EP1516219A1 - Exit conduit for optical fibres - Google Patents

Exit conduit for optical fibres

Info

Publication number
EP1516219A1
EP1516219A1 EP03730365A EP03730365A EP1516219A1 EP 1516219 A1 EP1516219 A1 EP 1516219A1 EP 03730365 A EP03730365 A EP 03730365A EP 03730365 A EP03730365 A EP 03730365A EP 1516219 A1 EP1516219 A1 EP 1516219A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conduit
exit
fibre
main
engagement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03730365A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Etienne Laeremans
Etienne Dierickx
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA filed Critical Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
Publication of EP1516219A1 publication Critical patent/EP1516219A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
    • H02G3/0437—Channels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4459—Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres

Definitions

  • This invention relates to optical fibre distribution systems, and in particular optical fibre conduits for routing optical fibres between optical fibre devices.
  • optical fibres are usually installed in duct type conduits which are used to distribute the fibre between optical devices. It is often necessary to modify such distribution systems by adding fibre exit conduits to the main fibre conduit so that optical fibre cables can be routed from the main conduit to newly installed equipment such as fibre optic equipment, racks or shelves. This can be readily achieved using optical fibre exit conduits of the type described in US-A-5,937,131 which discloses a cable exit conduit which is capable of being mounted on a top edge of a generally U-shaped duct-type conduit.
  • the exit conduit includes a bracket portion for mounting the exit conduit on the>top edge of one of the sides of the main conduit duct, and a conduit part with guides for routing the fibre from the main conduit in an "upwards and over" direction, with respect to the main conduit, in such a way that the fibres are not bent beyond a minimum radius of curvature.
  • the bracket portion essentially comprises a U-shaped channel which fits over one of the top edges of the main conduit with the top edge located within the channel of the bracket. Fastening means are provided for securing the bracket to the exterior surface of the main conduit.
  • the fibre exit conduit described in US-A-5, 937,131 is suitable for many different applications where fibre is to be fed from an existing fibre conduit distribution network.
  • fibre optic distribution systems are often located in service ducts and other concealed areas such as ceilings where access may be limited.
  • "side mounted” fibre exits can be used.
  • Side mounted fibre exit conduits can be mounted on to the side of the main fibre conduit so that the fibres can be fed directly through an aperture in the side of the main conduit into the fibre exit mounted thereon. This avoids the requirement of directing the fibres in an upward direction with respect to the main conduit before being fed into the exit conduit.
  • optical fibre exit conduit that is suitable for both mounting on the top edge of a main fibre conduit and also on the side of the main conduit for both top exit and side exit modifications for use both in existing fibre routing systems and during installation of new systems.
  • an optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section; a first engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said conduit such that in use, fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section; and a second engagement means for alternatively mounting the said fibre exit along a respective sidewall of the said conduit in the region of an opening in the said respective sidewall, such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed from the main conduit through the said opening to the said conduit section.
  • the above aspect of the invention readily enables the same fibre exit conduit to be used for providing a top edge exit or a side exit for fibres in a main conduit to which the exit conduit is mounted.
  • the fibre exit conduit can be mounted along one of the top edges of the sidewalls of the main conduit by the first engagement means, and can be alternatively mounted along one of the sidewalls to provide a side exit by the second engagement means.
  • the exit conduit may be installed on one of the sidewalls. It is preferred that this opening is formed by cutting the sidewall during installation of the exit conduit.
  • first and second engagement means comprise a separate mounting means for mounting the exit to the main conduit. In this way the first and second engagement means can be more precisely configured and adapted for top edge and sidewall mounting respectively.
  • the first engagement means comprises first and second engagement members which engage respective sides (interior and exterior) of the sidewall on which the exit conduit is mounted.
  • the first engagement member is adapted to hook over a respective lip section along the top edges of the sidewalls such that on rotation of the exit conduit the first engagement member forms an interlocking engagement with the lip section and the second engagement member engages the other side of the sidewall preventing further rotation of the exit conduit about the longitudinal axis of the top edge on which it is mounted.
  • This readily provides for simple and effective mounting of the exit conduit on a top edge of the main conduit. This can be achieved in a single hand held operation by the installer.
  • the first and second engagement members comprise a snap fit interlocking engagement means for interlocking engagement with a respective lip section along the top edge of one of the sidewalls.
  • the snap fit connection may be provided by a protrusion on the second engagement member which has a cam like profile for movement over the lip when the exit section is rotated.
  • the lip section comprises a longitudinal channel, preferably U-shaped, extending along the top edges of the sidewalls so that the protrusion of the second engagement member is located in the channel on the duct exterior side of the sidewall when mounted on the sidewall. This provides positive interlocking engagement for the exit conduit on both sides of the sidewall on which it is mounted.
  • the fibre exit further comprises retaining means for retaining the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit.
  • the retaining means comprises an adhesive or adhesive tape.
