US-20260126607-A1 - CHIP FOR FIBER DEMARCATION BOX

US20260126607A1US 20260126607 A1US20260126607 A1US 20260126607A1US-20260126607-A1

Abstract

A holding device includes a body, a first plurality of retainer arms arranged in a first row, and a second plurality of retainer arms arranged in a second row. The first plurality of retainer arms each includes a first upper edge and a first lower edge. The second plurality of retainer arms each includes a second upper edge and a second lower edge. A free end of the lower edge in each of the first plurality of retainer arms is disposed a first distance from a surface of the body and a free end of the second lower edge in each of the second plurality of retainer arms is disposed a second distance from the surface that is greater than the first distance. Movement of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is independent of the movement of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms.

Inventors

Adam Joseph CLARK

Assignees

HUBBELL INCORPORATED

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251107

Claims (20)

1 . A holding device comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis; a first plurality of retainer arms arranged in a first row and disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis, wherein each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms includes a first upper edge and a first lower edge; and a second plurality of retainer arms arranged in a second row and disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis, wherein each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms includes a second upper edge and a second lower edge; wherein a free end of the first lower edge of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is disposed a first distance from a surface of the body and a free end of the second lower edge of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is disposed a second distance from the surface of the body that is less than the first distance; wherein each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is configured to move from a first position to a second position to accommodate a first article; wherein each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is configured to move from a third position to a fourth position to accommodate a second article; and wherein movement of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms between the first position and the second position is independent of the movement of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms between the third position and the fourth position.
2 . The holding device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of retainer arms and the second plurality of retainer arms each include twelve arms.
3 . The holding device of claim 1 , wherein the second upper edge of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is tapered from a respective fixed end to the respective free end that is narrower than the respective fixed end.
4 . The holding device of claim 1 , wherein the first lower edge of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is tapered from a respective fixed end to the respective free end that is narrower than the respective fixed end.
5 . The holding device of claim 1 , wherein each arm of the first plurality of arms is curved along its length in a first rotational direction, and wherein each arm of the second plurality of arms is curved along its length in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
6 . The holding device of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first cutout that is configured to receive a retaining tab.
7 . A holding device comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis; a first plurality of retainer arms arranged in a first row and disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis, wherein each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms includes a first upper edge and a first lower edge; and a second plurality of retainer arms arranged in a second row and disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis, wherein each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms includes a second upper edge and a second lower edge; wherein the first lower edge of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is inclined relative to a surface of the body and second lower edge of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is substantially parallel to the surface of the body; wherein each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is configured to move from a first position to a second position to accommodate a first article; wherein each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is configured to move from a third position to a fourth position to accommodate a second article; and wherein movement of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms between the first position and the second position is independent of the movement of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms between the third position and the fourth position.
8 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein the first plurality of retainer arms and the second plurality of retainer arms each include twelve arms.
9 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein the second upper edge of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is substantially parallel to the first lower edge of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms when viewed in cross section.
10 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein the first upper edge of each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is substantially parallel to the first lower edge of each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms when viewed in cross section.
11 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein each arm of the first plurality of retainer arms is curved along its length in a first rotational direction, and wherein each arm of the second plurality of retainer arms is curved along its length in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
12 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein the body includes a first cutout that is configured to receive a retaining tab.
13 . The holding device of claim 7 , wherein the body includes a first plurality of apertures aligned with the first plurality of retainer arms, and wherein the body includes a second plurality of apertures aligned with the second plurality of retainer arms.
