Securing access to optical branch point connections

The optical connection box with a fastening and locking mechanism ensures secure access for authorized personnel, addressing issues of complex or easy access in existing boxes by restricting unauthorized manipulation.

FR3167725A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-04-24OMELCOM
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
OMELCOM
Filing Date
2024-10-22
Publication Date
2026-04-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Optical connection boxes in collective housing buildings face issues of either complex access for authorized personnel or easy accessibility by unauthorized individuals, leading to potential errors or malicious manipulations.

Method used

An optical connection box with a housing that can occupy a closure position, featuring a fastening device and a locking mechanism to secure optical connectors, ensuring access is restricted to authorized technicians, preventing unauthorized manipulation by obstructing the connection or disconnection of optical fibers.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides secure access to optical connections, allowing authorized personnel to manipulate optical fibers while preventing unauthorized access, thus reducing errors and malicious interventions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Optical connection box (1) comprising: - a housing (10) capable of occupying a housing closure position in which the housing (10) has a housing opening (13); - A fixing device (14) provided with a plurality of optical connectors (15) and configured to be able to occupy a fixing device protection position in which the fixing device (14) is entirely disposed inside the housing (10) when the housing (10) is in the housing closure position, and a fixing device accessibility position in which at least one optical connector (15) passes through the housing opening (13);-A locking device (16) configured to be able to occupy a locking device closed position in which the locking device (16) at least partially obstructs the housing opening (13), and a locking device open position in which the locking device (16) releases the housing opening (13). Figure 11a;
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Description

Title of the invention: Securing access to optical branch point connections. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention, which belongs to the field of telecommunications and in particular to that of optical fiber communications, relates to an optical connection box comprising a fixing device with optical connectors having several advantages compared to the connection boxes of the prior art. Previous art

[0002] It is known to use within collective housing buildings optical connections of different types mounted inside an optical connection box, which is generally located in the common areas.

[0003] Optical internal connection points with splices are already known in particular, or in the form of boxes having at least one fitting holder equipped with cable fittings having connectors, for example male connectors intended to be connected to female plugs located on said fittings.

[0004] It is generally very important to ensure quick and easy access to the internal connection points for authorized persons, who may regularly need to make certain modifications to the connections.

[0005] Similarly, it is important to secure the internal connection points so as to prohibit access and manipulation by unauthorized persons, in order to avoid any error or malicious intent in the connections.

[0006] However, the optical connection boxes of the prior art are not satisfactory insofar as, while some of them present a complexity of access greater than what is desirable for authorized persons, others are too easily accessible to all, which makes them subject to inappropriate manipulations by unauthorized persons which can cause bad connections or untimely disconnections.

[0007] The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the disadvantages mentioned above. Description of the invention

[0008] It is therefore necessary to provide an optical connection box with restricted access for the benefit of authorized technicians only.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to an optical connection box comprising:

[0010] -A housing capable of occupying at least one housing opening position and one housing closing position in which the housing has a housing opening, said housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part capable of cooperating with the first housing part when the housing occupies the housing closing position;

[0011] -A fastening device provided with a plurality of optical connectors and configured to be mounted on the first part of the housing so as to be able to occupy a fastening device protection position in which the fastening device is entirely disposed inside the housing when the housing is in the housing closure position and a fastening device accessibility position in which, when the housing is in the housing closure position, at least one optical connector of the plurality of optical connectors passes at least partially through the housing opening;

[0012] -A locking device configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing so as to be able to occupy a locking device closure position in which the locking device obstructs at least part of the housing opening when the housing occupies the housing closure position and the fastening device occupies the fastening device protection position and a locking device opening position in which the locking device releases the housing opening.

[0013] When the fixing device occupies the fixing device protection position and the housing occupies the housing closure position, both the fixing device and each of the optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors with which it is provided are entirely disposed inside the housing.

[0014] According to the provisions of the invention, when the housing is in the housing closure position, the fixing device is in the fixing device protection position and the securing device is in the securing device closure position, any access to the fixing device and / or to the optical fittings of the plurality of optical fittings from outside the housing is impossible.

[0015] In this configuration, no manipulation of the optical connections of the fixing device is therefore possible.

[0016] Specifically, when it occupies the closed position of the locking device, the locking device is configured so as to only allow the passage of optical fibers through the housing opening when the housing occupies the case closing position, but not the connection or disconnection of optical fibers.

[0017] In other words, it is not possible to connect or disconnect an optical fiber when the housing is in the housing closed position, the fixing device is in the fixing device protection position, and the securing device is in the securing device closed position.

[0018] Indeed, it will then be necessary to open the housing by moving it from the housing closed position to at least one housing open position in order to be able to access the optical connections of the fixing device.

[0019] According to one possibility, the first part of the housing and the second part of the housing are movable relative to each other so that the housing can occupy a plurality of housing opening positions.

[0020] According to one possibility, the first and second housing parts are separable. In other words, the second housing part does not cooperate with the first housing part when the housing occupies at least one particular housing opening position among the plurality of housing opening positions.

[0021] In this latter configuration, the fastening device can move from the fastening device protection position to the fastening device accessibility position and vice versa.

[0022] According to one possibility, the housing constitutes a protective housing intended to protect at least some of the elements of the optical connection box.

[0023] In particular when it occupies the closed position of the housing, the housing protects at least some of the elements of the optical connection box arranged within it.