  • the retaining means may be provided in addition or alternatively to the snap fit interlocking engagement means previously mentioned.
  • the fibre exit conduit further comprises securing means for securing the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit.
  • the securing means may comprise screws or other types of fastener which secure the exit conduit to the sidewall of the main conduit.
  • at least one fastener in the form of a grub screw secures the exit conduit to the lip section of the sidewall by passing through the second engagement member and into the channel on the exterior side of the sidewall. In this way the thread of the screw does not pass into the interior region of the main or exit conduit and does not therefore damage fibres located therein.
  • the second engagement means comprises first and second grooves for receiving opposite ends of the opening in the sidewall so that, in use, the exit conduit can be slotted in the opening in the sidewall.
  • the grooves are provided at opposite ends of a mounting plate type bracket with the grooves formed parallel to each other so that the mounting plate can slide into a square or rectangular shaped opening by sliding along the parallel side edges of the rectangular or square opening.
  • the opening is cut to a predetermined size using a template during installation of the exit conduit.
  • the grooves have sufficient depth to accommodate slightly different sized openings which may occur as a result of the cutting operation and also different thicknesses of sidewall.
  • the grooves are preferably tapered in their cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the grooves.
  • the exit conduit further comprises a cover for covering the fibre conduit section. It is preferable to cover both the main conduit and the exit conduit to prevent damage to the fibres located therein.
  • the cover comprises an extension section for covering the main conduit in the region of the fibre exit when the fibre exit is mounted along a respective top edge by the first engagement means.
  • the main conduit is preferably covered in the region of the exit section in the same way that is it covered elsewhere.
  • the exit conduit is mounted by the first engagement means to the top edge of one of the sidewalls it is necessary to have a raised cover section over the main conduit between the sidewalls where the exit conduit is mounted so that the fibres fed through the exit conduit can be bent upwards and over through the top part of the main conduit into the exit conduit.
  • the extension section can be removed from the main part of the exit conduit cover by cutting or other means so that a single component can be utilised for both mounting arrangements.
  • the extension section is defined by a step on the outer surface of the cover so that a cutting tool or the like can be located against the step to remove the extension by the installer during installation.
  • the extension section further comprises engagement means for interlocking engagement with the top edge of the opposing sidewall.
  • the cover can be secured to the exit conduit on the sidewall on one side of the main conduit and directly to the sidewall on the other side of the main conduit thereby providing a rigid and secure assembly.
  • an optical fibre conduit system comprising an optical fibre exit as described above.
  • an optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section, and engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said main conduit such that in use fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section characterised in that the said engagement means provides a snap-fit interlocking engagement means for attachable/detachable interlocking engagement with the said top edge and/or sidewall on which the said exit conduit is mounted.
  • a method of feeding optical fibres from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges comprising the steps of- cutting an opening in a sidewall of the said main conduit; providing an optical fibre exit conduit having engagement means for mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening; mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening by engagement of the sides of the said opening with engagement grooves in the said exit conduit; feeding optical fibre(s) from the said main fibre conduit to the said exit conduit.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an optical fibre exit conduit and main conduit where the exit conduit is to be mounted on a top edge of a sidewall of the main conduit;
  • Figure 2 is a cross section of the arrangement of Figure 1 with the exit conduit installed on a top edge of the main conduit;
  • Figure 3 is a cross section similar to that of Figure 2 in accordance with a modified arrangement of the invention.
  • Figure 4a is a cross section similar to that of Figure 3 according to a further mounting arrangement
  • Figure 4b is a cross section similar to that of Figure 4a according to another modified mounting arrangement
  • Figure 4c is a cross section view similar to Figures 4a and 4b according to a yet further mounting arrangement.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 but with the fibre exit section configured for mounting in a sidewall of the main conduit;
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of a template suitable for cutting an opening in the sidewall of the main conduit
  • Figure 7 is a cross section view similar to that of Figure 2 for the sidewall mounting arrangement shown in Figure 5; and,
  • Figures 8a and 8b are cross-section views similar to that of Figure 2 with the exit conduit mounted on respective main conduits having different dimensions.
  • an optical fibre exit conduit 10 there is an optical fibre exit conduit 10, a main fibre conduit 12, a pair of cover portions 14 for covering the main fibre conduit and a cover 16 for the fibre exit conduit 10.
  • the fibre exit conduit 10 is a one-piece moulded plastics component preferably moulded from a polycarbonate material ABS or a polycarbonate/ ABS material.
  • the exit conduit comprises an end flange 18 which generally constitutes a mounting bracket for mounting the exit conduit to the main conduit, and a conduit section 20 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the flange 18.
  • the flange 18 has a generally flat surface 22 on one side thereof (to the front of the drawing in Figure 1) and a generally curved convex surface 24 on the reverse side thereof.
  • the curvature of the surface 24 follows the curvature of respective conduit section sidewalls 26 which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface 22 of the flange with a curved transition portion 28 between the sidewalls and the flange 18.
