Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-05-01
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226436
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment generally, and more specifically to enclosures for optical fibers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Optical fiber communication networks have gained wide acceptance in place of the use of electrical cable systems, due to the significantly enhanced bandwidth capabilities of optical fiber and its immunity to electromagnetic and radiomagnetic interference. Very significant advantages are achievable by the use of optical fiber rather than electrical conduction media. Nevertheless, a continuing problem with the deployment of optical fiber systems is providing a method to terminate optical fiber cables so as to make electrical or optical connections to fibers within the cables while providing adequate environmental protection and allowing for easy installation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,516 to Kohy et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,575 to Hayward et al. are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for their teachings on sealed fiber enclosures.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,913,522, 5,155,794 and 5,602,954 to Nolf et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,253 to Franckx et al. are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. These patents describe an enclosure for a butt splice of optical fiber cables.
The systems described in the above mentioned patents are limited in the number of fibers that can be accommodated. These systems cannot accommodate the large numbers of fibers that would be required to serve a modern office park or campus environment.
Further, they leave much to be desired when it is necessary to change the fiber configuration (e.g., splicing a fiber) in situ. For example,
FIG. 10
b
of the Nolf et al. patents show an apparatus used for carrying out a combined splicing and sealing operation. The apparatus includes apparatus for selectively exposing respective trays. The apparatus is hinged so that a bar can move to allow selected trays to be held in an upright position for working on those trays.
The above described apparatus for selectively exposing trays is bulky and cumbersome to use. Other, more convenient methods have been sought to allow one of the splice trays
5
to be selectively exposed for installation or repair of a splice. In one example, a clip (not shown) has been inserted in the hinged corner between the exposed horizontal tray and the adjacent (unexposed) vertical tray immediately above the exposed tray. The clip prevents the adjacent vertical tray from pivoting downward about its hinge, maintaining the horizontal tray exposed. Although the clip is compact, it is easily lost. Further, if the worker forgets to remove the clip when the work is completed, either the clip or the trays, or both, may be damaged when the vertical trays are lowered.
An improved tray organizer system is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a system for organizing fiber optic cables. The system includes a pedestal, at least one bracket and at least one fiber splice tray. The pedestal has a longitudinal passage therethrough. The pedestal has at least one hole on a side surface thereof. The hole penetrates from the longitudinal passage to an exterior of the pedestal. The at least one bracket is mounted to the pedestal near the hole. The bracket is capable of receiving and storing a plurality of fiber splice trays. The at least one fiber splice tray is mounted on the bracket.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of organizing fiber trays. The method includes the steps of: mounting a first plurality of brackets around a perimeter of a pedestal, the pedestal having a first plurality of holes located around the perimeter, the first plurality of brackets being mounted between respective ones of the first plurality of holes; and mounting a first plurality of fiber trays on the first plurality of brackets.
Still another aspect of the invention is a method for organizing fibers. The method includes the steps of: running a plurality of fibers through a longitudinal passage within a pedestal; passing a first one of the plurality of fibers through a first hole in a side of the pedestal; passing a second one of the plurality of fibers through one of the group consisting of the first hole and a second hole in the side of the pedestal; and forming a splice between the first fiber and the second fiber on a first fiber tray coupled to the pedestal.
The above and other features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4913522 (1990-04-01), Nolf et al.
patent: 5069516 (1991-12-01), Kohy et al.
patent: 5155794 (1992-10-01), Nolf et al.
patent: 5249253 (1993-09-01), Franckx et al.
patent: 5323480 (1994-06-01), Mullaney et al.
patent: 5396575 (1995-03-01), Hayward et al.
patent: 5602954 (1997-02-01), Nolf et al.
patent: 5884002 (1999-03-01), Cloud et al.
patent: 5911027 (1999-06-01), Macken et al.
Daoud Bassel Hage
Helmstetter Christopher M.
Kay Jason A.
Kerr David S.
Pawlenko Ivan
Cherry Euncha
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
Koffs Steven E.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Spyrou Cassandra
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