GB2283374A

GB2283374A - Cable splice closure

Info

Publication number: GB2283374A
Application number: GB9322289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Charles Foss; Andrew Stephen Cammack
Original assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Current assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Priority date: 1993-10-29
Filing date: 1993-10-29
Publication date: 1995-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-29
Also published as: GB2283374B; GB9322289D0

Abstract

A cable splice closure, e.g. for electrical or optical fibre cables, comprises a base 33 having ports for the entry of cables to be spliced, a tubular cover 20 which seats against a peripheral surface of the base 33, and a peripheral C-shaped clamping band 9 for fastening the base to the cover. The base and cover 33, 20 have complementary radially projecting tabs 31, 21 which project through apertures 11 in the band 9, thereby preventing the cover 20 from being detached from the base once the band is applied. The band 9 may be fastened with an overcentre latch, with a bolt, or by interengaging toothed extensions 32. Security seals may be fitted to apertures 22 in the tabs 31, 21. <IMAGE>

Description

CABLE SPLICE CLOSURE This invention relates to a cable splice closure, and more particularly but not solely to a splice closure for electrical or optical fibre communications cables.

Splice closures generally comprise a base having cable entry ports, and a tubular cover which is closed at one end and arranged to fit at its other end around a peripheral surface of the base, the cover when fitted enclosing splices or connections which have been made between cables passing through the entry ports. It is necessary to fasten the base to the cover and typically a clamp is applied around the outside of the closure. These clamps generally comprise two V-section parts hinged together so that they can be opened and then applied over annular flanges on the base and cover, so as to urge the flanges into face-to-face contact. These clamps are bulky and expensive to manufacture.

We have now devised a cable splice closure which alleviates the above-mentioned problems of conventional splice closures.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a cable splice closure which comprises a base having ports for the entry of cables to be spliced, a tubular cover which seats on a peripheral surface of the base, and a peripheral clamping band for fastening the base to the cover, the base and cover having complementary projections which project through one or more apertures in the clamping band, when the clamping band is applied.

The aperture or apertures in the clamping band thus serve to hold in place the projections of the base and cover, when the cover is fitted to the base, so that the base and cover cannot be separated. Any forces which are applied to the base and cover, tending to move them apart, apply a shear stress to the clamping band. The band is sufficiently strong to resist the applied force. The construction of the band is simple, compact, cheap to manufacture and less complex than conventional V-section clamps.

Preferably the clamping band comprises a strip of flexible material e.g. metal or plastics having means for fastening its opposite ends together.

Preferably an aperture extends through the complementary projections of the base and cover, for receiving a cable tie or security seal after the band has been applied.

Thus, it is not possible to remove the clamping band without initially removing the cable tie or security seal.

Preferably a plurality of the complementary projections are formed around the peripheries of the base and cover.

Preferably the cover of the closure snap- engages with the base, the clamping band being applied after the cover of the closure has been fitted to the base.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a clamping band for a cable splice closure in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the joint between the base and cover of a cable splice closure incorporating the clamping band of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of cable splice closure in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a clamping band 9 for a cable splice closure. The band 9 comprises an elongate flat strip 10 of stainless steel, which is bent out of its plane to a generally circular form. An over-centre latch 12 is attached between the opposite ends of the strip 10, so as to fasten its ends together. A plurality of rectangular apertures 11 are formed at intervals along the strip 10, and the strip 10 is bent to form two diametrically opposite portions 13 of the band 9 at radially outward positions.

Referring to Figure 2, the band 9 is applied around the joint between a tubular cover 20 and a base 33 of a splice closure. The cover 20 of the closure is formed with radially projecting tabs 21 spaced apart around its circumference at its open end. Apertures 22 are formed through the tabs 21. The base 33 of the closure is also formed with radially projecting tabs (not shown) which line up with the tabs 21 on the cover 20 when the cover is fitted to the base. The cover 20 is provided with two diametrically opposite catches 23 which snap engage with the base 33 when the cover is fitted to the base.

The clamping band 9 is flexible so that it may be applied around the base and cover of the closure. The tabs on the base and cover project through the apertures 11 in the clamping band 9. The catches 23 are received in the bent-out portions 13 of the band 9. The latch 12 can be operated to tightly secure the band 9 around the base and cover of the closure. Security seals (not shown) may be attached through the apertures 21 in the tabs, so as to prevent the clamping band 9 from being removed.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a splice closure and like parts are given like reference numerals. The sealing band 9 comprises a flexible plastics strap 10 having its opposite ends provided with complementary engaging portions of a fastening 30. The band may be formed as a one-piece moulding. One end of the strap 10 has an extension 32 formed with teeth on its radially outer surface, whilst the other end of the strap has an extension 34 formed with teeth on its radially inner surface and which interengage with the teeth of extension 32. An arm 36 extends from the one end of the strap 10 parallel to and spaced radially outwardly from the extension 32, providing a slot 37 which receives the extension 34.

In use, the band 9 may be applied around the joint between the base and cover 33,20 of the closure. The tabs 31,21 on the base and cover 33,20 project through the apertures 11 in the strap 10. The band 9 is arranged such that one of the catches 23 is located between the ends of the strap 10, the other catch (not shown) is received in a bent out portion of the strap 10.

To open the closure, the fastening 30 may be twisted so that its two extensions 32,34 disengage. The fastening 30 may be arranged so that the band cannot be removed once it has been applied, without cutting across the extension 34. This type of band provides a tamper evident feature for the closure. In an alternative embodiment the band 9 may be provided with radially projecting flanges at its opposite ends. A bolt passes between the two flanges for tightening the strap 10 around the base and cover of the closure.

Claims

1) A cable splice closure which comprises a base having ports for the entry of cables to be spliced, a tubular cover which seats on a peripheral surface of the base, and a peripheral clamping band for fastening the base to the cover, the base and cover having complementary projections which project through one or more apertures in the clamping band, when the latter is applied.

2) A cable splice closure, as claimed in claim 1, in which the clamping band comprises a strip of flexible material having means for fastening its opposite ends together.

3) A cable splice closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the fastening means comprises an over-centre latch.

4) A cable splice closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the clamping band comprises a one-piece moulding provided at its opposite ends with complementary engaging portion of said fastening means.

5) A cable splice closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the clamping band comprises flanges at its opposite ends for receiving a bolt for tightening the band around the closure.

6) A cable splice closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an aperture extends through the complementary projection of the base and cover, for receiving a cable tie or security seal after the clamping band has been applied.

7) A cable splice closure as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of complementary projections formed around the periphery of the base and cover.

8) A cable splice closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cover snap-engages with the base.

9) A cable splice closure as substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or 3 of the accompanying drawings.