[0024] According to one possibility, the first part of the housing constitutes a base for the housing, and the second part of the housing constitutes a cover for the housing that is complementary to said base.

[0025] According to one possibility, the first part of the housing has a main face of the first part of the housing constituting a housing base that is at least partially flat against which or near which are arranged at least partially some of the constituent elements of the connection box.

[0026] According to one possibility, the main face of the first part of the housing extends mainly in a main face plane of the first part of the housing.

[0027] Thus, when it occupies the position of protection of the fastening device and / or the position of accessibility of the fastening device, the fastening device, in particular, is disposed partly against the bottom of the housing.

[0028] According to one possibility, the second part of the housing also has a main face of the second part of the housing extending mainly in a main face plane of the second part of the housing substantially parallel to the plane of main face of the first part of the case when the case is in the case closure position.

[0029] According to one possibility, when it occupies the closed position of the case, the case has a substantially parallelepiped shape comprising a first main face of the case corresponding to the main face of the first part of the case, and a second main face of the case opposite to the first main face of the case and corresponding to the main face of the second part of the case.

[0030] According to this possibility, the housing also includes, in the closed housing position, a first lateral housing face, a second lateral housing face opposite said first lateral housing face, a first transverse housing face and a second transverse housing face opposite said first transverse housing face.

[0031] According to one possibility, when the case occupies the case closed position, the case opening is provided on the first transverse face of the case.

[0032] According to another possibility, the opening of the housing can be provided on any of the other faces of the housing.

[0033] When the housing is in the housing closure position, the fixing device is in the fixing device protection position and the securing device is in the securing device closure position, the securing device partially obstructs the housing opening so as to allow passage of optical fibers connected to at least some of the optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors.

[0034] According to one possibility, when the housing is in the housing closed position and the locking device is in the locking device open position, at least some of the optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors of the fastening device are at least partly disposed outside the housing by passing through the housing opening.

[0035] According to one possibility, when it occupies the opening position of the locking device, the locking device is arranged so as to allow the fastening device to occupy the accessible position of the fastening device when the housing occupies the closed position of the housing.

[0036] According to one possibility, the locking device extends mainly in a plane substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the second part of the housing when the locking device occupies the locking device closure position.

[0037] According to one possibility, the securing position of the securing device is primarily intended to be occupied by the securing device when the The housing occupies the closed position of the housing and the fastening device occupies the protective position of the fastening device.

[0038] According to one possibility, the locking device is configured so that it cannot occupy the locking device closing position when the housing occupies the housing closing position and the fixing device occupies the fixing device accessibility position.

[0039] According to one possibility, the locking device extends mainly in a plane substantially parallel to the main face plane of the second part of the housing when the locking device occupies the opening position of the locking device.

[0040] According to one possibility, the opening position of the locking device is primarily intended to be occupied by the locking device when the housing is in the housing closure position and the fastening device is in the fastening device accessibility position.

[0041] According to one possibility, the optical connection box includes a locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the housing in the housing closed position.

[0042] According to one possibility, the locking mechanism comprises a first locking part provided on the first part of the housing, and a second locking part provided on the second part of the housing and capable of cooperating with the first locking part when the housing occupies the closed housing position.

[0043] According to one possibility, the second locking part is able to cooperate with the first locking part according to a locked configuration in which the locking mechanism prevents the opening of the case, and an unlocked configuration in which the locking mechanism allows the opening of the case.

[0044] According to one possibility, the locking mechanism includes a locking key capable of switching the locking mechanism from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration and vice versa.

[0045] According to one possibility, the optical connection box includes an indoor connection point or a building connection point.

[0046] According to one possibility, the fixing device corresponds to a fixing device for optical fibers.

[0047] According to one possibility, the fixing device includes an optical patch panel to which at least one optical fiber can be connected.

[0048] According to one possibility, at least some of the optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors include female plugs, each configured to accommodate a male connector of an optical fiber.

[0049] According to one possibility, each optical connector of the plurality of optical connectors includes a female plug configured to accommodate a male connector of an optical fiber.

[0050] Generally, in order to be able to disconnect the male connector of an optical fiber from a female plug of an optical connector, it is necessary to be able to access said optical connector, that is to say to be able to manipulate at least a part of this optical connector.

[0051] Thus, an untimely disconnection of optical fiber is impossible as long as the housing occupies the housing closure position, the fixing device occupies the fixing device protection position and the securing device occupies the securing device closure position.

[0052] According to one possibility, in order to be able to connect the male connector of an optical fiber to a female plug of an optical connector, it is also necessary to be able to access said optical connector, that is to say to be able to manipulate a part of this optical connector.

[0053] Here too, the connection of an optical fiber is impossible as long as the housing occupies the housing closure position, the fixing device occupies the fixing device protection position, and the securing device occupies the securing device closure position.

[0054] According to one possibility, the fixing device includes at least one housing configured to accommodate at least one optical connector.

[0055] According to one possibility, the fixing device comprises at least four housings, each configured to accommodate at least one optical connector.

[0056] According to yet another possibility, the fixing device comprises eight housings, each configured to accommodate at least one optical connector.

[0057] According to one possibility, at least some of the optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors each include at least two female plugs configured to each receive a male connector of an optical fiber.

[0058] According to one possibility, each optical connector in the plurality of optical connectors comprises four female connectors, each configured to receive a male connector for an optical fiber. According to this possibility, each optical connector can receive up to four optical fibers simultaneously.

