CABLE ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING RECEIVING AREA CONFIGURED TO ALTERNATIVELY RECEIVE CABLE RETAINER AND CABLE ADAPTER TO ALLOW PLURALITY OF CONFIGURATIONS

Abstract

A cable enclosure assembly having a receiving area configured to alternatively receive a cable retainer and a cable adapter so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port, includes: a base; a receiving area in the base. The receiving area is configured to receive a cable retainer that comprises a first portion and a second portion connected by a pivot portion; the cable retainer comprises a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface that are configured to contact the receiving area; the receiving area is configured to receive a cable adapter; and the receiving area is configured to alternatively receive the cable retainer and the cable adapter so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port.

Claims

1. A cable enclosure assembly having a receiving area configured to alternatively receive a cable retainer and a cable adapter so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port, comprising: a base; a cover configured to be attached to the base; wherein the base comprises a plurality of walls, an opening, and a receiving area; wherein the plurality of walls defines an interior volume; wherein the opening is in one of the plurality of walls; wherein the opening is configured to be a portion of the receiving area; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable retainer; wherein the cable retainer is configured to receive a cable entering the base; wherein the cable retainer comprises a first portion and a second portion; wherein the first portion of the cable retainer is connected to the second portion of the cable retainer by a hinge; wherein the hinge is configured to permit the first portion of the cable retainer to pivot relative to the second portion of the cable retainer; wherein the cable retainer comprises a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface; wherein the first exterior surface is planar and the second exterior surface is planar; wherein the first exterior surface is configured to be parallel to the second exterior surface when the cable retainer is in a fully installed position in the receiving area; wherein the receiving area comprises opposed first and second side edges; wherein the first and second side edges of the receiving area are configured to contact the cable retainer when the cable retainer is in the fully installed position; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable adapter; and wherein the receiving area is configured to alternatively receive the cable retainer and the cable adapter so as to permit the opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port.

2. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a living hinge integrally formed with the first portion of the cable retainer and the second portion of the cable retainer.

3. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side edge of the receiving area is parallel to the second side edge of the receiving area.

4. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to have a backwall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall.

5. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 4, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall extend from the backwall.

6. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, further comprising a splice sleeve located in the interior volume of the base.

7. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiving area comprises a channel wall having a side edge, and wherein the side edge is configured to contact the cable retainer.

8. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein the channel wall comprises a plurality of channel walls, and wherein the plurality of channel walls define a channel in the base.

9. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 8, wherein the cable retainer comprises a side extension extending from the first portion of the cable retainer.

10. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 9, wherein the side extension is configured to be received in the channel.

11. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 10, wherein the channel comprises a first channel, the base further comprises a second channel, wherein the side extension comprises a first side extension, and the cable retainer further comprises a second side extension extending from the second portion of the cable retainer, and wherein the second channel is configured to receive the second side extension.

12. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the cable retainer comprises a grommet.

13. A cable enclosure assembly having a receiving area configured to alternatively receive a cable retainer and a cable adapter so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port, comprising: a base portion comprising an opening and a receiving area; a cover portion configured to be attached to the base portion; wherein the opening is configured to be a portion of the receiving area; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable retainer; wherein the cable retainer is configured to receive a cable entering the base portion; wherein the cable retainer comprises a first portion and a second portion connected by a pivot portion, the pivot portion being configured to permit the first portion of the cable retainer to pivot relative to the second portion of the cable retainer; wherein the cable retainer comprises a first planar exterior surface and a second planar exterior surface, the first exterior surface being configured to be parallel to the second exterior surface when the cable retainer is in a fully installed position in the receiving area; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable adapter; and wherein the receiving area is configured to alternatively receive the cable retainer and the cable adapter so as to permit the opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port.

14. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 13, wherein the receiving area has a channel wall having a side edge.

15. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 14, wherein the side edge of the channel wall is configured to contact the cable retainer when the cable retainer is in the fully installed position.

16. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 13, wherein the pivot portion is a living hinge and is integrally formed with the first portion of the cable retainer and the second portion of the cable retainer.

17. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 13, wherein the opening comprises a first side edge and a second side edge, and the first side edge of the opening is parallel to the second side edge of the opening.

18. A cable enclosure assembly having a receiving area configured to alternatively receive a cable retainer portion and a cable adapter portion so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port, comprising: a base portion; a receiving area in the base portion; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable retainer portion that comprises a first portion and a second portion connected by a pivot portion; wherein the cable retainer portion comprises a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface that are configured to contact the receiving area; wherein the receiving area is configured to receive a cable adapter portion; and wherein the receiving area is configured to alternatively receive the cable retainer portion and the cable adapter portion so as to permit an opening of the cable enclosure assembly to be alternatively configured as a cable pass through and an adapter port.

19. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the first exterior surface is configured to be parallel to the second exterior surface when the cable retainer is in a fully installed position in the receiving area.

20. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the receiving area comprises a channel, the cable retainer portion comprises a side extension that extends from the first portion of the cable retainer portion, and the side extension is configured to be received in the channel.

21. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the pivot portion is configured to permit the first portion of the cable retainer portion to pivot relative to the second portion of the cable retainer portion.

22. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the pivot portion comprises a living hinge that is integrally formed with the first portion of the cable retainer portion and the second portion of the cable retainer portion.

23. The cable enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the cable retainer portion is configured to receive a cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cable enclosure;

[0073] FIG. 2 is a front view of grommets used in the enclosure of FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 3 is perspective view of grommets used in a cable enclosure;

[0075] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary cable enclosure in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0076] FIG. 5 is a front view of the enclosure of FIG. 4;

[0077] FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of enclosure of FIG. 4 with an exemplary grommet partially installed in the enclosure;

[0078] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the condition shown in FIG. 6;

[0079] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the grommet of FIG. 6 without a cable; and

[0080] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 4 with only one grommet installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a cable enclosure assembly having a receiving area that is configured to receive a cable retainer and is configured to receive a cable adapter to allow the cable enclosure assembly to be configured in a plurality of configurations.

[0082] As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber optic enclosure 100 which includes a spool 114 of fiber optic cable (slack cable) 120 provided on back panel 112 of the enclosure. The enclosure 100 has a cover 116. As shown, the spool 114 may be recessed within the interior of an enclosure 100. The enclosure 100 includes a splice sleeve 156 and an input cable and/or an adapter 166 disposed within the enclosure 100. The splice sleeve 156 may be configured to receive and couple two optical fibers (not shown). Ribs 158 may cooperate with the splice sleeve 156 to secure the splice sleeve 156 within the enclosure 100.

[0084] In the enclosure of FIG. 1, the back panel 112 includes a first support member 164 substantially aligned with a grommeted opening 160, and an adapter 166 substantially aligned with a grommeted opening 162. The first support member 164 may be configured to receive and/or securely hold, for example, a cable received through the grommeted opening 160 from outside the enclosure 100. Similarly, the adapter 166 may be configured to receive and/or securely hold, for example, connectors 130, 132 received proximate to the grommeted opening 162. The adapter 166 may be configured to receive two optical fiber connectors. In some cases, the connectors 130, 132 may be SC connectors, and the adapter 166 may be an SC coupler. Therefore, this cable enclosure is configured to only receive grommets at each opening 160, 162 from outside the enclosure 100, and the adapter 166 must be mounted on the backwall of the enclosure 100.

[0085] In the enclosure 100 of FIG. 1, two grommets 118 having curved edges may only be used at the openings 160, 162. The openings 160, 162 are not configured to receive any other type of component. FIG. 2 shows the grommets 118 before being inserted in to the openings 160, 162. FIG. 3 shows a different configuration having three grommets 119 in an enclosure 101. The grommets 118, 119 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 each include at least one curved surface/edge 121, 122 that mates with curved openings 123, 124 defined in a panel of the enclosure 100, 101. Therefore, the curved openings 123, 124 of the enclosures 100, 101 are dedicated to only accommodating the grommets 118, 119. However, enclosure 100, which may include the use of the adapter 166 requires that the adapter 166 take up space within the enclosure 100, thereby potentially interfering with a user's access to the slack cable 120. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cable enclosure assembly which can easily accommodate either an adapter or a grommet at each port of the enclosure.

[0086] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of an enclosure 200 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In this example, enclosure 200 has a base 220 and a cover 210. Enclosure 200 is configured to optionally store a spool of fiber optic cable (slack cable) 40 and/or a splice sleeve 50. Enclosure 200 is configured to accommodate either a cable retainer (grommet) 60 or an adapter 70 at either of a first opening 222 or a second opening 224 of the base 220. In this example, the base 220 has a backwall 226 and four side walls 225. The backwall 226 and the four side walls 225 define an interior 230, which can be closed by the cover 210.

