JP2740487B2 - Splice tray - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a splice tray, and more particularly, to a splice tray for storing, for example, spliced portions such as core wires in an optical cable in an orderly manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is already well known that optical cables are used for many purposes including information communication networks. Usually, this optical cable is an aggregate of many optical fiber core wires. When optical cables are connected to each other, including when such optical cables are branched, a large number of optical fiber core wires are individually connected (spliced).

In connection of such an optical cable, a connection portion of a large number of optical fiber core wires, that is, a splice portion, is put in a container called a splice tray and stored neatly. Approximately ten splice parts are accommodated in one splice tray, so that a plurality of splice trays are used to connect one optical cable.

[0004] A plurality of splice trays can be stacked and connected to each other, and are ultimately protected by being enclosed in a storage container called a cable closure.

[0005] A conventional splice tray used for such a purpose is a tray-shaped elongated resin-made tray body having a wall with a height of about 9 mm formed around the periphery and having a concave inside, and a tray body made of the same. And a resin lid covering the tray body.

At the center of the bottom surface of the recess of the tray body, there is provided a holding portion for holding the splice portions of a large number of optical fiber cores in an aligned state, and this holding portion is formed by a plurality of partitions standing upright from the bottom surface. It is composed of a large number of grooves. On both sides of this holding portion, there is provided an extra length storage portion for storing the extra length of the optical fiber core wire in a loop shape,
The lifting of the optical fiber core wire stored in the extra-length storage section from the recess is prevented by the thin plate for the inner lid.

[0007]

In such a conventional splice tray, the tray main body, the thin plate for the inner lid, and the lid are all separately manufactured and then assembled using various auxiliary parts. Was. That is, the tray main body and the lid are assembled together so that the locking pieces formed integrally with each other are inserted on a coaxial line by inserting a pin, thereby forming a hinge and opening and closing. .

Further, the thin plate for the inner lid is formed such that protruding pieces are integrally formed at both ends, and these protruding pieces are inserted into holes of ears formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tray body so as to be fixed. Has become. Further, the conventional splice tray is configured to use a separate connecting part when the splice trays are stacked and connected to each other.

As described above, in the conventional splice tray having a very large number of parts, the worker places the optical fiber core splice portion in the holding portion of the tray body after the connection is completed at the construction site for connecting the optical fiber core wires, and After storing the extra length in a loop shape and storing it in the extra length storage part, attach the thin plate for the inner lid to the tray body to prevent the core wire of the extra length storage part from detaching, and then put the lid part on the tray body with a pin The splice trays thus assembled were stacked one on top of the other and connected together using the required components.

[0010] For this reason, after connecting the optical fiber core wires, the splice part is stored in a plurality of splice trays, and it takes a lot of labor and time for an operator to stack and connect these splice trays. There has been a problem that parts are lost and the work efficiency of the entire connection work is extremely poor. Further, there is also a problem that the manufacturing cost of the splice tray itself is relatively high because each part is manufactured separately as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. The number of parts is reduced as much as possible so that the core wire can be easily assembled after storing the splice portion, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Is to provide an inexpensive splice tray.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a splice tray, and is configured as follows to solve the above-mentioned technical problem. That is, the present invention relates to a splice tray comprising a tray body having a recess for accommodating a splice portion of a cable core wire and a lid capable of opening and closing the opening of the recess in the tray body. A splice portion holding portion formed on the bottom surface portion of the recess and comprising a number of holding grooves for fixing and holding the splice portion; An extra length storage portion for storing the extra length of the core wire in a loop shape, a holding lid for preventing the core wire stored in the extra length storage portion from falling out of the recess, and formed on the lid portion and An opening capable of arranging a holding lid in a plane with respect to the lid, wherein the tray body, the lid and the holding lid are formed of synthetic resin, and The pressing lid and lid, characterized in that it is connected to the tray main body integrally with the thin hinge portion (corresponding to claim 1).

The synthetic resin forming the splice tray is preferably formed of a polypropylene resin from the viewpoint of hinge characteristics.

<Additional Configuration in the Present Invention> The splice tray of the present invention is composed of the above-mentioned essential components, but is established even when the following components are further added to the components. The additional component is such that a groove-shaped inlet portion for allowing the core wire to enter the recess of the tray body is formed at an end of the tray body, and a cover for closing an upper open portion of the groove-shaped inlet portion is provided. The cover is formed of a synthetic resin in the same manner as the cover and is integrally connected to the tray body by a thin hinge portion. The cover has a cutout portion in which the cover can be arranged in a plane. (Corresponding to claim 2).