[0059] According to one possibility, at least some optical connectors of the plurality of optical connectors are removable, that is to say they can be removed from the fixing device.

[0060] According to one possibility, each optical connector of the plurality of optical connectors is removable.

[0061] According to one possibility, the fastening device is removable, that is to say, it is configured to be mounted on the first part of the housing in a removable manner.

[0062] In other words, the fastening device can be removed from the first part of the housing, in particular when the housing occupies at least one housing opening position, and for example when the first part of the housing is separated from the second part of the housing.

[0063] Thanks to this arrangement, the fastening device is interchangeable, and can therefore be replaced in the factory or directly on the production site.

[0064] According to one possibility, the optical connection box includes at least two fixing devices which may be identical or different from each other.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the locking device is configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing in a removable manner.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the locking device can be removed from the second part of the housing, in particular when the housing occupies at least one housing opening position, and for example when the second part of the housing is separated from the first part of the housing.

[0067] Thanks to this provision, the safety device is interchangeable, and can therefore be replaced in the factory or directly on the production site.

[0068] Furthermore, to move the safety device from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, it is sufficient to remove the safety device from the second part of the housing, and then reposition it in the desired position.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the second housing part comprises a first fastening part, and the securing device comprises a second fastening part configured to cooperate with the first fastening part in:

[0070] -A closing configuration when the locking device occupies the locking device closing position;

[0071] -An opening configuration when the locking device occupies the opening position of the locking device.

[0072] According to this embodiment, a single second fastening part provided on the locking device is able to cooperate with a single first fastening part so that the locking device can alternately occupy the closed position of the locking device and the open position of the locking device.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the first fastening part comprises a housing for the first fastening part, and the second fastening part comprises:

[0074] -A first lug of the second fixing part configured to cooperate with the housing of the first fixing part when the locking device occupies the locking device closed position;

[0075] -A second lug of the second fixing part configured to cooperate with the housing of the first fixing part when the locking device occupies the opening position of the locking device.

[0076] According to one possibility, the housing of the first part of the fixing has a substantially rectangular housing shape.

[0077] According to one possibility, the housing of the first fixing part extends mainly in a housing plane substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the second housing part.

[0078] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second fixing part has a shape of the first lug of the second fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the housing.

[0079] According to one possibility, the second lug of the second fixing part has a shape of the second lug of the second fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the housing.

[0080] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second part of the fixing extends mainly in a plane of the first lug of the second part of the fixing, and the second lug of the second part of the fixing extends mainly in a plane of the second lug of the second part of the fixing substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first lug of the second part of the fixing.

[0081] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second fixing part cooperates by clipping or clipping with the housing of the first fixing part.

[0082] According to one possibility, the second lug of the second fixing part also cooperates by clipping or clipping with the housing of the first fixing part.

[0083] According to one possibility, the first fastening part includes a supplementary housing for the first fastening part, and the securing device includes a supplementary second fastening part comprising:

[0084] -A first lug of the second complementary fixing part configured to cooperate with the complementary housing of the first fixing part when the locking device occupies the locking device closing position;

[0085] -A second lug of the second complementary fixing part configured to cooperate with the complementary housing of the first fixing part when the locking device occupies the opening position of the locking device.

[0086] According to one possibility, the additional housing of the first part of the fixing has a substantially rectangular additional housing shape.

[0087] According to one possibility, the form of supplementary housing is substantially identical to the form of housing.

[0088] According to one possibility, the additional housing of the first fixing part extends mainly in an additional housing plane substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the second housing part.

[0089] According to one possibility, the supplementary housing plan is substantially parallel to the housing plan.

[0090] According to one possibility, the supplementary housing plan and the housing plan are combined.

[0091] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second complementary fixing part has a shape of first lug of the second complementary fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the complementary housing.

[0092] According to one possibility, the second lug of the second complementary fixing part has a shape of second lug of the second complementary fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the complementary housing.

[0093] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing extends mainly in a plane of the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing, and the second lug of the second part of the complementary fixing extends mainly in a plane of the second lug of the second part of the complementary fixing substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing.

[0094] According to one possibility, the plane of the first lug of the second complementary fixing part is parallel to the plane of the first lug of the second fixing part.

[0095] According to yet another possibility, the plane of the first lug of the second complementary fixing part and the plane of the first lug of the second fixing part are coincident.

[0096] According to one possibility, the plane of the second lug of the second complementary fixing part is parallel to the plane of the second lug of the second fixing part.

[0097] According to one possibility, the plane of the second lug of the second complementary fixing part and the plane of the second lug of the second fixing part are coincident.

[0098] According to one possibility, the first lug of the second complementary fixing part cooperates by clipping or clipping with the complementary housing of the first fixing part.

[0099] According to one possibility, the second lug of the second complementary fixing part also cooperates by clipping or clipping with the complementary housing of the first fixing part.

[0100] According to one embodiment, when the housing is in the housing closure position and the fixing device is in the fixing device accessibility position, at least one optical connector of the plurality of optical connectors is at least partially disposed outside the housing by passing through the housing opening.

[0101] Thus, when the housing is in the housing closure position and the fixing device is in the fixing device accessibility position, at least some of the optical connections can be accessed and manipulated from outside the housing.

