GB2543918A - Connecting assembly - Google Patents

Connecting assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2543918A
GB2543918A GB1615396.7A GB201615396A GB2543918A GB 2543918 A GB2543918 A GB 2543918A GB 201615396 A GB201615396 A GB 201615396A GB 2543918 A GB2543918 A GB 2543918A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
assembly according
connecting assembly
channel
main channel
securing
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB1615396.7A
Other versions
GB2543918B (en
GB201615396D0 (en
Inventor
Hawkins David
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.)
Eden Ltd
Original Assignee
Eden Ltd
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 Eden Ltd filed Critical Eden Ltd
Publication of GB201615396D0 publication Critical patent/GB201615396D0/en
Publication of GB2543918A publication Critical patent/GB2543918A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2543918B publication Critical patent/GB2543918B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G02B6/46—Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables
    • G02B6/50—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts
    • G02B6/52—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts using fluid, e.g. air
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3806—Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2553—Splicing machines, e.g. optical fibre fusion splicer
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3802—Assembly tools, e.g. crimping tool or pressing bench
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
    • G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

A connecting assembly connects the sheaths 102,104 of a cable 100. The connecting assembly has connecting arrangements 12, (14, figure 2) secured to the respective sheaths. The first/second connecting arrangement defines a first/second main channel 24 / (42, figure 2) for a central part 106 of the cable. The first/second connecting arrangements further define first/second opposite openings (26A,26B / 41A,41B figure 2) for the first/second main channel and a first/second access formation (28/47, figure 1) extending between the first/second opposite openings. The first/second access formation allows the central part to be received in the first/second main channel. A sealing member 60 may be received between the first and second connecting arrangements, with a third channel (64, figure 2) for the central portion, opposite openings and a third access formation 66 between the openings. The first connecting assembly may have a first body which may include an outer element 16 and an inner holding element (70, figure 2) to hold the sealing member. It is used when the sheaths have been cut to form an airtight seal for the blowing of optical fibres.