  • the sidewalls 26 are arcuate and extend generally parallel to each other separated by a similarly curved base member 30, the sidewalls and base 30 defines a generally U-shaped passage for fibres exiting the main conduit.
  • the flange 18 is cut away in the region of the opening to the conduit section 20 so that exiting fibre(s) can pass over the curved flange surface 24 and into the conduit section over the transition 28 and curved base 30.
  • the curvature of all surfaces over which the fibre(s) pass have a minimum bend radius corresponding to the minimum bend radius for the fibres.
  • the bottom edge 31 of the flange surface 22 is curved inwardly, that is to say towards the sidewall 26 so that it has a concave curvature.
  • the bottom edge of the flange 18 is shown as the lower edge furthest from the cover 16.
  • the main conduit 12 comprises a generally U-shaped duct having an open top with a pair of upstanding sidewalls 32 terminating at respective top edges 34.
  • the top edges are formed with an outwardly facing U-shaped channel 36 which defines a lip along the edges 34.
  • the edges of the cover portions 14 are shaped to engage the longitudinal channels 36 so that the cover portions 14 can be slid on to the main conduit 12 to cover the fibres located therein.
  • the exit conduit cover 16 is shaped to cover the conduit section 20, the flange 18 and the portion of the main conduit in the region of the exit conduit and includes an arcuate portion 16a for the conduit section, an intermediate flange cover section 16b and a further arcuate section 16c for covering the main conduit.
  • a plurality of tabs 38 are provided on the sidewall 26 for engagement with apertures 40 provided in corresponding positions on the arcuate cover portion 16a for fastening the cover 16 to the fibre exit conduit 10.
  • the cover section is further secured to the main conduit 12 along the longitudinal edge 42 of the cover section 16c which lies adjacent the top edge of the rear sidewall when the exit conduit is mounted to the front sidewall.
  • the edge 42 is provided with a series of protruding tabs 44 which extend away from the cover section 16 and a series of tabs 46, as best seen in Figure 2, which extend towards the cover for engagement with the groove 36 along the top edge of the rear sidewall 32.
  • a cam like protrusion 48 is provided on each of a pair of arms 49 which extend downwards from the sidewall transitions 28 on either side of the conduit section 20.
  • the protrusions 48 form an interlocking engagement with the channel 36 at the top edge of the sidewalls on which the exit conduit is mounted.
  • the protrusion 48 has a shape and a size which engages the channel 36 when the exit conduit 10 is mounted on the top edge of the sidewalls.
  • the exit conduit is mounted on the top edge of the sidewall by first engaging the concave surface 31 with the interior surface of the top edge channel 36 in the interior of the main conduit 12. This is accomplished by hooking the end 31 of the flange over the lip defined by the channel (as shown in Figure 2) and rotating the exit conduit about the longitudinal axis of the top edge to the upright position shown where the top edge 36 is engaged in the interior of the main conduit by the bottom edge 31 of the flange and on the exterior of the conduit by engagement of the conduit sidewall extensions legs 29 ( Figure 1 and 2) and by the protrusion 48 in the channel 36 ( Figure 3).
  • the protrusion 48 and engagement surface 31 form a snap fit connection with the top edge of the sidewall to firmly position and secure the exit conduit on the top edge of the main conduit.
  • FIG 4a A slightly different arrangement to that of Figures 1, 2 and 3 is shown in Figure 4a where the protrusion 48 is replaced by a fastening means in the form of a threaded grub screw 52 which secures the exit conduit to the main conduit by being threaded through a flange 50 on the underside of the base 30 into the region of the U-shaped channel.
  • the screw 52 does not pass through or into the material of the main conduit but instead acts to prevent movement of the conduit exit with respect to the main conduit.
  • the flange 50 extends further down the side of the main conduit sidewall and a retaining means 54 which may be in the form of adhesive or a double sided adhesive tape is applied between the flange 50 and the main conduit sidewall to fix the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit.
  • the retaining means may alternatively comprise a Velcro (RTM) fastener, for example.
  • the Velcro fastener readily enables the exit conduit to be attached and detached from the main conduit.
  • the cover 16 is integral with the exit conduit 14.
  • the integral cover part 16 includes a bent lip 51 along its edge 42 for engagement with the channel 36 on the opposite side of the main conduit to that which the exit conduit is mounted on.
  • the retaining means/securing means is provided by the arrangement shown in Figure 3 with the protrusion 48 engaging the channel 36 at the top of the sidewall on which the exit conduit is mounted
  • fibre is guided out of the main conduit in an open and over manner, that is to say, the fibre is bent upwards so as to pass through the open top part of the main conduit as it passes over the rear surface 24 of the flange and transition 28 into the conduit section 20 where it is turned through an angle of 90 or more.
  • the main conduit 12 is adapted for mounting the exit conduit 10 on one of the sidewalls 32 by removing a rectangular section of the sidewalls to create an opening 55 so that the exit conduit may be mounted on sidewalls in the manner described below.
