WO2020104395A1

WO2020104395A1 - Modularized cable termination apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2020104395A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/081690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samory DE ZITTER
Original assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Priority date: 2018-11-19
Filing date: 2019-11-18
Publication date: 2020-05-28
Also published as: EP3884324A1

Abstract

A cable management apparatus is provided to clamp a cable. The apparatus includes a jacket clamp body (110) configured to support a cable (30). The jacket clamp body (110) includes a jacket seat portion (220) on which a jacket (34) of the cable (30( is seated. The jacket clamp body (110) further includes a cavity (230) configured to at least partially receive a jacket mount device (112). The jacket mount device (112) includes a jacket strap (304), a strap holding element (306), and a pair of strap slots (240). The jacket strap (304) is configured to fasten the jacket (34) on the jacket seat portion (220). The strap holding element (306) is configured to hold the jacket strap (304) when the jacket strap (304) fastens the jacket (34) on the jacket seat portion (220). The strap slots (240) are in communication with the cavity (230) and allow opposite non-loop portions (324) of the jacket strap (304) to pass there through and extend into the cavity (230) while a loop portion (322) of the jacket strap (304) extends above the jacket seat portion (220) and surrounds the jacket (34) to fasten the jacket (34) on the jacket seat portion (220).

Description

MODULARIZED CABLE TERMINATION APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/769,243, filed on November 19, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 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 are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, and wave division multiplexers.

[0003] It is often preferred for telecommunications enclosures to be re-enterable. The term re-enterable means that the telecommunications enclosures can be reopened to allow access to the telecommunications components housed therein without requiring the removal and destruction of the telecommunications enclosures. For example, certain telecommunications enclosures can include separate access panels that can be opened to access the interiors of the enclosures, and then closed to reseal the enclosures. Other telecommunications enclosures take the form of elongated sleeves formed by wrap around covers or half-shells having longitudinal edges that are joined by clamps or other retainers. Still other telecommunications enclosures include two half-pieces that are joined together through clamps, wedges or other structures. Telecommunications enclosures are typically sealed to inhibit the intrusion of moisture or other contaminants.

[0004] In certain applications, telecommunications enclosures include cable termination units for clamping cables relative to the enclosures. Such cable termination units can retain cables in different ways, and it is desirable to provide cable termination units capable of being used with various methods for clamping cables during installation. SUMMARY

[0005] In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a cable termination unit, and a telecommunications enclosure employing one or more cable termination units. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.

[0006] One aspect is an apparatus for clamping a cable separately from a

telecommunications enclosure. The apparatus may be mounted to the telecommunications enclosure. The apparatus includes a jacket clamp body configured to support a cable extending along a first axis, the first axis defining opposing first and second directions. The jacket clamp body includes a jacket seat portion, a cavity, and a pair of strap slots. The jacket seat portion is a portion on which a jacket of the cable is seated. The cavity is configured to at least partially receive a jacket mount device in a third direction along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The jacket mount device may include a jacket strap and a strap holding element. The jacket strap is configured to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion. The strap holding element is configured to hold the jacket strap when the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion. The pair of strap slots is in communication with the cavity. The pair of strap slots allows opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap to pass therethrough and extend into the cavity while a loop portion of the jacket strap extends above the jacket seat portion and surrounds the jacket to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion.

[0007] In certain examples, the apparatus may include the jacket mount device that includes the jacket strap and the strap holding element.

[0008] In certain examples, the strap holding element may include a screw.

[0009] In certain examples, the strap holding element is abutted with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity and rotatable against the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap to pull the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap away from the jacket seat portion.

[0010] In certain examples, the jacket mount device may include a jacket mount guide at least partially received in the cavity in the third direction. The jacket mount guide is configured to support the strap holding element within the cavity. [0011] In certain examples, the jacket mount guide includes a hole configured to engage the strap holding element therethrough and align the strap holding element with the opposite non loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity.

[0012] In certain examples, the jacket mount guide includes strap guide portions configured to at least partially receive the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity.

