Cable enclosure assemblies and methods for using the same

Abstract

A cable enclosure for use with a cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media within the outer jacket, includes a housing assembly and a strain relief structure on the housing assembly. The housing assembly defines a chamber and a cable port. The housing assembly is configured to receive the cable. The strain relief structure includes a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween. At least one of the engagement structures includes a blade edge flanking the cable slot. The cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port and into the chamber and a portion of the cable is received in the cable slot such that the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable enclosure for use with a cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media within the outer jacket, the cable enclosure comprising:
 a housing assembly defining a chamber and a cable port, wherein the housing assembly is configured to receive the cable; and 
 a strain relief structure on the housing assembly, the strain relief structure including a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween, at least one of the engagement structures including a blade edge flanking the cable slot; 
 wherein the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port and into the chamber and a portion of the cable is received in the cable slot such that the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port, wherein the strain relief structure is a strain relief member separately formed from and secured to the housing assembly and wherein the strain relief structure includes a base portion and has a passthrough axis along which the lengthwise axis of the cable extends when the cable is mounted in the cable slot; and the cable slot is generally U-shaped and includes an opening to receive the cable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the passthrough axis; wherein at least one of the engagement structures has a fixed end opposite and secured to the base portion and a blade edge opposite the fixed end, said at least one of the engagement structures tapering inwardly toward the passthrough axis in a direction away from the cable port and wherein the at least one of the engagement structures is radially outwardly deflectable with respect to the passthrough axis to accommodate a prescribed range of cable diameters. 
 
     
     
       2. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the cable slot has a nominal width that is less than an outer diameter of the outer jacket. 
     
     
       3. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein both of the engagement structures include a blade edge flanking the cable slot and, when the portion of the cable is received in the cable slot, both of the blade edges cut into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port. 
     
     
       4. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the strain relief structure is a strain relief member separately formed from and secured to the housing assembly. 
     
     
       5. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the strain relief structure is formed of metal. 
     
     
       6. The cable enclosure of  claim 5  wherein the housing assembly is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       7. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein:
 the strain relief structure includes a base portion and has a passthrough axis along which the lengthwise axis of the cable extends when the cable is mounted in the cable slot; and 
 at least one of the engagement structures has a fixed end opposite and secured to the base portion and a blade edge opposite the fixed end, said at least one of the engagement structures tapering inwardly toward the passthrough axis in a direction away from the cable port. 
 
     
     
       8. The cable enclosure of  claim 7  wherein the at least one of the engagement structures is radially outwardly deflectable with respect to the passthrough axis to accommodate a prescribed range of cable diameters. 
     
     
       9. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein:
 the strain relief structure has a passthrough axis along which the lengthwise axis of the cable extends when the cable is mounted in the cable slot; and 
 the cable slot is generally U-shaped and includes an opening to receive the cable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the passthrough axis. 
 
     
     
       10. The cable enclosure of claim  9  1 wherein the housing assembly includes a locator feature to limit radial displacement of the cable with respect to the passthrough axis. 
     
     
       11. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  including a cable sealant to surround and provide an environmental seal about a portion of the cable when the cable is mounted in the housing assembly. 
     
     
       12. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the cable includes an inner jacket interposed between the transmission media and the outer jacket, and the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the portion of the cable is received in the cable slot such that the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port, but does not cut into the inner jacket. 
     
     
       13. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  A cable enclosure for use with a cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media within the outer jacket, the cable enclosure comprising:
 a housing assembly defining a chamber and a cable port, wherein the housing assembly is configured to receive the cable; and 
 a strain relief structure on the housing assembly, the strain relief structure including a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween, at least one of the engagement structures including a blade edge flanking the cable slot; 
 wherein the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port and into the chamber and a portion of the cable is received in the cable slot such that the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port, the cable enclosure including the cable installed in the housing assembly and the strain relief structure, wherein the transmission media is an optical fiber; wherein the cable includes an inner jacket interposed between the optical fiber and the outer jacket, and the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port, but does not cut into the inner jacket; wherein the cable is a flat drop cable having, in cross-section, a width and a height greater than the width; wherein the cable includes a pair of strength members within the outer jacket and outside the inner jacket, the strength members being located at opposed ends of the height of the cable; and wherein the blade edges define a blade axis therebetween and the cable slot is configured such that the flat drop cable can only be inserted into the cable slot such that the blade axis extends through each of the strength members to prevent the engagement structures from cutting into the inner jacket. 
 
     
     
       14. The cable enclosure of  claim 13  wherein the cable includes an inner jacket interposed between the optical fiber and the outer jacket, and the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port, but does not cut into the inner jacket. 
     
