Optical Fiber Enclosure Including Novel Retaining Ring

This application relates to enclosures which are enclosed in part 5 by an interdigitated structure of base and top member and a retaining ring. More specifically, this invention relates to optical fiber enclosures including an interdigitated base and top member affixed together with a retaining ring.

A product marketed with an interdigitated base and top member held together by a retaining ring is marketed by Raychem Corporation under the name FOSC.RTM.(B) Closure. This closure is, at least in part, described in PCT International Publication No. W090/08336 and Great Britain priority application No. 800932.8 the former of which was filed Jan. 17, 1990, and the later of which was filed Jan. 17, 1989. Both these applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Although this product functions extremely well, the castellated flanges, i.e., interdigitated base and top members, which are locked together by a circular, round in cross-section retaining ring contained within a groove extending through the flanges, exhibit certain tendencies to pull apart through the deflection of certain of the flanges and the ring popping out of the groove at temperatures of about 70.degree. C. The retaining ring exerts a force on the castellated flange off center from the neutral axis, i.e., the axis running through the base of the groove. This produces a bending moment in the flange which causes flange deflection. The deflection may be great enough such that the ring pops out of the groove allowing the base to separate from the domed top member. Thus, it would be highly desirable to have a retaining ring and structure which avoids this problem for high temperature applications, i.e., about 70.degree. C., to extend the useful temperature range of the product.

The invention possesses the desirable features recited above as well as provides many other benefits obvious to the ordinary skilled artisan. More specifically, the invention comprises an enclosure where the castellated, i.e., interdigitated, flanges are held together by a retaining ring in a groove which exerts its force or moment of force along the neutral axis of the groove base to avoid flange deflection and separation. In particular, this can be achieved by a retaining ring having cross-section which is wider base, i.e., at the bottom of the groove in the flange than the open side away from the base of the groove.

FIG. 1 shows an installed splice case of the invention as well as a prior art splice case.

FIG. 2 illustrates the castellated flange and retaining ring of the invention and the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flange and retaining ring of the prior art with the force above the neutral axis of the flange.

FIG. 4 illustrates the flange and a retaining embodiment of the invention with the force along the neutral axis.

The invention will be more clearly illustrated by referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a cable splice enclosure, of the butt design, particularly for optical fiber cables and employing the invention. Here, the base of the enclosure comprises the first part 21, outlets 31 being integral with the projection 23. Similarly the cover 22 which is preferably blind at one end, and especially is dome-shaped, is integral with the projections 24. Each part 21, 22 may, however, comprise more than one component. Sealing sleeves 29 and 30 shown in cross-section sealing the parts 21, 22 together and sealing cables 32 to the outlets 31, respectively. The prior art and novel retaining ring for the castellated, i.e., interdigitated flanges, is illustrated as 16/26.

FIG. 2 illustrates the enclosure or joining device of the invention which is incorporated into the design of FIG. 1. First and second hollow parts 21, 22 are joined together through first and second projections 23, 24 that mate in an interdigitated fashion. The projections need not extend all around the circumference of the parts, but do so in the preferred embodiments. The projections have recesses 25, e.g., a groove therein, into which can be positioned the retaining ring of the prior art and that of the invention for preventing separation. Such ring means 16/26 preferably comprises a ring, preferably split ring, and preferably one that is one resiliently deformable so that it can be snapped into the recess 25. The ring may comprise any suitable material, including metal and plastics. The external surfaces of parts 21, 22 that are adjacent a preferably substantially mutually flush and the ring 26 is preferably flush with them or recessed. The projections may prevent relative rotation of parts 21, 22 and ring 16/26 prevents axially separation.

This illustration of the invention is clarified in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The prior art ring 16 when in place in the groove 25 exhibits a moment of force 32 above the neutral axis, depicted as 30, such that the flange is subject to bending at pressure and temperature, as indicated by arrow enumerated as 34. This moment of force above the neutral axis is generally achieved by the product's circular ring.

We have unexpectedly discovered in our invention that as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the cross-section of the retaining ring 26 has a broader base member, the force 32 is now along the neutral axis 30 at the base of the recess 25. Returning to FIG. 2, suitable retaining rings of the invention can have a cross-section illustrated in the blowup, i.e., trapezoidal, semi-circular, triangular, cusped triangular, cusped trapezoidal, inverted "T" shape, and the like. In practice, any configuration which creates the force along the neutral axis 30 at the base of the recess 25 is suitable for use in the invention. In particularly preferred embodiments, the ring is constructed of a spring steel material and sized so that the ends of the split ring abut securely upon installation.

The invention has been described with reference to particularly preferred embodiments. Modifications which would be obvious to the ordinary skilled artisan are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.