[0013] In certain examples, the loop portion is adjustable to accommodate different diameters for the jacket.

[0014] In certain examples, the jacket seat portion is configured as a V-shape for generally complementing a shape of the jacket of the cable.

[0015] In certain examples, the jacket seat portion includes a grooved surface.

[0016] In certain examples, the jacket strap includes a plurality of slits configured to engage the strap holding element.

[0017] Another aspect is a method for mounting a cable to a telecommunications closure. The method includes clamping a cable with the apparatus as described above, and mounting the apparatus to the telecommunications closure.

[0018] In certain examples, the step of clamping a cable may include fixing a jacket of the cable to the jacket clamp body by fastening the jacket with the jacket strap and engaging the jacket strap through the strap slots.

[0019] In certain examples, the step of clamping a cable may include placing the jacket strap around the jacket such that the loop portion of the jacket strap surrounds the jacket; inserting the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap into the cavity through the pair of strap slots in a fourth direction along the second axis and opposite the third direction; inserting the strap holding element into the cavity in the third direction to engage the strap holding element with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity; and rotating the strap holding element within the cavity to pull the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap until the loop portion of the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion of the jacket clamp body.

[0020] In certain examples, the step of clamping a cable may include inserting the jacket mount guide into the cavity in the third direction to support the strap holding element within the cavity. In certain examples, the step of inserting the strap holding element into the cavity may include inserting the strap holding element through the hole of the jacket mount guide to align the strap holding element with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity. In certain examples, the step of rotating the strap holding element within the cavity may include rotating the strap holding element relative to the jacket mount guide within the cavity.

[0021] Yet another aspect is a telecommunications enclosure that includes a cover, a cable organizer for managing cables, a seal block assembly, and at least one cable termination unit. In certain examples, the cover may define an interior space and having an open end. In certain examples, the cable termination unit is configured to be mounted to the seal block assembly. The cable termination unit may include a jacket mount device and a jacket clamp body.

[0022] In certain examples, the jacket mount device may include a jacket strap and a strap holding element. In certain examples, the jacket clamp body is configured to support a cable extending along a first axis, the first axis defining opposing first and second directions. The jacket clamp body may include a jacket seat portion on which a jacket of the cable is seated; a cavity configured to at least partially receive the jacket mount device in a third direction perpendicular to the first axis, the jacket strap configured to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion, and the strap holding element configured to hold the jacket strap when the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion; and a pair of strap slots being in communication with the cavity, the pair of strap slots allowing opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap to pass therethrough and extend into the cavity while a loop portion of the jacket strap extends above the jacket seat portion and surrounds the jacket to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion.

[0023] The apparatuses, methods, and closures in accordance with the present disclosure allow cable management in smaller profiles and with more diverse configurations for different sizes of cables. Further, the cable management apparatuses of the present disclosure can replace many metal parts with plastic parts, thereby reducing weight and providing ease of assembly. Moreover, the cable management apparatuses use a limited number of parts and thus make is easy to assemble. For example, the cable management apparatuses of the present disclosure include only one strap holding element (e.g., a screw) for fastening a jacket strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example cable termination apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1. [0026] FIG. 3 is another perspective exploded view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an example jacket strap of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1 prior to clamping a cable.

[0030] FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 6A.

[0031] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 1 with a cable clamped.

[0032] FIG. 7B is a botom perspective view of the cable termination apparatus of FIG. 7A.

[0033] FIG. 8 is an example embodiment of a telecommunications enclosure.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a front cross sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG. 8.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of FIG. 8.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a cable termination unit being mounted to the telecommunication enclosure.

[0037] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of another example embodiment of a

telecommunications enclosure.

[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a seal block assembly in the telecommunications enclosure of FIG. 12.

[0039] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view ofthe seal block assembly of FIG. 12.