Further, in the splice tray of the present invention, a locking piece that can be bent and rises outward is formed on the bottom surface of the recess in the tray body, and the locking piece is engaged with the lid. A groove or a hole is formed, and when the splice trays are stacked, the locking piece that rises from the outside of the bottom surface of the tray main body is the groove or the notch in the lid of another splice tray located at a lower portion. And the two are coupled to each other.
Corresponding to).

Further, in the splice tray according to the present invention, each of the plurality of holding grooves constituting the splice portion holding portion has a first groove portion into which the splice portion is fitted and the core wire extending from one end of the splice portion. And a second groove portion having a width smaller than the width of the first groove portion. The first groove portion and the second groove portion are continuously formed by wall portions which are erected at intervals. The holding grooves are arranged in parallel (corresponding to claim 4).

According to the splice tray of the present invention configured as described above, for example, after connecting a core wire of an optical fiber cable, each splice portion and a core wire extending from one end thereof are connected to a splice portion holding portion provided on a tray body. A first groove and a second groove forming respective holding grooves in the portion.
And fixed and aligned.

Next, the excess length of the core wire extending from both ends of the splice portion is formed into a loop and stored in an excess length storage portion provided on both sides of the splice portion holding portion, and the holding lid is closed. In this assembling work, the holding lid is connected to the tray body by a thin hinge unit integral with the tray body, and is positioned in the same plane in alignment with the opening formed in the lid unit. It is only necessary to rotate the holding lid, which is positioned as if it were a part of the lid, at the opening of the section about the thin hinge.

By simply closing the holding lid, it is possible to prevent the core wire stored in the extra-length storage unit from coming off the tray main body. Thereafter, the core wire extending through the loop portion stored in each extra-length storage portion is drawn out of the tray main body through a groove-shaped inlet portion, which is an entrance, to the recess of the tray main body.

Next, the upper opening of the groove-shaped entrance is closed by a cover. About this assembly work, the cover is integrally connected to the tray body with a thin hinge part,
The operator is positioned in the notch of the lid as if it were a part of the lid, since it is aligned with the notch formed in the lid and is positioned substantially in the same plane. It is only necessary to rotate the cover about the thin hinge portion.

Finally, the lid is rotated about the thin hinge like the holding lid and the cover, and the recess of the tray main body is closed. When the core splice of the optical cable is accommodated in each splice tray in this way,
A number of splice trays are stacked and interconnected together. Regarding this connection, the locking piece formed on the bottom surface of the recess in the tray body of each splice tray is bent and raised outward, and formed on the lid of another splice tray located below the splice tray. The above-mentioned locking piece is inserted into and engaged with the cut-out portion, so that the two are connected.

[0022]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a splice tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a splice tray 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the cover 14 in a fully opened state. The splice tray 10 according to this embodiment includes:
A tray-shaped resin-made tray body 13 having a wall 11 having a height of about 9 mm around the periphery and having a recess 12 on the inside;
It mainly comprises a resin lid 14 which covers and closes the recess 12 of the tray body 13, and both are integrally connected by a thin hinge 15.

On the bottom surface of the recess 12 of the tray body 13 at the center in the longitudinal direction, there is provided a splice holding portion 17 composed of a number of holding grooves 16 for holding the splice so as to sandwich it from the side. I have. Each holding groove 16 includes a first groove portion 16a into which a splice portion is fitted, and a second groove portion 16b into which a core extending from one end of the splice portion is fitted and smaller in width than the width of the first groove portion 16a. It is configured.

The first groove 16a and the second groove 16
b is a wall portion 1 standing upright from the bottom surface and having two spaces.
6c are formed continuously, and such holding grooves 16 are collectively arranged in parallel. At that time, each retaining groove 16
Are arranged such that the positions of the first and second grooves are alternately changed.

That is, in the holding grooves 16 in the first row, the first groove portion 16a for fitting the splice portion is located on the right side, and the second groove portion 16b for fitting the core wire is located on the left side.
However, in the second row, the first groove 16a in which the splice is fitted is located on the left side, and the second groove 16 in which the core wire is fitted.
b is located on the right side. A common wall 16c is used between the adjacent holding grooves.

In a space on both sides of the splice holding portion 17 in which a large number of holding grooves are arranged in parallel, a surplus length storage portion 18 for storing the surplus length of the optical fiber core wire in a loop is provided. The extra-length storage portion 18 is constituted by circular space regions in the recess of the tray body, and the circular space regions are provided at four positions, and each claw portion extends from the bottom surface of the recess 12 and extends in the radial direction. 19 and arc-shaped 2
And two partition walls 20.