Description

Connecting Assembly
This invention relates to connecting assemblies. Embodiments of this invention relate to connecting assemblies for use with cables comprising first and second sheathes and central parts.
Optical fibre cables comprise a sheath and an optical fibre extending through the sheath. Sometimes, the sheath can be cut and will therefore require connecting. Prior connectors suffer from the problem that air can leak at the connectors when attempts are made to blow optical fibre down the sheath.
According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a connecting assembly for use with a cable comprising first and second sheathes and a central part extending through the first and second sheathes, the connecting assembly comprising: a first connecting arrangement securable to the first sheath, the first connecting arrangement defining a first main channel through which said central part can extend, the first connecting arrangement further defining first opposite openings for said first main channel and a first access formation extending between the first opposite openings, the first access formation being configured to allow the central part to be received in the first main channel; and a second connecting arrangement securable to the second sheath, the second connecting arrangement defining a second main channel through which said central part can extend, the second connecting arrangement further defining second opposite openings for said second main channel and a second access formation between the second opposite openings, the second access formation being configured to allow the central part to be received in the second main channel.
The connecting assembly may further include a sealing member receivable between the first and second connecting arrangements. The sealing member may define a third channel through which said central part can extend. The sealing member may further define third opposite openings for said third channel and a third access formation extending between the third opposite openings. The third access formation may be configured to allow the central part to be received in the third channel.
The first connecting arrangement may comprise a first body. The first body may comprise an outer element. The first body may comprise an inner holding element. The holding element may be disposed within the outer element.
The holding element may be configured to hold the sealing member when the sealing member is received between the first and second connecting arrangements. The holding element may be provided within the first main channel.
The first main channel may be defined by the holding element. The outer element may define an outer channel between the outer element and the holding element. The first main channel may be a central channel defined within the holding element.
The first access formation may comprise an inner elongate aperture extending through the holding element. The first access formation may comprise an outer elongate aperture extending through the outer element.
The inner and outer apertures may be aligned with each other. The inner elongate aperture may provide communication between the region external of the holding element and the first main channel.
The outer elongate aperture may provide communication between the region external of the outer element and the outer channel.
The holding element may be disposed substantially concentrically within the outer element. The first main channel may be defined substantially coaxially within the outer channel.
The holding element and the outer element may have opposite ends. The holding element may be tubular. The outer element may be tubular.
The first opposite openings may be defined by the opposite ends of the holding element. The inner aperture may be an inner slit or an inner slot extending through the holding element between the first openings.
The first connecting arrangement may comprise an end wall portion extending between one of the ends of each of the outer element and the holding element. The end wall portion may define a connecting aperture to connect the outer aperture to the inner aperture.
The first connecting arrangement may further include a first securing element to secure the first connecting arrangement to the first sheath. The first securing element may be tubular.
The first securing element may extend from the first body. The first securing element may be attached to the first body at the wall portion. The first securing element may define a first securing channel for securing the first sheath to the first connecting arrangement.
The first securing channel may be aligned with the first main channel. The first securing channel may be coaxial with the first main channel. One of the openings of the first main channel may provide communication between the first main channel and the first securing channel.
The second connecting arrangement may comprise a second body. The second main channel may be defined by the second body.
The second access formation may provide communication between a region external of the second body and the second main channel. The second access formation may comprise a second slit or a second slot extending through the second body.
The first and second connecting arrangements may comprise respective first and second fastening formations to fasten the first and second connecting arrangements to each other. The first and second fastening formations may comprise cooperating detent formations.
The second connecting arrangement may further comprise a second securing element to secure the second connecting arrangement to the second sheath. The second securing element may be provided on the second body.
The sealing member may comprise a sealing body, which may be formed of a resilient material. The resilient material may be an elastomeric material. The third channel may be defined by the sealing body.
The third access formation may provide communication between the region external of the sealing body and the third channel. The third access formation may comprise a third slit or a third slot extending through the sealing body.
The second connecting arrangement may comprise a stop member extending from the second body into the second main channel. The stop member may engage the sealing member when the sealing member is received between the first and second connecting arrangements. The second access formation may extend through the stop member.
The second connecting arrangement may further include a flange portion extending outwardly from the main body.
The connecting assembly may further include an actuating element to allow the first and second connecting arrangements to be fastened to each other and thereby actuate the seal to effect sealing of the sealing member against the first or second connecting arrangement.
In the embodiment described herein, when the first and second connecting arrangements are connected to each other, the sealing member may seal against the inside of the second connecting arrangement.
The actuating element may comprise a substantially U shaped clip arrangeable adjacent to the flange portion.
Removal of the actuating element may allow the first and second connecting arrangements to be urged into a position in which the first and second connecting arrangements are fastened to each other by the first and second fastening arrangements..
The connecting assembly may further include a first gripping member to grip the first sheath. The first gripping member may be configured to secure said first sheath to the first connecting arrangement. The first gripping member may be cooperable with the first securing element.
