Pulling assembly for a cable

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cable assembly including a multi-fiber optical cable constructed with an end fan-out assembly including a plurality of connectorized fiber optic pigtails. The cable assembly also includes a corrugated protective sleeve that mounts over the fiber optic pigtails. Housings are mounted over ends of the corrugated protective sleeve to provide sealing of the ends of the protective sleeve and to affix the corrugated protective sleeve to a main jacket of the fiber-optic cable.

Description

[0001] Atorney Docket No. 02316.8969WOU1 / 7572WOW1

[0002] PULLING ASSEMBLY FOR A CABLE

[0003] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This application is being filed on September 18, 2025, as a PCT International Patent application and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 696,279 filed September 18, 2024, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 713,988 filed October 30, 2024, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 747,841 filed January 21, 2025, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0005] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006] The present disclosure relates to cables such as fiber optic cables and further relates to pulling assemblies for facilitating pulling cables during deployment (e.g., through ducts).

[0007] BACKGROUND

[0008] A fiber optic cable can be constructed with an end fan-out assembly provided at one end of the fiber optic cable. At the end fan-out assembly, a plurality of connectorized pigtails (e.g., fiber optic pigtails) are broken out from a main jacket of the fiber optic cable. It is known to use a protective sleeve for protecting the connectorized pigtails during deployment of the cable and for providing an attachment point for facilitating pulling the cable along a routing path during deployment. An example protective sleeve having pulling capability is disclosed by US Patent No. 9,453, 982.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable assembly including a multi-fiber optical cable constructed with an end fan-out assembly including a plurality of connectorized fiber optic pigtails. The cable assembly also includes a corrugated protective sleeve that mounts over the fiber optic pigtails. Housings are mounted over ends of the corrugated protective sleeve to provide sealing of the ends of the protective sleeve and to affix the corrugated protective sleeve to a main jacket of the fiber-optic cable. A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an end portion of a multi-fiber optical cable including a fan-out assembly;

[0014] FIG. 2 of a pulling sleeve assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure shown mounted over the fan-out assembly of the multi-fiber cable of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an enlargement of a sleeve housing mounted at the distal end of the pulling sleeve assembly for sealing a corrugated tube of the pulling sleeve assembly and for providing an attachment point for attaching a pulling element (e.g., a pulling wire) to the pulling sleeve assembly;

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a portion of a sleeve housing mounted at a proximal end of the corrugated tube of the pulling sleeve assembly;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting half of the approximately are distally mounted sleeve housing;

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts the corrugated tube of the pulling sleeve assembly mounted over the fanout assembly of the multi-fiber cable and equipped with elastomeric end seals;

[0019] FIG. 7 depicts a half-portion of one of the elastomeric end seals where the end seals each have a wrap-around configuration including two half-portions that cooperate to define the end seal;

[0020] FIG. 8 depicts an elastomeric end seal having a one-piece construction;

[0021] FIG. 9 again depicts the distantly mounted sleeve housing;

[0022] FIG. 10 depicts the proximal end of the corrugated tube being sealed by an elastomeric seal that fits within the proximal sleeve housing;

[0023] FIG. 11 depicts a more robust anchoring configuration for attaching the proximal sleeve housing to the main jacket of the multi— fiber optical cable; FIG. 12 depicts an attachment number that can be attached to the proximal sleeve housing as shown at FIG. 11 to provide more robust anchoring of the pulling sleeve assembly with respect to the main jacket of the multi-fiber optical cable;

[0024] FIG. 13 depicts a reinforcing configuration for preventing axial stretching of the corrugated tube by attaching at least one strength member of the multi-fiber optical cable to the distal sleeve housing;

[0025] FIG. 14 depicts an alternative technique for anchoring and sealing the proximal end of the corrugated tube by using a heat-shrink sleeve containing heat activated adhesive; and

[0026] FIG. 15 depicts an example sealing gel configuration that can be provided beneath the heat-shrink sleeve of Fig. 14 to provide enhanced sealing at the proximal end of the corrugated tube.