[0102] In other words, it is possible, with the housing closed, to access these optical connections from outside the housing, and therefore to manipulate said connections in order, for example, to carry out certain operations of connecting or disconnecting optical fibers.

[0103] It is therefore not necessary to open the housing to carry out this type of manipulation when the fastening device occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the first housing part comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, and the fastening device comprises a third coupling part configured to cooperate with:

[0105] -The first coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0106] -The second coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0107] According to one possibility, the second coupling part is similar to the first coupling part, and the second coupling part is located at a distance from the first coupling part.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the locking device includes a fourth coupling part configured to cooperate with the second coupling part when the locking device occupies the locking device closing position.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the first coupling part comprises a first coupling part groove, the second coupling part comprises a second coupling part groove, and the third coupling part comprises a fastening device tab configured to cooperate with:

[0110] -The groove of the first coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0111] -The groove of the second coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0112] According to one possibility, the first coupling part groove extends mainly along a first coupling part groove direction substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part.

[0113] According to one possibility, the groove of the second coupling part extends mainly along a groove direction of the second coupling part substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part.

[0114] According to one possibility, the groove direction of the second coupling part is substantially parallel to the groove direction of the first coupling part.

[0115] According to one possibility, the tab of the fastening device cooperates by sliding with the groove of the first coupling part and / or with the groove of the second coupling part.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the fourth coupling part includes a locking device tab configured to cooperate with the groove of the second coupling part when the locking device occupies the locking device closing position.

[0117] According to one possibility, the locking device tongue cooperates by sliding with the groove of the second coupling part.

[0118] According to one possibility, the first coupling part includes a complementary groove for the first coupling part, the second coupling part includes a complementary groove for the second coupling part, and the third coupling part includes a complementary tab for the fastening device configured to cooperate with:

[0119] -The complementary groove of the first coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0120] -The complementary groove of the second coupling part when the fastening device occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0121] According to one possibility, the fourth coupling part includes a complementary locking device tab configured to cooperate with the complementary groove of the second coupling part when the locking device occupies the locking device closing position.

[0122] According to one possibility, the complementary groove of the first coupling part extends mainly along a complementary groove direction of the first coupling part substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part.

[0123] According to one possibility, the complementary groove of the second coupling part extends mainly along a direction of the complementary groove of the second coupling part substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first part of the housing.

[0124] According to one possibility, the complementary groove direction of the second coupling part is substantially parallel to the complementary groove direction of the first coupling part.

[0125] According to one embodiment, when the housing occupies at least one housing opening position, the fastening device is movable:

[0126] -between the protective position of the fastening device and a first deployed position of the fastening device;

[0127] -between the first deployed position of the fastening device and at least one of a first inclined position of the fastening device and a second inclined position of the fastening device.

[0128] Advantageously, the first deployed position of the fixing device, the first inclined position of the fixing device and the second inclined position of the fixing device each allow easier handling of the optical connectors with which the fixing device is provided, in particular compared with the protective position of the fixing device.

[0129] According to one possibility, the fastening device is mobile in translation between the protective position of the fastening device and the first deployed position of the fastening device and vice versa.

[0130] According to one possibility, the fastening device is mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation of the fastening device between the first deployed position of the fastening device and at least one of said first inclined position of the fastening device and second inclined position of the fastening device, and vice versa.

[0131] The different aspects defined above, which are not incompatible, can be combined. Brief description of the figures

[0132] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description set forth below in relation to the following accompanying drawings:

[0133] [Fig.la] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a housing of an optical connection box according to the invention, said housing being in a housing opening position in which a second part of the housing is separated from a first part of the housing.

[0134] [Fig.lb] is a perspective view of the housing of [Fig.la] in the housing closed position in which the second housing part cooperates with the first housing part.

[0135] [Fig.2a] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing corresponding to a base of the case of figures a and 1b.

[0136] [Fig.2b] is a detail view of the first part of the housing shown in [Fig.2a].

[0137] [Fig.3a] is a perspective view of the second part of the housing corresponding to a cover of the housing of figures 1a and 1b.

[0138] [Fig.3b] is a detail view of the second part of the housing shown in [Fig.3a],

[0139] [Fig.4a] is a front view of an example embodiment of an optical connection box fixing device according to the invention, the fixing device being provided with a plurality of optical connections.

[0140] [Fig.4b] is a side view of the fastening device of [Fig.4a].

[0141] [Fig.4c] is a front view of the fastening device of Figures 4a and 4b on which The mounting device is shown without its optical connectors.

[0142] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of an optical connector which is provided with the fixing device of figures 4a to 4c.

[0143] [Fig.6a] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing of figures 2a and 2b on which is mounted, in a position of accessibility of the fixing device, the fixing device provided with a plurality of optical connectors.

[0144] [Fig.6b] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6a], in which the fixing device is shown without its optical fittings.

[0145] [Fig.7a] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing of Figures 2a and 2b on which is mounted, in a position of protection of the fastening device, the fastening device provided with a plurality of optical connectors to which are connected a plurality of optical fibers.

[0146] [Fig.7b] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7a], in which no optical fiber is connected to the optical fittings of the fixing device.

[0147] [Fig.7c] is also a view similar to that of [Fig.7a], in which the fixing device is shown without its optical fittings.

[0148] [Fig.8a] is a front view of an example of an embodiment of an optical connection box security device according to the invention.

[0149] [Fig.8b] is a side view of the securing device of the [Fig.8a].

