WO2016128573A1

WO2016128573A1 - Telecommunications cable splitter housing

Info

Publication number: WO2016128573A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/053081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt CORNELISSEN; Eric Lydia Paul PEETERS
Original assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Current assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2016-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-13

Abstract

A housing (10) to receive at least two different sizes of telecommunications fiber optic cable splitters (50, 60) including a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface (58, 68), a top surface (52, 62), a first side surface (54, 64) and an opposing a second side surface (56, 66). The housing includes a pair of bumpers (36) to apply resilient force to the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60) first side surface (54, 64). The bumpers (36) are spaced apart. The housing further includes at least one resilient latch (32) to engage the second side surface (56, 66) and position over the top surface of the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60).

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLE SPLITTER HOUSING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

62/1 16,171 , filed on February 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications cable organizers for fiber optic cables, and more particularly to telecommunications cable organizers including splitters.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications system typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Telecommunications cables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical telecommunications network also includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures or "closures" are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, and wave division multiplexors. Fiber optic splitters are all known in the art, and are generally located in the proximity of fiber optic connectors and adapters to allow fiber optic cables to be selectively attached. Typical fiber optical splitters receive data signals via one or more fiber optic input lines. The splitters are often attached to a panel or a tray via a carrier or adapter. The panel or tray to which the splitter is attached usually includes, among other things, connection points, parking points and routing elements for the fiber optic cable. The splitters divide each input data signal into a plurality of signals sent to a plurality of output ports of the respective splitter.

Commercial splitters can have varying sizes, including lengths, widths and height. Typical splitters may include1x4 and 1 x16 splitters, with the 1x16 being longer, taller and wider than the 1x4 splitter. Telecommunications closures often are used to house such splitters of different sizes. During use, it is desired that the splitters not slide or move within the closure. Such movement within a closure can be damaging to the splitters, cables and/or the closures. An improved way of securing splitters, and a variety of splitter sizes, within a closure is desired.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a housing to receive at least two different sizes of telecommunications fiber optic cable splitters including a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface, a top surface, a first side surface and an opposing a second side surface. The housing includes a pair of bumpers to apply resilient force to the fiber optic cable splitter first side surface. The bumpers are spaced apart. The housing further includes at least one resilient latch to engage and/or be positioned adjacent the second side surface and be positioned over the top surface of the fiber optic cable splitter.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for securing at least two different sizes of telecommunications fiber optic cable splitters. The splitters include a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface, a top surface, a first side surface and an opposing a second side surface. The method includes applying a resilient force to the splitter first side surface with a pair of bumpers. The bumpers are spaced apart. The method further includes engaging the splitter second side surface with at least one resilient latch that includes a fixed end and a free end. The method also includes overhanging the top surface of the fiber optic cable splitter with a ledge that extends from the resilient latch free end.

A still further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a housing to receive a telecommunications fiber optic cable splitter. The splitter includes a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface, a top surface, a first side surface and an opposing a second side surface. The housing includes a first sidewall and a pair of bumpers to apply resilient force to the fiber optic cable splitter first side surface. The bumpers are spaced apart along the first sidewall. The housing also includes a second sidewall and at least one resilient latch to engage the second side surface and grab the top surface of the fiber optic cable splitter. The at least one resilient latch extends through the second sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a splitter housing, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1 , shown in proximity to a large splitter for perspective.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1 , shown in proximity to a small splitter for perspective.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1 , shown housing the large splitter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1 , shown housing the large splitter shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the splitter housing and large splitter shown in FIG. 4, looking through the open top of the splitter housing.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the splitter housing and large splitter shown in FIG. 5, looking through the open top of the splitter housing.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the splitter housing and large splitter, looking along view line A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the splitter housing and small splitter, looking along view line B in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the splitter housing and large splitter, looking along view line C in FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 1 A is a bottom perspective view of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 1 B is a side view of the splitter housing shown in FIG. 1 , looking along view line D in FIG. 1 1 A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of splitter housings shown in FIG. 1 , shown installed into a telecommunications equipment closure. DESCRIPTION

