WO1996011355A1

WO1996011355A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO1996011355A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/002389
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Frederick Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-10
Filing date: 1995-10-10
Publication date: 1996-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1997-04-10
Also published as: AU3614595A; EP0786062B1; US5933556A; DE69514934D1; CA2202183A1; GB9420349D0; JPH10507511A; GB2298690B; EP0786062A1; ATE189510T1; CA2202183C; JP3705442B2; GB9608853D0; DE69514934T2; GB2298690A

Abstract

The invention provides a connector for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of the type which carries fibre-optics communications cables; the connector comprising a body (1, 2) having a through bore through which a fibre-optics cable may pass; at least one end (10) of the body being arranged to receive therein an end of a conduit tube for carrying the cable; the body having first resilient sealing means (34, 35) for encircling the conduit tube and compression means (3, 19, 24) for compressing the resilient sealing means (34, 35) against the conduit tube around its circumference so as to provide a substantially gas-tight seal between the body (1, 2) and the conduit tube; characterised in that the body has two main body portions (1 and 2) arranged for relative axial movement therebetween, and means (3) for drawing the two main body portions together; and in that a second resilient sealing means (33) is disposed axially between two confronting surfaces (24, 19) of the two main body portions (1 and 2); the second resilient sealing means (33) being compressible by tightening the two main body portions (1 and 2) together so as to deform the second resilient sealing means (33) radially inwardly and into sealing contact with the fibre-optic cable, thereby to form a substantially gas-tight seal between the body (1, 2) and the fibre-optic cable.

Description

CONNECTOR

This invention relates to a connector for connecting to an end of a

conduit tube of the type used to carry fiDre-optics cables . More

particularly , the invention relates to a gas-tight connector for use at

points of entry into buildings .

Fibre-optics cables are becoming increasingly popular as a

telecommunications medium and typically are installed alongside existing

service installations. A typical fibre-optics communications line consists of a bundle of optical fibres encased in a protective sheath which in turn

is earned in a conduit tube or pipe which may for example be formed of a

plastics mateπal . The conduit tube is first installed and then the sheathed optical fibres are inserted in the conduit. Insertion of the sheathed optical

fibres in the conduit may be effected by a pneumatic method which involves

dnving the fibre optic cable along the conduit with compressed air, or by pulling or drawing the sheathed fibres along the conduit.

In order to assist the former process, the outer surface of the cable

is deliberately provided with a rough surface to increase its air resistance

while the inner surface of the conduit is provided with a low fnction

coating to prevent the cable from being damaged as it is driven along the

conduit.

Adjoining lengths of conduit tube are connected by means of

connectors which may be of the push-fit variety or can be provided with a threaded collar compression mechanism .

Where installation of the fibre-optic cable is by pneumatic means, the

connectors must be sufficiently air-tight to retain the air-pressure needed

to drive the cable along the conduit but they do not need to be absolutely

air-tight for this purpose. Indeed , as a result of the damage inflicted on the surfaces of conduit tubes by the gripping rings conventionally used in

push fit connectors, there is usually a leak path along which gases can escape from the connector, or permeate into the connector.

A major concern of communications installation engineers is to ensure

that when a service line enters a building , it does not create a channel

along which gases from outside can also enter the building . This is a particular concern when , for example, the service line in question is laid alongside, or in the close vicinity of, a gas main, or is laid in an area where gases are being formed as result of the decomposition of refuse. Although

leakage from a gas main may be minimal , permeation of the gas into a

service line such as fibre-optic cable channel over a period can lead to

significant quantities of gas entering a building unless steps are taken to

provide a gas-block at the entry point into the building . This is

particularly important when the utility to which the service channel is connected , eg a telephone exchange, is retained within a casing or housing

or other confined space. Under such circumstances, a build-up of gases

to explosive levels could result, with potentially devastating consequences.

It has therefore become standard practice to provide a gas block at the point of entry into buildings .

