GB2542618A

GB2542618A - Footway box mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2542618A
Application number: GB1517066.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Munnings Christopher; Hunter Ian; Campbell Malcolm
Original assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Current assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date: 2015-09-28
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2017-03-29
Also published as: GB201517066D0

Abstract

A junction underground footway box 2 has a mouth closable with a lid with a mounting bracket 4 pivotably attached within the junction underground footwaybox configured to move between a resting position lying across the mouth, and an upright position extending upwardly from the junction underground footway box through the mouth. An optical fibre terminal comprising an optical port for forming a connection using a pre-connectorised optical fibre is attached to the mounting bracket in a position so that when the mounting bracket 4 is in a resting position, the optical fibre terminal is stored within the junction underground footway box 2 clear of a lid closed over the mouth, and when the mounting bracket is an upright position the optical fibre terminal is raised above ground level. The terminal may be attached to the bracket 4 so that when the mouth of the box 2 is covered by a lid, the terminal is separated from the lid by the bracket. When the mouth is covered by a lid, the mounting bracket may be attached to the box so that in the resting position, the bracket lies proximate to the lid.

Description

FOOTWAY BOX MOUNTING BRACKET

This invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods relating to optical fibre management, in particular to underground distribution nodes and joints for deployment as distribution infrastructure in an optical fibre telecommunications network.

The move to ever-greater deployment of optical fibre in the access network to bring fibre closer to customers (FTTx) involves the provisioning of greater numbers of optical connections to customers. Such optical fibre links can be provisioned in the form of aerial or overhead, and/or underground networks. Plant for connecting fibre cables which transition between the two networks are being deployed, One such piece of equipment is a connectorised optical fibre blocks (2) as those provided by Corning Inc., which enables mechanical connections to be made between the underground distribution network and overhead or underground Address Point connection plant. These can be sited within a joint underground footway (JUF) box (also called a joint box, jointing chamber, or access chamber), such as those provided by Cubis Industries. A problem arises in the specific positioning of the optical fibre block within the footway box. Owing to practice restrictions, it is not permitted to drill the walls of JUF boxes, due to the risk of accidentally breaking into utility and other underground plant neighbouring the JUF box. For this reason, it is not possible to mount the optical fibre block on the footway box walls. Other methods of wall-mounting will not be reliable enough to ensure that the block does not fall or move from its position, which would result in the disastrous breakage of the connection of links between the overhead and underground networks. Another approach might be to place the block on the floor of the box, or to strap it to other furniture already within it. This suffers the disadvantage that it is difficult to access when the block needs to be worked upon. For example, JUF boxes are prone to flooding, so the block housing will have to be exceptionally strong and waterproofed to guard against water damage, which adds to the bulk, weight and cost of the item. There is also the risk of something or someone falling or stepping onto the block and damaging the unit. Damage to the connection ports could also occur if dirt enters ports on the block when service provision takes place.

Ideally, the block should be accessible at or near ground level in view of the difficulties associated with working within the footway box, including lack of light, poor visibility, falling dirt and debris and the possibility of having to find the box in a flood or water. Enough cable slack would have to be provided to allow it to be brought up to the surface to allow for inspection, which creates its own problems both in increased storage, the need for more fibre cable than is strictly necessary, as well as the need for careful handling of the block when bringing it up and down to prevent damage to both the block itself and the lengths of cabling. Another approach is to mount a bar across the entrance of the JUF box and to the strap the optical fibre block to that. However, this would impede access into the box, within which other items of plant are located.

It would be desirable to position the optical fibre block such that it is accessible without the attendant problems of placing it elsewhere within the JUF box, without mounting it on the JUF walls.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a junction underground footway box having a mouth closable with a lid, comprising: a mounting bracket pivotably attached within the junction underground footway box configured to move between a resting position lying across the mouth, and an upright position extending upwardly from the junction underground footway box through the mouth, and an optical fibre terminal comprising an optical port for forming a connection using a pre-connectorised optical fibre, the optical fibre terminal being attached to the mounting bracket in a position so that when the mounting bracket is a resting position, the optical fibre terminal is stored in a position within the junction underground footway box clear of a lid closed over the mouth, and when the mounting bracket is an upright position the optical fibre terminal is raised above ground level.

In preferred implementations, the optical fibre terminal or block is strapped on the mounting bracket so that it faces downwardly when it is in its stored position (i.e. in which the mounting bracket is in its resting position lying across the mouth of the JUF), resulting in a configuration where the block and the lid (when present) are separated from each other by the mounting bracket. This ensures that the optical block is protected from potential damage when the lid is closed over the JUF mouth.

In another preferred implementation, the mounting bracket is positioned within the JUF to be as high up within the box (i.e. as near ground level) as possible, so that effort to raise the arm is reduced while also ensuring that the optical block can be raised to a useful height above ground for an engineer to work on without requiring an excessively long bar. This arrangement would also help maximise the amount of available storage space within the JUF for other plant.