[0027] FIG. 16 depicts an alternative configuration for the proximal sleeve housing having legs;

[0028] FIG. 17 depicts the proximal sleeve housing of FIG. 16 having a two half pieces;

[0029] FIG. 18 depicts the proximal sleeve housing of FIG. 16 with a constriction device constricting the legs to the jacket of the multi-fiber optical cable;

[0030] FIG. 19 depicts the two half pieces of the proximal sleeve housing of FIG. 16 secured by tie wraps;

[0031] FIG. 20 depicts an alternative configuration for the distal sleeve housing having an end cap;

[0032] FIG. 21 depicts the distal sleeve housing of FIG. 20 having an end cap with an opening;

[0033] FIG. 22 depicts a strap arrangement reinforcing a corrugated tube of a cable assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 23 is another view of the strap arrangement of FIG. 22;

[0035] FIG. 24 is a further view of the strap arrangement of FIG. 22;

[0036] FIG. 25 depicts the strap arrangement of FIG. 22 anchored to a distal housing secured at a distal end of the corrugated tube; and

[0037] FIG. 26 depicts the strap arrangement of FIG. 22 anchored to a proximal housing secured at a proximal end of the corrugated tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made in the devices of the disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 1 depicts a multi-fiber optical cable 20 including a main cable 22 and a fan-out assembly 24 at one end of the main cable 22. The main cable 22 can have a double jacketed configuration and can include at least one strength member (e.g., a wire, a glass reinforced polymeric rod, a yam type reinforcing member such as aramid yam, etc.). The double jacketed configuration encloses a plurality of optical fibers that are broken out at the fan-out assembly 24 into a plurality of connectorized pigtails 26. Each of the connectorized pigtails 26 includes a length of optical fiber terminated by a fiber optic connector 28. A heat-shrink sleeve 29 can be provided at the end of the main cable 22 and can cover a section of an outer jacket 30 and a section of an inner jacket 32 that extends beyond the outer jacket 30. A step is provided at the end of the outer jacket 30. A section of tape such as silicone tape 34 can be provided around the connector as pigtails 26 adjacent the distal end of the heat shrink sleeve 29.

[0040] FIG. 2 depicts a pulling sleeve assembly 36 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure shown mounted over the fanout assembly 24 of the multi-fiber cable 20. The pulling sleeve assembly 36 includes a corrugated tube 38 and sleeve housings 40 mounted at distal and proximal ends of the corrugated tube 38. In one example, each of the sleeve housings 40 can have an identical construction. In one example, each of the sleeve housings 40 includes two identical half-parts (e.g., molded plastic half-parts) that are mated together in a wraparound configuration about the corrugated tube 38. In certain examples, the two half-parts can be secured together by structures such as tie wraps. In certain examples, the half pieces can include faster openings for allowing the half pieces to be joined together by fasteners such as screws. In certain examples, tie wraps can be used to secure the sleeve housings 40 about the corrugated tube 38 and to compress seals for sealing ends of the cormgated tube 38. The distally mounted sleeve housing 40 includes an opening 42 for allowing a pulling structure such as a pulling wire to be attached to the pulling sleeve assembly 36. As shown at FIG. 11, the opening 42 or openings 42 can also be used to mount L-shaped attachment structures 44 for providing a more robust attachment between the proximal sleeve housing 40 and the jacket of the multi-fiber optical cable 20. The L-shaped attachment structures 44 can each include one leg that mounts through one of the openings 42 and a second leg having teeth adapted to embed within the cable jacket. A clamp such as a hose clamp 46 can be used to clamp the second legs of the L-shaped attachment structures 44 to the cable jacket.

[0041] As shown at FIGS. 4, 5 and 10, the sleeve housings 40 can include inner projections 48 (e.g., inner flanges, inner ribs, inner extensions, etc.) adapted to fit within grooves defined at the exterior of the corrugated tube 38 to axially fix the sleeve housings 40 relative to the corrugated tube 38. The sleeve housings 40 can include grooves or notches for receiving tie wraps 61 used to secure the sleeve housings 40 about the corrugated tube 38. The tie wraps wrap circumferentially around the sleeve housings 40 at locations spaced axially along the housings to hold the housing half parts together and to clamp the seals and the ends of the corrugated tube between the half-parts. Enlarged notches can be provided within the sleeve housings 40 for receiving latching heads of the tie wraps. In certain examples, a dummy plug 63 (see FIG. 6) can be secured within the distal sleeve housing 40 provide sealing within the interior of the sleeve housing 40. The proximally mounted sleeve housing 40 can also include a projection 64 (see FIGS. 5 and 10) that opposes a proximal end of the heat shrink sleeve 29 to prevent the sleeve assembly set 36 from being pulled axially from the multi-fiber optical cable 20.