In order to prevent gases that have permeated into a fibre-optics

line from entering a building , it is necessary to provide a seal between the

outer surface of the conduit tube and the connector, and a seal between the

fibre-optic cable itself and either the conduit tube wall or the wall of the

connector. At present connectors provided with a screw collar compression mechanism, in which a resilient sealing member such as an O-ring is

clamped down onto the conduit tube, to give the necessary gas-tight seal

between conduit tube wall and connector wall . However, in order to

provide a seal around the fibre-optic cable, an arrangement as shown in

Figure 8 is employed . Thus, a length of clear plastics tube A is connected

to connector B , the clear plastics tube being formed into a loop which must usually be of a minimum radius of 50mm in order to avoid damage to the fibre-optic cable. At the lowest point L of the loop, a small hole is made

and a silicone sealant S introduced by means of a syringe. The silicone

sealant cures to provide a gas-tight seal between the wall of the tube A and

the fibre-optic cable F inside the tube .

Whilst effective, the aforementioned method of forming a seal suffers from a number of drawbacks . Firstly , it is somewhat messy , and the use

of a sealant, whilst acceptable in an industrial or office setting , could be

less acceptable in a domestic setting where the potential would exist for the

sealant to soil carpets and other furnishings if used carelessly . The other main drawback is the amount of space taken up by the loop of tubing .

Thus there remains a need for a means of providing a gas block at the point of entry into a building which is more compact and less messy , and it is an

object of the invention to provide such a means .

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a connector

for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of the type which carries fibre-

optics communications cables; the connector comprising a body having a

through bore through which a fibre-optics cable may pass; at least oneend of the body being arranged to receive therein an end of a conduit tube for

carrying the cable; the body having first resilient sealing means for

encircling the conduit tube and compression means for compressing the

resilient sealing means against the conduit tube around its circumference so as to provide a substantially gas-tight seal between the body and the

conduit tube; characterised in that the body has two main body portions

arranged for relative axial movement therebetween , and means for drawing

the two main body portions together; and in that a second resilient sealing

means is disposed axially between two confronting surfaces of the two main

body portions ; the second resilient sealing means being compressible by

tightening the two main body portions together so as to deform the second resilient sealing means radially inwardly and into sealing contact with the

fibre-optic cable, thereby to form a substantially gas-tight seal between

the body and the fibre-optic cable.

In one embodiment the first and second resilient sealing means are

constituted by a unitary sealing member. For example, the unitary sealing

member may have an enlarged diameter portion for receiving the end of the

conduit tube, and a reduced diameter portion for receiving the fibre-optics

cable.

The enlarged diameter portion and reduced diameter portion are

preferably separated by a generally axially oriented circumferential face. The generally axially oriented circumferential face is preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connector body .

In another embodiment, the first and second resilient sealing means are separate entities . For example, the first resilient sealing means may be axially spaced apart from the second resilient sealing means . The first resilient sealing means can take the form of an array of one or more

compressible O-rings.

The connector body has two main body portions arranged for relative axial movement therebetween . One of the boαy parts may have a socket

formation arranged to receive a spigot formation on tne other body portion . The two body portions are provided with means for enabling the said

portions to be drawn together, and such means can taKe tne form of a

threaded collar associated with one body portion which engages a thread

on the exterior of the other body portion . The collar is preferably rotatably mounted on one portion such that it does not cause rotation of

the said one body portion when it is threaded onto the other body portion .

The two body portions together may define an annular recess

therebetween in which a sealing member comprising at least the second

resilient sealing means may sit. With such an arrangement, tightening the

two body portions together causes compression of the sealing member

between confronting surfaces of the respective body portions such that the

second resilient sealing means is deformed radially inwardly and into sealing contact with the fibre-optic cable .

In one preferred embodiment the annular recess accommodates a

unitary sealing member as hereinbefore defined . At least one end of the connector body is arranged to receive therein an end of a conduit tube for carrying the cable. In one embodiment

however, two ends of the body are arranged to receive therein the ends of

two respective conduit tubes. Where the sealing member is a unitary

sealing member compnsing both first and second resilient sealing means,

the sealing member can be arranged to receive therein at opposite ends

thereof the ends of two conduit tubes . In alternative embodiment, however, a pair of sealing members may be provided , an intermediate

annular member of greater rigidity than the two sealing members being

disposed axially therebetween . The intermediate annular member

preferably has inclined or curved axial surfaces which assist the second resilient sealing means to be deformed radially inwardly as the two main

body portions are tightened together. For example, the intermediate annular member can have a substantially bi-concave profile.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a sealing member for

use in a connector for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of a pipe

which carries fibre-optic communication cables; the sealing member being

formed of an elastomeric material and having a generally cylindrical shape; the sealing member having at at least one end thereof an enlarged bore

portion for encircling and receiving an end of a conduit tube, and a

reduced diameter bore portion for receiving a fibre-optics cable; the

sealing member having axial end surfaces which are inclined rearwardly

from the radially inner edge thereof so as to form a frustoconical abutment surface.

