FR3112434A1 - JUNCTION BOX - Google Patents

Abstract

A junction box includes a housing that defines an interior space and a hinged bracket located in the interior space. The junction box contains one or more trays. Each tray is pivotally mounted on the hinged bracket for movement between respective first and second positions. In one aspect, the topmost tray includes a plurality of dissociated splice locations to allow a splice to be made without accessing any trays below the topmost tray. In one aspect, the junction box contains structure to secure the tray to prevent movement of the tray.

Description

JUNCTION BOX

RELATED REQUESTS

The benefit is claimed of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/050,083, filed July 9, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63/079,090, filed September 16, 2020, the entire contents and disclosures of these applications being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

APPLICATION DOMAIN

The present invention relates generally to breakout boxes and associated methods for use in communications, such as fiber optic communications.

CONTEXT

A junction box is a relatively light and compact enclosure that can be mounted on a wall (e.g. can be mounted on a structure) for the termination/connection of wires, cables, communication fibers or the like (i.e. i.e. lines of communication).

Such a junction box can be used at a distribution point and/or a building entry point for communication lines. In such a junction box, it is possible to make fusion splices, direct terminations, connections or the like, and the junction box provides accommodation and thus protection for these. A separation is also often made inside the junction box. In some cases, the breakout box is a network interface unit that connects a location/zone to an overall network.

The junction box can contain one or more trays. Each tray may contain one or more splices, one or more direct terminations, one or more connections or the like.

Several different people (e.g. communications technicians) may need access to a junction box. Each different person may need to focus their work on only part of the content of the breakout box. It is possible that other portions inside the junction box must be protected, insulated or similar in order to avoid any alteration, deterioration or other of the contents of said other portions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a simplified summary of an example of the invention intended to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present invention. This summary does not constitute an exhaustive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the present invention. Its sole purpose is to present certain concepts of the present invention in a simplified form, as a prelude to the more detailed description which is presented below.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a junction box that includes a housing having an interior space and a hinged bracket located within the interior space. The junction box contains one or more trays. Each tray is pivotally mounted on the hinged bracket for movement between respective first and second positions. A topmost tray includes a plurality of dissociated splice locations to allow a splice to be made without accessing any trays below the topmost tray.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a junction box that includes a housing having an interior space and a hinged bracket located within the interior space. The junction box includes a tray pivotally mounted to the hinged bracket for movement between a first and a second position. The junction box contains a structure to secure the tray to prevent movement of the tray.

Although the techniques presented here can be implemented in alternative forms, the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings are only a few examples which supplement the description provided here. These embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner, for example by limiting the claims provided in the appendix.

The is a perspective view of an exemplary junction box in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention and shows the junction box in an open state.

The is a perspective view of the junction box example of the and shows one of several examples of trays in a pivoted-up position.

The is a perspective view of the junction box example of the , with a lid removed, and depicts some details of the example tray.

The is a perspective view of the example tray.

The is a plan view of the example tray.

Claims (20)

Junction box including:
a housing that defines an interior space;
an articulated support located in the interior space; and
a plurality of trays, each tray being pivotally mounted on the articulated support for movement between respective first and second positions;
a topmost tray comprising a plurality of dissociated splice locations to allow a splice to be made without accessing any trays below the topmost tray. A junction box according to claim 1, the topmost tray comprising a plurality of wall segments to produce the plurality of dissociated splice locations. A junction box according to claim 2, the topmost tray comprising a rear wall which extends in one plane, the plurality of wall segments extending transversely from the rear wall. A junction box according to claim 2, each dissociated splice location comprising at least one line retainer which extends transversely to the wall segments which produce the respective splice location. A junction box according to claim 2, each dissociated splice location comprising a generally oval shape, the wall segments produced by the respective splice location extending in a generally oval outline. A junction box according to claim 2, each of the plurality of dissociated splice locations including a respective indicator, and the housing including structures which each include a respective indicator which corresponds to a respective indicator of a respective one of the plurality dissociated splice locations. Junction box according to claim 6, the structures of the housing which each include a respective indicator being ports. Junction box according to claim 1, comprising a structure for fixing the uppermost plate in order to prevent the movement of the uppermost plate. Junction box according to claim 8, the structure which serves to fix the uppermost plate in order to prevent the movement of the uppermost plate comprising a portion configured to receive a fastening element. Junction box according to claim 8, the structure which serves to fix the uppermost plate in order to prevent the movement of the uppermost plate comprising a fastener. Junction box according to claim 8, the structure which serves to fix the uppermost plate in order to prevent the movement of the uppermost plate comprising a structure on the plate. Junction box according to claim 11, the structure which serves to fix the uppermost plate in order to prevent the movement of the uppermost plate comprising a structure on the housing, the structure on the plate cooperating with the structure on the housing. Junction box according to claim 8, the uppermost tray covering an area when the uppermost tray is in the first position and the structure which serves to fix the uppermost tray in order to prevent movement of the uppermost tray top preventing access to the area. Junction box including:
a housing that defines an interior space;
an articulated support located in the interior space;
a tray pivotally mounted on the articulated support for movement between a first position and a second position; and
a structure that serves to secure the tray to prevent movement of the tray between the first and second positions. A junction box according to claim 14, the structure which serves to secure the tray to prevent movement of the tray comprising a portion configured to receive a fastener. Junction box according to claim 15, the portion configured to receive a fixing element comprising a portion configured to receive a screw. Junction box according to claim 14, the structure which serves to fix the tray in order to prevent the movement of the tray comprising a fastener. Junction box according to claim 14, the structure which serves to fix the tray in order to prevent the movement of the tray comprising a structure on the tray. Junction box including:
a housing that defines an interior space; and
a tray located in the interior space, the tray comprising:
a first wall defining a first splice location to allow a first splice to be made; and
a second wall defining a second splice location, separate from the first splice location, to allow the second splice to be made separately from the first splice. Junction box according to claim 19, at least one of the first wall or the second wall extending upwards from a bottom of the tray.