[0042] FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 depict the elastomeric seals 50 adapted for sealing the ends of the corrugated tube 38. As described above, the elastomeric seals 50 can have a one piece or two-piece configuration. Each of the seals 50 preferably has a stepped configuration including an enlarged diameter portion 52 adapted to fit over an end of the corrugated tube (see figure 10) and a reduced diameter portion 54 adapted for providing sealing about the cable 22 or the heat shrink 29. The interior of the sleeve housings 40 can also have a corresponding stepped configuration and can be configured for compressing both the enlarged diameter portion 52 and the reduced diameter portion 54 of each of the elastomeric seals 50.

[0043] To prevent stretching of the corrugated tube 38 during pulling of the pulling sleeve assembly 36, the distal sleeve housing 40 can be coupled to a strength member 70 of the main cable 22 such that axial load is transferred through the strength member 70 to the distal sleeve housing 40 (as shown at figure 13). In this way, at least some of the axial load bypasses the corrugated tube 38 to limit or minimize stretching of the corrugated tube 38. The strength member 70 of the cable can be attached to an anchor member 55 that mounts in sealed relation within the interior of the distal sleeve housing 40 in place of the dummy plug. The anchor member 55 can include an opening 72 for allowing a pulling wire to be attached thereto.

[0044] FIGS. 14 and 15 depict an alternative configuration for anchoring and sealing the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38. In the configuration of FIGS. 14 and 15, a wrap of gel 60 is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38 and at least a portion of the gel wrap is contained between annular containment members 62. In certain examples, the gel wrap can be wrapped above the outer diameter of the containment rings and can be wrapped over at least a portion of the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38. A heat shrink sleeve 80 is positioned over the jacket of the main cable, over the gel wrap and gel containment and also over the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38. The heat shrink tube can preferably include heat activated adhesive in its interior. When the heat shrink sleeve 80 is shrunk, the gel wrap 60 is compressed to provide effective sealing adjacent the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38 and the heat shrink sleeve 80 functions to axially lock the proximal end of the corrugated tube in place with respect to the jacket of the multi-fiber optical cable.

[0045] FIG. 16 depict an alternative configuration for the proximal sleeve housing 40. The proximal sleeve housing 40 may be secured about the corrugated tube 38 and compress seal 50 for sealing the proximal end of the corrugated tube 38. As shown in FIG. 17, the proximal sleeve housing 40 may include two identical half-parts (e.g., molded plastic half-parts) that are mated together in a wraparound configuration about the corrugated tube 38. In certain examples, the two half-parts can be secured together by structures such as tie wraps (shown in FIG. 18). In the configuration of FIG. 16, the proximal sleeve housing 40 may include cantilever legs 110 extending from an end of the sleeve housing 40. The legs 110 may integrally formed with the sleeve housing 40 and positioned around a circumference of the end of the proximal sleeve housing 40. The legs 110 may be resiliently flexed to engage the heat shrink tube, and jacket of the multifiber optical cable. The legs 110 may also include an angled surface 112 and an engagement surface 114. The angled surface 112 may be flat and angled inward toward a central axis X of the proximal housing sleeve. The engagement surface 114 may extend generally parallel to the central axis X. In some examples, the legs 110 may include teeth 116 at an end 118 of the legs distal from the proximal sleeve housing 40. As shown in FIG. 16, the teeth 116 may be positioned on an inner side 122 of the engagement surface 114. The teeth 116 may embed with the heat shrink tube, the jacket or any object positioned between the legs 110. The end 118 of the legs may include a lip 120 extending outward from the engagement surface 114 and away from the central axis X. The lip 120 may allow a constricting device 161 to be wrapped around the exterior of the legs 110 to constrict around the jacket and / or heat shrink sleeve. The lip prevents axial displacement of the constricting device 161. Non-limiting examples of constricting devices may include tie-wraps (shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) or hose clamps. For instance, FIG. 16 depicts the constricting device 161 as a hose clamp. The engagement surface 114 may have a curved outer side 124 for engaging with the constricting device 161.

[0046] In some examples, grooves or slots may be made on the outer side 124 of the engagement surface 114 to retain the constricting device 161 on the legs 110. In some examples, the constricting device 161 may be positioned at the distal end of the legs 110 and adjacent the lip 120. When the constricting device 161 constricts around the legs 110, the teeth 116 to embed within the jacket and / or heat shrink sleeve to provide support and prevent movement of the cable when pulled.