  • the opening 55 is preferably cut out using an appropriate template such as that shown in Figure 6 which template 57 can be placed over the sidewall and top edge to guide a cutting tool through slots 59.
  • the lateral sides 56 of the flange 18 are each provided with a tapered groove which extends longitudinally from the bottom edge 31 to the opposing top edge of the flange.
  • the grooves 58 are of a size and shape to receive the opposed lateral edges 60 of the main conduit cut-out opening 55 in such a way that the exit conduit can be slotted in the sidewall by engagement of the sidewall edges in the grooves 58.
  • the cover 16 is cut at the boundary between the sections 16b and 16c so that the section 16c is removed from the cover since this is not required when the exit conduit is mounted on the sidewall as in Figure 5. This can be more readily understood by reference to Figure 7 which shows in cross section the exit conduit 10 and cover 16 mounted on the sidewall of the main conduit 12.
  • the main conduit is covered continuously by cover 14 with no discontinuity in the region of the exit conduit.
  • fibre(s) can be fed through the opening 55 formed in the sidewall of the main conduit directly into the conduit section of the exit conduit.
  • the mounting arrangement of the exit conduit is the same as that shown in Figure 2 except that the main duct has a width dimension twice that of the main conduit in Figure 2.
  • the mounting arrangement is the same as in Figures 7 and 8a but with the width dimension of the main conduit three times that of the main conduit in Figure 3.
  • the cover 14 in the region of the exit conduit the corner 14 is cut to an appropriate width dimension for engagement at one end with the channel section 36 at the top edge of the opposite sidewall to that on which the exit conduit is mounted, and at the other end for engagement with the tabs 44 provided along the side edge 42 of the cover part 16c.
  • the cover 14 may be provided with lines of weakness corresponding to different standard widths of main conduit to enable the cover to be broken or more easily cut to the required dimension.
  • the cover 16 may be integral with a cover extension corresponding to the cover 14 for engagement with the channel 36 on the opposite sidewall with longitudinal engagement edges 46 at pre-determined positions corresponding to standard main conduit widths, with lines of weakness associated with each of the engagement edges so that the integral main conduit cover can be cut or broken to a desirable width.
  • the fibre conduit exit may be connected to different types of main conduit including conduits having a plurality of parallel duct sections arranged in side by side arrangement with the cover extending over all or some of the duct sections.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides an optical fibre exit conduit (10) for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit (12) of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls (32) terminating at respective open top edges (34); the fibre exit comprises: a fibre conduit section (20); a first engagement means (31) for mounting the fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said main conduit such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the conduit exit section; and a second engagement means (58) for alternatively mounting the fibre exit along a respective sidewall (32) of the conduit in the region of an opening (55) in the sidewall, such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed from the main conduit through the opening to the conduit section.

Description

EXIT CONDUIT FOR OPTICAL FIBRES
This invention relates to optical fibre distribution systems, and in particular optical fibre conduits for routing optical fibres between optical fibre devices.
In buildings and other installations optical fibres are usually installed in duct type conduits which are used to distribute the fibre between optical devices. It is often necessary to modify such distribution systems by adding fibre exit conduits to the main fibre conduit so that optical fibre cables can be routed from the main conduit to newly installed equipment such as fibre optic equipment, racks or shelves. This can be readily achieved using optical fibre exit conduits of the type described in US-A-5,937,131 which discloses a cable exit conduit which is capable of being mounted on a top edge of a generally U-shaped duct-type conduit. In this particular example the exit conduit includes a bracket portion for mounting the exit conduit on the>top edge of one of the sides of the main conduit duct, and a conduit part with guides for routing the fibre from the main conduit in an "upwards and over" direction, with respect to the main conduit, in such a way that the fibres are not bent beyond a minimum radius of curvature. The bracket portion essentially comprises a U-shaped channel which fits over one of the top edges of the main conduit with the top edge located within the channel of the bracket. Fastening means are provided for securing the bracket to the exterior surface of the main conduit.
The fibre exit conduit described in US-A-5, 937,131 is suitable for many different applications where fibre is to be fed from an existing fibre conduit distribution network. However, in some applications there is insufficient space available to accommodate fibre exit conduits of the type described. For example, fibre optic distribution systems are often located in service ducts and other concealed areas such as ceilings where access may be limited. Where insufficient space exists for the installation of a "top edge" mounted fibre exit, for example due to insufficient space above the main fibre conduit, "side mounted" fibre exits can be used. Side mounted fibre exit conduits can be mounted on to the side of the main fibre conduit so that the fibres can be fed directly through an aperture in the side of the main conduit into the fibre exit mounted thereon. This avoids the requirement of directing the fibres in an upward direction with respect to the main conduit before being fed into the exit conduit.