[0040] FIG. 15 is a partial exploded view ofthe seal block assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, an example cable termination unit 100 is described. The cable termination unit 100 is configured to clamp a cable 30 and be retained by a telecommunications closure. An example telecommunications closure 10 (which is also referred to herein as a closure, a telecommunications enclosure, an enclosure, or the like) is illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 8-15. In this document, the cable termination unit 100 is also referred to as a cable clamp, cable clamping assembly, apparatus, device, or unit, or the like. In this document, the cable termination unit 100 is described to be used with the closure 10 for illustrative purposes. The cable termination unit 100 can be used with other closures in other examples. As described herein, the cable termination unit 100 enables users or technicians to clamp cables outside and separately from the closure before insertion into the closure.

[0043] Each cable 30, which enters and exits the closure 10 and is managed within the closure 10, includes one or more fiber optic cables and a cable jacket. The fiber optic cables can be tubes containing optical fibers. An example of the cable jacket is designated by 34. The cable jacket 34 surrounds the fiber optic cables. In some examples, a cable 30 includes one or more strength members to increase the tensile force that is applied on the cable during installation. The strength members can take the pulling force and keep the fibers safe during installation. In certain examples, the strength members include a central strength member which can be made from fiberglass or plastic. One example of the central strength member is made of a glass-filled rod. In addition or alternatively, the strength members can include a bundle of flexible strength members or yams which enclose a jacketed fiber. For example, such flexible strength members are made of fibrous polymer, such as aramid. Although the cable 30 is primarily described as a fiber optic cable, the present disclosure is also applicable to other types of cables, such as copper cables.

[0044] In this example, the cable termination unit 100 is configured to clamp a cable separately from a closure 10. The cable termination unit 100 is configured to fix the cable jacket 34 of the cable 30 relative to the closure 10. In this document, therefore, the cable termination unit 100 is also referred to as a jacket clamp unit or assembly. In certain examples, the cable termination unit 100 is configured to allow for floating of the cable relative to a fixed portion of the closure 10 (e.g., the equipment frame 18 or the seal block assembly 58), so that the cable is centralized and aligned with the seal block of the closure 10 as desired. The cable termination unit 100 is further configured to clamp cable jackets of different sizes.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in some examples, the cable termination unit 100 includes a jacket clamp body 110 and a jacket mount device 112. In some examples, the jacket mount device 1 12 includes a jacket strap 304, a strap holding element 306, and a jacket mount guide 308. [0046] The jacket clamp body 110 is configured to support the cable 30 along a first axis D 1 (FIG. 7A), which defines opposing first and second directions. In this example, the jacket clamp body 1 10 extends along the same axis (i.e., the first axis Dl) as an axis in which the cable 30 extends over the cable termination unit 100.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the jacket clamp body 110 has a forward end 202 and a rearward end 204 and extends between the forward end 202 and the rearward end 204 along the first axis D 1 , with the first direction being the forward direction along the first axis D 1 and the second direction being the rearward direction along the first axis Dl . The jacket clamp body 1 10 has a top portion 210, a bottom portion 212, a first side portion 214, and a second side portion 216 opposite to the first side portion 214. All the portions 210, 212, 214 and 216 extend between the forward end 202 and the rearward end 204 along the first axis Dl .

[0048] The jacket clamp body 110 includes a jacket seat portion 220 on which the cable jacket 34 is seated. In some examples, the jacket seat portion 220 is generally configured as a V- shape or U-shape to complementarily accommodate the shape of the cable jacket 34. In some examples, the jacket seat portion 220 includes one or more grooved surfaces 222 to provide friction between the cable jacket 34 and the jacket seat portion 220 and thus improve fixation of the cable jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220.

[0049] As better shown in the cross sectional view in FIG. 4, the jacket clamp body 1 10 includes a cavity 230 configured to at least partially receive the jacket mount device 112 (e.g., the jacket strap 304, the strap holding element 306, and jacket mount guide 308) in a third direction D21. The third direction D21 is perpendicular to the first axis D 1 (and the first and second directions defined thereby) and extends along the axis D2 (FIG. 3) between the bottom portion 212 and the top portion 210 of the jacket clamp body 110.

