US5222183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Splice case for optical fibre cable
Assignee: NV RAYCHEM SA A Co OF BELGIUM
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Filing: 1989-11-07
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2009-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between at least two optical fibre cables, which comprises: a base through which respective cables can pass; at least one optical fire organizer capable of storing an optical fibre in the path from one of the outlets to another of the outlets, said path having a minimum radius of curvature no smaller than the minimum bend radius of said optical fibre; and a hollow cover which can surround the organizer and which can be fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice by sliding over the organizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Daems
- 👤 Patrick Clits
- 👤 Marc Moisson
- 👤 Jean-Marie E. Nolf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471; G02B6/4476; G02B6/444; G02B6/4441; G02B6/4442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between at least two optical fibre cables, which comprises: a base having outlets through which respective cables can pass; at least one optical fibre organizer capable of storing a optical fibre in a path from one of the outlets to another of the outlets, said path having a minimum radius of curvature no smaller than the minimum bend radius of said optical fibre; and a hollow cover capable of surrounding the organizer and when the cover is fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice by sliding over the organizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between at least two optical fibre cables, which comprises: a base having outlets through which respective cables can pass; at least one optical fibre organizer capable of storing a optical fibre in a path from one of the outlets to another of the outlets, said path having a minimum radius of curvature no smaller than the minimum bend radius of said optical fibre; and a hollow cover capable of surrounding the organizer and when the cover is fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice by sliding over the organizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, in which at least two outlets are formed at the base from subdivision of a single tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, which additionally comprises means for forming a seal between the base and the cables.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An enclosure according to claim 2, in which the outlets are formed in a sealing material the sealing material being surrounded by a heat-shrinkable sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An enclosure according to claim 4, in which the sleeve comprises a conductive polymeric material that exhibits positive temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, in which the base has means for providing a reservoir for an encapsulant around a cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, in which the optical fibre organizer comprises one or more optical fibre trays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An enclosure according to claim 7, in which the trays are each hinged to a carrier, the hinge line running substantially perpendicular to the cables passing through the base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An enclosure according to claim 7, in which the trays comprise a first portion which can accept a loop of optical fibre and a second portion which can accept an optical fibre splice.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An enclosure according to claim 9, in which the first portion has means for locating the loop adjacent an edge of the tray, and the second portion lies intermediate opposing edges of the tray.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, in which the trays are attached to a carrier, which carrier is detachably attached to the base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An enclosure according to claim 11, in which the detachable attachment is by means of a screw-thread.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An enclosure according to claim 11, in which the detachable attachment is by means of a quick-release device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An enclosure according to claim 11, in which the detachable attachment is enclosed by the cover when attached to the base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between cables which comprises a base through which respective cables can pass; at least one organizer capable of storing splices between conductors of the cable; and a hollow cover capable of surrounding the organizer when the cover is fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice without severing the spliced conductors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
An enclosure capable of enclosing a butt splice between cables which comprises a base through which respective cables can pass; at least one organizer capable of storing splices between conductors of the cable; and a hollow cover capable of surrounding the organizer when the cover is fixed to the base to close the enclosure; the base being removable from the splice without severing the spliced conductors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |