The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic cable systems.
Fiber optic communication systems are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities (e.g., data and voice) to customers. Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Fiber management is an important part of operating and maintaining an effective fiber optic communication system.
Optical fibers are often connected to one another via splices. For example, a trunk or main cable may be routed to an area to which service is to be provided and small fiber count “drop cables” may be spliced to the main cable at predetermined spaced apart locations. Splices are often supported within splice closures to protect the spliced connections from the environment. The fiber optic cable is typically secured to the enclosure, for instance by removing the cable outer jacket in order to expose some length of the strength members of the cable. The cable strength elements are typically attached to the enclosure so as to provide strain relief.
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure a strain relief clamp system includes a base with a plurality of plates arranged in a stack on the base. A fastener, such as a bolt having a nut threaded thereon, is situated to selectively draw the plates against the base so as to clamp a fiber optic cable strength member received between adjacent plates. The plurality of plates are arranged in first and second stacks in some examples, with one or more fiber optic cable strength members received between adjacent ones of the plates.
In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, a cable enclosure includes a housing having a floor with a clamp base. A plurality of plates are arranged in a stack on the base, and a fastener is situated to selectively draw the plates against the base so as to clamp one or more fiber optic cable strength members received between adjacent plates. A fastener connects the base to the floor in some examples. In some embodiments, a splice tray is situated on alignment tabs that extend from the base and through alignment openings formed in the plates.
In accordance with still further aspects of the disclosure, a method of providing strain relief for a fiber optic cable includes exposing one or more strength members of one of more fiber optic cables. The strength members are positioned between adjacent plates of a plurality of stacked plates, and a fastener is tightened to draw the plates together to clamp the strength members received between the adjacent plates.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as top, bottom, front, back, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
When multiple fiber optic cables enter an enclosure such as a fiber optic splice closure, the cable is typically fastened to the enclosure to provide strain relief. Clamping is one method of strain relief performed by clamping down on a cable's internal strength members to securely lock them in place. Multiple individual strain reliefs often demand a large foot print inside a fiber optic enclosure.
In the illustrated example, the fastener 114 includes a bolt 120 that extends through fastener openings 124 extending through the plates 112. The base 110 also has an opening 126 that receives the bolt 120, and a nut 122 is threaded onto the bolt 120. In some embodiments, the bolt 120 is a self-clinching stud that having a bolt head 128 secured directly onto the base 100. The base 110 can be fabricated from sheet metal, for example. Other embodiments could use a standard hex bolt, for example.
The illustrated example, alignment tabs 130 extend from the base 100. Each of the plates 112 has corresponding alignment openings 132, and the alignment tabs 130 extend through the alignment openings 132. The embodiment depicted includes first and second alignment tabs 130 situated on opposite sides of the fastener opening 126, with the corresponding alignment openings 132 situated on opposite sides of the fastener opening 124. In the clamp system 100 illustrated in
The plates 112 shown in
Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative examples set forth herein.
This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/987,108, filed May 1, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61987108 | May 2014 | US |