The connecting assembly may further include a second gripping member to grip the second sheath. The second gripping member may be configured to secure said second sheath to the second connecting arrangement. The second gripping member may be cooperable with the second securing element.
The first and second gripping members may comprise respective first and second tubular gripping elements for gripping the first and second sheathes. The first and second gripping elements may define further channels therethrough.
The first and second gripping members may comprise collets. The first and second gripping members may comprise detent formations configured to cooperate with corresponding further detent formations on the first and second securing elements to fasten the first and second gripping members to the respective first and second securing elements.
Each of the first and second gripping elements may have opposite further openings through which the central part of the cable can extend. The first and second gripping members may define respective further access formations.
The further access formations may be in the form of further slits or slots extending through the respective gripping member to allow the central part to pass through the further access formation into the further channel.
The first and second access formations may extend between the opposite further openings to allow the central part of the cable to pass through the further access formations to the respective further channel.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting assembly;
Figure 2 is an exploded sectional side view of the connecting assembly;
Figure 3 is a partially exploded sectional side view of the connecting assembly showing first and second sheathes of a cable;
Figure 4 shows the connecting assembly with a seal received between first and second connecting arrangements in a condition prior to actuation of the seal;
Figure 5 shows the connecting assembly in an actuated condition in which the seal is actuated to effect sealing against the first or second connecting arrangements; and
Figure 6 shows an actuating member for actuating the seal.
The drawings show a connecting assembly 10 for use with an optical fibre cable 100 comprising first and second sheathes 102, 104 and a central part (shown in Figures 4 and 5) extending through the first and second sheathes 102, 104. The central part is in the form of an optical fibre 106, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
The connecting assembly 10 comprises a first connecting arrangement 12 and a second connecting arrangement 14. The first connecting arrangement 12 comprises a tubular inner holding element 15 and a tubular outer element 16. The tubular inner holding element 15 extends coaxially within the tubular outer element 16.
The tubular outer element 16 comprises a tubular member 18 having opposite ends 18A, 18B. The tubular inner element 15 has opposite ends 15A, 15B. An annular end wall portion 20 extends between the end 18B of the tubular member 18 and the end 15B of the tubular inner holding element 15. The tubular inner holding element 15, the tubular outer element 18 and the annular wall portion 20 constitute a first body 22.
The inner holding element 15 defines a first main channel 24 extending between opposite openings 26A, 26B at the respective opposite ends 15A, 15B. The first sheath 102 and the optical fibre 106 can extend through the first main channel 24, as shown in Figure 5.
An annular cylindrical outer channel 27 is defined between the tubular outer element 16 and the tubular holding element 15. The wall portion 20 extends across the outer channel 27 at one end thereof.
The first connecting arrangement 12 defines a first access formation in the form of an outer elongate access slot 28 and an inner elongate access slot 30. The outer elongate access slot 28 extends the length of the tubular outer element 16 from the end 18A to the wall portion 20.
The inner elongate access slot 30 extends the length of the tubular inner holding element 15 from the end 15A to the wall portion 20. A connecting slot 32 in the wall portion 20 extends from the outer elongate slot 28 to the inner elongate first access slot 30.
The outer and inner elongate access slots 28, 30 and the connecting slot 32 are arranged to allow the optical fibre 106 to pass through the tubular outer element 16, the wall portion 20 and the tubular inner holding element 15 into the first main channel 24 via the outer channel 27.
The first connecting arrangement 12 further includes a first securing element 34 extending coaxially from the first body 22. The first securing element 34 is attached to the first body 22 at the wall portion 20.
The first securing element 34 has a free end 35 and defines a first securing channel 36. The first securing element 34 further defines an elongate slot 38 extending from the connecting slot 32, thereby providing a continuation of the outer and inner elongate access slots 28, 30.
The elongate slot 38 allows the optical fibre 106 of the cable 100 to pass through the first securing element 34 so that the optical fibre 106 can be received in the first securing channel 36.
The first securing channel 36 communicates with the first main channel 24 via the opening 26B.
An end region of the first sheath 102 is received in the first securing channel 36 and secured therein by means described below.
The second connecting arrangement 14 includes a tubular second body 40 having opposite ends 40A, 40B at which second opposite openings 41 A, 41B are defined. The second connecting arrangement 14 defines a second main channel 42. The second body 40 comprises a tubular side wall 43.
An annular inwardly extending stop member 44 is provided on the second body 40 between the opposite ends 40A, 40B thereof. The stop member 44 defines an opening 46 through which the optical fibre 106 of the cable 100 can extend.
The second body 40 defines a second access formation in the form of a second access slot 47 extending from the stop member 44 to the end 40A. The stop member 44 defines a central slot 47A extending from the second access slot 47 to the opening 46.
The second access slot 47 and the central slot 47A allow the optical fibre 106 to be received in the second main channel 42.
The first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 comprise fastening formations 48, 50 to fasten the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 to each other. The first and second fastening formations comprise corresponding detent formations in the form of resilient detent projections 50 on the second body 40 and corresponding apertures 48 defined by the first body 22.
The resilient projections 50 are received in the apertures 48 to fasten the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 to each other.
The second body 40 includes a second securing element 52 extending from the stop member 44 to the end 40B. The second securing element 52 has a free end 54, which is the end 40B of the second body. The second securing element 52 defines a second securing channel 56.
The second securing element 52 further defines an elongate slot 58 extending from the stop member 44 to the free end 54. The elongate slot 58 is an extension of the second access slot 47 and allows the optical fibre 106 of the cable 100 to pass therethrough so that the optical fibre 106 can be received in the second securing channel 56.
The second access slot 47, the end slot 47A and the elongate slot 58 are continuous with each other and allow the optical fibre 106 to be received in the second connecting arrangement 14 via the side wall 43 of the second body 40.