Hitherto it has been necessary for fibre installation personnel to use a different type of fibre exit conduit for "top edge" and "side mounted" applications since known exit conduits are only appropriate for one type of mounting. This requires that the installer carries both types of exit conduit so that both types are available for use during the installation depending on the requirements of the modification to be made. This can be wasteful in terms of the number, of each of the different components the installer has to carry to a particular location where a modification to the fibre conduit network is to be made. Another disadvantage associated with two different types of fibre exit conduit components is higher production costs, since different tooling is required for the manufacture of the different components.
There is a requirement for an optical fibre exit conduit that is suitable for both mounting on the top edge of a main fibre conduit and also on the side of the main conduit for both top exit and side exit modifications for use both in existing fibre routing systems and during installation of new systems.
According to an aspect of the invention there is an optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section; a first engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said conduit such that in use, fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section; and a second engagement means for alternatively mounting the said fibre exit along a respective sidewall of the said conduit in the region of an opening in the said respective sidewall, such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed from the main conduit through the said opening to the said conduit section.
The above aspect of the invention readily enables the same fibre exit conduit to be used for providing a top edge exit or a side exit for fibres in a main conduit to which the exit conduit is mounted. In one way the fibre exit conduit can be mounted along one of the top edges of the sidewalls of the main conduit by the first engagement means, and can be alternatively mounted along one of the sidewalls to provide a side exit by the second engagement means. Thus, in situations where there is insufficient space above the main conduit to install the exit conduit on the top of one of the side edges, the exit conduit may be installed on one of the sidewalls. It is preferred that this opening is formed by cutting the sidewall during installation of the exit conduit.
In preferred embodiments, the first and second engagement means comprise a separate mounting means for mounting the exit to the main conduit. In this way the first and second engagement means can be more precisely configured and adapted for top edge and sidewall mounting respectively.
Preferably the first engagement means comprises first and second engagement members which engage respective sides (interior and exterior) of the sidewall on which the exit conduit is mounted.
Preferably the first engagement member is adapted to hook over a respective lip section along the top edges of the sidewalls such that on rotation of the exit conduit the first engagement member forms an interlocking engagement with the lip section and the second engagement member engages the other side of the sidewall preventing further rotation of the exit conduit about the longitudinal axis of the top edge on which it is mounted. This readily provides for simple and effective mounting of the exit conduit on a top edge of the main conduit. This can be achieved in a single hand held operation by the installer.
Preferably the first and second engagement members comprise a snap fit interlocking engagement means for interlocking engagement with a respective lip section along the top edge of one of the sidewalls. This readily enables the exit conduit to be securely fixed to the main conduit without further fixing means. In this way it is possible for the exit conduit to be installed quickly and efficiently in a single operation. The snap fit connection may be provided by a protrusion on the second engagement member which has a cam like profile for movement over the lip when the exit section is rotated. It is preferred that the lip section comprises a longitudinal channel, preferably U-shaped, extending along the top edges of the sidewalls so that the protrusion of the second engagement member is located in the channel on the duct exterior side of the sidewall when mounted on the sidewall. This provides positive interlocking engagement for the exit conduit on both sides of the sidewall on which it is mounted.
In other embodiments the fibre exit further comprises retaining means for retaining the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit. Preferably, the retaining means comprises an adhesive or adhesive tape. Preferably, on a surface of the second engagement member which contacts the sidewall. The retaining means may be provided in addition or alternatively to the snap fit interlocking engagement means previously mentioned.
Preferably the fibre exit conduit further comprises securing means for securing the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit. The securing means may comprise screws or other types of fastener which secure the exit conduit to the sidewall of the main conduit. Preferably, at least one fastener in the form of a grub screw secures the exit conduit to the lip section of the sidewall by passing through the second engagement member and into the channel on the exterior side of the sidewall. In this way the thread of the screw does not pass into the interior region of the main or exit conduit and does not therefore damage fibres located therein.
Preferably, the second engagement means comprises first and second grooves for receiving opposite ends of the opening in the sidewall so that, in use, the exit conduit can be slotted in the opening in the sidewall. It is preferred that the grooves are provided at opposite ends of a mounting plate type bracket with the grooves formed parallel to each other so that the mounting plate can slide into a square or rectangular shaped opening by sliding along the parallel side edges of the rectangular or square opening. Preferably the opening is cut to a predetermined size using a template during installation of the exit conduit. Preferably the grooves have sufficient depth to accommodate slightly different sized openings which may occur as a result of the cutting operation and also different thicknesses of sidewall. In this respect the grooves are preferably tapered in their cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the grooves. ln preferred embodiments, the exit conduit further comprises a cover for covering the fibre conduit section. It is preferable to cover both the main conduit and the exit conduit to prevent damage to the fibres located therein.
