MXPA00011433A - Split open dead end - Google Patents

Abstract

The split open dead end cable connector includes two hinged halves (26, 28) with half circular serrated channels (30, 32) which align when the halves (26, 28) are in a closed position to form a serrated aperture for engaging the fiber optical cable (100). Lateral taper rail segments are likewise formed on the sides of the hinged halves (26, 28) which align when the halves are in a closed position to form tapered rails. Sliding wedges with internal channels complementary to the tapered rails are used to urge the halves together into a closed position. Prongs of a U-bail pass through loops formed on the sides of the halves (26, 28) of the body and the sliding wedges. Nuts (22, 24) threadably attached to the prongs of the U-bail secure the connector together and urge the sliding wedges to a position urging the halves to a closed position.

Description

OPENED DIVIDED REMATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a divided open top, which holds the outer layers of a cable without damaging the core or center of the cable and is particularly suitable for use with fiber optic cables and which at the same time has use with other types of cables.

Description of the Prior Art The composite fiber-optic cable is used to construct transmission lines for general use. This replaces the wire of the earth ground connection cable for communications applications and also protects the phase conductor on the transmission line from damage by elimination and short circuit conditions. The delicate optical fibers are housed and protected in a cavity inside the central core of the cable. The smaller wires are wound spirally around the outer surface of the cable. The installation, assembly and coupling of the fiber optic cable, including the use of a "top", must be carried out in such a way that it does not put excessive stress on the delicate optical fibers inside the cable. Otherwise, the optical fibers are damaged.

A prior art method for protecting the fiber optic cable during the installation of an assembly is to use layers of material to wind the fiber-optic cable. However, this is labor intensive. Other techniques include tightening with a screw and similar mechanical techniques without appropriate inherent limitations where excessive tightening can damage the fiber optic cable and insufficient tightening can result in coupling failure. Examples of the prior art include the U.S. Patent No. 5,758,005 entitled "Walking Device for an Optical Cable", issued May 26, 1998 to Yoshida; U.S. Patent No. 5,754,724 entitled "Fiberoptic Support Apparatus", issued May 19, 1998 to Peterson et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 4,770,491 entitled "Remate for Cable - Fiberoptic Lined", issued September 13, 1988 to Champa et al.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a mechanism for coupling cables, particularly fiber-optic cables. Therefore, a further object of this invention is to provide a "spike" for fiber optic cables.

