IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,234,641
Granted Patent B2
US 10,234,641 · App. 15/618,832 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

In-line sealed adapter tube

Inventor: John Paul Hill (Andover, MN)
Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
G02B6/3887
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,234,641
App. No.
15/618,832
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

In-line sealed adapter tubes configured to seal non-hardened connectors when connected with hardened connectors such as an outdoor rated connectors. An adapter tube for sealing a non-hardened connector comprises an adapter body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The adapter tube further comprises a first adapter endcap configured to couple to the first end and further configured to receive a hardened connector. The adapter tube further comprises a second adapter endcap configured to couple to the second end and further configured to receive a non-hardened connector for coupling to the hardened connector, such that the non-hardened connector is disposed within the adapter body.

Claims (23)

1. An adapter tube for sealing a non-hardened connector, the adapter tube comprising:

an adapter body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end and the second end are symmetrical;

a first adapter endcap configured to couple to the first end and further configured to receive a hardened connector;

a second adapter endcap configured to receive a fitting and a non-hardened connector through a central opening thereof for coupling to the hardened connector, such that the non-hardened connector is disposed within the adapter body;

wherein the second end has a tab protruding from an edge thereof and the second adapter endcap has a peripheral opening configured to receive the tab so as to couple the second adapter endcap to the second end; and

wherein the first adapter endcap and the second adapter endcap are configured to interchangeably fit the first end and the second end.

2. The adapter tube of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first adapter endcap and the second adapter endcap is configured to couple to the adapter body by snap fit.

3. The adapter tube of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first end and the second end includes a slot configured to receive a cable tie for secondary retention.

4. The adapter tube of claim 1 , wherein the adapter body is symmetrical.

5. The adapter tube of claim 1 , further comprising a first seal configured to couple to the first end, and a second seal configured to couple to the second end.

6. The adapter tube of claim 5 , wherein each of the first seal and the second seal is an O-ring.

7. The adapter tube of claim 1 , wherein the adapter body comprises a single housing.

8. An adapter tube for sealing a non-hardened connector, the adapter tube comprising:

an adapter body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first adapter endcap configured to couple to the first end and further configured to receive a hardened connector;

a second adapter endcap configured to receive a non-hardened connector through a central opening thereof for coupling to the hardened connector, such that the non-hardened connector is disposed within the adapter body;

wherein the first adapter endcap and the second adapter endcap are configured to interchangeably fit the first end and the second end.

9. The adapter tube of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first adapter endcap and the second adapter endcap is configured to couple to the adapter body by snap fit.

10. The adapter tube of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first end and the second end includes a slot configured to receive a cable tie for secondary retention.

11. The adapter tube of claim 8 , wherein the adapter body is symmetrical.

12. The adapter tube of claim 8 , further comprising a first seal configured to couple to the first end, and a second seal configured to couple to the second end.

13. The adapter tube of claim 12 , wherein each of the first seal and the second seal is an O-ring.

14. The adapter tube of claim 8 , wherein the adapter body comprises a single housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2017
From: HILL, JOHN PAUL
To: CLEARFIELD, INC.
Reel/Frame 043765/0264 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62350030 · Jun 14, 2016
Related Publication 20170357074A1 · Dec 14, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,345,926