14 . A method of using a holding device, the method comprising: connecting the holding device to an enclosure; inserting a first article into a first receiving section of the holding device formed proximate to a first retaining arm and a second retaining arm, wherein the second retaining arm is configured to flex from a first position to a second position to allow receipt of the first article; and inserting a second article into the first receiving section, wherein the first retaining arm is configured to flex from a third position to a fourth position to allow receipt of the second article; wherein the first retaining arm is movable between the first position and the second position independently of the second retaining arm moving between the third position and the fourth position.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the holding device includes a first cutout, the method further comprising positioning the first cutout to receiving a first retaining tab of the enclosure to connect the holding device to the enclosure.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising inserting a third article into a second receiving section formed proximate to a third retaining arm and a fourth retaining arm, wherein the third retaining arm is configured to flex from a fifth position to a sixth position to allow receipt of the third article.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the third retaining arm is movable between the fifth position and the sixth position independently of the first retaining arm and the second retaining arm.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first retaining arm is curved along its length in a first rotational direction, and wherein the second retaining arm is curved along its length in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein a free end of a first lower edge of the first retaining arm is disposed a first distance from a surface of the holding device and a free end of a second lower edge of the second retaining arm is disposed a second distance from the surface of the holding device that is less than the first distance.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein a first lower edge of the first retaining arm is tapered from a first fixed end to a first free that is narrower than the first fixed end, and wherein a second upper edge of the second retaining arm is tapered from a second fixed end to a second free that is narrower than the second fixed end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/717,51, filed Nov. 7, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD The present disclosure relates to cable management devices, such as network interface devices (NIDs). BACKGROUND Network interface devices (NID) are enclosures installed on premises to serve as a demarcation point between premise and utility wiring (e.g., in fiber optic telecommunication applications). Fiber NIDs, also known as fiber distribution boxes (FDB), typically provide for the enclosure of fiber splices made in the field. A finished splice can be enclosed in a splice protection sleeve which can include a piece of heat shrink tubing and may also include a wire reinforcement. A typical protection sleeve may be, for example, about 0.10 to about 0.12 inches in diameter and about 2.5 inches long after application. Typically, two splices are required for each fiber service, and each NID may be required to enclose many splices. The NID can provide a means to keep all of these splices secure and organized. Such a means may be incorporated into a larger panel within the NID, or include a separate piece, in which case it may be referred to as a splice chip. A splice holder or splice chip device typically secures all splices closely together. A multitude of methods have been used to secure fiber splices. Some examples of splice chips may be constructed from rubber and designed so that the user may press each splice in through a slight interference fit. Other examples of splice holders may have vertical walls or posts as dividers between the splices and use a rubber piece secured to the top for retention after splices are laid in. These examples of splice holders generally include a single row. For example, a rubber chip may not provide sufficient stiffness to accommodate a second row (e.g., an upper row). Some examples of splice holders may be double row splice holders and include a series of vertically oriented snaps disposed in the space between splices. This configuration may not accommodate tolerances and variation in the splice diameter, because each splice is captured directly between two sets of snaps (i.e., may not have sufficient degrees of freedom to grip all splices uniformly). Therefore, there is a need for a multi-row splice chip to capture a plurality of splices. SUMMARY Various examples of the present disclosure can overcome various of the aforementioned and other disadvantages associated with known splice chips and offer new advantages as well. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a holding device that has a first row of arms and a second row of arms. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a splice chip that has a first row of arms and a second row of arms. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a holding device having a first flexible arm for retaining a first splice and a second flexible arm for retaining a second splice. The first flexible arm is movable independently of the second flexible arm. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a splice chip having a first flexible arm for retaining a first splice and a second flexible arm for retaining a second splice. The first flexible arm is movable independently of the second flexible arm. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a holding device having a body that extends along an axis. The body includes a first arm disposed on a first side of the axis and a second arm disposed on a second side of the axis. The first arm is movable independently of the second arm. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a splice chip having a body that extends along an axis. The body includes a first arm disposed on a first side of the axis and a second arm disposed on a second side of the axis. The first arm is movable independently of the second arm. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a holding device with a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is formed as a cantilever member and is tapered toward the first free end in a first direction. The second arm is formed as a cantilever member and is tapered toward the second free end in a second direction. According to one aspect of various examples of the present disclosure there is provided a splice chip with a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is formed as a cantilever member and is tapered toward the first free end in a first direction. The second arm is formed as a cantilever member and is tapered toward the second free end in a second direction. According to another aspect of various examples of the present disclosure, there is provided a ho