In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a sealing means

for use in a connector for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of the

type which carries fibre-optics communication cables; the sealing means comprising a pair of sealing members , each said sealing member having an

enlarged bore portion for receiving an end of a conduit therein , and a reduced diameter bore portion for receiving a fibre-optics cable, and

having an axial end surface which is inclined rearwardly from a radial inner

edge thereof; and an intermediate annular member of more rigid matenal

than the two said sealing members, the intermediate annular member being arranged to be disposed axially between the two sealing members, the annular member being of a generally bi-concave form to assist compression

and radial inward deformation of the sealing members .

The invention will now be illustrated in more detail , Dut not limited , by reference to the specific embodiment shown in the accompanying

drawings, of which :

Figure 1 is a schematic side sectional elevation through a connector according to one embodiment of the invention ;

Figure 2 is a side sectional elevation through the "female" portion of

the connector of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a side sectional elevation through the "male" portion of

the connector shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side sectional elevation through the screw collar of the

connector shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation through the sealing gasket in Figure

1 ;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention ;

Figure 7 is an end view of a C-ring indicator of the embodiment of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a previously known arrangement for sealing a fibre-optics cable;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a connector

generally similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a connector according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a connector

according to another embodiment of the invention ; and

Figure 12 is a partial sectional elevation illustrating an alternative

sealing means .

Referring now to the figures, it can be seen that a connector according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a connector main

body formed in two halves, tne female portion 1 and tne male portion 2,

which are secured together by means of a threaded collar 3 which is rotatably mounted on the male portion 2.

Male portion 2 has an enlarged diameter portion 4 having a number

of openings 5 spaced at intervals around its circumference . An O-nng 6

formed of mtnle rubber and a washer 7 formed of a suitable engineering

plastics material such as polyacetal are arranged within the interior of the

enlarged diameter portion and a collet 8 is fitted into the open end of

portion 4. The collet 8 has an annular flange portion 9 which abuts against

the axial end face 4a of the connector body portion 4, the flange portion 9 having a central opening 10 of a diameter just large enough to receive a

conduit tube for a fibre-optic cable. Extending axially inwardly of the

flange are resilient fingers 11 , and the collet 8 is retained within portion

7 by means of pawl elements 12 formed integrally with the resilient fingers 11 . In this embodiment, there are four resilient fingers, although there could be fewer or more if desired . Pawl elements 12, which locate in

openings 5 in the wall of portion 7, are provided with inclined camming

surfaces 12a which bear against the edges 5a of the openings . Formed

integrally with the radially inner surface of each resilient finger 11 are gripping ridges or teeth 12c for gripping into and holding the conduit tube

T . The arrangement of the enlarged diameter portion 4, O-ring 6, washer

7, and collet 8 together constitute a means for retaining the conduit tube

T within the connector body .

In order to connect the conduit tube T to the connector body portion 2, the

end of the tube T is pushed through the central opening in the flange

portion and into the hollow interior of the portion 2. As the tube end is pushed into the body, it forces apart the resilient fingers 9 so that they

protrude further into the openings 5 in the wall of the body portion 2. The resilient fingers 9 and their gripping ridges or teeth 12c then exert a

gripping action on the tube wall . By virtue of the camming surface 11 , any

attempt to withdraw the collet 8 from the connector body portion 4 causes

the edge 5a to cam along the camming surface 12a such that the pawl element 10 and its associated resilient finger 9 are deformed radially

inwardly thereby increasing the gripping force of the fingers and causing

the ridge or teeth 12c to dig further into the surface of the tube. Thus retraction of the tube T from the connector body is prevented . This aspect

of the connector is conventional .

Extending axially from the enlarged diameter portion 4 of the male half 2 of the connector is a spigot portion 13. Spigot portion 13 has an

annular recess 14 defined by annular ridge 15 and axial face 16, which serves to retain screw collar 3. Annular ridge 15 has an inclined surface

15a to enable the screw collar to be snapped into place and an abutment

surface 15b for preventing removal of the collar once it has been snapped into place. The spigot portion 13 is provided with a further, and deeper,

annular recess 17 nearer to its axial end . Annular recess 17 serves to

accommodate a sealing member 18, which in this embodiment is an O-nng

formed of mtrile rubber . The axial end face 19 of the spigot portion is

inclined radially outwardly for reasons which will become apparent.

