IP Library Granted Patent US 9,753,237
Granted Patent B2
US 9,753,237 · App. 14/412,386 · Granted Sep 5, 2017

Seal actuator with actuation level indicator

Inventor: Philippe Coenegracht (Hasselt, BE)
Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
G02B6/4444F16J15/028H02G3/088H02G3/22H02G15/013
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,753,237
App. No.
14/412,386
Granted
Sep 5, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An enclosure ( 20 ) includes a sealing unit ( 28, 128, 228, 428 ) including a sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ) for defining and sealing cable ports ( 30, 430 ) and for providing a peripheral seal between a housing ( 22 ) and the sealing unit ( 28, 128, 228, 428 ). An actuation arrangement ( 31, 131, 231 ) pressurizes the sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ). An indicator arrangement ( 40, 140, 240, 440 ) indicates to a user that an actuator ( 35 a, 35 b, 235, 235, 435 ) has been sufficiently moved to fully actuate the sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ). Example indicator arrangements ( 40, 140, 240, 440 ) include indicia visible through viewing windows ( 45 a, 45 b, 433 ) and/or aligning structures ( 171, 138, 239, 273 ). Example indicator arrangements can include structure for accounting for sealant shrinkage over time.

Claims (14)

1. An enclosure comprising:

a housing having an end defining a sealing unit opening;

a sealing unit that fits within the sealing unit opening, the sealing unit defining a plurality of cable ports, the sealing unit including a sealant arrangement for defining and sealing the cable ports and for providing a peripheral seal between the housing and the sealing unit;

an actuation arrangement for pressurizing the sealant arrangement within the sealing unit opening, the actuation arrangement including inner and outer pressurization structures between which the sealant arrangement is positioned, the actuation arrangement also including at least one actuator that is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, the at least one actuator including a handle threaded to a shaft, the actuator generates seal pressurization force that presses the sealant arrangement between the inner and outer pressurization structures when the at least one actuator is moved towards the actuated position; and

an indicator arrangement configured to indicate to a user that the at least one actuator is sufficiently moved to fully actuate the sealant arrangement, the indicator arrangement including at least one indicium disposed at an indicia region located on a cylindrical surface of the outer pressurization structure;

wherein the handle defines a window through which the indicia region may be visible;

wherein the indicia region includes a first indicia region that is visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is not actuated;

wherein the indicia region includes a second indicia region that is visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is fully actuated; and

wherein the indicator arrangement includes a first indicator structure that moves with the outer pressurization structure, and the indicator arrangement also includes a second indicator structure that moves relative to the first indicator structure during actuation of the actuation arrangement and that moves with the first indicator structure when the outer pressurization structure moves in response to shrinkage of the sealant over time.

2. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator includes a cap disposed between the handle and a spring.

3. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicium includes color.

4. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicium includes a symbol.

5. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicia region is not visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is fully actuated.

6. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the first indicator structure includes an indicium indicative of an actuation level of the at least one actuator, and wherein the second indicator structure covers or exposes the indicium as the actuation arrangement is actuated.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042641 FRAME 0421. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jun 9, 2017
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS RAYCHEM BVBA
To: COMMSCOPE CONNECTIVITY BELGIUM BVBA
Reel/Frame 042753/0106 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2017
From: COMMSCOPE CONNECTIVITY BELGIUM BVBA
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS RAYCHEM BVBA
Reel/Frame 042641/0421 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2015
From: COENEGRACHT, PHILIPPE
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS RAYCHEM BVBA
Reel/Frame 036091/0362 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61667224 · Jul 2, 2012
Provisional Application 61726821 · Nov 15, 2012
Related Publication 20150357809A1 · Dec 10, 2015