claims

1. An optical cable termination device for fixing in position or pulling an optical cable to which the device is fitted in use, comprising first and second elongate 5 compression members adapted for fitting together around the optical cable to extend lengthwise along the cable and to apply non-penetrative lateral gripping pressure to the optical cable and/or to an optical connector or other fitting attached to the cable, wherein the compression members incorporate hinge formations adapted to hinge the compression members together at or near one end of the termination device and 10 securing means adapted to secure the compression members together, arranged so that the compression members can be hingedly assembled around the cable (when present) in an open-jaw position and can then be angularly closed to engage the securing means and apply the gripping pressure, substantially without penetrating or bending the optical cable. 15

2. A device according to claim 1, adapted to apply the gripping pressure at a location between the hinge and the other end of the device.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing means is at or near the end of the device remote from the hinge end.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, adapted to apply the gripping pressure at a 20 location closer to the hinge end of the device.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises one or more snap-fit formations on the compression members.

6. A device according to any preceding claim adapted to locate the gripped optical cable on a support by engagement of the device with the support. 25

7. A device according to any of claims I to 5, adapted to act as an optical cable pulling attachment.

8. An optical cable pulling device according to claim 7, wherein the compression members comprise two half-shells assemblable to form a cable-pulling cap having a cable-pulling eye at or near the end of the device remote from the hinge. 30

9. A device according to claim 8, adapted to apply the lateral gripping pressure by compressing a resilient ring fitted around the optical cable and/or the said optical connector or other fitting in use.

10. A device according to claim 9, together with the said resilient ring. WO 2009/040567 PCT/GB2008/050790 5

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the resilient ring is part of a protective cap of elastomeric or other resilient material removably fitted over the end of the optical cable (when present).

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the said cap is dimensioned to enclose an 5 optical connector attached to the end of the optical cable in use.

13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, fitted over the said cap on the end of an optical cable.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the cable has an optical connector fitted to its end, which is enclosed by the said cap. 10 * * * * * * *