[0050] The jacket clamp body 1 10 further includes a pair of strap slots including a first strap slot 240 and a second strap slot 242. The strap slots 240 and 242 are in communication with the cavity 230 along the second axis D2 (FIG. 3). The strap slots 240 and 242 are formed to open at the exterior surface of the jacket seat portion 220 and extend to the cavity 230 in a fourth direction D22 along the second axis D2 (FIG. 3). In some examples, the strap slots 240 and 242 can be narrow slits extending along the first axis Dl and configured to receive a portion (e.g., non-loop portions 324 in FIG. 5) of the jacket strap 304 therethrough. In some examples, the strap slots 240 and 242 are arranged to be parallel with each other. As described herein, the jacket strap 304 is used to wrap and arrange the cable jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220 and a portion (e.g., non-loop portions 324) of the jacket strap 304 extends into the cavity 230 through the strap slots 240 and 242. The strap slots 240 and 242 are shaped to enable at least a portion of the jacket strap 304 to pass therethrough.

[0051] Referring still to FIGS. 1 -5, the jacket clamp body 110 is configured to cooperate with the jacket mount device 112 to clamp the cable jacket 34 to the cable termination unit 100. In some examples, the jacket mount device 1 12 includes the jacket strap 304, the strap holding element 306, and the jacket mount guide 308.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 7 A, the jacket strap 304 is configured to fasten the cable jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 5, the jacket strap 304 is configured to be flexible and provided as a flat strap 320. The jacket strap 304 can be made of metal or plastic. The flat strap 320 is extendable around the cable jacket 34. For example, the flat strap 320 is deformed to wrap the cable jacket 34. When the jacket strap 304 is deformed from the flat strap 320, the jacket strap 304 can form a loop portion 322 and non-loop portions 324. The loop portion 322 surrounds the cable jacket 34. The non-loop portions 324 are arranged oppositely and extend together to face each other. For example, the non-loop portions 324 includes a first non-loop portion 326 and a second non-loop portion 328 which do not surround the cable jacket 34. In some embodiments, the first non-loop portion 326 and the second non loop portion 328 are arranged in parallel and spaced at a distance therebetween as they extend, so that they can be inserted into the cavity 230 through the strap slots 240 and 242.

[0053] The jacket strap 304 has a length sufficient to wrap different diameters of cable jackets. When a cable jacket of a larger diameter is wrapped by the jacket strap 304, the loop portion 322 becomes correspondingly larger and the non-loop portions 324 become shorter. When the jacket strap 304 wraps the cable jacket 34, the non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 is inserted to the strap slots 240 and 242 of the body 110, respectively. The non- loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 pass through the strap slots 240 and 242, respectively, and extend into the cavity 230 while the loop portion 322 of the jacket strap 304 extends above the jacket seat portion 220 and surrounds the jacket 34 to fasten the jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220. Within the cavity 230 are the non-loop portions 324 abutted with the strap holding element 306 and held by the strap holding element 306, as described herein. [0054] Referring still to FIGS. 2-4, the strap holding element 306 is configured to hold the jacket strap 304 when the jacket strap 304 fastens the jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 320. In certain examples, the strap holding element 306 is used together with the jacket mount guide 308 to hold the jacket strap 304. In other examples, the strap holding element 306 holds the jacket strap 304 without using the jacket mount guide 308. Other configurations are also possible in other examples.

[0055] In some examples, the strap holding element 306 is abutted with the opposite non loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230 and rotatable against the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304. As the strap holding element 306 is rotated, the engagement between the strap holding element 306 and the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 can pull the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 in a downward direction D22 (along the second axis D2). Therefore, as the strap holding element 306 is rotated, the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 is pulled down and away from the jacket seat portion 220 of the body 110, thereby tightening the loop portion 322 of the jacket strap 304 around the cable jacket 34 and fastening the cable jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220 of the body 110.

[0056] In some examples, the strap holding element 306 is configured as a screw 330. An external thread 332 of the screw 330 is engaged with the non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230. In other examples, other types of fasteners or elements can be used for the strap holding element 306.

