Splice closure with removable and pivotable splice trays, and associated methods
US6496640B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4454
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A splice closure contains multiple splice trays that can be individually pivoted and accessed so that the splice closure is capable of optimally carrying and providing access to numerous optical fibers and optical fiber splices. The splice closure has a housing defining an internal cavity and at least one opening to the internal cavity. An end cap is capable of occluding the opening of the housing to provide an enclosed configuration. A support frame has opposite front and rear ends, the front end of the support frame is connected to the end cap, and the support frame is capable of being positioned within the internal cavity of the housing during the enclosed configuration. The support frame extends in a longitudinal direction between the front and rear ends, and defines a frame axis that extends in the longitudinal direction. The multiple splice trays are pivotally carried by the support frame so that there are a plurality of axes of rotation that are generally parallel to the frame axis and about which the splice trays are respectively pivotable. Biasing mechanisms are operative for releasably holding the splice trays to the support frame.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.