ii ... ii,
US005602954A
United States Patent [19] WW Patent Number: 5,602,954
Nolf et al. [45] Date of Patent: *Feb. 11, 1997
[54] ELECTROFIT FIBER OPTICS BUTT SPLICE
[75] Inventors: Jean-Marie E. Nolf, Korbeek-Lo; Joris R. I. Franckx, Bonheiden; Jozef G. A. Doucet, Kessel-Lo, all of Belgium
[73] Assignee: Raychem SV, Belgium
[ * ] Notice: The term of this patent shall not extend beyond the expiration date of Pat. No. 4,913,522.
[21] Appl. No.: 307,085
[22] Filed: Sep. 16,1994
0043570A1 1/1982 European Pat. Off. G02B 7/26
0077115A2 4/1983 European Pat. Off G02B 7/26
0094848 11/1983 European Pat. Off. B29C 25/00
0159857 10/1985 European Pat. Off. G02B 6/44
3133586A1 3/1983 Germany G02B 5/16
0020843 2/1977 Japan G02B 5/14
0076313 6/1980 Japan G02B 7/26
56-39448 9/1981 Japan G02B 7/26
57- 176013 10/1982 Japan G02B 7/26
58- 109708 7/1983 Japan G02B 7/26
58-127907 7/1983 Japan G02B 7/26
2113865 8/1983 United Kingdom G02B 7/26
2122378 1/1984 United Kingdom G02B 7/26
2124439 2/1984 United Kingdom H02G 15/18
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 128,389, Sep. 28,1993, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 959,195, Oct. 9, 1992, Pat. No. 5,249,253, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 639,379, Jan. 11, 1991, Pat. No. 5,155,794, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 475,498, Feb. 2, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 262,067, Oct. 24, 1988, Pat. No. 4,913,522, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 110,051, Oct. 13, 1987, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 721,527, Apr. 9, 1985, abandoned.
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Apr. 11, 1984 [GB] United Kingdom 8409368
[51] Int. CI.6 G02B 6/36
[52] U.S. CI 385/135
[58] Field of Search 385/95-99, 135-137,
385/147, 139; 264/1.5, 25, 230, DIG. 71
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 7, No. 290, (P-245) (1435), Dec. 24, 1983.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 8, No. 79, (P-267)(1516), Apr. 11, 1984.
IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference, vol. 3 of 3, Nov. 28 -Dec. 1, 1983, San Diego, pp. 1183-1189; IEEE, New York, US E.Y. LOYTTY: "Installation, splicing, and testing of large cross-sectional FT3C fiber optic cables".
Primary Examiner—John D. Lee
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—William D. Zahrt, II; Herbert G. Burkard
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,373,776 2/1983 Purdy 385/135
4,422,890 12/1983 Penneck 264/230 X
4,428,645 1/1984 Korbelak et al 385/135
4,500,166 2/1985 Kunze 385/135
4,570,055 2/1985 McMills 264/230 X
4,685,683 8/1987 Hall et al 277/1
4,913,522 4/1990 Nolfetal 385/95
5,155,794 10/1992 Nolfetal 385/135
5,249,253 9/1993 Franckx et al 385/135
[57] ABSTRACT
This invention provides an enclosure for a butt splice of optical fiber cables which includes organizer trays for storing the excess lengths of individual optical fibers. The enclosure and trays provide for access to the individual fibers for splicing or repair.
25 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