[0047] FIGS. 20 and 21 depict an alternative configuration for the distal sleeve housing 40. The distal sleeve housing 40 may be secured about the corrugated tube 38 and compress the seal 50 for sealing the distal end of the corrugated tube 38. The distal sleeve housing 40 may include two identical half-parts (e.g., molded plastic half-parts) that are mated together in a wraparound configuration about the corrugated tube 38. In certain examples, the two half-parts can be secured together by structures such as tie wraps (shown in FIG. 21). As described in previous embodiments, the distal sleeve housing 40 can be coupled to a strength member 70 of the main cable 22 such that axial load is transferred through the strength member 70 to the distal sleeve housing 40. As shown in FIG. 21, the distal sleeve housing 40 may include an end cap 170 integrally formed with the distal sleeve housing 40. The end cap 170 may close an interior of the distal sleeve housing. As shown in FIG. 21 , the end cap 170 can be an eye end cap having an opening 172 on the distal end. The opening 172 may allow for a pulling wire to attached thereto. The distal sleeve housing 40 can prevent stretching of the corrugated tube during pulling of the pulling sleeve assembly. It should be understood that in some examples the distal sleeve housing 40 may be structurally different from the proximal sleeve housing 40, while in other examples, the proximal sleeve housing 40 may be structurally the same as distal sleeve housing.

[0048] It will be appreciated that it is desirable to limit stretching / elongation of the corrugated tube 38 during pulling of the assembly along a routing path. FIGS. 22-26 depict a pulling assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure having the corrugated tube 38 reinforced by a strap arrangement adapted for limiting elongation of the corrugated tube 38 during pulling. The strap arrangement can include first and second straps 301, 302 that are contra-helically wrapped about an exterior of the corrugated tube 38. In one example, each of the straps has a generally rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape. In one example, the straps each have a polymeric construction. The strap arrangement wraps around the corrugated tube 38 from the proximal end to the distal end of the corrugated tube 38 (see FIG 24). Proximal ends of the straps are anchored to the proximal sleeve housing 40 (see FIG.26). Distal ends of the straps are anchored to the distal sleeve housing 40 (see FIG. 25).

[0049] The various examples described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example examples and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0051] Aspect 1. A cable assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable including a main cable and a fan-out arrangement at an end of the main cable, the fan-out arrangement including a plurality of connectorized pigtails; a pulling sleeve assembly that mounts over the fan-out arrangement and attaches to the main cable, the pulling sleeve assembly including a corrugated tube and sleeve housings mounted at proximal and distal ends of the corrugated tube, the sleeve housings each having a two-piece construction and including a projection that fits within an outer groove of the corrugated tube, the pulling sleeve assembly also including elastomeric seals compressed between the sleeve housings and the corrugated tube.

[0052] Aspect 2. The cable assembly of aspect 1, wherein the sleeve housings include a proximal sleeve housing positioned at the proximal end of the corrugated tube and a distal sleeve housing positioned at the distal end of the corrugated tube. Aspect 3. The cable assembly of aspect 2, wherein the proximal sleeve housing includes cantilever legs extending from an end of the proximal sleeve housing.

[0053] Aspect 4. The cable assembly of aspect 3, wherein the cantilever legs include an angled surface and an engagement surface

[0054] Aspect 5. The cable assembly of aspect 3, wherein the cantilever legs include teeth at an end of the cantilever legs distal from the proximal sleeve housing.

[0055] Aspect 6. The cable assembly of aspect 5, wherein a constricting device is configured to be wrapped around an exterior of the cantilever legs to constrict the teeth around a jacket and / or a heat shrink sleeve of the main cable.

[0056] Aspect 7. The cable assembly of aspect 6, wherein when constricted, the teeth embed within the heat shrink sleeve around the main cable and / or the jacket preventing movement of the main cable when pulled.

[0057] Aspect 8. The cable assembly of aspect 6, wherein each of the cantilever legs include a lip extending outward from the engagement surface preventing axial displacement of the constricting device.

[0058] Aspect 9. The cable assembly of aspect 2, wherein the proximal sleeve housing is formed of two halves mating together.

[0059] Aspect 10. The cable assembly of aspect 9, wherein the two halves are secured together by tie wraps.

[0060] Aspect 11. The cable assembly of aspect 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing is coupled to a strength member of the main cable such that axial load is transferred through the strength member to the distal sleeve housing.