Some aspects of this disclosure are directed to a universal housing for receiving a variety of fiber optic telecommunications cable splitters, and securing to a telecommunications closure. Example commercially-available splitters can include a large splitter 50 (e.g., 1x16) and a small splitter 60 (e.g., 1 x 4). The depicted splitters 50, 60 have a top surface 52, 62, a bottom surface 58, 68, a first side surface 54, 64 and a second side surface 56, 66, each extending between opposing ends. A universal splitter housing 10 is provided to receive at least two splitters of different sizes. In the depicted embodiment, the splitters have different lengths and widths.

An example embodiment splitter housing 10 is depicted in FIGS. 1 -1 1 B. The example splitter housing 10 depicts an elongated shape defined by parallel sidewalls 12, 14 that are separated apart by and secured together with a channel floor 38. The sidewalls 12, 14 extend from a fixed edge at the channel floor 38 to a free edge. The splitter housing 10 depicts an open top opposite the channel floor 38. The splitter housing 10 further depicts a first open end 16 and an opposite second open end 18, each positioned at an end of the housing. The splitter housing 10 also depicts a first lip 20 rising from the channel floor 38 at the first open end 16, and a second lip 22 rising from the channel floor 38 at the second open end 18. The depicted channel floor 38 can be defined by the parallel side walls 12, 14 and the end lips 20, 22. The end lips 20, 22 are positioned apart a distance that allows the splitter housing 10 to receive a range of splitter sizes, (see FIGS. 4, 5).

The depicted splitter housing 10 can have a pair of cutout apertures 34 extending partially along the first sidewall 12 and partially along the channel floor 38. The cutout apertures 34 are positioned near each end of the splitter housing 10. The depicted cutout apertures 34 do not extend to the free edge of the first sidewall 12, and do not extend entirely across the channel floor 38.

A pair of bumpers 36 is depicted to be positioned within the pair of cutout apertures 34. As depicted, the bumpers 36 are secured to the top edge of the cutout apertures 34 along the first sidewall 12, for example with uniform molding. Alternatively, it is contemplated that additional cutout apertures 34 and bumpers 36 can be introduced to receive larger splitters.

The bumpers 36 are not fixed along the sides or the bottom edge. The depicted bumpers 36 have a main body section extending from the top edge of the cutout apertures. The depicted bumper 36 main body sections are angled inwardly through the cutout apertures 34 toward the channel floor 38. The bumpers 36 are depicted to have buttons (also called knobs, teeth or noses) 44 that protrude from the bottom of the main body, and toward the second sidewall 14. The depicted buttons 44 extend from positions along the main body bottom nearest the sides of each cutout aperture 34 that is closest to the ends 16, 18 of the splitter housing 10. The depicted buttons 44 do not extend along the entire length of the bumpers 36.

As particularly depicted in FIGS 4, 6 and 8, when the splitter housing 10 receives a large splitter 50 that extends between the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 12, 14, the buttons 44 contact the sides of the splitter, thus applying an outwardly-directed force that flexes the bumpers 36 into and through the cutout apertures 34. The bumpers 36 apply an equal and opposite force onto the large splitter 50, which helps to maintain the position of the large splitter within the housing 10. When the large splitter 50 is removed from the channel, the bumpers 36 naturally return to a rest state (see FIG. 1 ).

As particularly depicted in FIGS. 5, 7, 9 and 10, when the splitter housing 10 receives a small splitter 60 that does not extend between the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 12, 14, the bumpers 36 remain in the relaxed state or close to the relaxed state and force or position the small splitter toward engagement with the second sidewalk Preferably, the depicted buttons 44 are positioned at a location to receive an end 69 the small splitter 60, and prevent the small splitter from sliding in either direction within the housing 10. Splitter 60 is positioned against one of lips 20 or 22. Splitter 60 can be mounted in splitter housing 10 at the opposite end, and the other splitter end 69 is engaged by the button 44 of the other bumper 36.

