Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-10-30
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311007
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fiber-optic cable routers and guides and, more particularly, to a fiber-optic cable tray including adjustable cable routing and storage components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often necessary to splice already-installed fiber-optic cables to provide for connection to a different end-point. Such fiber-to-fiber splices require removal of a section of the fiber cable so that the spliced end(s) may be properly prepared. This, in turn, changes the length (i.e., shortens) of the cable. Since fiber-optic cables are typically installed with a certain amount of slack in the cable, splicing changes the amount of slack that must be accommodated by the cable routing components. Following a splice, it thus becomes necessary to accommodate a different length of fiber cable. In addition, a minimum radius must be provided to prevent damage to the fiber-optic cable. It is thus desirable to provide a fiber-optic cable tray having selectively adjustable components that can accommodate changes in fiber-optic cable length, route fiberoptic cable, hold splices, and ensure the fiber-optic cable is not bent beyond a predetermined bend radius.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a fiber-optic cable tray having adjustable components that provide flexibility in accommodating changes in length of the routed fiber-optic cable and that ensures a minimum bend radius for the routed cable.
The present invention is directed to a fiber-optic cable storage and routing tray having a base having a track defined longitudinally therein. The storage and routing tray also includes a first cable storage and routing component for routing a fiber-optic cable along a first part of a fiber-optic cable routing path. The first component is disposed in the track for selective movement on and along the tray.
The tray further may also include a second cable storage and routing component for routing the fiber-optic cable along a second part of the cable routing path. The second component is disposed in the track for selective movement on and along the tray. The selective movement of the first and second components changes the cable routing path, and one of the first and second components defines a generally arcuate part of the fiber-optic cable routing path. The first component preferably comprises a cable router, and the second component preferably comprises a splice holder.
The present invention is also directed to a fiber-optic cable storage and routing tray comprising a base and having a track defined longitudinally in the base and providing a path along which a component may be selectively moved.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4687289 (1987-08-01), DeSanti
patent: 5066149 (1991-11-01), Wheeler et al.
patent: 5278933 (1994-01-01), Hunsinger et al.
patent: 5323480 (1994-06-01), Mullaney et al.
patent: 5572617 (1996-11-01), Bernhardt et al.
patent: 6091876 (2000-07-01), Hizuka et al.
Cherry Euncha
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Spyrou Cassandra
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
LandOfFree
Fiber-optic cable tray having adjustable components does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fiber-optic cable tray having adjustable components, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fiber-optic cable tray having adjustable components will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2568883