The female portion 1 of the connector body has an end portion 20

having an inner diameter corresponding to the enlarged diameter portion

4 of the male half 2 of the connector body and which is provided with a gripping collet/O-πng /washer assembly of an identical type to that of the

male portion , and functions in an identical manner . Only the O-nng

component 21 of this assembly is shown in the Figures .

The female half 1 of the connector body has a radially inwardly

extending flange 22, one axial face 23 of which is perpendicular to the axis of the connector and serves as an abutment for the O-nng . The other

axial face 24 is inclined and in use, together with the inclined end face 19 of the spigot portion of the male half 2, defines an annular recess for

accommodating a sealing member 30. Extending around the outer circumference of the female connector

half 1 is an annular flange or ridge 25 having an axial face 26 which serves

as a stop for the screw collar 3. The outer surface 27 of the connector half

1 extending from the flange 25 towards the end 28 of the connector half 1

is threaded to receive the screw collar 3.

The sealing member 30 is an annular member having a generally

trapezoidal cross-section , with inclined surfaces 31 and 32 being arranged

in use to abut against the inclined axial faces 19 and 24 respectively of the

male and female halves. Sealing member 30 has a through bore divided into

a reduced diameter region 33 flanked by two larger diameter regions 34 and 35. The reduced diameter region 33 is separated from the larger diameter

regions 34 and 35 by axial faces 36 and 37 respectively . The larger diameter regions are of a diameter just large enough to accommodate the

ends of conduit tubes T , tne axial faces 36 and 37 serving as end stops for

the tube ends . The sealing memoer is formed from a material which is

sufficiently rigid that the axial faces are not deformed to an extent whereby the tube ends can be forced into the reduced diameter region , but

is sufficiently deformable to form a gas-tight seal around the tube end . A

suitable matenal for this purpose is a silicone rubber having a Shore

hardness in the region 45 to 55, preferably approximately 50.

In use, the female 1 and male 2 halves of the connector are loosely

connected together by engaging the screw collar 3 with the thread on the outer surface of the female half 1 and rotating the threaded collar 3

sufficiently to secure the two halves together but without causing any substantial compression of the sealing member 30. The ends of two conduit

tubes T are then inserted into the respective ends of the connector halves

such that the tube ends butt up against the axial faces 36 and 37 of the sealing member 30. A fibre-optic cable C of conventional type can then be

driven along the conduit tubes and through the connector by means of

compressed air in conventional fashion . At this juncture , since the sealing

member is in an uncompressed or only lightly compressed state, a gas

leakage path may exist between end face 18 of the male body half, and inclined surface 31 of the sealing member 30. However, the sealing member

18 located in the annular recess on the outer surface of the spigot portion

serves to prevent the escape of compressed air during the installation of

the fibre-optic cable C .

Following the installation of the cable C, the screw collar 3 is rotated

and screwed onto the female half 1 until the end face 3a of the collar abuts

against the flange 25. As the collar is tightened , the sealing member 30 is compressed between the axial faces 19 and 24 of the two connector halves

and , by virtue of the inclination of the axial faces, is deformed radially

inwardly . The radially inner walls of the larger diameter regions are

deformed into sealing engagement with the outer diameter of the conduit

tube whilst the radially inner wall of the reduced diameter region is

deformed into sealing engagement with the fibre-optic cable C . Thus the sealing member 30 not only provides a seal against the conduit tube, but

also provides a seal against the fibre-optic cable itself. The connector of the invention therefore avoids the need to use messy liquid - ealaπl

compositions to provide a gas-tight seal around a fibre-optic cable at the

point of entry into a building , and provides a connector which can be installed simply and quickly whilst still providing the required degree of

protection against unwanted ingress of gas . The connector of the

invention is thus advantageous with regard to the known connector/sealing

arrangement shown in Figure 7 and described above .

A modification to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. An important requirement of any connection system is that the engineer installing the fibre-optic service line should be able to

tell at a glance whether the connectors have been fitted together correctly .