The depicted housing 10 can have a pair of cutouts 30 extending from the free edge of the second sidewall 14 and downwardly toward the channel floor 38. The cutouts 30 can extend to align with the channel floor 38 or terminate at a position along the second sidewall 14 above the channel floor. The pair of cutouts 30 is depicted to be positioned a narrower distance apart than the cutaway apertures 34 (see FIGS. 6, 7), however, the cutouts 30 can also be positioned wider apart than the cutaway apertures 38 (not shown).

A pair of clips (also called latches) 32 are depicted to be fixed to and extend within the cutouts 30. The depicted clips 32 have a base or spine 42 that is fixed to and extends from the bottom edge of each cutout 30 toward the free edge of the second sidewall 14. The depicted pair of clips 32 can have ledges (or grips) 46 extending from the free end of the bases 42. The depicted ledges 46 have a free end that extends to a position over the channel floor 38 of the housing 10. As depicted, the ledges 46 can have angled chamfers at the inward-facing edge and the outward-facing edge. At rest, as particularly depicted in FIG. 1 , the clips 32 are angled slightly inward, so that the base 42 outer surface is not in planar alignment with the outer surface of the second sidewall 14. The base 42 can resiliently flex into and out of the cutouts 30 toward and away from the channel of the splitter housing 10.

In use, splitters 50, 60 are inserted into the housing 10 between the sidewalls 12, 14. The splitters 50, 60 can be wider than the distance between the inner surface of the first sidewall 12 and the free end of the clip ledge 46 in a rest state. As a result, during insertion, the splitters 50, 60 contact the angled chamfers at the free end of the ledges 46 and force the bases 42 to flex into the cutouts 30. When the splitters 50, 60 are inserted completely past the clip ledges 46, the base 42 flexes back to the rest state and overhangs, but does not have to contact, the top surface of the splitters, as particularly depicted in FIGS. 4-10. This overhanging relationship of the ledges 46 over the splitters 50, 60 prevents the splitters from exiting from within the housing 10. When removing the splitters 50, 60 from within the housing 10, a user applies an outward pressure to the ledges 46 to flex the bases 42 into the cutouts 30 and away from overhanging the splitters.

More or less latches 32 and more or less bumpers 36 can be provided as desired.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 8-1 1 B, a pair of fasteners 48 extend from the bottom surface of the housing channel floor 38. The depicted pair of fasteners 48 can have a dovetail shape that widens away from the housing 10.

FIG. 12 depicts a plurality of the above-described splitter housings 10 secured in parallel within a commercially-available telecommunications equipment closure 100. As depicted, the closure 100 includes a plurality of tiered apertures 106 and a plurality of parallel track receivers 104 positioned along the closure floor 102. Example tiered apertures 106 have wide regions and narrow regions. Track receivers 104 also have wide regions and narrow regions. In use, the described housing 10 secures to the closure 100 by securing the pair of fasteners 48 to a tiered aperture 106 and a parallel track receiver 104. One fastener 48 can insert through the wide region of a tiered aperture 106, and the other fastener 48 can slide into the parallel track receiver 104. The entire housing 10 is then slid in a direction that locks the fasteners into the narrow region of the tiered aperture 106 and further into the track receiver 104.

Preferably, the splitter housing 10, including the sidewalls 12, 14, the bumpers 36, the dovetail fasteners 48 and the clips 32 are formed of unitary construction through, for example, injection molding.

