Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-20
2003-08-19
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C439S501000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06608957
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical-fiber holder, and more particularly, to an optical-fiber holder rotatably supporting an optical-fiber winding framework holding an optical fiber in a winding form.
An optical fiber is used as a means for transmitting an optical signal in an optical device communicating, transmitting or processing various kinds of information in the form of optical signals. In an optical unit or an optical module provided within such an optical device for transmitting or receiving an optical signal, an optical fiber needs to have a predetermined length plus an extra length, and this extra length is to be wound orderly beyond a predetermined radius and held so that the extra length does not cause a congestion.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1A
is a plan view of a printed board unit as the above-mentioned optical unit.
FIG. 1B
is a side view of this printed board unit. In this printed board unit, a multitude of electronic components are mounted on a printed wiring board
1
. The electronic components are connected with wiring patterns formed on the printed wiring board
1
so as to form a predetermined operational circuit. It is noted that
FIG. 1B
shows only one of the electronic components so as not to confuse the figure.
Not only elements, such as a resistor, a capacitor, and an IC device, are soldered on the electronic component, but also an IC device
3
is mounted thereon. The IC device
3
is inserted into a square socket
2
. An optical module
4
transmits and/or receives an optical signal, and comprises an optical fiber
5
led out therefrom.
An optical-connector adaptor
7
used for a publicly known SC-type optical connector is mounted on a sideboard
6
attached to a side of the printed wiring board
1
. An optical connector
8
provided at an end of the optical fiber
5
connected with the optical module
4
is inserted into the optical-connector adaptor
7
.
Four publicly known holders
9
made of synthetic resin are arranged upright at predetermined intervals on the printed wiring board
1
. Since the above-mentioned electronic components and the optical module
4
are mounted low on the printed wiring board
1
, an extra-length portion of the optical fiber
5
is inserted into the holders
9
, and is wound around multiple times in circles in parallel with a surface of the printed wiring board
1
in the proximity above the electronic components.
The above-mentioned IC device
3
is inserted into the square socket
2
originally for a purpose that the IC device
3
can be easily exchanged. However, in the presence of the optical fiber
5
wound around above the IC device
3
, the IC device
3
cannot be exchanged without detaching the optical fiber
5
from the holders
9
. Therefore, exchanging the IC device
3
involves troublesome tasks of detaching the optical fiber
5
and the optical connector
8
, and then reinserting and rewinding the optical fiber
5
and the optical connector
8
, even though the IC device
3
is not very often exchanged.
Further, each of the holders
9
has an opening that is normally closed and can be opened due to an elasticity of the synthetic resin composing the holder
9
. Accordingly, the optical fiber
5
can be detached or inserted only when the opening of each of the holders
9
is being opened against a closing elastic force thereof, which makes the tasks considerably troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful optical-fiber holder folder in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an optical-fiber holder which enables an optical fiber to be withdrawn to a withdrawal position while being kept wound around without necessitating troublesome tasks, and to be restored to an initial position immediately after predetermined operations are finished.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided according to one aspect of the present invention an optical-fiber holder comprising:
an annular optical-fiber winding framework including an optical-fiber winding frame portion having an optical-fiber containing groove formed along a periphery thereof, and a base portion provided as a turning axle of the optical-fiber winding framework, the base portion having an opening penetrating into an interior of the base portion and communicating with the optical-fiber containing groove at both ends,
wherein an optical fiber is wound and held in the interior of the base portion and the optical-fiber containing groove.
According to the present invention, the optical fiber is inserted into the optical-fiber winding framework via the openings of the base portion provided as the turning axle so as to be wound and contained in the optical-fiber containing groove formed along the periphery thereof. Thereby, the optical fiber can be wound and contained in the base portion and the optical-fiber containing groove without being exposed to the exterior of the optical-fiber holder. Accordingly, the optical fiber can be surely protected out of contact with extraneous substances. Further, the base portion can be inserted into and supported on a suitable support portion functioning as an axle bearing such that the optical-fiber holder can be turned to take any postures.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is also provided according to another aspect of the present invention an optical-fiber holder comprising:
an annular optical-fiber winding framework including an optical-fiber winding frame portion having an optical-fiber containing groove formed along a periphery thereof, and a base portion provided as a turning axle of the optical-fiber winding framework, the base portion having an opening penetrating into an interior of the base portion and communicating with the optical-fiber containing groove at both ends; and
a cover inserted in a periphery of the optical-fiber containing groove so as to cover the optical-fiber containing groove.
According to the present invention, the optical fiber can be wound and contained in the base portion and the optical-fiber containing groove without being exposed to the exterior of the optical-fiber holder. Additionally, the optical fiber is covered with the cover so as not to come off from the optical-fiber containing groove. Accordingly, the optical fiber can be protected more surely out of contact with extraneous substances.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is also provided according to another aspect of the present invention an optical-fiber holder comprising:
an annular optical-fiber winding framework including an optical-fiber winding frame portion having an optical-fiber containing groove formed along a periphery thereof, and a base portion provided as a turning axle of the optical-fiber winding framework, the base portion having an opening penetrating into an interior of the base portion and communicating with the optical-fiber containing groove at both ends; and
a support including a support portion holding the base portion, and an opening leading the base portion into the support portion.
According to the present invention, the optical fiber can be wound and contained in the base portion and the optical-fiber containing groove without being exposed to the exterior of the optical-fiber holder. Additionally, the base portion can be inserted via the opening of the support into the support portion while the opening of the support is forcibly pushed open against an elastic force of the support. Thereupon, the opening of the support undergoes an elastic restoration so that the support portion supports the base portion, while allowing the optical-fiber winding framework to turn to take any postures.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is also provided according to another aspect of the present invention an optical-fiber holder comprising:
an annular optical-fiber winding framework including an optical-fibe
Sudo Satoshi
Suga Katsuhiko
Nguyen Khiem
Staas & Halsey , LLP
LandOfFree
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