To assist in this respect, the connector of Figures 6 and 7, which is

otherwise identical to the connector of Figures 1 to 5, is provided with a

distinctively coloured C-washer 41 which sits about the threaded portion

of the female body half 1 between the annular flange 25 and the screw collar

3. The C-washer 41 is provided with axially extending projections 42 and

43 which mate with complimentary recesses 44 and 45 in the surfaces of the

flange 25 and collar 3.

When the connector is initially assembled, the collar 3 is screwed

onto the female connector half until it comes into contact with the C-washer 41 and the axial projections 42 and 43 are in register with the recesses 44

and 45. At this point, the installer will know that the two body halves are securely connected together but that no compression of the sealing member

30 has taken place. The fibre-optic cable C may therefore be driven

through the connector with compressed air without a compressed sealing

member forming a blockage . Once the cable is in place, the C-washer can be removed and the connector halves fully tightened together . The

installer will thus be able to tell at a glance that tne connector has been

correctly installed because firstly the distinctively coloured C-washer is

no longer present and secondly there is no gap between the screw collar 3 and the annular flange 25.

Figure 9 is a full sectional elevation of a connector generally similar

to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 8. Thus , the connector body has a pair of body portions 101 and 102 which correspond generally to body

portions 1 and 2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 . Disposed within the

external ends of body portions 101 and 102 are collets 108 respectively .

Collets 108 are configured so as to be insertable into the ends of the connector body portions 101 and 102, the pawl elements 112 on the resilient

finger portions 111 of the collets 108 locating in openings 105 so as to hold

the collet in place. The axially inner ends of the collets 108 abut against

annular washers 107 and O-rings 106 respectively . The collets 108

function in the same manner as the collet 8 in Figure 1 and thus require no

further description here. As with the embodiment of Figure 1 , a screw collar 103 is provided

which engages a thread on the outer surface of body portion 101 enabling

the two body portions to be tightened together.

A resilient sealing member 130 is disposed in an annular groove formed between axial end faces 124 and 119 of the body portions 101 and

102 respectively . Tightening the two body portions 101 and 102 together

compresses the sealing memDer 130 urging the radially inner surface 140

against the outer surface of a conduit tube and the inner surface 150 into

contact and sealing engagement with a fibre-optic cable (not shown) .

Figure 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which

the connector is provided with separate first and second resilient sealing

means.

As with the previous embodiments, the connector compnses

body portions 201 and 202 which are connected together by means of a

threaded cap 203 which engages and screws onto the threaded outer

surface of body portion 201 . Body portion 201 has an enlarged bore

portion 204 within which are located a pair of O-nngs 258, 259 which are formed from a nitrile rubber (preferably of 70 shore hardness) . Collet 260

is located within enlarged bore portion 204, an axial end face 261 of the

collet serving to compress the O-rings against axial wall 204a of the

enlarged bore portion 204. Collet 260 has a plurality of axially extending fingers 262 each of which has ridges 263 and 264.

A screw cap 265 fits over the collet 260 and engages a thread of the

external surface of enlarged bore portion 204 of body portion 201 . Screw

cap 265 has a radially inclined camming surface 266 which engages an

annular rib 267 as the cap is screwed onto the body portion 201 . As the

cap 265 is screwed tightly onto the body portion 201 , the camming surface

266 engages rib 267 deforming the fingers 262 radially inwardly so that the

gripping ridges 263 and 264 bite into the surface of the conduit tube ( not

shown) . At the same time , axial end surface 261 compresses the 0-πngs 258 and 259, deforming them radially inwardly and into sealing contact with

the external surface of the conduit. Thus, in this embodiment, the O- nngs 258 and 259 function as the first resilient sealing means.

Body portion 201 has a portion 201 a having a reduced diameter bore,

the reduced diameter bore and enlarged diameter bore regions being linked by a frustocomcal surface 201 b . At the axially inner end of frustocomcal

surface 201 b, there is provided an axially extending annular wall portion

201c which , together with surface 201 d , defines a recess for accommodating

a sealing member 230. Sealing member 230 is of a similar profile to the sealing member 30 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7.

Body portion 202 is provided with a push-fit collet 208 which has

resilient finger 211 and pawl elements 212 which locatem opening 205 in the wall of body portion 202 in the same manner as the collets 8 and 108 shown

in Figures 1 and 9 respectively . Body portion 202 has a spigot portion

provided with a radially inclined axial end wall 202a which abuts against

sealing member 230. As with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 and

9, as screw cap 203 is rotated to tighten the body portions 201 and 202 together, the sealing member 230 is compressed such that the central

portion 230a is deformed radially inwardly and into sealing engagement with

a fibre optic cable (not shown ) passing therethrough . At the same time,

the larger diameter bore end portion of the sealing member 230 is deformed

radially inwardly and to sealing engagement with a conduit ( not shown ) .