Therefore, a further object of this invention is to provide a device such that it does not damage the delicate optical fibers of a fiber-optic cable. Therefore, it is an even further object of this invention to provide such a device that has a limited range of tightening. Therefore, it is an even further object of this invention to provide such a device that does not require excessive work during its installation. Therefore, a final object of this invention is to provide a device such that it is securely and reliably coupled to a fiber-optic cable. These and other objects are achieved by providing an open top split with a body of two halves articulated together, two sliding wedges and a U-shaped hook. The two halves each include a • semicircular serrated groove across the entire length from the same. The halves are bent over one another or assembled to form a cylindrical serrated opening for coupling the fiber-optic cable. The internal diameter of the resulting serrated opening is designed to clamp only the outer layer of an optical cable without creating any force on the core of the fiber. The two halves also have semi-used rails all along both sides of the halves. When the two halves are folded over one another or assembled, the semi-worn rails of both halves are aligned on each side of the body and a full taper is formed on each side of the body. The two halves are held together by two sliding wedges with internal taper mating, a sliding wedge on each side of the body. As the wedge moves upward from the body taper, the strength increases. This force increases until the two halves of the body are completely released from each other. This limits the amount of force transmitted to the fiber optic cable. A U-shaped hook has parallel teeth, which pass through openings formed in the outer rings on the sliding wedge and the outer rings and the joint of the body. The nuts are then attached to the ends of the teeth of the hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS "The objects and further advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the present invention, with the halves of the body in the open position Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the present invention with the body halves in the closed position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention in the installed position, coupling the fiber optic cable. Figure 4 is a side plan view, partly in shaded form, of a slide wedge of the connector of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE Referring now to the drawings in detail, where similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the different views, it is noted that Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 of the present invention. The connector 10 includes the body 12, the sliding wedges 14, 16, the U-hook 20 and the nuts 22, 24. The body 12 includes the halves 26, 28, which are hingedly connected to each other by means of the hinge assembly 29. The halves 26, 28 include serrated longitudinal semicircular grooves 30, 32, respectively. The slots 30, 32 are positioned so that when the halves 26, 28 of the body 12 are folded together towards the closed position as shown in Figure 2 and 3, the serrated opening 34 is formed. The dimensions of the serrated opening 34 they are selected so as to strongly grip the exterior of the optical cable 100 without damaging the interior optical fibers (not shown). Similarly, this configuration inherently limits the tightening of the notched opening 34. That is, when the halves 26, 28 are in the closed position and strongly flush with each other, the additional tightening will not distort the dimensions of the notched opening 34 and It will not damage the inner optical fibers. The hinge assembly 29 is hollow so that the tooth 36 of the U-hook passes therethrough. Similarly, the ring 40 is formed on one side of the half 28 opposite the hinge or hinge assembly 29 so that the tooth 38 of the U-hook passes therethrough. The semi-worn rails 42, 44 are formed on the sides of the half 26. Similarly, the semi-worn rails 46, 48 are formed on the sides of the half 28. The semi-used rails 42, 44, 46, 48 are formed with ends wider on the end 50 of the body 12, near the articulation assembly or hinge 29 and the ring 40 and with narrower ends on the end 52 of the body 12. Spaces 43, 45, 47, 49 are formed between the semi-used rails 42 , 44, 46, 48 and body 10, respectively. In the closed position of Figures 2 and 3, the semi-used rails 42 align with the semi-unused rail 46, thereby forming fully tapered rails 54. Similarly, the semi-unused rail 44 is aligned with the semi-handrail 48 forming by therefore, a completely tapered rail 56. The sliding wedge 14 includes the rings 58, 60 with openings therethrough to receive the tooth 38 from the U-hook 20. Similarly, the sliding wedge 16 includes the ring 62 equivalent to the ring 60 of the sliding wedge and a second ring (not shown) equivalent to the ring 58 of the sliding wedge 14 for receiving the tooth 36 of the U-hook 20. The sliding wedges 14, 16 include tapered-shaped cavities 64 , 66, respectively. As shown in Figure 4, the tapered cavities 64, 66 have a narrow end near the rings 60, 62 and a widened end near the ring 58 (and the corresponding non-illustrated ring). The tapered cavities 64, 66 are formed complementary to fully tapered rails 56, 54, respectively. In addition, the tapered cavities 64, 66 have cantilever fastening side edges 68, 70 and 72, 64, respectively, for slidable engagement to the spaces 45, 49 and 43, 47, respectively, of the body 12. When the sliding wedges 14, 16 are forced towards the end 50 of the body 12 by tightening the screws 22, 24 on the threaded ends 80, 82 of the teeth 36, 38 of the U-hook 20, the halves 26, 28 are forced more strongly between yes. The tension exerted on the fiber optic cable by the installation and the weight of the cable 100 is resisted by the body 12 as it moves to a certain degree up to the U-hook 20 to a point where the body 12 stops. To use the connector 10, the installer places the fiber optic cable 100 into the longitudinal serrated semicircular grooves 30 or 32, and bends the halves 26, 28 towards the closed position shown in Figure 2. The connector 10 and the fiber optic cable 100 are selected so that the serrated opening 34 formed in the closed position of Figure 2 will strongly engage the fiber-optic cable 100 without damaging the internal optical fibers. The user then slides the sliding wedges 14, 16 onto the fully tapered rails 56, 54, respectively. The user then inserts the U-hook 20, so that the tooth 36 passes through the hinge assembly 29, the non-illustrated ring corresponding to the ring 58, and the ring 62. Similarly, the tooth 38 passes through. through the rings 40, 58 and 60. The nuts 22, 24 are then threadably fastened on the threaded ends of the teeth 36, 38 of the U-hook 20. In this way, the different objects and advantages mentioned above are they achieve more effectively. Although a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described in detail here, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited by this and that its scope is determined by that of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS:

1. A cable connector, characterized in that it comprises: a body comprising two portions, each of the portions including a channel and side tapered rail segments, whereby the channels form an opening for coupling the cable and segments of the side tapered rail they form tapered rails after the alignment of the two portions; wedge elements including internal tapered channels for coupling the tapered rails; and means for securing the wedge-shaped elements to the body and for pushing the internal tapered channels along the tapered rails, thereby pushing the two portions against each other.

The cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the channels have a semicircular cross section.

3. The cable connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the channels are serrated. The cable connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the portions are connected to each other by means of a joint or hinge. The cable connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the securing means include a U-shaped wire with first and second teeth, the first and second teeth include respective first and second threaded ends for receiving the threaded nuts. The cable connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the portions and portions include side rings with openings therethrough, first and second U-shaped teeth passing through the rings. The cable connector according to claim 6, characterized in that one of the side rings is formed inside the joint. The cable connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the spaces are formed between the side tapered rail segments and the portions, and where the internal tapered channels include lateral cantilever fastening edges, which move by sliding in the spaces.