[0057] To create the engagement between the strap holding element 306 and the jacket strap 304, in some examples, the jacket strap 304 includes a plurality of slits 334 configured to engage the threads 332 of the screw 330, as illustrated in FIG. 2, 3, 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B. The slits 334 can be formed at an angle such that, as the screw 330 is rotated with the threads 332 of the screw 330 engaging with slits 334 of the jacket strap 304, the jacket strap 304 is pulled down (in the downward direction D22) or up (in the upward direction D21). In other embodiments, instead of slits 334, other features, such as grooves, can be provided to the jacket strap 304 for the same purposes.

[0058] Referring still to FIGS. 2-4, the jacket mount guide 308 is provided to support the strap holding element 306 within the cavity 230 of the jacket clamp body 1 10. The jacket mount guide 308 is at least partially received in the cavity in the second direction D2 and configured to align the strap holding element 306 with the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230.

[0059] In some examples, the jacket mount guide 308 has a profile configured to not rotate within the cavity 230 as the strap holding element 306 is rotated. The jacket mount guide 308 can be fitted into the cavity 230. The jacket mount guide 308 can be dimensioned to be similar to, but slightly smaller than, the internal dimension of the cavity 230, to the extent that the jacket mount guide 308 does not so much move within the cavity 130 to disengage the strap holding element 306 from the jacket strap 304.

[0060] In the illustrated example, the jacket mount guide 308 is configured as a frame 350 that has opposite sides 352 and 354. In some examples, when the jacket mount guide 308 is received within the cavity 230, the sides 352 and 354 of the frame 350 are arranged to be adjacent to the first and second side portions 214 and 216 of the jacket clamp body 110.

[0061] In some examples, the jacket mount guide 308 includes at least one holes 360, 362 configured to engage the strap holding element 306. In the illustrated example, the jacket mount guide 308 has a first hole 360 provided at a bottom portion 356, and a second hole 362 provided at a top portion 358 opposite to the bottom portion 356. The first hole 360 is aligned with the second hole 362 so that the strap holding element 306 extends through both of the first hole 360 and the second hole 362. The holes 360 and 362 of the jacket mount guide 308 prevent the strap holding element 306 from misaligning with the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230. In some embodiments, the holes 360 and 362 of the jacket mount guide 308 are arranged at the center of the jacket mount guide 308 to place the strap holding element 306 at the center within the cavity 230.

[0062] In some embodiments, the second hole 362 is configured to support a distal end 336 of the strap holding element 306, and the first hole 360 is configured to support a neck portion 338 of the strap holding element 306. When the strap holding element 306 is engaged with the jacket mount guide 308, the threads 332 of the strap holding element 306 (e.g., the screw 330) can be arranged between opposite bottom and top portions 356 and 358 of the jacket mount guide 308 that include the first hole 360 and the second hole 362, respectively. The strap holding element 306 can spin relative to the jacket mount guide 308 with the distal end 336 of the strap holding element 306 supported within the second hole 362, and with the neck portion 338 of the strap holding element 306 supported within the first hole 360. [0063] In some embodiments, the bottom portion 356 of the jacket mount guide 308 includes a slit 376 that extends from the first hole 360 and opens the first hole 360 from the side of the jacket mount guide 308. The slit 376 of the jacket mount guide 308 is configured to receive the neck portion 338 of the strap holding element 306 into the first hole 360 of the jacket mount guide 308. In some embodiments, the jacket mount guide 308 is at least partially made of a flexible material, such as plastic, (e.g., the bottom portion 356 can be made of a flexible material) so that the first side 372 can flex adjacent the slit 376 and widen the slit 376 to open up the first hole 360, thereby enabling the neck portion 338 of the strap holding element 306 to be inserted through the widened slit 376 into the first hole 360. For example, where the threads 332 of the strap holding element 306 is sized to be bigger than the first hole 360 and the second hole 362, the distal end 336 of the strap holding element 306 can be inserted into the second hole 362, and then the neck portion 338 of the strap holding element 306 can be inserted sideways into the first hole 360 through the widened slit 376.