Preferably, the cover comprises an extension section for covering the main conduit in the region of the fibre exit when the fibre exit is mounted along a respective top edge by the first engagement means. When the fibre exit is mounted in a opening in one of the sidewalls by the second engagement means the main conduit is preferably covered in the region of the exit section in the same way that is it covered elsewhere. However, where the exit conduit is mounted by the first engagement means to the top edge of one of the sidewalls it is necessary to have a raised cover section over the main conduit between the sidewalls where the exit conduit is mounted so that the fibres fed through the exit conduit can be bent upwards and over through the top part of the main conduit into the exit conduit. Preferably the extension section can be removed from the main part of the exit conduit cover by cutting or other means so that a single component can be utilised for both mounting arrangements. In this way it is preferred that the extension section is defined by a step on the outer surface of the cover so that a cutting tool or the like can be located against the step to remove the extension by the installer during installation.
Preferably the extension section further comprises engagement means for interlocking engagement with the top edge of the opposing sidewall. In this way the cover can be secured to the exit conduit on the sidewall on one side of the main conduit and directly to the sidewall on the other side of the main conduit thereby providing a rigid and secure assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention there is an optical fibre conduit system comprising an optical fibre exit as described above.
According to another aspect of the invention there is an optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section, and engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said main conduit such that in use fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section characterised in that the said engagement means provides a snap-fit interlocking engagement means for attachable/detachable interlocking engagement with the said top edge and/or sidewall on which the said exit conduit is mounted.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is a method of feeding optical fibres from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said method comprising the steps of- cutting an opening in a sidewall of the said main conduit; providing an optical fibre exit conduit having engagement means for mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening; mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening by engagement of the sides of the said opening with engagement grooves in the said exit conduit; feeding optical fibre(s) from the said main fibre conduit to the said exit conduit.
Various embodiments will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an optical fibre exit conduit and main conduit where the exit conduit is to be mounted on a top edge of a sidewall of the main conduit; Figure 2 is a cross section of the arrangement of Figure 1 with the exit conduit installed on a top edge of the main conduit;
Figure 3 is a cross section similar to that of Figure 2 in accordance with a modified arrangement of the invention;
Figure 4a is a cross section similar to that of Figure 3 according to a further mounting arrangement;
Figure 4b is a cross section similar to that of Figure 4a according to another modified mounting arrangement;
Figure 4c is a cross section view similar to Figures 4a and 4b according to a yet further mounting arrangement. Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 but with the fibre exit section configured for mounting in a sidewall of the main conduit;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a template suitable for cutting an opening in the sidewall of the main conduit;
Figure 7 is a cross section view similar to that of Figure 2 for the sidewall mounting arrangement shown in Figure 5; and,
Figures 8a and 8b are cross-section views similar to that of Figure 2 with the exit conduit mounted on respective main conduits having different dimensions.
Referring to Figure 1, in one arrangement of the invention there is an optical fibre exit conduit 10, a main fibre conduit 12, a pair of cover portions 14 for covering the main fibre conduit and a cover 16 for the fibre exit conduit 10.
The fibre exit conduit 10 is a one-piece moulded plastics component preferably moulded from a polycarbonate material ABS or a polycarbonate/ ABS material. The exit conduit comprises an end flange 18 which generally constitutes a mounting bracket for mounting the exit conduit to the main conduit, and a conduit section 20 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the flange 18. The flange 18 has a generally flat surface 22 on one side thereof (to the front of the drawing in Figure 1) and a generally curved convex surface 24 on the reverse side thereof. The curvature of the surface 24 follows the curvature of respective conduit section sidewalls 26 which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface 22 of the flange with a curved transition portion 28 between the sidewalls and the flange 18. The sidewalls 26 are arcuate and extend generally parallel to each other separated by a similarly curved base member 30, the sidewalls and base 30 defines a generally U-shaped passage for fibres exiting the main conduit. The flange 18 is cut away in the region of the opening to the conduit section 20 so that exiting fibre(s) can pass over the curved flange surface 24 and into the conduit section over the transition 28 and curved base 30. The curvature of all surfaces over which the fibre(s) pass have a minimum bend radius corresponding to the minimum bend radius for the fibres.
The bottom edge 31 of the flange surface 22 is curved inwardly, that is to say towards the sidewall 26 so that it has a concave curvature. In the drawing of Figure 1 the bottom edge of the flange 18 is shown as the lower edge furthest from the cover 16.
The main conduit 12 comprises a generally U-shaped duct having an open top with a pair of upstanding sidewalls 32 terminating at respective top edges 34. The top edges are formed with an outwardly facing U-shaped channel 36 which defines a lip along the edges 34. The edges of the cover portions 14 are shaped to engage the longitudinal channels 36 so that the cover portions 14 can be slid on to the main conduit 12 to cover the fibres located therein.