     
       15. The cable enclosure of  claim 14  wherein the cable is a flat drop cable having, in cross-section, a width and a height greater than the width. 
     
     
       16. The cable enclosure of claim  15  13 wherein the cable slot has a slot width that is less than the cable width. 
     
     
       17. The cable enclosure of  claim 15  wherein:
 the cable includes a pair of strength members within the outer jacket and outside the inner jacket, the strength members being located at opposed ends of the height of the cable; and 
 the blade edges define a blade axis therebetween and the cable slot is configured such that the flat drop cable can only be inserted into the cable slot such that the blade axis extends through each of the strength members to prevent the engagement structures from cutting into the inner jacket. 
 
     
     
       18. The cable enclosure of  claim 13  including a second optical fiber disposed in the housing assembly, and a splice operatively connecting the optical fiber of the cable and second optical fiber. 
     
     
       19. The cable enclosure of  claim 1  including at least one strength member pocket wall on the housing assembly defining a strength member pocket, wherein the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port, a transmission media of the cable extends into the chamber, and a terminal end of a strength member of the cable is contained in the strength member pocket to limit intrusion of the jacket and intrusion of the strength member into the housing assembly through the cable port. 
     
     
       20. A method for securing a cable in a cable enclosure, the cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer a jacket, a strength member within the jacket, and a transmission media within the outer jacket, the method comprising:
 providing a cable enclosure including:
 a housing assembly defining a chamber and a cable port, wherein the housing assembly is configured to receive the cable; and 
 a strain relief structure formed of metal on the housing assembly, the strain relief structure including a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween, at least one of the engagement structures including a blade edge flanking the cable slot, wherein the strain relief structure has a passthrough axis along which the lengthwise axis of the cable extends when the cable is mounted in the cable slot; and 
 
 installing the cable in the cable enclosure such that the cable extends through the cable port and into the chamber, including inserting a portion of the cable in the cable slot in a direction substantially perpendicular to the passthrough axis such that the at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist resists withdrawal of the cable from the chamber through the cable port and installing the cable in the cable enclosure such that the strength member extends beyond the strain relief structure and into a strength member pocket defined by the housing assembly, and wherein the strength member pocket includes an open end that receives the strength member into the pocket and a closed end that opposes a terminal end of the strength member. 
 
     
     
       21. A strain relief device for use with a flat drop cable having a cable width, a cable height greater than the cable width, a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media within the outer jacket, the strain relief device comprising:
 a body; and   strain relief structure on the body, the strain relief structure including a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween, at least one of the engagement structures including a blade edge flanking the cable slot;   wherein the strain relief structure is configured to receive the flat drop cable such that a portion of the flat drop cable is received in the cable slot such that at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the flat drop cable from the strain relief structure; and   wherein the cable slot has a slot width that is less than the cable width.   
     
     
       22. A method for securing a flat drop cable, the flat drop cable having a cable width, a cable height greater than the cable width, a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media within the outer jacket, the method comprising:
 providing a strain relief device including:
 a body; and 
 a strain relief structure on the body, the strain relief structure including a pair of opposed engagement structures defining a cable slot therebetween, at least one of the engagement structures including a blade edge flanking the cable slot; 
 
 installing the flat drop cable in the strain relief structure, including inserting a portion of the flat drop cable in the cable slot such that at least one blade edge cuts into the outer jacket to resist withdrawal of the flat drop cable from the strain relief structure; wherein the flat drop cable includes a strength member within the outer jacket, wherein the strength member extends beyond the strain relief structure and into a strength member pocket defined by the body, and wherein the strength member pocket includes an open end that receives the strength member into the pocket and a closed end that opposes a terminal end of the strength member. 
 
     
     
       23. A cable enclosure for use with a cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media and a strength member within the outer jacket, the outer jacket and the strength member each having a terminal end, the cable enclosure comprising:
 a housing assembly defining a chamber and a cable port, wherein the housing assembly is configured to receive the cable; and   at least one strength member pocket wall on the housing assembly defining a strength member pocket;   wherein the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port, the transmission media extends into the chamber, and the terminal end of the strength member is contained in the strength member pocket to limit intrusion of the jacket and intrusion of the strength member into the housing assembly through the cable port.   
     