[0150] [Fig.8c] and [Fig.8d] are two detailed views of the figure securing device 8a and 8b.

[0151] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of the second part of the housing of Figures 3a and 3b on which is mounted, in a locking device closure position, the locking device of Figures 8a and 8b.

[0152] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the second part of the housing of Figures 3a and 3b on which is mounted, in an open position of the locking device, the locking device of Figures 8a and 8b.

[0153] [Fig. lia] is a perspective view of the optical connection device according to the invention, in which the housing occupies a housing opening position, the fixing device, provided with optical connectors to which optical fibers are connected, occupies the fixing device protection position, and the securing device occupies the securing device closing position.

[0154] [Fig. 11b] is a perspective view of the optical connection device according to the invention, in which the housing occupies the housing closure position, the fixing device, provided with optical connectors to which optical fibers are connected, occupies the fixing device protection position, and the securing device occupies the securing device closure position.

[0155] [Fig. 1 the] is a perspective view corresponding to the view of [Fig. 11b] in which the second part of the housing, the optical fittings and the optical fibers are not shown.

[0156] [Fig. 12a] is a perspective view of the optical connection device according to the invention, in which the housing occupies a housing opening position, the fixing device, provided with optical connectors to which optical fibers are connected, occupies the fixing device accessibility position, and the securing device occupies the securing device opening position.

[0157] [Fig. 12b] is a perspective view of the optical connection device according to the invention, in which the housing occupies the housing closure position, the fixing device, provided with optical connectors to which optical fibers are connected, occupies the fixing device accessibility position, and the securing device occupies the securing device opening position.

[0158] [Fig. 13a] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing of Figures 2a and 2b shown equipped with coiling and / or splicing cassettes, on which the fastening device is mounted in a first deployed position of the fastening device.

[0159] [Fig. 13b] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing of Figures 2a and 2b shown equipped with coiling and / or splicing cassettes, on which the fixing device is mounted in a first inclined position of the fixing device.

[0160] [Fig. 13c] is a perspective view of the first part of the housing shown in Figures 2a and 2b, equipped with coiling and / or splicing cassettes, on which the fastening device is mounted in a second inclined position. Description with reference to the figures

[0161] In the detailed description that will follow of the figures defined above, the same elements or elements fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references in order to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0162] The optical connection box 1 of the invention comprises a housing 10 that can occupy a closed position represented for example in [Fig.lb], and a plurality of open positions as represented for example in [Fig.la].

[0163] The housing 10 comprises a first part of the housing 11 visible for example on [Fig.2a] and which corresponds to a base of the housing 10, and a second part of the housing 12 visible on [Fig.3a] and which corresponds to a cover of the housing 10, the second part of the housing 12 cooperating with the first part of the housing 11, in particular when the housing 10 occupies the closed position of the housing shown in [Fig.lb].

[0164] As for example shown in [Fig.2a], The first part of the housing 11 has a main face of the first part of the housing 11.1 constituting a bottom of the housing, at least part of which is substantially flat and extends in a plane of the main face of the first part of the housing.

[0165] As for example shown in [Fig.3a], the second part of the housing 12 has a principal face of the second part of the housing 12.1 substantially flat and extends in a plane of the principal face of the second part of the housing.

[0166] When the housing occupies the closed housing position, the housing 10 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and comprises a first main housing face corresponding to the main face of the first part of the housing 11.1, and a second main housing face corresponding to the main face of the second part of the housing 12.1.

[0167] When the housing occupies the closed housing position, the main face plane of the first part of the housing and the main face plane of the second part of the housing are parallel.

[0168] In the closed case position, the case 10 also has a first lateral case face 10.1, a second lateral case face 10.2 opposite said first lateral case face, a first transverse case face 10.3 and a second transverse case face (not visible in the figures) opposite said first transverse case face.

[0169] When it occupies the closed position of the housing, the housing 10 has a housing opening 13 provided in the first transverse face of the housing 10.3.

[0170] The optical connection box 1 also includes a mounting device 14 provided with sixteen optical connectors 15 identical to the optical connector 15 shown in [Fig. 5], which has a substantially parallelepiped shape and comprises, on the one hand, on the first of its two transverse faces, two identical female connectors 15.1, superimposed on each other and each capable of receiving a male connector (not visible in the figures) of an optical fiber 20, and on the other hand, on the second of its two transverse faces, two identical female connectors 15.1 (not visible in the [Fig.5]), also superimposed on each other and respectively suitable for each to accommodate a male connector of an optical fiber 20.

[0171] In addition, each optical connector 15 includes at least one removal tab 15.2 of a male optical fiber connector which must be manipulated in order to disconnect the corresponding optical fiber 20 from the optical connector 15, and each of said female plugs 15.1 of each optical connector 15 is configured to cooperate with said at least one removal tab.

[0172] Thus, each of the sixteen optical connectors 15 provided with the fixing device 14 can accommodate four male optical fiber connectors 20. In other words, up to sixty-four optical fibers 20 can be connected simultaneously to the fixing device 14, as shown in [Fig. 13a] for example.

[0173] As is particularly visible in [Fig.4c], the fastening device 14 has a substantially rectangular shape and extends mainly in a principal plane of the fastening device.

[0174] The fixing device 14 comprises eight identically shaped housings 14.6, each of said eight housings being suitable for receiving two optical connectors 15, as shown in [Fig.4a] and 4b, so that the insertion directions of the male optical fiber connectors 20 within the female plugs 15.1 are parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the fixing device.