The exit conduit cover 16 is shaped to cover the conduit section 20, the flange 18 and the portion of the main conduit in the region of the exit conduit and includes an arcuate portion 16a for the conduit section, an intermediate flange cover section 16b and a further arcuate section 16c for covering the main conduit. A plurality of tabs 38 are provided on the sidewall 26 for engagement with apertures 40 provided in corresponding positions on the arcuate cover portion 16a for fastening the cover 16 to the fibre exit conduit 10. The cover section is further secured to the main conduit 12 along the longitudinal edge 42 of the cover section 16c which lies adjacent the top edge of the rear sidewall when the exit conduit is mounted to the front sidewall. The edge 42 is provided with a series of protruding tabs 44 which extend away from the cover section 16 and a series of tabs 46, as best seen in Figure 2, which extend towards the cover for engagement with the groove 36 along the top edge of the rear sidewall 32.
In the embodiment of Figure 3, a cam like protrusion 48 is provided on each of a pair of arms 49 which extend downwards from the sidewall transitions 28 on either side of the conduit section 20. The protrusions 48 form an interlocking engagement with the channel 36 at the top edge of the sidewalls on which the exit conduit is mounted. The protrusion 48 has a shape and a size which engages the channel 36 when the exit conduit 10 is mounted on the top edge of the sidewalls.
The exit conduit is mounted on the top edge of the sidewall by first engaging the concave surface 31 with the interior surface of the top edge channel 36 in the interior of the main conduit 12. This is accomplished by hooking the end 31 of the flange over the lip defined by the channel (as shown in Figure 2) and rotating the exit conduit about the longitudinal axis of the top edge to the upright position shown where the top edge 36 is engaged in the interior of the main conduit by the bottom edge 31 of the flange and on the exterior of the conduit by engagement of the conduit sidewall extensions legs 29 (Figure 1 and 2) and by the protrusion 48 in the channel 36 (Figure 3). In the arrangement of Figure 3 the protrusion 48 and engagement surface 31 form a snap fit connection with the top edge of the sidewall to firmly position and secure the exit conduit on the top edge of the main conduit.
A slightly different arrangement to that of Figures 1, 2 and 3 is shown in Figure 4a where the protrusion 48 is replaced by a fastening means in the form of a threaded grub screw 52 which secures the exit conduit to the main conduit by being threaded through a flange 50 on the underside of the base 30 into the region of the U-shaped channel. In this arrangement the screw 52 does not pass through or into the material of the main conduit but instead acts to prevent movement of the conduit exit with respect to the main conduit.
In the arrangement of Figure 4b the flange 50 extends further down the side of the main conduit sidewall and a retaining means 54 which may be in the form of adhesive or a double sided adhesive tape is applied between the flange 50 and the main conduit sidewall to fix the exit conduit with respect to the main conduit. The retaining means may alternatively comprise a Velcro (RTM) fastener, for example. The Velcro fastener readily enables the exit conduit to be attached and detached from the main conduit.
In Figures 4a and 4b the cover 16 is integral with the exit conduit 14. The integral cover part 16 includes a bent lip 51 along its edge 42 for engagement with the channel 36 on the opposite side of the main conduit to that which the exit conduit is mounted on.
In the arrangement of Figure 4c, the retaining means/securing means is provided by the arrangement shown in Figure 3 with the protrusion 48 engaging the channel 36 at the top of the sidewall on which the exit conduit is mounted
In the arrangements of Figures 1-4, fibre is guided out of the main conduit in an open and over manner, that is to say, the fibre is bent upwards so as to pass through the open top part of the main conduit as it passes over the rear surface 24 of the flange and transition 28 into the conduit section 20 where it is turned through an angle of 90 or more.
Referring to Figure 5 in another arrangement the main conduit 12 is adapted for mounting the exit conduit 10 on one of the sidewalls 32 by removing a rectangular section of the sidewalls to create an opening 55 so that the exit conduit may be mounted on sidewalls in the manner described below. The opening 55 is preferably cut out using an appropriate template such as that shown in Figure 6 which template 57 can be placed over the sidewall and top edge to guide a cutting tool through slots 59.
The lateral sides 56 of the flange 18 are each provided with a tapered groove which extends longitudinally from the bottom edge 31 to the opposing top edge of the flange. The grooves 58 are of a size and shape to receive the opposed lateral edges 60 of the main conduit cut-out opening 55 in such a way that the exit conduit can be slotted in the sidewall by engagement of the sidewall edges in the grooves 58. In this configuration the cover 16 is cut at the boundary between the sections 16b and 16c so that the section 16c is removed from the cover since this is not required when the exit conduit is mounted on the sidewall as in Figure 5. This can be more readily understood by reference to Figure 7 which shows in cross section the exit conduit 10 and cover 16 mounted on the sidewall of the main conduit 12. In this configuration the main conduit is covered continuously by cover 14 with no discontinuity in the region of the exit conduit. As can be seen in Figure 6 in this configuration fibre(s) can be fed through the opening 55 formed in the sidewall of the main conduit directly into the conduit section of the exit conduit.