[0064] In some embodiments, the jacket mount guide 308 includes strap guide portions 370 configured to at least partially receive the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 when the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 extend within the cavity 230. In the illustrated example, the strap guide portions 370 are provided at the sides 352 and 354 of the frame 350. The strap guide portions 370 are configured as one or more recesses formed on each of the sides 352 and 354 of the frame 350. Each of the opposite non-loop portions 324 seats against the strap guide portions 370 on each of the sides 352 and 354 of the frame 350. The strap guide portions 370 allow receiving the jacket strap 304 in a smaller size of the cavity 230 and thus reduce a profile of the jacket clamp body 110.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, an example method for clamping a cable 30 with the cable termination unit 100 of the present disclosure will be described. As described herein, when the cable is clamped with the cable termination unit 100, the cable termination unit 100 is mounted to a telecommunication closure, such as the closure 10.

[0066] A cable is clamped to the cable termination unit 100 by fixing the jacket 34 of the cable 30 to the jacket clamp body 110 by fastening the jacket 34 with the jacket strap 304 and engaging the jacket strap 304 through the strap slots 240 and 242.

[0067] In some embodiments, a cable is clamped to the cable termination unit 100 by first placing the jacket strap 304 around the jacket 34 such that the loop portion 322 of the jacket strap 304 surrounds the jacket 34. Then, the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 is inserted into the cavity 230 through the pair of strap slots 240 and 242 in the downward direction D22. After that, the strap holding element 306 is inserted into the cavity 230 in the upward direction D21 to engage the strap holding element 306 with the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230. Where the jacket strap 304 has the slits 334, the strap holding element 306 (e.g., a screw) can engage with the slits 334 to engage with the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304. Then, the strap holding element 306 is rotated within the cavity 230 to pull the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 in the downward direction D22 until the loop portion 322 of the jacket strap 304 fastens the jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220 of the jacket clamp body 110.

[0068] In examples where the jacket mount guide 308 is used, the jacket holding element 306 is first assembled with the jacket mount guide 308 by inserting the jacket holding element 306 at least partially through the holes 360 and 362 of the jacket mount guide 308. Then the strap holding element 306 assembled with the jacket mount guide 308 can be inserted into the cavity 230 in the upward direction D21. This allows the jacket mount guide 308 to support the strap holding element 306 and align the strap holding element 306 with the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 within the cavity 230. Then, the strap holding element 306 is rotated relative to the jacket mount guide 308 within the cavity 230 to pull the opposite non-loop portions 324 of the jacket strap 304 in the downward direction D22 until the loop portion 322 of the jacket strap 304 fastens the jacket 34 on the jacket seat portion 220 of the jacket clamp body 1 10.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 8-14, an example telecommunications enclosure 10 for managing cables is described. In this document, the telecommunications enclosure can be also referred to as the closure. The closure 10 is configured to be re-enterable and thus can be reopened to allow access to telecommunications components housed therein without requiring removal and destruction of the closure.

[0070] The closure 10 includes a cover 12 with an open end 14. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cover 12 defines an interior space 16 to receive an equipment frame 18 through the open end 14 of the cover 12. In some examples, the cover 12 is shaped as a dome -configuration. Other configurations are also possible in other examples. The equipment frame 18 has various structures for holding telecommunications equipment 20, such as a plurality of trays 22. Each of the trays 22 can be pivotably supported by the equipment frame 18 so that, when the cover 12 is removed, the trays 22 are individually accessible on the equipment frame 18. The closure 10 extends along mutually perpendicular axes x, y and z.

[0071] The closure 10 further includes a seal block assembly 26 configured to seal the interior space 16. The seal block assembly 26 is configured to provide a seal around cables 30 entering and exiting the closure 10. In certain examples, the seal block assembly 26 provides cable openings 32 through which the cables 30 enter and exit the closure 10 while providing proper sealing around the cables. In some examples, the seal block assembly 26 includes a plurality of seal block pieces 28 which are made of gels.