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the embodiment of

Figure 10 differs from the previous embodiments in that one end, i .e. the

end defined by body portion 202, the sealing member 230 functions as a

unitary sealing member and provides a seal against both the conduit tube

and the fibre optic cable. However, at the other end of the connector, as

defined by body portion 201 , the sealing member 230 only seals against the

fibre optic cable, and a separate sealing means defined by 0-rings 258 and

259 provide the sealing engagement with the conduit tube. A connector of

the type shown in Figure 10 would typically be connected up such that any

gas flow along the conduit tube and towards the connector would be in the

direction D; i . e. body portion 201 would be oriented towards the building

exterior in any gas-block arrangement. Figure 11 illustrates a connector according to a further embodiment

of the invention . In this embodiment, the connector comprises two main

body portions 301 and 302 coupled together by means of screw cap 303 which engages an external thread of body portion 301 . Body portion 301

is constructed in a manner virtually identical to the body portion 201

illustrated in Figure 10 and hence need not be further described here.

Body portion 302 is also virtually identical to body portion 202 in Figure 10

except that instead of collet 208, a third body portion 370 is located

therein . Body portion 370 has a spigot portion 371 which is received in

spigot portion 302a of the body portion 302, the end 371a of spigot portion

371 being received within an enlarged diameter bore portion 330b of the

sealing member 330.

As the screw cap 303 is rotated to tighten body portions 301 and 302 together, the sealing member 330 is compressed and caused to deform

radially inwardly such that the central portion 330a of the sealing member

deforms radially inwardly and into sealing engagement with the fibre optics

cable (not shown) , whilst the portion 330b is deformed into sealing engagement with the end portion 371a of spigot 371 .

Third body portion 370, which functions as an adaptor, has an

enlarged diameter end portion 380 in which it receives a collet 381 . Collet

381 is provided with a resilient finger 382 and pawl element 383 which

enables the collet to be retained within end portion 380 in the same manner as collets 8 and 108 in Figures 1 and 10.

An alternative sealing means is shown in Figure 12. According to the

embodiment shown in Figure 12, the connector has body portions 401 and

402 which each have inclined axial surfaces 401 a and 402a. Opposing

surfaces 401a and 402a, together with radial surface 401 b of the body

portion 401 , define an annular recess in which sealing means 430 is located .

Sealing means 430 comprises a pair of sealing members 438 and 439 and ,

disposed axially therebetween , an intermediate annular member 490.

Sealing members 438 and 439 are formed from a suitable elastomeric material

such as nitrile rubber, whilst intermediate annular member 490 is formed from a more rigid material such as polyacetal . Sealing members 438 and 439

each have inclined surfaces 438a and 439a which abut against inclined surfaces 401a and 402a of the two body portions 401 and 402. At the axially

innermost ends, the two sealing members 438 and 439 each have generally

convex surfaces 438b and 439b which abut against the concave axial

surfaces 490a and 490b of the intermediate annular member 490.

In use, as the two body portions 401 and 402 are tightened together, the sealing members 438 and 439 are compressed between the inclined axial

surfaces 401a and 402a of the respective body portions, and the axial

surfaces 490a and 490b of the intermediate annular element 490. As with the previous embodiments illustrated , the axial compression leads to the

sealing members being deformed radially inwardly such that they form a seal against the conduit tubes T 1 and T2, and the reduced diameter

portions 438c and 439c are urged into sealing engagement with the fibre

optic cable ( not shown) .

The arrangement shown in Figure 12 is particularly useful when the

connector is of a larger internal diameter . In this case, the intermediate

annular member 490 increases the extent of radial inward deformation of the sealing member , thereby enabling a gab-tight seal tυ be formed with the

fibre optics cable .

It will readily be appreciated that the embodiments illustrated in the figures are by way of exemplification only and that numerous modifications

and alterations may be made without departing from the principles underlying this invention . For example , the push-fit connection

mecnamsm at either end of tne connector could be replaced by a compression mecnamsm involving screw collars . Such compression

mechanism are well known . All such modifications and alterations are

within the scope of this application .