In Figure 8a the mounting arrangement of the exit conduit is the same as that shown in Figure 2 except that the main duct has a width dimension twice that of the main conduit in Figure 2. In Figure 8b the mounting arrangement is the same as in Figures 7 and 8a but with the width dimension of the main conduit three times that of the main conduit in Figure 3. In order to accommodate these different size conduits the cover 14 in the region of the exit conduit the corner 14 is cut to an appropriate width dimension for engagement at one end with the channel section 36 at the top edge of the opposite sidewall to that on which the exit conduit is mounted, and at the other end for engagement with the tabs 44 provided along the side edge 42 of the cover part 16c. This enables the fibre exit conduit 12 to be used with any size of main conduit since the cover 14 in the region of the exit is cut to the required dimension for interlocking engagement with both the tabs 44 on the cover 16c and the channel 36 on the top edge of the opposite sidewall. In other arrangements the cover 14 may be provided with lines of weakness corresponding to different standard widths of main conduit to enable the cover to be broken or more easily cut to the required dimension. In further arrangements the cover 16 may be integral with a cover extension corresponding to the cover 14 for engagement with the channel 36 on the opposite sidewall with longitudinal engagement edges 46 at pre-determined positions corresponding to standard main conduit widths, with lines of weakness associated with each of the engagement edges so that the integral main conduit cover can be cut or broken to a desirable width.
Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and various changes and modifications may be affected without exercise of further inventive skill. For example, the fibre conduit exit may be connected to different types of main conduit including conduits having a plurality of parallel duct sections arranged in side by side arrangement with the cover extending over all or some of the duct sections.

Claims

CLAEVIS
1. An optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section; a first engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said main conduit such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section; and a second engagement means for alternatively mounting the said fibre exit along a respective sidewall of the said conduit in the region of an opening in the said respective sidewall, such that, in use, fibre(s) is/are fed from the main conduit through the said opening to the said conduit section.
2. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said first and second engagement means comprise separate mounting means for mounting the said exit to the said main conduit.
3. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the first engagement means comprises first and second engagement members for engagement with respective sides of a respective sidewall at the top edge thereof.
4. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the first engagement member is adapted to hook over a respective lip section along the said sidewall top edges such that on rotation of the said exit the second engagement member engages the respective sidewall.
5. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the said first and second engagement members comprise a snap-fit inter-locking engagement means for inter- locking engagement with a respective lip section along the said sidewall top edges.
6. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 further comprising retaining means for retaining the said exit with respect to the said main conduit.
7. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the said retaining means comprises an adhesive, adhesive tape, or Velcro fastening means.
8. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 further comprising securing means for securing the said exit with respect to the said main conduit.
9. An optical fibre exit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said second engagement means comprises first and second grooves for receiving opposite ends of the said opening, whereby in use the exit is slotted in the said opening in the respective sidewall.
10. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the said grooves are tapered in their longitudinal cross-sections.
11. An optical fibre exit as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a cover for the said fibre conduit section.
12. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the said cover comprises an extension section for covering the main conduit in the region of the said fibre exit when the said fibre exit is mounted along a respective top edge by the said first engagement means.
13. An optical fibre exit as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the said extension section comprises engagement means for interlocking engagement with the top edge of the opposing sidewall or the edge of an adjacent cover member on the said main conduit.
14. An optical fibre conduit system comprising an optical fibre exit as claimed in any preceding claim.
15. An optical fibre exit conduit for feeding fibre(s) from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said fibre exit comprising: a fibre conduit section, and engagement means for mounting the said fibre exit along a respective top edge of the said main conduit such that in use fibre(s) is/are fed through the open top of the main conduit to the said conduit exit section characterised in that the said engagement means provides a snap-fit interlocking engagement means for attachable/detachable interlocking engagement with the said top edge and/or sidewall on which the said exit conduit is mounted.
16 A method of feeding optical fibres from/to a main fibre conduit of the type having a pair of generally upstanding sidewalls terminating at respective open top edges; the said method comprising the steps of: - cutting an opening in a sidewall of the said main conduit; providing an optical fibre exit conduit having engagement means for mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening; mounting the said exit conduit in the said opening by engagement of the sides of the said opening with engagement grooves in the said exit conduit; feeding optical fibre(s) from the said main fibre conduit to the said exit conduit.
EP03730365A 2002-06-27 2003-06-11 Exit conduit for optical fibres Withdrawn EP1516219A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0214882.3A GB0214882D0 (en) 2002-06-27 2002-06-27 Optical fibre exit conduit
GB0214882 2002-06-27
PCT/GB2003/002545 WO2004003617A1 (en) 2002-06-27 2003-06-11 Exit conduit for optical fibres

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1516219A1 true EP1516219A1 (en) 2005-03-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03730365A Withdrawn EP1516219A1 (en) 2002-06-27 2003-06-11 Exit conduit for optical fibres

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1516219A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003241046A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0214882D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2004003617A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004003617A1 (en) 2004-01-08
GB0214882D0 (en) 2002-08-07
AU2003241046A1 (en) 2004-01-19

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