IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,681,101
Granted Patent B2
US 11,681,101 · App. 17/070,490 · Granted Jun 20, 2023

Reworkable splice module

Inventors: David R. Wurst (Minneapolis, MN); Jacob C. Anderson (Chanhassen, MN); Paul M. Lawson (Minneapolis, MN)
Assignee: Commscope Technologies, LLC
G02B6/2558G02B6/3564G02B6/3801
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,681,101
App. No.
17/070,490
Filed
Oct 14, 2020
Granted
Jun 20, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2874
USPC
385/99
Abstract

A splice module includes a main splicing channel and a rework channel. The main splicing channel has an encapsulated section at which one or more initial splices can be stored. The main splicing channel also includes a non-encapsulated section through which trunk cable fibers of the initial splices extend. If re-splicing is needed, the trunk cable fibers can be accessed at the non-encapsulated section, cut, and re-spliced to a new connectorized pigtail or other optical fibers.

Claims (26)

1. A splice module comprising:

a tray extending along a length between opposite first and second ends, the tray defining a first channel and a second channel that are each accessible at the first and second ends of the tray, each of the first and second channels defining a respective splice portion, the splice portion of each of the channels being bounded at opposite ends by seals, each seal including a gasket body that fits within a respective slot defined by the respective one of the first and second channels, the first channel also defining an access portion located between the splice portion and the second end of the tray;

a first lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portion of the first channel; and

a second lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portion of the second channel and the access portion of the first channel;

wherein the tray also defines a third channel accessible at the first and second ends of the tray, wherein the second channel is disposed between the first and third channels, the third channel also defining a respective splice portion and a respective access portion, wherein the first lid covers the splice portion of the third channel when the first lid is mounted to the tray, and wherein the second lid covers the access portion of the third channel.

2. The splice module of claim 1 , wherein the gasket body of each seal has a slit extending radially between an interior of the gasket body and an exterior of the gasket body, the slit facing away from the tray to enable lateral mounting of the gasket body over a group of fibers.

3. A splice module comprising:

a tray extending along a length between opposite first and second ends, the tray defining a first channel and a second channel that are each accessible at the first and second ends of the tray, each of the first and second channels defining a respective splice portion, the first channel also defining an access portion located between the splice portion and the second end of the tray, the tray also defining a third channel accessible at the first and second ends of the tray, the second channel being disposed between the first and third channels, the third channel also defining a respective splice portion and a respective access portion;

a first lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portion of the first channel, the first lid covering the splice portion of the third channel when the first lid is mounted to the tray; and

a second lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portion of the second channel and the access portion of the first channel, and the second lid covering the access portion of the third channel.

4. The splice module of claim 3 , wherein the first lid defines at least one injection hole and the second lid defines at least one injection hole.

5. The splice module of claim 3 , wherein the splice portion of the second channel is located closer to the second end of the tray than the splice portion of the first channel.

6. The splice module of claim 3 , wherein the second lid includes an extension that fits within a slot defined by the first lid.

7. The splice module of claim 3 , further comprising a trunk retention arrangement at the first end of the tray.

8. The splice module of claim 7 , wherein the trunk retention arrangement includes a plurality of teeth and a plurality of holes.

9. The splice module of claim 8 , wherein the teeth are disposed on a retention insert and the holes are disposed on the tray.

10. The splice module of claim 9 , wherein the retention insert includes a two-piece housing that cooperates to define a Y-shaped channel.

11. The splice module of claim 3 , wherein the tray, the first lid, and the second lid form a first sub-unit that is one of a plurality of identical sub-units; wherein a second of the sub-units is stacked over the first sub-unit.

12. The splice module of claim 11 , further comprising a locking cover that mounts over at least the first sub-unit, the cover being configured to engage the first sub-unit to inhibit movement of the first sub-unit along the length of the first sub-unit relative to the locking cover.

13. The splice module of claim 12 , wherein the locking cover includes a retention arrangement by which the locking cover secures to a surface, the locking cover defining an interior region in which at least the first sub-unit is disposed when the locking cover is secured to the surface.

14. The splice module of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of the sub-units are disposed within the interior region of the locking cover when the locking cover is secured to the surface, each of the sub-units being retained by the locking cover against length-wise movement.

15. The splice module of claim 13 , wherein the retention arrangement is not releasable.

16. A splice enclosure comprising:

a tray extending along a length between opposite first and second ends, the tray defining two outer channels and an inner channel disposed between the two outer channels, each of the outer and inner channels being accessible at the first and second ends of the tray, each of the outer and inner channels defining a respective splice portion, the two outer channels also defining an access portion located between the respective splice portion and the second end of the tray;

a first lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portions of the two outer channels; and

a second lid that mounts to the tray to cover the splice portion of the inner channel and the access portions of the two outer channels.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058843/0712 Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE NORTH CAROLINA, LLC (F/K/A COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA); COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 074591/0389 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058875/0449 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 069743/0057 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE INC., OF NORTH CAROLINA; OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC; RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 069889/0114 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2022
From: WURST, DAVID R.; ANDERSON, JACOB C.; LAWSON, PAUL M.
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 061341/0252 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST
Reel/Frame 060752/0001 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058875/0449 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058843/0712 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62916475 · Oct 17, 2019
Related Publication 20210116642A1 · Apr 22, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,399,336