The claws 19 are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees, three of which extend radially inward from the peripheral wall 11 that defines the recess 12 of the tray body 13. Also,
The remaining one claw portion is formed in a lateral L-shape at the central portion side of the concave portion 12 and stands upright from the bottom surface. Each of these claws 1
The inner end in the radial direction of 9 is a free end, so that the optical fiber core wire F can be inserted and arranged below the claw portion 19 from the front end side.

The two arc-shaped partition walls 20 are provided at each claw portion 1.
9 are located on an imaginary circular line 21 crossing the vicinity of the radially inner front end portion, and are provided one by one between each of the three claw portions 19 integrally projecting from the peripheral wall 11. When the optical fiber core wire F is accommodated in such a surplus storage part 18, the core wire F is formed in a loop shape as shown in FIG.

In order to prevent the optical fiber core wire F accommodated in the extra length storage section 18 from coming off from the tip end side of the claw section 19 and coming off, a circular space area constituting the extra length storage section 18 is formed. A holding lid 22 for closing the center is provided. The holding lid 22 is integrally connected to one side of the tray body 13 by a thin hinge part 23 similarly to the lid part 14.

The holding lid 22 has a circular closing portion 22 a larger than an imaginary circular line 21 traversing the vicinity of the radial inner end of each claw portion 19 in the extra-length storage portion 18, and is connected to the tray main body 13. Arm 22b. The length of the arm portion 22b is such that the center of the circular closing portion 22a coincides with the center of the circular space area forming the extra length storage portion 18 when the holding lid 22 is put on the extra length storage portion 18. It is designed to be.

Therefore, when the holding lid 22 is put on the extra-length storage portion 18, the peripheral edge of the circular closing portion 22 a overlaps the tip of each claw portion 19. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber core wire F housed in a loop shape from being stored in the extra length storage portion 18 from coming out from the tip end side of the claw portion 19 due to free bending.

At the center position of the circular space area constituting the extra length storage section 18, the lid stopper pieces 2 are scattered on the line of the virtual circle.
4 stands from the bottom of the recess. On the other hand, a circular groove 25 into which the lid stopper pieces 24 can be relatively press-fitted is formed at the center position of the circular closing portion 22a in the holding lid 22.

As a result, the holding lid 22 is moved to the extra storage unit 1.
When covered in an eight-shape, the lid stopper piece 24 is inserted into the circular groove 25 at the center of the circular closing portion 22a constituting the holding lid 22.
Are inserted relatively to prevent the closing portion 22a from splashing.

The holding lid 22 is formed so as to be located in an opening 26 formed in the lid 14 and having a slightly larger shape than the holding lid. Therefore, this holding lid 2
The holding lid 22 is arranged in a plane with respect to the lid part 14 when the lid 2 is not covered by the extra storage part 18.

Further, the tray body 13 is formed at both ends along one side of the tray body with a groove-shaped inlet portion 27 for allowing the optical fiber core wire F to enter the recess 12 of the tray body 13. The upper opening of the groove-shaped inlet 27 can be closed by a substantially U-shaped cover 28.

The cover 28 is made of synthetic resin similarly to the lid 14, and is integrally connected to one side of the tray body 13 by a thin hinge portion 29. When the cover 28 is not covered by the upper open portion of the groove-shaped inlet portion 27, the cover 27 is in the notch portion 30 formed in the lid portion 14, and is aligned with the lid portion 14 in plan view. Are located.

In the splice tray 10 according to this embodiment, locking pieces 31 that can be bent and rise outward are formed at the four corners of the bottom surface of the recess in the tray body 13. A notch 32 with which the locking piece 31 can be engaged is formed on the peripheral wall of each end face of the lid 14.

As a result, when the splice trays 10 are stacked, the locking pieces 31 bent and raised from the outside of the bottom surface of the tray main body 13 are attached to the lid portion 14 of another splice tray 10 located at the lower part of the splice tray 10. Both are firmly connected by engaging the notch 32 in.

Next, a method of assembling the splice tray 10 according to this embodiment will be described. After connecting the core wires of the optical fiber-cable, each splice portion and the core wire F extending from one end thereof form a first holding groove 16 in a splice portion holding portion 17 provided in the tray body 13. It is fitted into the groove 16a and the second groove 16b to be fixed and aligned.

Next, the excess length of the core wire F extending from both ends of the splice portion is formed into a loop and stored in the excess length storage portion 18 provided in the space on both sides of the splice portion holding portion 17, and the holding lid 22 is closed. About this assembly work,
The holding lid 22 is connected to the tray main body 13 by a thin hinge 23 that is integral with the tray body 13 and is positioned in the same plane in alignment with the opening 26 formed in the lid 14. It is only necessary to rotate the holding lid 22 positioned as if it were a part of the lid in the opening 26 of the section 14 about the thin hinge 23.