PARTS LIST:

10 Splitter Housing

12 First Side Wall

14 Second Side Wall

16 First Open End

18 Second Open End

20 First End Lip

22 Second End Lip

30 Clip Cutout

32 Clip (Latch)

34 Bumper Cutout

36 Bumper

38 Splitter Housing Channel Floor

42 Clip Base (Spine)

44 Bumper Nose (Knob or Tooth)

46 Ledge (Grip)

48 Fastener

50 Large Splitter

52 Large Splitter Top Surface

54 Large Splitter First Side Surface

56 Large Splitter Second Side Surface

58 Large Splitter Bottom Surface

59 Large Splitter End Surface 60 Small Splitter

62 Small Splitter Top Surface

64 Small Splitter First Side Surface

66 Small Splitter Second Side Surface 68 Small Splitter Bottom Surface

69 Small Splitter End Surface

100 Telecommunications Equipment Closure

102 Closure Floor

104 Parallel Track Receiver

106 Tiered Aperture

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A housing (10) to receive at least two different sizes of telecommunications fiber optic cable splitters (50, 60) comprising a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface (58, 68), a top surface (52, 62), a first side surface (54, 64) and an opposing a second side surface (56, 66), the housing comprising:

a pair of bumpers (36) to apply resilient force to the fiber optic cable splitter first side surface (54, 64), the bumpers are spaced apart; and

at least one resilient latch (32) to engage the second side surface (56, 66) and position over the top surface (52, 62) of the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60).

2. The housing (10) of claim 1 , wherein the pair of bumpers (36) further comprise a pair of knobs (44) protruding from the pair of bumpers to engage the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60).

3. The housing (10) of claim 2, wherein the pair of knobs (44) are positioned to define the maximum distance between the pair of bumpers (36).

4. The housing (10) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch (32) comprises a base (42) and a ledge (46).

5. The housing (10) of claim 4, wherein the base (42) comprises a fixed end and a free end, the ledge (46) extending from the free end.

6. The housing (10) of claim 5, wherein the ledge (46) comprises chamfered edge.

7. The housing (10) of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a first sidewall (12) and a second sidewall (14), the pair of bumpers (36) are resiliently secured with respect to the first sidewall, and the at least one latch (32) is resiliently secured with respect to the second sidewall.

8. The housing (10) of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall (12) comprises a pair of apertures (34) within which the pair of bumpers (36) are resiliently secured.

9. The housing (10) of claim 7, wherein the second sidewall (14) comprises at least one cutout (30) within which the at least one latch (32) is resiliently secured.

10. The housing (10) of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall (12) and second sidewall (14) are positioned in parallel and separated by a channel, the channel receiving the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60).

1 1 . A method for securing at least two different sizes of telecommunications fiber optic cable splitters (50, 60) comprising a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface (58, 68), a top surface (52, 62), a first side surface (54, 64) and an opposing a second side surface (56, 66), the method comprising:

applying a resilient force to the splitter (50, 60) first side surface (54, 64) with a pair of bumpers (36), the bumpers being spaced apart; engaging the splitter (50, 60) second side surface (56, 66) with at least one resilient latch (32) comprising a fixed end and a free end; and

overhanging the top surface (52, 62) of the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60) with a ledge (46) extending from the resilient latch free end.

12. The method of claim 1 1 , wherein the resilient force is applied by the pair of bumpers (36) toward the at least one resilient latch (32).

13. The method of claim 1 1 , further comprising restricting sliding movement of the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60) with respect to the pair of bumpers (36) by receiving the fiber optic cable splitter adjacent to at least one knob (44) protruding from the pair of bumpers.

14. The method of claim 1 1 , further comprising receiving the fiber optic cable splitter (50, 60) between a first sidewall (12) and a second sidewall (14) spaced apart by a channel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pair of bumpers (36) are resiliently secured to the first sidewall (12) and the at least one latch (32) is resiliently secured to the second sidewall (14).

16. A housing (10) to receive a telecommunications fiber optic cable splitter (50) comprising a body with two opposing ends, a bottom surface (58), a top surface (52), a first side surface (54) and an opposing a second side surface (56), the housing comprising:

a first sidewall (12);

a pair of bumpers (36) to apply resilient force to the fiber optic cable splitter first side surface (54), the bumpers spaced apart along the first sidewall (12);

a second sidewall (14); and

at least one resilient latch (32) to engage the second side surface (56) and position over the top surface (52) of the fiber optic cable splitter (50), the at least one resilient latch extending through the second sidewall (14).

17. The housing (10) of claim 16, wherein each bumper includes a knob (44).