Break-out device

The present application is a National Phase application of PCT/GB00/01864 filed on May 15, 2000 and published in English, which claims priority from Application GB 9911612.1 filed on May 19, 1999 and Application GB 0010281.4 filed on Apr. 28, 2000.

The present invention relates to a break-out device for optical fibre cables. More in particular, the present invention relates to a break-out device which can be used to organise optical fibre elements, such as optical fibres and/or optical fibre carrier tubes, at a cable termination.

Break-out devices, sometimes also called organisers, are well known in the field of optical fibre management. WO 91/12548, for example, discloses a cable termination for use with slotted core optical fibre cables. The break-out part of this Prior Art cable termination has a plurality of circumferentially arranged through-holes of a predetermined size. The through-holes are provided with passages leading to the circumference of the break-out part to allow “wrap-around” installation of the optical fibres, that is, side-entry of the fibres. This feature allows uncut fibres to be accommodated and eliminates the need for threading the fibres through the relatively small through-holes. The side-entry feature of this known break-out does however require the material of the break-out to be bent. While this may be perfectly feasible for small diameter optical fibres, it may constitute difficulties when larger diameter optical fibre cables and optical fibre carrier tubes are involved.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the Prior Art and to provide a break-out device which is also suitable for larger diameter optical fibre elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a break-out device which is particularly suitable for accommodating optical fibre carrier tubes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a break-out device which is adaptable to the particular diameter of the optical fibre elements to be accommodated.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a break-out device which has a high capacity.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a break-out device which allows optical fibre elements of various dimensions to be accommodated.

Accordingly, a break-out device for optical fibre cables is according to the present invention characterised by one or more channels for accommodating optical fibre elements and one or more partitions insertable in the channels so as to define through-holes having a substantially closed circumference.

By providing through-boles which are constituted by channels laterally closed off by partitions it is possible to first insert the optical fibre element in the channel and then insert the partition so as to enclose the optical fibre element. The installation of the optical fibre elements in the break-out device is even further facilitated if the channels, prior to the insertion of a partition, are open to one side. This allows side-entry of the optical fibre elements.

An even greater capacity is obtained when at least one channel is arranged for the insertion of at least two partitions so as to define at least two parallel through-holes. This also provides the possibility of inserting only one partition in a channel where two could have been inserted, resulting in a through-hole having a greater (e.g. doubled) width. Thus by selectively inserting partitions in channels which provide plural insertion options an increased flexibility is obtained and optical fibre elements of various dimensions may be accommodated.

In a preferred embodiment the channels are defined by substantially parallel ribs protruding from a base plate. Advantageously, the sides of the ribs facing the channels are provided with slots for accommodating the partitions.

To provide a secure structure a locking mechanism is provided for locking the partitions in their inserted positions, thus preventing the inserted partitions from inadvertently leaving the channels. Preferably, the locking mechanism is releasable.

The locking mechanism may be constituted in various ways. Preferably, each partition is provided with at least one protrusion and each channel is provided with a recess or opening for accepting the protrusion in the inserted position. It could be envisaged, however, that the channels were provided with protrusions and that the partitions were provided with recesses.

To provide sufficient resilience to allow the protrusions to pass through the channels, each partition is preferably provided with a longitudinal slit near the at least one protrusion. Preferably, each partition has a single protrusion located in a corner of its body, and the slit is located near that corner. It is, however, possible for each partition to have two or even more protrusions.

To accept the protrusions in the inserted position of the partitions, an opening or recess is provided in the channels, as stated above. In a preferred embodiment, the opening divides each channel into a slotted part and a non-slotted part. That is, each channel extends beyond the recess to provide further support for the optical fibre elements but only part of the channel is capable of receiving partitions. This arrangement provides additional support without requiring the partitions to be longer than necessary.

Advantageously, the break-out device is provided with mounting hooks for mounting the device on a support.

The invention further provides a kit-of-parts for forming a break-out device as defined above, and a partition for use in such a break-out device.

The present invention will further be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, a first embodiment of a break-out device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, a second embodiment of a break-out device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows, in perspective, a third embodiment of a break-out device according to the present invention.

The break-out device 1 shown by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 1 comprises a number of ribs 5 protruding from a base plate 6 . Each pair of ribs constitutes a channel 2 in which fibre optic elements, such as carrier tubes 22 , can be accommodated.

In the embodiment shown, the top and bottom walls of each channel 2 , that is, the sides of the ribs 5 facing the channels, are each provided with four grooves or slots 7 for accepting partitions 3 . It will be understood that the actual number of slots may vary depending on the particular requirements and on the relative dimensions of the device 1 and the optical fibre elements 22 . The number of slots per channel wall may therefore also equal one, two, three, five or more than five. It is to be understood that the slots 7 may be provided as grooves in the sides of the ribs 5 facing the channels as shown in FIG. 1 or may be paired ridges extending into the channels from the sides of the ribs 5 .

The device 1 is provided with a locking mechanism to keep the inserted partitions 3 in place. For this purpose the partitions are each provided with one or more protrusions 9 which, when inserted, are accepted in the openings 10 . Instead of the openings 10 , grooves or recesses could be made in the ribs 5 . To provide the resilience required to easily insert the partitions, they are each provided with one or more slits 11 in the side near the protrusion(s) 9 .

The openings 10 divide each channel 2 into a slotted part where the partitions 3 can be inserted and a non-slotted part which serves to further support the optical fibre elements. When the optical fibre elements 22 are carrier tubes, as shown in FIG. 1, they preferably end approximately halfway along the non-slotted part of the channels. This provides a protected transition for any optical fibres emerging from the carrier tubes 22 .

Mounting hooks 12 serve to mount the device 1 on a suitable support, such as a fibre organiser plate in a cable splice closure.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is largely similar to that of FIG. 1 except for the number and the spacing of the ribs 5 . The embodiment of FIG. 2 has seven ribs 5 defining six channels 2 of a relatively small height. This embodiment may be preferred if only optical fibre elements having a small diameter are to be used. In case optical fibre elements having larger or varying diameters will be used, the embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferred. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the break-out device 1 of the present invention is capable of accommodating optical fibre elements of different diameters in a single device. By selectively inserting partitions, the through-holes can be made to the desired size. As the channels 2 are open to one side prior to the insertion of the portions, side entry and hence the installation of uncut optical fibre elements is possible.

The alternative embodiment of the break-out device 1 shown in FIG. 3 also comprises channels 2 defined by ribs 5 protruding from a base plate 6 . The channels 2 are capable of accommodating partitions 3 so as to form through-holes 4 . In this embodiment, however, the partitions 3 are not inserted in the longitudinal direction of the channels 2 but in their transverse direction. The locking mechanism comprises protrusions 9 which are engaged by a serrated front surface 12 of the ribs 5 . This surface 12 is provided with teeth which are shaped to enable a downward movement (that is, towards the base plate 6 ) of partitions 3 but to resist an upward movement. To facilitate the insertion of the partitions 3 and to enable their removal they are provided with a resilient middle part constituted by two curved members 13 . The resilience of this middle part allows the partitions to be slightly stretched and thus to become disengaged. Several partitions 3 may be accommodated in any one channel 2 .

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.