[0175] The fastening device 14 also includes a rotation axis 19 extending mainly along a rotation axis direction included in the principal plane of the fastening device between a first rotation axis end 19.1 and a second rotation axis end 19.2.

[0176] As shown in Figures 7a to 7c and 11a to 11b, the mounting device 14 is configured to be mounted on the first part of the housing 11 in a mounting device protection position in which the mounting device 14 is entirely disposed inside the housing 10 when the housing 10 is in the closed position. In this mounting device protection position, in particular, each of the sixteen optical connectors 15 is entirely disposed inside the housing when the housing 10 is in the closed position.

[0177] Furthermore, and as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the mounting device 14 is also configured to be able to be mounted on the first part of the housing in a mounting device accessibility position in which each of the sixteen optical connectors 15 passes through the housing opening 13 when the housing 10 is in the housing closure position.

[0178] Specifically, the housing opening 13 is arranged so that each of the sixteen optical connectors 15 of the fixing device 14 can be passed through simultaneously when the latter occupies the fixing device accessibility position.

[0179] Thus, each of the sixteen optical connectors 15 is partly disposed outside the housing 10 when the housing is in the housing closure position and the fixing device is in the fixing device accessibility position, and at least some of the female plugs 15.1 of each of these sixteen optical connectors 15 are accessible for plugging and / or unplugging optical fiber male connectors 20.

[0180] The optical connection box 1 also includes a security device 16 configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing 12 so as to be able to occupy:

[0181] A locking device closure position in which the locking device 16 obstructs at least part of the housing opening 13 when the housing 10 is in the housing closure position and the fastening device 14 is in the fastening device protection position;

[0182] A locking device opening position in which the locking device 16 fully releases the housing opening 13.

[0183] The securing device 16 has a comb shape comprising three central strands 16.3 identical to each other and spaced apart, a first lateral strand 16.4 spaced apart from one of the central strands, and a second lateral strand 16.5 also spaced apart from another of the central strands.

[0184] Thanks to its comb shape and the spaces separating each of its central and / or lateral strands, the securing device 16, when it occupies the closing position of the securing device, is configured to allow at least some of the optical fibers 20 to pass through while preventing access to the optical connections 15 of the fixing device 14 occupying the protection position of the fixing device.

[0185] In particular, the central strands 16.3 and lateral strands 16.4, 16.5 are effectively spaced so as to allow the passage of optical fibers 20 without allowing the passage of the finger(s) of a user wishing to manipulate the optical connectors 15.

[0186] The locking device 16 extends mainly in a locking device plane, which is substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the second part of the housing when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device closing position.

[0187] The locking device closure position is intended to be occupied by the locking device 16 when the housing 10 occupies the housing closure position and the fixing device 14 occupies the fixing device protection position.

[0188] Indeed, the locking position of the safety device cannot be occupied by the safety device 16 if the fastening device 14 occupies the accessibility position of the fixing device and that the housing 10 occupies the housing closure position.

[0189] As shown in [Fig. 10], when the locking device 16 is in the locking device opening position, the locking device plane is substantially parallel to the main face plane of the second part of the housing.

[0190] More specifically, in this opening position of the locking device, the locking device 16 is fully located against a part of the main face of the second part of the housing and therefore fully releases the opening of the housing 13 when the housing 10 occupies the closed position of the housing, which allows the fixing device 14 to be able to occupy the fixing device accessibility position, and therefore to the sixteen fittings.

[0191] The locking device 16 is configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing 12 in a removable manner. Thus, it is possible to remove the locking device 16 from the second part of the housing 12 to move it from the closed locking device position to the open locking device position and vice versa.

[0192] The second housing part 12 comprises a first fastening part, and the securing device 16 comprises a second fastening part configured to cooperate with the first fastening part in:

[0193] -A closing configuration when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device closing position;

[0194] -An opening configuration when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device opening position.

[0195] The first fastening part comprises a first fastening part housing 12.2 having a substantially rectangular housing shape, and the second fastening part 17 comprises:

[0196] -A first lug of the second fixing part 17.1 configured to cooperate with the housing of the first fixing part when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device closing position;

[0197] -A second lug of the second fixing part 17.2 configured to cooperate with the housing of the first fixing part 12.2 when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device open position.

[0198] The first part of the fixing housing 12.2 extends mainly in a housing plane substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the second part of the housing.

[0199] The first lug of the second fixing part 17.1 has a shape of the first lug of the second fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the housing.

[0200] The second lug of the second fixing part 17.2 also has a shape of second lug of the second fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the housing.

[0201] The first lug of the second fixing part 17.1 extends mainly in a plane of the first lug of the second fixing part, and the second lug of the second fixing part 17.2 extends mainly in a plane of the second lug of the second fixing part substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first lug of the second fixing part.

[0202] Furthermore, the first fastening part includes a supplementary housing of the first fastening part 12.3 having a substantially rectangular shape and identical to the shape of the housing, and the securing device 16 includes a second supplementary fastening part 18 comprising:

[0203] -A first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing 18.1 configured to cooperate with the complementary housing of the first part of the fixing 12.3 when the locking device 16 occupies the locking device closing position;

[0204] -A second lug of the second part of the fixing 18.2 complementary configured to cooperate with the complementary housing of the first part of the fixing 12.3 when the locking device 16 occupies the opening position of the locking device.