In another implementation, other plant can be attached on the mounting bracket, in addition to the optical block. It would also be possible to provide for a number of mounting brackets within the JUF in dependence on requirements and available space.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of provisioning a junction underground footway box having a mouth closable with a lid, comprising: pivotably attaching a mounting bracket within the junction underground footway box so that it is capable of moving between a resting position lying across the mouth, and an upright position extending upwardly from the junction underground footway box through the mouth, and attaching to the mounting bracket an optical fibre terminal comprising an optical port for forming a connection using a pre-connectorised optical fibre, in a position so that when the mounting bracket is a resting position, the optical fibre terminal is stored in a position within the junction underground footway box clear of a lid closed over the mouth, and when the mounting bracket is an upright position the optical fibre terminal is raised above ground level.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming an optical connection, comprising raising a mounting bracket to which is attached an optical fibre terminal according to the invention to an upright position, accessing an optical port of the optical fibre terminal, plugging into the optical port a pre-connectorised optical fibre, and moving the mounting bracket into the resting position.

Apparatus and methods embodying the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

Figures 1A and 1B depict views of a known JUF box,

Figures 2A and 2B depict a known mounting bracket in resting and upright positions, Figure 3 depicts use of a mounting bracket,

Figure 4 depicts an optical fibre connectorised terminal,

Figure 5 details a mounting bracket, and

Figures 6A to 6F depict steps in providing the optical connectorised terminal within the JUF.

Figures 1A and 1B depict a view of a JUF box (2) according to the prior art. Within view is a mounting bracket (4) which forms part of the furniture of the JUF box, which is provided either by being built during construction of the box, or else by retrofitting it into the box as and when needed. Figures 2A and 2B depict the mounting bracket (sometimes referred to as a “mobra”) comprising an arm or bar which is pivotably attached to a frame (6) within the JUF box so that it is capable of moving between a resting position shown in Figures 1A and 2A to an upright position In the resting position shown in Figures 1B and 2B. The pin (3) depicted in Figures 2A and 2B when slotted into place across the arm into receiving holes, ensures the arm is firmly secured in its upright position as shown in Figure 2B. In the resting position, the mounting bracket lies substantially horizontal and across the mouth of the JUF, so that the JUF lid (not shown) can be closed over the box mouth. In the upright position, the bar extends out of the JUF above ground level through the JUF mouth from which the lid must be at least partially removed. The mounting bracket allows for optical fibre plant (8) to be strapped or otherwise attached to it in the manner shown in Figure 3 (in which the exemplary plant depicted is an optical fibre splice closure), in which the plant can be stored within the JUF (2) when the mounting bracket is placed in the resting position allowing for the JUF lid to be closed over the mouth. In this arrangement, the mounting bracket can be positioned to that its pivot point is located higher up within the JUF (i.e. nearer the ground surface). This reduces the length of the bar that might otherwise have to be provided to extend into the box, and reduces the effort needed to pull the bar (and any plant attached thereto) out of the box.

Figure 4 depicts a block for making optical connections using pre-connectorised fibres (10), in the form of a product from Corning Incorporated, the OptiSheath™ Advantage MultiPort Terminal. This item designed for use in optical access networks and enables plug-and-socket connection of subscriber drop cables and fibres (in contrast to making splices between the respective fibres), which simplifies and speeds up the installation process as there is no need to set up splicing equipment. It was originally configured to be installed on a strand, wall, poles, or in pedestals. Figure 5 is a representation of a mounting bracket (4) having a substantially square cross section and comprising a channel (12) for mounting plant by means of e.g. nuts and bolts. The mounting bracket is typically positioned within the JUF so that when the arm is in a resting position, the channel side of the arm faces downwards towards the floor of the pit in the manner visible from Figures 1 A, 1B, 2A and 2B. The mounting bracket therefore is moved from its upright position to its resting position in the direction of arrow “X” as shown in the drawing. To position the optical fibre block within the JUF so that it is accessible without the attendant problems of placing it elsewhere within the JUF box and without mounting it on the JUF walls, it is strapped or otherwise attached to the mounting bracket. The method by which this is achieved in set out in the steps shown in Figures 6A to 6F.

In one application of the invention, the block is attached using an attachment means comprising a washer and screw (14) of the type shown in Figure 6A, and a sprung nut (e.g. from the Unistrut company) (16) of the type shown in Figure 6B. The respective components making up the attachment means are attached to the mounting bracket within the channel of the mounting bracket arm at its free end opposite to the end attached to the frame (6) in the JUF. The sprung nut and the washer/screw are spaced apart along the arm to a distance approximate to the height of the housing of the optical fibre block (10), so that the block can be attached at its upper and bottom ends to the mounting bracket in the manner depicted respectively in Figures 6D and 6E. Specifically, the top of the blocking housing is screwed into the receiving sprung nut as shown in Figure 6D, while the bottom end of the block housing is strapped using e.g. cable ties to the exiting boot of the block housing as shown in Figure 6E. This results in the block being securely attached to the mounting bracket along its length on the arm, so that when the mounting bracket is brought to its upright position the top of the optical fibre connectorised terminal or block points upwardly as shown in Figure 6F to maximise the height to which the block is brought above ground. This enables an engineer to work on the block without need to go into the JUF pit. When access to the block is no longer needed, the mounting bracket can be returned to its resting position to store the connectorised block within the JUF.