[0072] In some cases, when the cables 30 entering or exiting the closure 10 can be positioned within the interior space 16, the cables 30 can be misaligned with the cable openings 32 of the seal block assembly 26. Such misalignment can create a possible leak source into the closure 10. As described herein, a cable termination unit 100 of the present disclosure is configured to compensate such misalignment and prevent leakage through the seal block assembly 26.

Examples of the cable termination unit 100 are described with reference to FIGS. 1 -5, 6 A, 6B,

7 A, and 7B.

[0073] The closure 10 can further include one or more cable termination unit holders 40 for holding cable termination units 100. In the illustrated example ofFIGS. 8-1 1, the cable termination unit holders 40 are configured as pockets 42 in the equipment frame 18 so that the cable termination units 100 are directly received and retained in the pockets 42. The cable termination unit holders 40 further include retaining elements, such as clips, for holding the cable termination units 100 in the pockets 42. As described herein, the cables 30 (and/or the cable termination units 100) are movable as necessary to centralized and align with the cable openings of the seal block assembly 26 along the axis z.

[0074] As described herein, cables 30 are retained with the closure 10 by first attaching the cables 30 to the cable termination units 100 and then mounting the cable termination units 100 to the equipment frame 18. As shown in FIG. 11 , once the cable termination unit 100 is assembled with the cable 30, the cable termination unit 100 is placed and retained in the pocket 42 of the cable termination unit holder 40.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 12-15, another example telecommunications enclosure 10 for managing cables is described. Similarly to the closure 10, the closure 10 is configured to be re- enterable and thus can be reopened to allow access to telecommunications components housed therein without requiring removal and destruction of the closure.

[0076] The closure 10 includes a cover 52, a base 54, a cable organizer 56, and a seal block assembly 58. The cover 52 has an open end 62. The base 54 mounts to the cover 52 with fasteners 64, such as latches. A seal can be provided between the base 54 and the cover 52 when assembled. The cable organizer 56 is configured to manage cables 30 and has various functions such as slack storage, splicing, and splitting of cables. The seal block assembly 58 can be attached to the cable organizer 56, and the cables 30 enter and exit the cable organizer 56 through the seal block assembly 58. When the cable organizer 56 is assembled with the seal block assembly 58, the cable organizer 56 is inserted into the cover 52 and the seal block assembly 58 seals to the base 54 to seal the interior of the enclosure 10. The cable organizer 56 includes an equipment frame 66 configured to support various elements, such as a plurality of trays 68, on the cable organizer 56. An example of the cable organizer 56 is described in PCT Application No. PCT/EP2013/055989, titled TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENCLOSURE AND ORGANIZER, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In some examples, the seal block assembly 58 includes cable fixation areas 70, 72. In addition to the cable termination units 100 according to the present disclosure, other examples of the cable termination units which can be used with the cable organizer 56 are described in PCT/EP2013/056066, titled CABLE CLAMP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENCLOSURE, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the seal block assembly 58 includes a sealing unit 80 and cable sealing modules 82 for sealing to cables entering the closure 10. The seal block assembly 58 further includes an actuator or trigger 84 which, when activated (e.g., by turning), causes the sealing unit 80 to seal to the cables. The cable termination units 100 are retained in the seal block assembly 58 and clamp the cables to the seal block assembly 58.

[0078] In the illustrated example, each of the cable sealing modules 82 includes two seal block pieces 86A and 86B which mate together and define cable openings 88 through which the cables 30 enter and exit the closure 10 while providing sealing around the cables. The cable sealing modules 82 are received and retained on seal block holding areas 89 of the seal block assembly 58. The seal block holding areas 89 are arranged adjacent the cable fixation areas 70 for retaining the cable termination units 100. [0079] In some examples, the cable termination units 100 are held in the seal block assembly 58 using cable termination unit holders 90. In this example, the cable termination unit holders 90 are configured as separate units, which are received into the cable fixation areas 70 of the seal block assembly 58.