[0205] The additional housing of the first part of fixing 12.3 extends mainly in a supplementary housing plan that is indistinguishable from the housing plan.

[0206] The first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing 18.1 has a shape of the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the complementary housing.

[0207] The second lug of the second complementary fixing part 18.2 also has a shape of second lug of the second complementary fixing part substantially rectangular and complementary to the shape of the complementary housing.

[0208] The first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing 18.1 extends mainly in a plane of the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing, and the second lug of the second part of the complementary fixing 18.2 extends mainly in a plane of the second lug of the second part of the complementary fixing substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first lug of the second part of the complementary fixing.

[0209] The plane of the first lug of the second complementary fixing part and the plane of the first lug of the second fixing part are coincident.

[0210] Similarly, the plane of the second lug of the second complementary fixing part and the plane of the second lug of the second fixing part are coincident.

[0211] As can be seen in Figures 6a, 12a and 12b, when the housing 10 is in the housing closure position and the fixing device 14 is in the fixing device accessibility position, at least one optical connector 15 of the plurality of optical connectors 15 is at least partly disposed outside the housing 10 by passing through the housing opening 13.

[0212] To this end, the first housing part 11 comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part identical to the first coupling part and located at a distance from the first coupling part, and the fastening device 14 comprises a third coupling part configured to cooperate with:

[0213] -The first coupling part when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0214] -The second coupling part when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0215] More specifically, the first coupling part includes a first coupling part groove 11.2, the second coupling part includes a second coupling part groove 11.3, and the third coupling part includes a fastening device tab 14.1 configured to cooperate by sliding with:

[0216] -The groove of the first coupling part 11.2 when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0217] -The groove of the second coupling part 11.3 when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0218] The first coupling part groove 11.2 extends mainly along a first coupling part groove direction substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part.

[0219] In addition, the second coupling part groove 11.3 extends mainly along a second coupling part groove direction substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part and substantially parallel to the first coupling part groove direction.

[0220] The locking device 16 includes a fourth coupling part configured to cooperate with the second coupling part when the locking device 16 is in the locking device closing position.

[0221] The fourth coupling part includes a locking device tab 16.1 configured to cooperate with the groove of the second coupling part 11.3 when the locking device 16 is in the locking device closure position.

[0222] More specifically, the locking device tongue 16.1 cooperates by sliding with the groove of the second coupling part 11.3.

[0223] The first coupling part further includes a supplementary groove for the first coupling part 11.4, the second coupling part includes a supplementary groove for the second coupling part 11.5, and the third coupling part includes a supplementary tab for the fastening device 14.2 configured to cooperate with:

[0224] -The complementary groove of the first coupling part 11.4 when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device protection position;

[0225] -The complementary groove of the second coupling part 11.5 when the fastening device 14 occupies the fastening device accessibility position.

[0226] The complementary groove of the first coupling part 11.4 extends mainly along a complementary groove direction of the first coupling part substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part.

[0227] In addition, the complementary groove of the second coupling part 11.5 extends mainly along a complementary groove direction of the second coupling part substantially orthogonal to the main face plane of the first housing part and substantially parallel to the complementary groove direction of the first coupling part.

[0228] In addition, the fourth coupling part includes a complementary locking device tab 16.2 configured to cooperate with the complementary groove of the second coupling part 11.5 when the locking device 16 is in the locking device closing position.

[0229] When the housing 10 occupies at least one housing opening position, and in particular when the second housing part 12 is separated from the first housing part 11, the fastening device 16 is rotationally mobile between a first inclined position of the fastening device (shown in [Fig. 13b]) and a second inclined position of the fastening device (shown in [Fig. 13c]).

[0230] The first inclined position of the fixing device is advantageous in that it facilitates the connection and disconnection of male optical fiber connectors 20 to the female plugs 15.1 oriented towards the outside of the housing 10.

[0231] Similarly, the second inclined position of the fixing device facilitates the connection and disconnection of male optical fiber connectors 20 to female plugs 15.1 oriented towards the inside of the housing 10, and in particular when one or more coiling and / or splicing cassettes 21 are mounted within the housing 10, since the latter necessarily make access to these female plugs 15.1 oriented towards the inside of the housing 10 difficult, in particular when the fixing device 16 occupies the fixing device protection position.

[0232] When the second part of the housing 12 is separated from the first part of the housing 11, the fastening device is also able to occupy a first deployed position of the fastening device (visible in [Fig. 13a]) and / or a second deployed position of the fastening device (not visible in the figures).

[0233] Indeed, the fastening device 14 is mobile in translation between the protective position of the fastening device and the first deployed position of the fastening device and vice versa, by means of a sliding of the tab of the fastening device 14.1 within the groove of the first coupling part 11.2, and a sliding of the complementary tab of the fastening device 14.2 within the complementary groove of the first coupling part 11.4.

[0234] To move from the first inclined position of the fastening device to the second inclined position of the fastening device and vice versa, the fastening device 16 pivots around its axis of rotation 19, notably passing through the first deployed position of the fastening device.

[0235] Equivalently, the fastening device 14 is translationally mobile between the accessible position of the fastening device and the second deployed position of the fastening device and vice versa, by means of a sliding of the tab of the fastening device 14.1 within the groove of the second coupling part 11.3, and a sliding of the complementary tab of the fastening device 14.2 within the complementary groove of the second coupling part 11.5.