This approach realises a number of advantages. The ability to bring the block to a location substantially above ground improves visibility of the unit and the components thereof, allowing for greater ease in the mating of connectors. Inspection and cleaning of the unit will be also be improved, especially in view of the intricate external form of the block. It may also be expected that dirt and silt less likely to be built up on the unit in general (when compared to a position lying lower within the JUF); in particular, less dirt and debris will fall into the ports while it is being worked on. Another plus point is that, without the need to climb into the JUF, engineers are less at risk from the effects of musculoskeletal disorders and other dangers such as slippage or damage to the block by stepping onto it. Other plant which is stored further down within the JUF can be accessed by lifting the mounting bracket into the upright position to move the connectorised block out of the way, in contrast with the case where the block were to be permanently and immovably strapped to the bar across the JUF mouth, or even when it were to be hung on the JUF sidewall.

In the above description and in the drawings, the optical fibre block (6) is described as being attached to the mounting bracket on the side allowing access into the channel (12). The skilled person would appreciate that the block can be deployed on other parts of the mounting bracket, i.e. on the other faces of the mounting bracket instead of on the face having access to the channel, or at a point at the middle of the arm along its length, or nearer the section where the arm attaches to the frame within the JUF box. Suitable adjustment of the mounting bracket in configuration and positioning within the box would enable such, and other, variations in the location of the block on the mounting bracket. For example, a mounting bracket which is pivotably attached to the frame or otherwise within the JUF at a greater depth than that previously described, can allow a block to be strapped so that it is stored above the resting mounting bracket arm, e.g. immediately below the JUF lid when in position.

In another alternative configuration, the mounting bracket can be one of a plurality of items of plant strapped to the mounting bracket. The type and number of items are limited only by practical considerations of available space (both on the arm and for storage of the block when the arm in the resting position), the arm’s strength in supporting the multiple items of plant including the block, the effort needed to bring the arm upright, and so on.

The skilled person would appreciate that the plant may nonetheless be attached to the mounting bracket in any other position as long as the necessary space allowance is provided to enable to swing the equipment clear of obstacles and to allow for the lid to be replaced over the mouth of the JUF without injury to the any part of the plant.

The apparatus, methods and configurations described above and in the drawings are for ease of description only and not meant to restrict the invention to any particular embodiments. It will be apparent to the skilled person that yet various sequences and permutations on the apparatus and methods described are possible within the scope of this invention as disclosed.

Claims

Claims:

1. A junction underground footway box having a mouth closable with a lid, comprising: a mounting bracket pivotably attached within the junction underground footway box configured to move between a resting position lying across the mouth, and an upright position extending upwardly from the junction underground footway box through the mouth, and an optical fibre terminal comprising an optical port for forming a connection using a pre-connectorised optical fibre, the optical fibre terminal being attached to the mounting bracket in a position so that when the mounting bracket is a resting position, the optical fibre terminal is stored in a position within the junction underground footway box clear of a lid closed over the mouth, and when the mounting bracket is an upright position the optical fibre terminal is raised above ground level.

2. A junction underground footway box according to claim 1 wherein the optical fibre terminal is attached to the mounting bracket so that when the mouth is covered by a lid and mounting bracket is in the resting position, the optical fibre terminal is separated from the lid by the mounting bracket.

3. A junction underground footway box according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mounting bracket is attached in a position so that in the resting position the mounting bracket lies proximate to a lid when the mouth is closed with a lid.

3. A junction underground footway box according to any preceding claim wherein the optical fibre terminal is attached to the mounting bracket at a location proximate to the free end of the mounting bar.

4. A junction underground footway box according to any preceding claim wherein the mounting bracket comprising other plant in addition to the optical fibre terminal.

5. A junction underground footway box according to any preceding claim further comprising a lid closed across the mouth.

6. A method of provisioning a junction underground footway box having a mouth closable with a lid, comprising: pivotably attaching a mounting bracket within the junction underground footway box so that it is capable of moving between a resting position lying across the mouth, and an upright position extending upwardly from the junction underground footway box through the mouth, and attaching to the mounting bracket an optical fibre terminal comprising an optical port for forming a connection using a pre-connectorised optical fibre, in a position so that when the mounting bracket is a resting position, the optical fibre terminal is stored in a position within the junction underground footway box clear of a lid closed over the mouth, and when the mounting bracket is an upright position the optical fibre terminal is raised above ground level.

7. A method of forming an optical connection, comprising raising a mounting bracket to which is attached an optical fibre terminal according to claim 6 to an upright position, accessing an optical port of the optical fibre terminal, plugging into the optical port a pre-connectorised optical fibre, and moving the mounting bracket into the resting position.