[0061] Aspect 12. The cable assembly of aspect 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing includes an end cap integrally formed with the distal sleeve housing. Aspect 13. The cable assembly of aspect 12, wherein the end cap includes an opening.

[0062] Aspect 14. The cable assembly of aspect 13, wherein the opening is configured to receive a pulling wire.

[0063] Aspect 15. The cable assembly of aspect 12, wherein the end cap is an eye end cap.

[0064] Aspect 16. The cable assembly of aspect 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing is formed of two halves mating together.

[0065] Aspect 17. The cable assembly of aspect 16, wherein the two halves are secured together by tie wraps.

[0066] Aspect 18. A cable assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable including a main cable and a fan-out arrangement at an end of the main cable, the fan-out arrangement including a plurality of connectorized pigtails; a pulling sleeve assembly that mounts over the fan-out arrangement and attaches to the main cable, the pulling sleeve assembly including a corrugated tube and sleeve housings mounted at proximal and distal ends of the corrugated tube, the corrugated tube being reinforced to limit stretching by a strap arrangement contra- helically wrapped about an exterior of the corrugated tube, the strap arrangement having ends anchored to the sleeve housings at the distal and proximal ends of the corrugated tube.

[0067] Aspect 19. The cable assembly of aspect 18, wherein the strap arrangement includes first and second flat straps.

[0068] Aspect 20. The cable assembly of aspect 1 , wherein the first and second flat straps each have a polymeric construction with a rectangular transverse cross-section.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cable assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable including a main cable and a fan-out arrangement at an end of the main cable, the fan-out arrangement including a plurality of connectorized pigtails; a pulling sleeve assembly that mounts over the fan-out arrangement and attaches to the main cable, the pulling sleeve assembly including a corrugated tube and sleeve housings mounted at proximal and distal ends of the corrugated tube, the sleeve housings each having a two-piece construction and including a projection that fits within an outer groove of the corrugated tube, the pulling sleeve assembly also including elastomeric seals compressed between the sleeve housings and the corrugated tube.

2. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve housings include a proximal sleeve housing positioned at the proximal end of the corrugated tube and a distal sleeve housing positioned at the distal end of the corrugated tube.

3. The cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the proximal sleeve housing includes cantilever legs extending from an end of the proximal sleeve housing.

4. The cable assembly of claim 3, wherein the cantilever legs include an angled surface and an engagement surface5. The cable assembly of claim 3 , wherein the cantilever legs include teeth at an end of the cantilever legs distal from the proximal sleeve housing.

6. The cable assembly of claim 5, wherein a constricting device is configured to be wrapped around an exterior of the cantilever legs to constrict the teeth around a jacket and / or a heat shrink sleeve of the main cable.

7. The cable assembly of claim 6, wherein when constricted, the teeth embed within the heat shrink sleeve around the main cable and / or the jacket preventing movement of the main cable when pulled.

8. The cable assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the cantilever legs include a lip extending outward from the engagement surface preventing axial displacement of the constricting device.

9. The cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the proximal sleeve housing is formed of two halves mating together.

10. The cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the two halves are secured together by tie wraps.

11. The cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing is coupled to a strength member of the main cable such that axial load is transferred through the strength member to the distal sleeve housing.

12. The cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing includes an end cap integrally formed with the distal sleeve housing.

13. The cable assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap includes an opening.

14. The cable assembly of claim 13, wherein the opening is configured to receive a pulling wire.

15. The cable assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap is an eye end cap.

16. The cable assembly of claim 2, wherein the distal sleeve housing is formed of two halves mating together.

17. The cable assembly of claim 16, wherein the two halves are secured together by tie wraps.

18. A cable assembly comprising:a fiber optic cable including a main cable and a fan-out arrangement at an end of the main cable, the fan-out arrangement including a plurality of connectorized pigtails; a pulling sleeve assembly that mounts over the fan-out arrangement and attaches to the main cable, the pulling sleeve assembly including a corrugated tube and sleeve housings mounted at proximal and distal ends of the corrugated tube, the corrugated tube being reinforced to limit stretching by a strap arrangement contra- helically wrapped about an exterior of the corrugated tube, the strap arrangement having ends anchored to the sleeve housings at the distal and proximal ends of the corrugated tube.

19. The cable assembly of claim 18, wherein the strap arrangement includes first and second flat straps.

20. The cable assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second flat straps each have a polymeric construction with a rectangular transverse cross-section.

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