GB2349233A

GB2349233A - Cable splice enclosure with angled cable port

Info

Publication number: GB2349233A
Application number: GB9928755A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Charles Foss
Original assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Current assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Priority date: 1999-04-22
Filing date: 1999-12-07
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9928755D0; GB9909194D0

Abstract

A splice enclosure particularly for optical fibre cables, comprises a base part 20 formed with at least one port 21 for the entry or exit of optical fibre cables C1, and a cylindrical cover 22 one end of which fits onto the base part. The port extends in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. The enclosure and an associated coil of cable accordingly occupy a space of reduced length L within a pit P.

Description

CABLE SPLICE CLOSURE The present invention relates to an enclosure for splices in optical fibre or other cables.

A commonly used splice enclosure for optical fibre cables comprises a base through which the cables enter the enclosure, and a cylindrical cover which is closed at one end and fits at its other end onto the base. The base is formed with a number of ports for the incoming and outgoing cables and these ports extend parallel to the axis of the cylindrical cover of the enclosure.

Such splice enclosures are often mounted in rectangular pits built into the ground, the splice enclosures being mounted horizontally to a side wall of the pit. Usually the pit has cable entries in its end walls, adjacent the opposite side wall: the cables extend through each of these entries and around in a coil before entering the splice enclosure through its base. Often two splice enclosures are mounted end-to-end in a pit, with their cables entering the pit from opposite ends. However, with the tendency to require splice enclosures of increasing sizes, it is difficult to accommodate two splice enclosures end-to-end in a standard size pit without the cable coil of one enclosure being overlapped by the cable coil of the other enclosure: in this case, the one enclosure cannot be removed and taken above ground, for work to be carried out on it, without disturbing the other enclosure.

We have now devised a splice enclosure which can be used for various types of cable, including optical fibre cables, and which overcomes the above problem and requires less space for installation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a splice enclosure which comprises an end part formed with at least one port for the entry or exit of cables, and a generally tubular cover one end of which is arranged to fit onto or against the end part, the cable entry or exit port extending in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

With this arrangement, if a coil of a cable is associated with the enclosure, when installed, then this coil projects a relatively short distance beyond the end of the enclosure, and lies substantially alongside the enclosure.

Accordingly, the overall length of the space required by the enclosure, for its installation, is reduced relative to an enclosure in which the cable entry or exit port extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. The arrangement therefore enables two splice enclosures to be mounted horizontally, end-to-end within a pit, without their associated coils of cables overlapping, where otherwise two enclosures of the same size could not be installed in that pit without an overlap of their associated cable coils.

Alternatively, the enclosure may be installed in a pit of smaller overall length than would otherwise be required.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a pit in which two prior art optical fibre splice enclosures are installed; and FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a pit in which two optical fibre splice enclosures in accordance with the present invention are installed.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a pit P which is built into the ground. Two enclosures SI, S2 for optical fibre splices are mounted horizontally, end-to-end on one side wall of the pit P: cable entries E1, E2 are formed in the opposite ends of the pit, adjacent its opposite side wall. Each of the splice enclosures comprises a base part 10 and a cylindrical cover 12 one end of which fits onto or against the base 10: the other end of the cover 12 is closed.

The base 10 is formed with one or more ports 11, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure, for the entry or exit of optical fibre cables. The length of optical fibre cable, extending between each enclosure and a respective entry El or E2 of the pit, is stored as a coil Cl, C2. However, it will be noted that each coil projects a substantial distance beyond the end of its associated enclosure such that, with splice enclosures which are relatively long, having regard to the length of the pit, it is necessary for the coil from one enclosure to be overlapped by the coil from the other enclosure: accordingly, it is not possible to remove the one enclosure, to take it above ground and remove its cover in order to work on its cable splices, without disturbing the other enclosure.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is shown a pit P having two optical fibre splice enclosures mounted horizontally, end-to-end on its side wall. Each enclosure comprises a base part 20 and a cylindrical cover 22 one end of which fits onto or against the base part 20: the other end of the cover 22 is closed. As usual, the enclosure further comprises a number of trays or other supports (not shown) for fibre splices, and these trays or other supports are mounted to the base part 10 and normally enclosed within the cover 22. When it is required to carry out splicing work, the enclosure is lifted out of the pit, the stored coil of cable permitting this, and the cover is removed (by sliding it axially away from the base).

However, it will be noted that, in each splice enclosure shown in Figure 2, the cable entry or exit port 21 extends in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. Preferably the angle of inclination is between 30 and 90 , and more preferably between 45 and 75 .

It will be noted from Figure 2 that, with the port 21 inclined towards the opposite side wall of the pit P, the associated coil Cl or C2 of optical fibre cable projects only a small distance beyond the base end of the enclosure: therefore, overall, the enclosure and its associated cable coil require a space of reduced length within the pit P. As shown in Figure 2, this enables two enclosures to be installed end-to-end in the same pit, without their associated cable coils overlapping one another, where if two enclosures of the same size but having axially-extending ports were installed in a pit of the same size, their associated cable coils would overlap.

Alternatively, a single splice enclosure in accordance with the present invention may be installed in a pit of smaller length L than would otherwise be required.

In a modification, the enclosure may comprise a cylindrical cover and two end parts, for fitting to the opposite ends of the cover, each of the end parts comprising a base part corresponding to the base part 20 shown in Figure 2, i. e. with its exit port extending in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cover.

Although the invention has been described in terms of a splice enclosure for optical fibre cables, it may instead form an enclosure for other forms of cable splices, particularly in telecommunications cables.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) A splice enclosure which comprises an end part formed with at least one port for the entry or exit of one or more cables, and a tubular cover one end of which is arranged to fit onto or against the base part, the cable entry or exit port extending in a direction which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.
2) A splice enclosure as claimed in claim 1, in which said cable entry or exit port is inclined at an angle of between 30 and 90 to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.
3) A splice enclosure as claimed in claim 2, in which said cable entry or exit port is inclined at an angle of between 45 and 75 to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.
4) A splice enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the opposite end of said tubular cover is closed.
5) A splice enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a said end part for each end of said cover.
6) A splice enclosure substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.