The second connecting arrangement 14 further includes comprises an outwardly extending annular flange portion 59 on the tubular second body 40. The purpose of the annular flange portion 59 is described below
The connecting assembly 10 further includes a sealing member 60. The sealing member 60 comprises a substantially cylindrical sealing body 62 defining a third channel 64 through which the optical fibre 106 can extend.
The sealing member 60 is received between the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 within the second main channel 42 (see Figures 4 and 5). One end of the sealing member 60 engages the inner holding element 15, and the opposite end engages the stop member 44.
When the first and second connecting arrangements are fastened to each other by means of the fastening formations 48, 50, the sealing member is deformed so that the sealing body 62 tightly seals against the inner surface of the tubular second body 40 thereby preventing the leakage of air.
The sealing body 62 further defines third access formation in the form of a slit 66 to provide access for the central part into the third channel 64. The slit 66 in the sealing body 62 extends the whole length thereof.
The sealing body 62 has opposite ends 62A, 62B, each having a convex chamfer 68. The end 15A of the inner holding element 15 and the stop member 44 of the second connecting arrangement 14 each have concave chamfers 70 to receive and engage the convex chamfers 68 on the ends 62A, 62B of the sealing member 60. Thus, the sealing member 60 is held between the holding element 15 and the stop member 44.
The sealing member 60 defines receiving recesses 72A, 72B to receive end regions of the first and second sheathes 102, 104. The sealing member 60 further includes a cylindrical inwardly extending sheath engaging portion 74 to engage the ends of the first and second sheaths 102, 104 (see Figures 4 and 5). Thus, the end regions of the first and second sheaths can be inserted into the receiving recesses 72A, 72B of the third channel 64 until the ends thereof engage the engaging portion 74.
An actuating clip 80 is mounted around the second body 40 of the second connecting arrangement 14 in engagement with the flange portion 59, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The clip 80 is provided between the flange portion 59 and the end 18A of the tubular member 18 of the first connecting arrangement 12.
In use, the tubular second body 40 is inserted into the annular cylindrical outer channel 27. The end 18A of the tubular member 18 engages the actuating clip 80. As a result, the detent projections 50 on the tubular second body 40 of the second connecting arrangement 14 cannot be received within the corresponding apertures 48 in the tubular member 18 of the first connecting arrangement 12.
The actuating clip 80 is shown in Figure 6 and is of a U shaped configuration. One embodiment of the actuating clip has a grip portion 81, allowing it to be removed from the second connecting arrangement 14 by pulling on the grip portion 81.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the actuating clip 80 has two radially outwardly projecting shoulder portions 82 opposite each other.
One or both of the shoulder portions 82 can be engaged by the user to flip the actuating clip off the second body 40 to allow the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 to be moved towards each other. This allows the detent projections 50 to be received in the apertures 48 and fasten the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 to each other.
In order to connect together the first and second sheathes 102, 104 of the optical fibre cable 100, the optical fibre 106 is first received within the third channel 64 of the sealing member 60 by passing the central part through the slit 66 in the sealing body 62.
The optical fibre 106 is then passed through the slots 28, 30, 32, 38, 47. 47A, 58 in the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 so that optical fibre 102 extends through the first and second main channels 24, 42 and through the first and second securing channels 36, 56.
The sealing member 60 is received between the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14. One of the convex chamfers 68 at one of the ends 62B of the sealing member 60 engages the concave chamfer 70 of the holding element 15.
The opposite end 62A of the sealing member 60 engages the concave chamfer 70 of the stop member 44 in the tubular second body 40.
The tubular second body 40 is then inserted into the outer channel 27 in the first connecting arrangement 12 until the end 18A of the tubular outer element 16 abuts against the actuating clip 80, as shown in Figure 4.
The clip 80 can be removed and the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 pushed together until the detent projections 50 are received in the apertures 48, thereby fastening the first and second connecting arrangements 12,14 to one another, when so fastened, the end 18A of the tubular outer element 16 engages the flange 59.
The first and second sheathes 102, 104 are secured to the first and second connecting arrangements 12, 14 respectively by the use of securing elements in the form of first and second collets 84, 86.
Each of the collets 84, 86 defines a further central channel 88 and has a further access formation in the form of a further slot 90 extending the length of the respective first and second collets 84, 86.
The optical fibre 106 of the optical fibre cable 100 is received into the further channels of the first and second collets 84, 86. The end regions of the first and second sheathes 102, 104 are then inserted into the first and second collets 84, 86.
Each of the collets 84, 86 includes axially projecting gripping fingers 92 which, in the embodiment shown, are in the form of prongs to grip the first and second sheathes 102, 104. The gripping fingers 92 may be provided with inwardly extending gripping formations to enhance the grip on the first and second sheathes 102, 104.
When the collets 84, 86 are mounted on the end regions of the sheathes 102, 104, as described above, the gripping fingers 92 are inserted into the first and second securing elements 34, 52 of the first and second connecting arrangements 102, 104.
The gripping fingers 92 are provided with outwardly extending detent projections 94 which are configured to be received in corresponding detent apertures 96 in the first and second securing elements 34, 52.
When the gripping fingers 92 are inserted into the first and second securing elements 34, 52, they are urged inwardly and grip the end regions of the first and second sheathes 102, 104 thereby holding them tightly and preventing the sheathes 102, 104 from being removed from the connecting arrangements 12, 14.
When the sealing member 60 is arranged within the second main channel 42, it is disposed in an orientation in which the slit 66 in the sealing body faces directly away from the second access slot 47. Thus, the sealing member 60 provides a tight seal against the inside of the second tubular body 40.
The sealing member 60 shown in Figure 1 is depicted with the slit 66 facing in the same direction as the slot 47. This is for illustration purposes only.
There is thus described a connecting assembly 10 for connecting together first and second sheathes 102, 104 of an optical cable 100 in a way which provides an air tight seal and thereby allows the blowing of optical fibres along the cable 100.
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (45)