Claims

1 . A connector for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of the type

which carries fibre-optics communications cables; the connector

comprising a body having a through bore through which a fibre-

optics cable may pass; at least one end of the body being arranged

to receive therein an end of a conduit tube for carrying the cable;

the body having first resilient sealing means for encircling the

conduit tube and compression means for compressing the resilient

sealing means against the conduit tube around its circumference so

as to provide a substantially gas-tight seal between the body and the

conduit tube; characterised in that the body has two main body

portions arranged for relative axial movement therebetween , and means for drawing the two main body portions together; and in that

a second resilient sealing means is disposed axially between two

confronting surfaces of the two main body portions; the second

resilient sealing means being compressible by tightening the two main body portions together so as to deform the second resilient

sealing means radially inwardly and into sealing contact with the

fibre-optic cable, thereby to form a substantially gas-tight seal

between the body and the fibre-optic cable.

2. A connector according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second

resilient sealing means are constituted by a unitary sealing member.

3. A connector according to Claim 2 wherein the unitary sealing member

has an enlarged diameter portion for receiving the end of the conduit

tube, and a reduced diameter portion for receiving the fibre-optics

cable.

4. A connector according to Claim 3 wherein the enlarged diameter

portion and reduced diameter portion are separated py a generally axially oriented circumferential face .

5. A connector according to Claim 4 wherein the generally axially

oriented circumferential face is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connector body .

6. A connector according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second

resilient sealing means are separate entities .

7. A connector according to Claim 6 wherein the first resilient sealing

means is axially spaced apart from the second resilient sealing

means.

8. A connector according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the first

resilient sealing means takes the form of an array of one or more

compressible O-rings.

9. A connector according to Claim 6 wherein one of the body portions

has a socket formation arranged to receive a spigot formation on the

other body portion .

10. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein

the means for enabling the said portions to be drawn together takes

the form of a threaded collar associated with one body portion which

engages a thread on the exterior of the otner oody portion

11 . A connector according to Claim 10 wherein the threaded collar is

rotatably mounted on one portion such that it does not cause rotation

of the said one body portion wnen π is threaded onto the other oody portion .

12. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein

the two body portions together define an annular recess

therebetween in which a sealing member comprising the second resilient sealing means may sit.

13. A connector for connecting to an end of a conduit tube of the type

which carries fibre-optics communication cables; the connector

comprising a body having a through bore through which a fibre-

optics cable may pass; at least one end of the body being arranged

to receive therein an end of a conduit tube for carrying the cable; the body having two main body portions arranged for relative axial

movement therebetween , the two main body portions together

defining an annular recess therebetween in which is disposed a

unitary sealing member, the unitary sealing member comprising first

resilient sealing means for encircling the conduit tube, and second

resilient sealing means, the arrangement being such that tightening the two mam body portions together causes compression of the

sealing memDer between confronting surfaces of the respective body

portiυii su h Ihat the first resilient sealing means is deformed

radially inwardly and into sealing contact with the conduit tube and the second resilient sealing means is deformed radially inwardly and

into sealing contact with the fibre-optic cable thereby to form a

substantially gas-tight seal between the body and the conduit tube

and a substantially gas-tight seal between the boαy and the fibre-

optics cable.

14. A sealing member for use in a connector for connecting to an end of

a conduit tube of a pipe which carries fibre-optic communication

cables; the sealing member being formed of an elastomeric material

and having a generally cylindrical shape; the sealing member having

at least one end thereof an enlarged bore portion for encircling and

receiving an end of a conduit, and a reduced diameter bore portion

through which a fibre-optics cable may pass; the axial end surfaces

of the sealing member being inclined rearwardly from the radially inner edge thereof so as to form a frustocomcal abutment surface .

15. A sealing means for use in a connector for connecting to an end of a

conduit tube of the type which carries fibre-optics communication cables; the sealing means comprising a pair of sealing members, each

said sealing member having an enlarged bore portion for receiving

an end of a conduit therein , and a reduced diameter bore portion

through which a fibre-optics cable may pass , and having an axial

end surface which is inclined rearwardly from a radial inner edge

thereof; and an annular member of more rigid material than the two

said sealing members, the annular member being arranged to be

disposed axially between the two sealing members, the annular member being of a general bi-concave form to assist compression and

radial inward deformation of the sealing members .

16. A connector substantially as described herein with reference to the accompany drawings .