Connector protective kap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022029348-A1
Application number	US-202117496845-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2021
Priority date	Nov 5, 2019
Publication date	Jan 27, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing an enclosure for protecting at least one connector of a cable. In some embodiments, an enclosure comprises an enclosure housing. The enclosure housing includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the enclosure housing is attached to the second part of the enclosure housing. The first part of the enclosure housing and the second part of the enclosure housing together define a chamber to fully enclose a connector assembly and a connector housing the at least one connector of the cable. The enclosure includes at least one opening disposed at a first end of the enclosure housing. The at least one opening is configured to allow a boot of the at least one connector or the cable of the at least one connector to extend through the at least one opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An enclosure for protecting at least one connector of a cable, the enclosure comprising:
an enclosure housing comprising a first part of the enclosure housing and a second part of the enclosure housing, the first part of the enclosure housing is attached to the second part of the enclosure housing, wherein the first part of the enclosure housing and the second part of the enclosure housing together define a chamber to fully enclose a connector assembly and a connector housing of the at least one connector of the cable; and at least one opening disposed at a first end of the enclosure housing, wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow at least one of a boot of the at least one connector or the cable of the at least one connector to extend through the at least one opening.

2 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one of an ethernet connector, a fiber connector, or a copper cable connector.

3 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises at least one of an ethernet cable, a fiber, or a copper cable.

4 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure housing has at least one of an oval shape, a square shape, a round shape, or a rectangular shape.

5 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the first part of the enclosure housing is attached to the second part of the enclosure housing via at least one of a hinged connection or a snap connection.

6 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein a first side of the first part of the enclosure housing is attached to a first side of the second part of the enclosure housing via a hinged connection, and wherein a second side of the first part of the enclosure housing is connected to a second side of the second part of the enclosure housing via a snap connection.

7 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the first part of the enclosure housing is sealingly attached to the second part of the enclosure housing.

8 . The enclosure of claim 7 , wherein the first part of the enclosure housing is sealingly attached to the second part of the enclosure housing via a grommet that extends along an edge of at least one of the first part of the enclosure housing or the second part of the enclosure housing.

9 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening sealingly surrounds at least one of the boot of the at least one connector or the cable extending through the at least one opening.

10 . The enclosure of claim 9 , wherein a grommet is sealingly attached to the at least one opening to sealingly surround at least one of the boot of the at least one connector or the cable extending through the at least one opening.

11 . The enclosure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tether attached to an outer surface of the enclosure housing, wherein the tether is configured to attach the enclosure to the cable.

12 . The enclosure of claim 11 , wherein a first end of the tether is adjustable and is configured to fit over the at least one connector and to tighten over the cable.

13 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least two connectors and the chamber is configured to fully enclose the connector assembly and the connector housing corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors, and wherein at least one of the boot corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors or the cable corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors extends out of the at least one opening.

14 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least two connectors and the chamber is configured to fully enclose the connector assembly and the connector housing corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors, and wherein at least one of the boot corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors or the cable corresponding to each connector of the at least two connectors extends out of a corresponding opening.

15 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises two openings, wherein the two openings are disposed at the first end of the enclosure housing.

16 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises two openings, wherein the two openings are disposed at opposite ends of the enclosure housing.

17 . A system comprising:
at least one connector of a cable, the at least one connector comprising:
a connector housing comprising a connector assembly; and
a boot attached to the connector housing and the cable;
an enclosure comprising:
p 1 an enclosure housing comprising a first part and a second part, the first part of the enclosure housing is attached to the second part of the enclosure housing, wherein the first part of the enclosure housing and the second part of the enclosure housing together define a chamber to fully enclose the connector assembly and the connector housing of the at least one connector of the cable; and
at least one opening disposed at a first end of the housing, wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow at least one of the boot of the at least one connector or the cable of the at least one connector to extend through the at least one opening.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one of an ethernet connector, a fiber connector, or a copper cable connector.

19 . A method comprising:
providing an enclosure comprising an enclosure housing comprising a first part and a second part, the first part of the enclosure housing is attached to the second part of the enclosure housing, wherein the first part of the enclosure housing and the second part of the enclosure housing together define a chamber to fully enclose a connector assembly and a connector housing of the at least one connector of the cable and at least one opening disposed at a first end of the enclosure housing, wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow at least one of a boot of the at least one connector or the cable of the at least one connector to extend through the at least one opening; placing the connector assembly and the connector housing of the at least one connector of the cable within the chamber; extending at least one of the boot of the at least one connector or the cable of the at least one connector through the opening; and closing the enclosure housing around the connector assembly and the connector housing of the at least one connector.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one of an ethernet connector, a fiber connector, or a copper cable connector.

Assignees

• Centurylink Ip Llc

Inventors

• Kawamoto Pete A
• Unser Diana L

Classifications

• H01R13/5205

  Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet (H01R13/5221 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R43/005

  for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing · CPC title

• H01R13/60 Primary

  Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged · CPC title

• H01R13/5213

  Covers · CPC title

• H01R13/501

  comprising an integral hinge or a frangible part · CPC title