[0087] In embodiments, the cover 210 is configured to be snap fitted onto the base 220. In other embodiments, a hinged cover 211 is configured to pivot between an open position, as shown in FIG. 7, and a closed position. In this example, the cover 211 is pivotably coupled to the base 220 by at least one hinge 212. Other types of couplings can be used to couple the cover 210, 211 to the base 220 such that the cover 210, 211 is movable between closed and open positions. In the closed position, the cover 210, 211 blocks access to the interior 230 of the enclosure 200. In the open position, the cover 210, 211 is configured to allow access to the interior 230 of the enclosure 200.

[0088] For example, in order to facilitate access to the cable 40 which is wound about a spool 240 and/or to access the adapter 70, the cover 211 may form an angle of between 90° and 160° relative to the base 220 in the open position. In some embodiments, the cover 211 may form an angle of 120° relative to the base 220 in the open position. In embodiments, the cover 211 can be disposed at any desired angle relative to the base 220 in the open position.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, in embodiments, the spool 240 includes a hub that includes a plurality of (in this example, four) hub projections 243 and a flange extension 246 disposed at a distal end 247 of one or more of the hub projections 243. In the example shown, each flange extension 246 is integral to each hub projection 243. Moreover, in this example, each hub projection 243 may, but not necessarily, be integral to the backwall 230 of the base 220. Thus, the spool 240 may be integral to the backwall 230 of the enclosure 200. Alternatively, the spool 240 may be mounted to a panel (not shown) which would then be attached to the backwall 230 of the base 220.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, the slack cable 40 can be wound about the hub portion 240. In embodiments, the hub projections 243 and the flange extensions 246 are a single flange (not shown) extending from a circular (or other shape) wall that corresponds to the hub projections 243. The flange extensions 238 (or single flange) prevent the cable 40 from sliding off the spool 240.

[0091] As best shown in FIG. 9, the first opening 222 and the second opening 224 are located in a bottom wall 260 of the side walls 225. In embodiments, one or more channels 268 are defined in the base 220 proximate to each of the openings 222, 224. As shown in FIG. 5, the channels 268 and the openings 222, 224 form a receiving area that is configured to accommodate the adapter 70 and the grommet 60. The adapter 70 may, but not necessarily, be an SC adapter as shown. The adapter 70 may be configured to couple SC connectors. In embodiments, the adapter 70 is configured to couple any fiber optic connector, including, but not limited to, ST, LC, MU, and MPO connectors. In embodiments, the first and second openings 222, 224 are configured to receive a cable 90 such as, for example, a multi-fiber cable (or duct) 90, wherein the cable 90 is supported within the opening 222, 224 using either the grommet 60 or the adapter 70.

[0092] In embodiments, the adapter 70 includes a first end 71 configured to receive a first connector 72 and a second end 81 configured to receive a second connector 82 of a drop cable 92 that runs from the enclosure 220 to an apartment or office of an end user. In this example, the adapter 70 has a first lateral extension 74 and a second lateral extension 75. In this example, the base 220 includes three channels 268. It is understood that any number of channels 268 can be used. As shown in FIG. 5, the channels 268 are configured to receive the first and second lateral extensions 74, 75 of the adapter 70. The plurality of channels 268 provides multiple locations for receiving, for example, lateral extensions 74, 75 (or other engagement features) of different size adapters.

[0093] In the example shown, the grommet 60 includes a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. In this example, the first portion 61 has a side extension 63 and the second portion 62 has a side extension 64. In this example, the first and second portions 61, 62 are joined together by a living hinge portion 66 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. A horizontal side 67 of the grommet 60 includes the first portion 61, the living hinge portion 66, and the second portion 62. As shown in FIG. 5, the side extensions 63, 64 of the grommet 60 are configured to fit in channels 268. In embodiments, the channels 268 are each configured to receive either the side extensions 63, 64 of the grommet 60 and the first and second lateral extensions 74, 75 of the adapter 70. Accordingly, the adapter 70 is secured within the base 220 due to the engagement between any of the channels 268 and the first and second lateral extensions 74, 75 of the adapter 70. Similarly, the grommet 60 is secured within the base 220 due to the engagement between any of the channels 268 and the side extensions 63, 64 of the grommet 60. In embodiments, the living hinge portion 66 biases the first portion 61 away from the second portion 62 such that the first portion 61 does not contact the second portion 62 in a rest position. In embodiments, in the rest position, portions of the first portion 61 that contact the second portion 62 in a fully installed position are oriented at an angle relative to the corresponding portions of the second portion 62. In embodiments, this angle is 180 degrees. In embodiments, this angle is 135 degrees. In embodiments, this angle is 90 degrees. In embodiments, this angle orients the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 such that lower corners of the grommet 60 fit into the upper edges of the receiving area before the cable 90 is inserted into the grommet 60.

[0094] In embodiments, each opening 222, 224 defines a lower horizontal edge/surface 270, a first vertical edge/surface 271, and a second vertical edge/surface 272. The first vertical edge/surface 271 is disposed at a first end 273 of the lower horizontal edge/surface 270 and the second vertical edge/surface 272 is disposed at a second end 274 of the lower horizontal edge/surface 270. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 4-7, each channel 268 is defined by at least one channel wall 280. Each channel wall 280 defines a lower horizontal edge/surface 281 and at least one vertical edge edge/surface 282.

[0095] In embodiments, the grommet 60 includes a cable receiving passageway 300, the horizontal side 67, a left vertical side 68, upper side 310, and a right vertical side 69. The horizontal side 67 which is configured to abut the lower horizontal edge/surface 270 of the opening 222, 224 (and channel walls 280) when the grommet 30 is installed in one of the openings 222, 224 of the bottom wall 260 of the base 220. In embodiments, the cable receiving passageway 300 of the grommet 60 is configured to be compressed in a region 301 proximate to the cable 90 being held in the grommet 60 such that the cable 90 is held in position and cannot slide out of the grommet 60 and, thus, the base 220. In embodiments, the diameter 303 of the cable receiving passageway 300 may vary depending on the type of cable being retained in the grommet 30. The left vertical side 68 of the grommet 60 abuts the first vertical edge/surface 271 of the opening 222, 224 when the grommet 60 is installed in the opening 222, 224 of the bottom wall 260 of the base 220. The right vertical side 69 of the grommet 60 abuts the second vertical edge/surface 272 of the opening 222, 224 when the grommet 60 is installed in the opening 222, 224. In embodiments, the vertical edges of the channel walls 280 also abut the left vertical side 68 and the right vertical side 59 of the grommet 60 when the grommet 60 is installed in the opening 222, 224 of the base 220.

[0096] In embodiments, the grommet 60 is installed in the base 220 as follows. The cable 90 is placed into cable receiving passageway 300 as shown in FIG. 6 while the grommet 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 8. If the cable 90 has grooves in its outer surface, one or more of the grooves is aligned with one or more of the ribs 350 on the inner surface of the cable receiving passageway 300. The grommet 60 is then pressed into one of the openings 222, 224 with the vertical sides 68, 69 entering the opening 222, 224 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As the grommet 60 is further pressed into the opening 222, 224, the vertical edges/surfaces 271, 272 contacting the vertical sides 68, 69 of the grommet 60 cause the first portion 61 and a second portion 62 of the grommet 60 to move toward each other and close the cable receiving passageway 300 around the cable 90. In embodiments, when the grommet is fully inserted into the opening 222, 224, upper sides 310 of the first and second portions 61, 62 of the grommet 60 are coplanar, or substantially coplanar (as shown in FIG. 9). The hinge 66 keeps the first and second portions 61, 62 of the grommet 60 in the proper orientation relative to each other while the grommet 60 is being installed.

[0097] Like the grommet 60, the adapter 70 has a horizontal side 76 which is configured to abut the lower horizontal edge/surface 270 of the opening 222, 224 (and the channel walls 280) when the adapter 70 is installed in the opening 222, 224 of the bottom wall 260 of the base 220. The vertical edges/surfaces 271 of the openings 222, 224 are configured to abut lateral sides of the adapter 70 when the adapter 70 is installed in the opening 222, 224. Similarly, the vertical edges/surfaces 282 of the channel walls 280 are configured to abut lateral sides of the adapter 70 when the adapter 70 is installed in the opening 222, 224.

[0098] In embodiments, the grommet 60 is made of a pliable material (such as, for example, a dielectric material) which allows the interior surface of the cable receiving passageway 300 to flex (and increase the opening of the passageway) depending on the size of the cable 90 received within the cable receiving passageway 300. The grommet 60 can be made from silicone rubber, polyurethane, or any other material that would provide the necessary pliability. In embodiments, the grommet 60 is configured with one or more ribs 350 located on the inner surface of the cable receiving passageway 300. In embodiments, each rib 350 is configured to engage with a circumferential groove in an outer surface of the cable 90. This engagement increases the resistance exerted on the cable 90 by the grommet 60 to oppose the cable 90 being pulled out of the grommet 60.

[0099] Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.