[0236] Thus, when the second part of the housing 12 is separated from the first part of the housing 11, the fastening device 16 is also rotationally mobile between a first additional inclined position of the fastening device (not visible in the figures) and a second additional inclined position of the fastening device (also not visible in the figures), and to move from the first additional inclined position of the fastening device to the second additional inclined position of the fastening device and vice versa, the fastening device 16 pivots around its axis of rotation 19, notably passing through the second deployed position of the fastening device.

[0237] When the fastening device 16 is in the fastening device protection position or the fastening device accessibility position, the rotation axis 19 is disposed against a part of the main face of the first housing part 11.1, whereas when the fastening device is in the first deployed position of the device of fixing or the second deployed position of the fixing device, the axis of rotation 19 is arranged at a distance from the main face of the first part of the housing 11.1.

[0238] In particular when the fastening device occupies the first deployed position of the fastening device, the first part of the housing 11 includes a first stop 11.6 near which the first end of the rotation axis 19.1 is disposed, and a first complementary stop 11.8 against which the second end of the rotation axis 19.2 is disposed.

[0239] Similarly, when the fastening device occupies the second deployed position of the fastening device, the first part of the housing 11 includes a second stop 11.7 near which the first end of the rotation axis 19.1 is disposed, and a second complementary stop 11.9 against which the second end of the rotation axis 19.2 is disposed.

[0240] More specifically, the first stop 11.6 (respectively the second stop 11.7) forms with a part of the groove of the first coupling part 11.2 (respectively of the groove of the second coupling part 11.3) an end housing of the rotation axis having a shape complementary to the shape of the first end of the rotation axis 19.1.

[0241] Similarly, the first complementary stop 11.8 (respectively the second complementary stop 11.9) forms with a part of the complementary groove of the first coupling part 11.4 (respectively the complementary groove of the second coupling part 11.5) an end housing of the axis of rotation having a shape complementary to the shape of the second end of the axis of rotation 19.2.

[0242] As can be understood, the invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above by way of example, but on the contrary encompasses all variants of its realization.

Claims

1. Demands Optical connection box (1) including: - A housing (10) capable of occupying at least one housing opening position and one housing closing position in which the housing (10) has a housing opening (13), said housing comprising: • A first part of the case (11); • A second housing part (12) capable of cooperating with the first housing part (11) when the housing (10) is in the housing closure position; - A mounting device (14) provided with a plurality of optical connectors (15) and configured to be mounted on the first part of the housing (11) so as to be able to occupy: • A fastening device protection position in which the fastening device (14) is fully disposed inside the housing (10) when the housing is in the housing closure position; • A fastening device accessibility position in which, when the housing (10) is in the housing closure position, at least one optical connector (15) of the plurality of optical connectors (15) passes at least partially through the housing opening (13). - A security device (16) configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing (12) so as to be able to occupy: • A locking device closure position in which the locking device (16) at least partially obstructs the housing opening (13) when the housing (10) is in the housing closure position and the fastening device (14) is in the fastening device protection position; • A locking device opening position in which the locking device (16) releases the housing opening (13).

2. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the securing device (16) is configured to be mounted on the second part of the housing (12) in a removable manner.

3. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second part of the housing (12) comprises a first fixing part, and the locking device (16) comprises a second fixing part (17) configured to cooperate with the first fixing part in: - A closed configuration when the locking device (16) occupies the locking device closed position; - An open configuration when the locking device (16) occupies the locking device open position.

4. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first fixing part comprises a first fixing part housing (12.2), and the second fixing part (17) comprises: - A first lug of the second fixing part (17.1) configured to cooperate with the first fixing part housing (12.2) when the locking device (16) is in the locking device closed position; - A second lug of the second fixing part (17.2) configured to cooperate with the first fixing part housing (12.2) when the locking device (16) is in the locking device open position.

5. Optical connection box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the housing (10) is in the housing closed position and the fixing device (14) is in the fixing device accessible position, at least one optical connector (15) of the plurality of optical connectors (15) is at least partly disposed outside the case (10) by passing through the case opening (13).

6. Optical connection box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing part (11) comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, and the fixing device (14) comprises a third coupling part configured to cooperate with: - The first coupling part when the fixing device (14) is in the fixing device protection position; - The second coupling part when the fixing device (14) is in the fixing device accessibility position.

7. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 6, wherein the locking device (16) comprises a fourth coupling part configured to cooperate with the second coupling part when the locking device (16) is in the locking device closed position.

8. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first coupling part comprises a first coupling part groove (11.2), the second coupling part comprises a second coupling part groove (11.3), and the third coupling part comprises a fastening device tab (14.1) configured to cooperate with: - The first coupling part groove (11.2) when the fastening device (14) is in the fastening device protection position; - The second coupling part groove (11.3) when the fastening device (14) is in the fastening device accessibility position.

9. Optical connection box (1) according to claim 7 and claim 8, wherein the fourth coupling part includes a locking device tab (16.1) configured to cooperate with the groove of the second coupling part (11.3) when the locking device (16) is in the locking device closed position.

10. Optical connection box (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein when the housing 10 occupies at least one housing opening position, the fixing device is movable: - Between the protective position of the fastening device and a first deployed position of the fastening device; - Between the first deployed position of the fastening device and at least one of a first inclined position of the fastening device and a second inclined position of the fastening device.

Citation Information

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