     
       24. A method for securing a cable in cable enclosure, the cable having a lengthwise cable axis, an outer jacket and a transmission media and a strength member within the outer jacket, the outer jacket and the strength member each having a terminal end, the method comprising:
 providing a cable enclosure including:
 a housing assembly defining a chamber and a cable port, wherein the housing assembly is configured to receive the cable; and 
 at least one strength member pocket wall on the housing assembly defining a strength member pocket; and 
   installing the cable in the cable enclosure such that the cable extends through the cable port, the transmission media extends into the chamber, and the terminal end of the strength member is contained in the strength member pocket to limit intrusion of the jacket and intrusion of the strength member into the housing assembly through the cable port.   
     
     
       25. The cable enclosure of claim 1 including the cable installed in the housing assembly and the strain relief structure, wherein the transmission media is an optical fiber. 
     
     
       26. The cable enclosure of claim 1 including at least one strength member pocket wall on the housing assembly defining a strength member pocket, wherein the cable enclosure is configured to receive the cable such that the cable extends through the cable port, a transmission media of the cable extends into the chamber, and a terminal end of a strength member of the cable is contained in the strength member pocket to limit intrusion of the jacket and intrusion of the strength member into the housing assembly through the cable port. 
     
     
       27. The cable enclosure of claim 1 wherein the at least one blade edge cuts only partially through a wall thickness of the outer jacket. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 20, wherein the transmission media of the cable is an optical fiber. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmission media of the flat drop cable is an optical fiber. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 22, wherein the flat drop cable includes a first side defined generally along the cable width and a second side defined generally along the cable height, the second side being longer than the first side, the second side being generally parallel to the at least one blade edge when the flat drop cable is installed in the strain relief structure. 
     
     
       31. A strain relief device and cable combination comprising:
 a metal clip defining a cable slot that defines a cable pass-through axis, the cable slot of the clip being defined at least in part by first and second spaced-apart edges of the clip, the edges being positioned on opposite sides of the cable pass-through axis, the cable slot having an open end for allowing a cable to be pressed between the edges into the cable slot in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cable pass-through axis; and   a fiber optic cable that has been pressed through the open end of the clip into the cable slot, the edges of the clip being embedded in a jacket of the cable to limit movement of the cable in an orientation along the cable pass-through axis, wherein the cable includes a strength member, wherein the strength member includes an unjacketed portion that extends beyond the clip, wherein an end portion of the unjacketed portion of the strength member is received within a pocket that opposes a terminal end of the unjacketed portion of the strength member.   
     
     
       32. The strain relief device and cable combination of claim 31, wherein the cable slot has a closed end opposite the open end. 
     
     
       33. The strain relief device and cable combination of claim 32, wherein the cable slot is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
       34. The strain relief device and cable combination of claim 31, wherein the fiber optic cable is a flat drop cable. 
     
     
       35. A telecommunications device for use with a cable having an outer jacket and a transmission media and a strength member within the outer jacket, the telecommunications device comprising:
 a body;   a strain relief structure secured to the body, the strain relief structure configured to resist axial movement of the cable relative to the body once the cable has been installed in the strain relief structure; and   the body including a strength member blocking structure, the strength member blocking structure configured to oppose an exposed terminal end of the strength member of the cable; wherein the strain relief structure defines a cable slot that defines a cable pass-through axis, the cable slot of the strain relief structure being defined at least in part by first and second spaced-apart edges of the strain relief structure, the edges being positioned on opposite sides of the cable pass-through axis, the cable slot having an open end for allowing a cable to be pressed between the edges into the cable slot in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cable pass-through axis.   
     
     
       36. The cable device of claim 35, wherein the strength member blocking structure defines at least a portion of a strength member pocket having an open end for receiving the strength member of a cable retained by the strain relief structure. 
     
     
       37. The cable device of claim 35, wherein the cable slot has a closed end opposite the open end. 
     
     
       38. The cable device of claim 37, wherein the cable slot is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
       39. The cable device of claim 35, wherein the strain relief structure is formed of metal. 
     
     
       40. A method for providing strain relief to a cable, the cable having an outer jacket and a transmission media and a strength member within the outer jacket, the method comprising:
 pressing the cable into a metal strain relief clip, wherein the cable is moved in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cable as the cable is pressed into the clip;   embedding edges of the clip into the cable outer jacket as the cable is pressed into the clip; and   inserting an unjacketed terminal end of the strength member in a pocket having a surface that opposes the terminal end.   
     
     
       41. The method of claim 40, wherein the transmission media is an optical fiber. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 40, wherein the clip cuts only partially through a wall thickness of the outer jacket. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 42, wherein the clip does not engage the strength member. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 40, wherein the cable is a flat fiber optic drop cable. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 44, wherein the drop cable has an elongate transverse cross-sectional profile with long sides and short sides and wherein the edges embed in the long sides.