By simply closing the holding lid 22, the core wire F stored in the extra-length storage section 18 can be prevented from coming off. Thereafter, the core wire F extending through the loop portion stored in each extra-length storage portion is drawn out of the tray main body 13 through a groove-shaped inlet portion 27 which is an entrance to the recess 12 of the tray main body 13.

Next, the upper open part of the groove-shaped inlet part 27 is closed by a cover 28. For this assembling operation, the cover 28 is attached to the tray body 13 with a thin hinge portion 29.
Notch 3 formed in the lid 14
The cover 28 is positioned in the notch 30 of the lid 14 as if it were a part of the lid 14, so that the cover 28 is positioned in the substantially same plane so as to align the cover 28 with the thin hinge. It is only necessary to pivot about the part 29.

Finally, the lid 14 is pivoted about the thin hinge 15 as in the case of the holding lid 22 and the cover 28, and the recess 12 of the tray body 13 is closed. When the core wire splice portion of the optical cable is accommodated in each splice tray 10 in this manner, a large number of splice trays 10 are stacked, interconnected, and integrated.

This connection is as described above. The engagement piece 31 formed on the bottom surface of the recess in the tray body 13 of each splice tray 10 is bent and rises outward, and the connection is made under the splice tray. Notch 32 formed in the lid 14 of another splice tray located on the side
Then, the above-mentioned locking piece 31 is engaged from the side to connect the two.

Although the splice tray of the above-described embodiment has been described as being simply formed of a synthetic resin, the synthetic resin forming the splice tray may be formed of a polypropylene resin in view of hinge characteristics. preferable.

Further, in the splice tray of the above-described embodiment, the assembling method has been described by taking as an example the case where the splice portion of the optical fiber core is stored. It goes without saying that it can be used even with a certain wire core.

[0047]

As described above, according to the splice tray of the present invention, since the configuration and shape of each part are devised and most of them are integrally connected to the tray body, they are treated as separate bodies. Since the number of components to be used is extremely small, the assembly of the splice tray after the splice of the cable core is stored can be performed very easily. Further, since there are almost no separate parts, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost, thereby achieving an excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a splice tray according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the splice tray shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a cover is fully opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Splice tray 11 Perimeter wall 12 Depression 13 Tray main body 14 Cover part 15 Thin hinge part 16 Holding groove 16a First groove part 16b Second groove part 17 Splice part holding part 18 Extra length storage part 19 Claw part 20 Partition wall 21 Virtual Circular line 22 Holding lid 22a Circular closing part 22b Arm part 23 Thin hinge part 24 Lid stopper piece 25 Circular groove 26 Opening 27 Groove-shaped inlet part 28 Cover 29 Thin hinge part 30 Notch part 31 Locking part 32 Notch part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Uchiyama 7-30-8 Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Nishiyama Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Imai 2509 Owa, Meiwa-mura, Oraku-gun, Gunma Prefecture Meiwa Apex Co., Ltd. Inside

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A splice tray comprising a tray body having a recess for accommodating a splice portion of an optical cable core wire, and a lid capable of opening and closing an opening of the recess in the tray body. A splice portion holding portion formed on the bottom surface portion of the recess and comprising a plurality of holding grooves for fixing and holding the splice portion; and An extra length storage portion for storing the extra length of the core wire in a loop shape, a pressing lid for preventing the core wire stored in the extra length storage portion from falling out of the recess, and a press formed on the lid portion and the presser An opening capable of arranging the lid in a plane with respect to the lid, wherein the tray body, the lid and the holding lid are formed of synthetic resin, and Splice trays, characterized in that connected to the tray main body integrally with the pressing lid thin hinge part and parts. 2. A groove-shaped inlet portion for allowing the core wire to enter the recess of the tray body is formed at an end of the tray body, and a cover for closing an upper open portion of the groove-shaped inlet portion is provided on the lid portion. The cover is formed of a synthetic resin in the same manner as described above, and is integrally connected to the tray body with a thin hinge portion. The cover portion has a cutout portion in which the cover can be arranged in a plane. The splice tray according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A locking piece that can be bent and rise outside is formed on the bottom surface of the recess in the tray body,
A groove or a hole is formed in the lid so that the engaging piece can be engaged with the splicing tray. 3. The splice tray according to claim 1, wherein the splice tray is engaged with the groove or the notch in the lid to join the two. 4. A plurality of holding grooves constituting the splice portion holding portion are each fitted with a first groove portion into which the splice portion is fitted and the core wire extending from one end side of the splice portion and the first groove. A second groove having a width smaller than the width of the groove, wherein the first groove and the second groove are continuously formed by walls that are erected at intervals, and the holding grooves are formed. The splice tray according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the splice tray is arranged in parallel.