Claims
1. A connecting assembly for use with a cable comprising first and second sheathes and a central portion extending through the first and second sheathes, wherein the connecting assembly comprises: a first connecting arrangement securable to the first sheath, the first connecting arrangement defining a first main channel through which said central portion can extend, the first connecting arrangement further defining first opposite openings for said first main channel and a first access formation extending between the first opposite openings, the first access formation being configured to allow the central portion to be received in the first main channel; and a second connecting arrangement securable to the second sheath, the second connecting arrangement defining a second main channel through which said central portion can extend, the second connecting arrangement further defining second opposite openings for said second main channel and a second access formation between the second opposite openings, the second access formation being configured to allow the central portion to be received in the second main channel.
2. A connecting assembly according to claim 1, further including a sealing member receivable between the first and second connecting arrangements, the sealing member defining a third channel through which said central portion can extend, the sealing member further defining third opposite openings for said third channel and a third access formation extending between the third opposite openings, the third access formation being configured to allow the central portion to be received in the third channel.
3. A connecting assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connecting arrangement comprises a first body.
4. A connecting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first body comprises an outer element and an inner holding element, the holding element being disposed within the outer element, and the holding being configured to hold the sealing member when the sealing member is received between the first and second connecting arrangements.
5. A connecting assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first main channel is defined by the holding element, and the outer element defines an outer channel between the outer element and the holding element.
6. A connecting assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first main channel is a central channel defined within the holding element.
7. A connecting assembly according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the holding element is disposed substantially concentrically within the outer element, the first main channel being defined substantially coaxially within the outer channel.
8. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the holding element and the outer element are tubular, each having opposite ends.
9. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the first access formation comprises an inner elongate aperture extending through the holding element, and said first access formation further comprises an outer elongate aperture extending through the outer element.
10. A connecting assembly according to claim 9, wherein the inner and outer elongate apertures are aligned with each other, the inner elongate aperture providing communication between the region external of the holding element and the first main channel, and the outer elongate aperture providing communication between the region external of the outer element and the outer channel.
11. A connecting assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first opposite openings are defined by the opposite ends of the holding element, the inner elongate aperture being an inner slit or an inner slot extending through the holding element between the first opposite openings.
12. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 4 to 11, wherein the first connecting arrangement comprises an end wall portion extending between one of the ends of each of the outer element and the holding element, the end wall portion defining a connecting aperture to connect the outer elongate aperture to the inner elongate aperture.
13. A connecting assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first connecting arrangement further includes a first securing element to secure the first connecting arrangement to the first sheath.
14. A connecting assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first securing element is tubular.
15. A connecting assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first securing element extends from the first body, and the first securing element being attached to the first body at the end wall portion.
16. A connecting assembly according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the first securing element defines a first securing channel for securing the first sheath to the first connecting arrangement, the first securing channel being aligned with the first main channel, and wherein one of the first opposite openings of the first main channel provides communication between the first main channel and the first securing channel.
17. A connecting assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first securing channel is coaxial with the first main channel.
18. A connecting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second connecting arrangement comprises a second body.
19. A connecting assembly according to claim 18, wherein the second main channel is defined by the second body, the second access formation provides communication between a region external of the second body and the second main channel.
20. A connecting assembly according to claim 19, wherein the second access formation is a second slit or a second slot defined by the second body, the second slit or second slot extending through the second body.
21. A connecting assembly according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the first and second connecting arrangements comprise cooperating detent formations.
22. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the second connecting arrangement further comprises a second securing element to secure the second connecting arrangement to the second sheath, the second securing element being provided on the second body.
23. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the second connecting arrangement comprises a stop member extending from the second body into the second main channel, the stop member engaging the sealing member when the sealing member is received between the first and second connecting arrangements.
24. A connecting assembly according to claim 23, wherein the second access formation extends through the stop member.
25. A connecting assembly according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein the second connecting arrangement further includes a flange portion extending outwardly from the main body.
26. A connecting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member comprises a sealing body formed of a resilient material.
27. A connecting assembly according to claim 26, wherein the third channel is defined by the sealing body, and the third access formation provides communication between the region external of the sealing body and the third channel.
28. A connecting assembly according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the third access formation comprises a third slit or a third slot extending through the sealing body.
29. A connecting assembly according to claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein the connecting assembly further includes an actuating element to actuate the seal member to effect sealing of the sealing member against the first or second connecting arrangements, whereby when the first and second connecting arrangements are fastened to each other, the sealing member may seal against the inside of the second connecting arrangement.
30. A connecting assembly according to claim 29, wherein the actuating element comprises a substantially U shaped clip arrangeable adjacent to the flange portion.
31. A connecting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting assembly further includes a first gripping member to grip the first sheath, the first gripping member being configured to secure said first sheath to the first connecting arrangement.
32. A connecting assembly according to claim 31 when dependent upon claim 12, wherein the first gripping member is cooperable with the first securing element.
33. A connecting assembly according to claim 32, wherein the first gripping member comprises a detent formation configured to cooperate with corresponding further detent formations on the first securing element to fasten the first gripping member to the first securing element.
34. A connecting assembly according to claim 31,32 or 33, wherein the first gripping member comprises a first tubular gripping element for gripping the first sheath.
35. A connecting assembly according to claim 34, wherein the first gripping member comprises a collet.
36. A connecting assembly according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the first gripping element has opposite further openings through which the central portion of the cable can extend, and the first gripping member defines a further access formation to allow the central portion to pass through the further access formation into the further channel.
37. A connecting assembly according to claim 36, wherein the first access formation extends between the opposite further openings to allow the central portion of the cable to pass through the further access formations to the respective further channel.
38. A connecting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting assembly further includes a second gripping member to grip the second sheath, the second gripping member being configured to secure said second sheath to the second connecting arrangement.
39. A connecting assembly according to claim 38 when dependent upon claim 22, wherein the second gripping member is cooperable with the second securing element.
40. A connecting assembly according to claim 39, wherein the second gripping member comprises a detent formation configured to cooperate with corresponding further detent formations on the second securing element to fasten the second gripping member to the second securing element.
41. A connecting assembly according to claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein the second gripping member comprises a second tubular gripping element for gripping the second sheath.
42. A connecting assembly according to claim 41, wherein the second gripping member comprises a collet.
43. A connecting assembly according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the second gripping element has opposite further openings through which the central portion of the cable can extend, and the second gripping member defines a further access formation to allow the central portion to pass through the further access formation into the further channel.
44. A connecting assembly according to claim 43, wherein the second access formation extends between the opposite further openings to allow the central portion of the cable to pass through the further access formations to the respective further channel.
45. A connecting assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB1615396.7A 2015-09-11 2016-09-09 Connecting assembly Expired - Fee Related GB2543918B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1516159.9A GB201516159D0 (en) 2015-09-11 2015-09-11 Connecting Assembly

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GB201615396D0 GB201615396D0 (en) 2016-10-26
GB2543918A true GB2543918A (en) 2017-05-03
GB2543918B GB2543918B (en) 2020-04-15

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2193605A (en) * 1986-07-11 1988-02-10 British Telecomm Reusable cable joint cover
US20030186584A1 (en) * 2002-03-28 2003-10-02 Fallon Egan In-line connection cover
GB2521272A (en) * 2013-12-12 2015-06-17 Eden Ltd Cable housing connector

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2009227906B2 (en) * 2009-10-21 2015-04-02 Tyco Electronics Services Gmbh Apparatus for mechanically splicing optic fibres

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2193605A (en) * 1986-07-11 1988-02-10 British Telecomm Reusable cable joint cover
US20030186584A1 (en) * 2002-03-28 2003-10-02 Fallon Egan In-line connection cover
GB2521272A (en) * 2013-12-12 2015-06-17 Eden Ltd Cable housing connector

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GB2543918B (en) 2020-04-15
GB201615396D0 (en) 2016-10-26
GB201516159D0 (en) 2015-10-28

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Effective date: 20210909