Storage spool assembly for optical fiber

Details Storage spool assembly for optical fiber Storage spool assembly for optical fiber

1999-10-26

2001-06-05

Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)

Optical waveguides

Accessories

Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers

C385S137000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06243526

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to optical fibers and, in particular, to an assembly for mounting optical fiber couplers to faceplates and which accommodates the storage of excess optical fiber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Communications transmission media, such as optical fibers, typically are mounted to and terminated in output boxes, i.e., NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Associations) outlet boxes, for instance. Such outlet boxes generally are mounted to the rear of a wall and provide a receptacle, typically formed through a faceplate which is arranged at the front of the wall, for receiving a connector jack. So provided, one need only plug a connector jack into the receptacle of the faceplate in order to complete a communications connection with an optical fiber mounted within the outlet box. However, such a prior art arrangement typically does not provide a suitable amount of space within the outlet box for the storage of excess fiber and may tend to allow excess optical fibers stored within the outlet box to be damaged.
Optical fiber cables and, in particular, single buffered fibers encased within a protective outer jacket of such a cable, require extreme care in handling and in connecting, as well as in positioning and storing. Specifically, the fibers cannot be wound or bent to a radius less than a prescribed minimum bend radius without the occurrence of microcracks. Thus, it is important that some form of strain relief be used in routing the fibers. Further, it is desirable that the fiber be guided and supported to eliminate any loose fiber sags or loops that could possibly be inadvertently snagged or twisted, thereby increasing the risk of damage to the fibers.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,368, issued to Arnett, et la., there is shown an optical fiber storage spool adapted to have excess optical fiber for wired links wound thereon. The storage spool disclosed therein incorporates a mounting arm which extends from a curved surface of the spool, with the mounting arm incorporating a mounting latch member at its distal end for securing the device to the receptacle of an optical fiber coupler. Typically, the optical fiber coupler is received within an adapter for mounting the coupler, and the attached adapter, within the receptacle of an outlet box faceplate. Thus, heretofore, it has been standard procedure to mount the adapter and coupler to the receptacle of the faceplate, and then to secure the spool assembly to the coupler. Once the adapter, coupler and spool assembly have been assembled, the optical fiber to be terminated is then mounted to the coupler by means of an optical fiber connector and any excess fiber is then wound about the spool of the spool assembly. During this procedure, extreme care must be exercised so that the adherence to the prescribed minimum bend radius requirements of the fiber being terminated is maintained.
Oftentimes, maintaining the minimum bend radius requirements of a fiber is exceedingly difficult due to the lack of space within the outlet box. Specifically, the lack of space makes it difficult for a technician to manipulate the fiber within the outlet box, such as while attempting to wind the fiber about the spool assembly mounted therein.
Therefore, there is a need for improved optical fiber mounting and storage devices which address these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The present invention generally is directed to a storage assembly for storing optical fibers. Typically, such optical fibers are adapted to be terminated with a connector, with each connector being adapted to engage a coupler. In a preferred embodiment, the storage assembly includes a spool incorporating a first end, a second end, and a curved outer surface, with the outer surface being adapted for winding the optical fibers thereon. A mounting arm extends from the spool, with an adapter engaging the distal end of the mounting arm. Preferably, the adapter has a coupler-receptacle formed therethrough, with the receptacle being adapted to receive and mount an optical fiber coupler therein. So configured, the spool assembly is conveniently configured for facilitating engagement of the connectors of the optical fibers to the coupler, prior to the spool assembly being mounted to the faceplate of the outlet box.
The numerous features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4850901 (1989-07-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5041018 (1991-08-01), Arnett
patent: 5559922 (1996-09-01), Arnett
patent: 5638481 (1997-06-01), Arnett
patent: 5761368 (1998-06-01), Arnett et al.

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