[0080] The cable termination unit holder 90 can fit to the seal block assembly 58 in various methods. In one example, the cable termination unit holder 90 is received on the cable fixation area 70 and snap-fits to the seal block assembly 58 with clips 92. The cable termination unit holder 90 includes one or more pockets 94 for receiving the cable termination unit 100.

[0081] The cable termination unit holder 90 can include a cable termination unit fastener 96 for retaining the cable termination unit 100 within the pocket 94. In the illustrated example, the fastener 96 includes a pair of clip arms 98 which mount to corresponding features of the cable termination unit 100.

[0082] The various examples and teachings described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the examples and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for clamping a cable separately from a telecommunications enclosure, the apparatus configured to be mounted to the telecommunications enclosure, the apparatus comprising:

a jacket clamp body configured to support a cable extending along a first axis, the jacket clamp body including:

a jacket seat portion on which a jacket of the cable is seated; a cavity configured to at least partially receive a jacket mount device along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the jacket mount device including a jacket strap and a strap holding element, the jacket strap configured to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion, and the strap holding element configured to hold the jacket strap when the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion; and

a pair of strap slots being in communication with the cavity, the pair of strap slots allowing opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap to pass therethrough and extend into the cavity while a loop portion of the jacket strap extends above the jacket seat portion and surrounds the jacket to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the jacket mount device including the jacket strap and the strap holding element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the strap holding element includes a screw.

4. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the strap holding element is abutted with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity and rotatable against the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap to pull the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap away from the jacket seat portion.

5. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket mount device further comprises a jacket mount guide at least partially received in the cavity along the second axis, the jacket mount guide configured to support the strap holding element within the cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the jacket mount guide includes a hole configured to engage the strap holding element therethrough and align the strap holding element with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the jacket mount guide includes strap guide portions configured to at least partially receive the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity.

8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the loop portion is adjustable to accommodate different diameters for the jacket.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket seat portion is configured as a V-shape for generally complementing a shape of the jacket of the cable.

10. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket seat portion includes a grooved surface.

1 1. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket strap includes a plurality of slits configured to engage the strap holding element.

12. A method for mounting a cable to a telecommunications closure, the method comprising:

clamping a cable with the apparatus of any of claims 1-11 ; and

mounting the apparatus to the telecommunications closure.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein clamping a cable comprises:

fixing a jacket of the cable to the jacket clamp body by fastening the jacket with the jacket strap and engaging the jacket strap through the strap slots.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein clamping a cable comprises:

placing the jacket strap around the jacket such that the loop portion of the jacket strap surrounds the jacket;

inserting the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap into the cavity through the pair of strap slots along the second axis in a first direction;

inserting the strap holding element into the cavity along the second axis in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to engage the strap holding element with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity; and

rotating the strap holding element within the cavity to pull the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap until the loop portion of the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion of the jacket clamp body.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein clamping a cable further comprises: inserting the jacket mount guide into the cavity in the second direction to support the strap holding element within the cavity,

wherein inserting the strap holding element into the cavity comprises inserting the strap holding element through the hole of the jacket mount guide to align the strap holding element with the opposite non-loop portions of the jacket strap within the cavity; and

wherein rotating the strap holding element within the cavity comprises rotating the strap holding element relative to the jacket mount guide within the cavity.

16. A telecommunications enclosure comprising:

a cover defining an interior space and having an open end;

a cable organizer for managing cables;

a seal block assembly; and at least one cable termination unit configured to be mounted to the seal block assembly, the cable termination unit comprising:

a jacket mount device including a jacket strap and a strap holding element; and

a jacket seat portion on which a jacket of the cable is seated;

a cavity configured to at least partially receive the jacket mount device along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the jacket strap configured to fasten the jacket on the jacket seat portion, and the strap holding element configured to hold the jacket strap when the jacket strap fastens the jacket on the jacket seat portion; and

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first direction is a downward direction and the second direction is an upward direction.