Optical waveguides – Accessories
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-20
2003-01-07
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Reexamination Certificate
active
06504986
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a kit of parts for forming a fiber optic assembly, comprising a stack of two or more panels each of which is provided with retaining means for securing connectors for optical fibers, to an assembly comprising the panels and the installed connectors, and to a method of making the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a kit of parts, and formed assembly, suitable for use as a stack of patch panels in a closure, a cabinet, a sub-rack or other container, for example in a patching shelf of the exchange rack in a telecommunications network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The process of connecting one length of optical fiber to another by means of an intermediate length of optical fiber is known in the art as “patching”. The intermediate lengths of optical fiber are generally in the form of pigtails, and the pigtails are generally held on a panel, known as a “patch panel”, to secure them, and for protection. A pigtail is an optical fiber which is pre-terminated at one or both ends, for easy insertion into a connector. Where the optical fiber is terminated at only one end, the other end is left free for splicing to a main length of optical fiber. A major advantage of using intermediate lengths of optical fiber in the form of pigtails, on a patch panel to join main lengths of fiber; is that it is possible to move or interchange connections between optical fibers in order to modify a network, without handling the main lengths of cable. This reduces the risk of damage to the main lengths of fiber. The short pigtail sections can easily be replaced, if damaged.
The use of two or more stacking patch panels, e.g. in a sub-rack, and the use of two or more stacking splice trays in a closure are known. WO-A-95/29418 (Raychem Limited) describes a plurality of patch panel trays, that are hinged together along their rear edges to allow access to each tray. Each tray has a lip extending around its periphery, and is provided with a row of upstanding projections for retaining eight connectors therebetween. Each tray rests on the lip of the adjacent tray. The row of connectors extends from the rear to the front of the tray, but neither the connectors nor the upstanding projections project in height above the height of the lip around each panel. The patch panel trays of WO-A-95/29418 are intended to be used in groups which are mounted in a frame or support. The support may be a drawer in which the trays are hinged, and the drawer itself may be slideably mounted in a shelf in a rack.
The shelf and rack support arrangement as described in WO-A-95/29418 is a typical arrangement in telecommunications networks. The shelves and racks are usually a standard size, and therefore there are dimensional limitations on the size of each panel, and for any given height of panel, on the number of panels that can be stacked one above the other in the shelves and racks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
EP 0 557 187 (A) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,466 disclose an optical fiber assembly comprising a stack of flat modules, each of which is hingedly connected to a support. The modules are arranged to receive and hold optical fiber connections.
We have invented a new kit of parts for forming an optical fiber assembly, an assembly so formed, and a method of making the assembly, which allows an increased number of fiber optic connectors to be stored in a stack of panels, without increasing the overall size of the stack. In other words, increased capacity is achieved, without increased volume.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming an optical fiber assembly, the kit comprising:
a) two or more panels, including a base panel and one or more further panels, each panel having a body and an upstanding edge, and
b) stacking means for stacking the panels,
which assembly is characterised in that each of the panels has a plurality of connector-retaining means for securing optical fiber connectors, which connector-retaining means extend beyond the upstanding edge, in that each of the panels has an opening or recess in its body, and in that the stacking means are arranged for stacking the panels such that the connector-retaining means of each panel project into the opening or recess in the adjacent panel thus allowing the adjacent panel to rest on the upstanding edge.
Another aspect of the invention provides the assembled kit of parts. Thus a second aspect of the invention provides an optical fiber assembly comprising two or more panels, including a base panel and one or more further panels, each panel having a body and an upstanding edge, and a stacking means for stacking the panel, in that each of the panels has a plurality of connector-retaining means for securing optical fiber connectors, which connector-retaing means extend beyond the upstanding edge, characterised in that each of the panels has an opening or recess in its body, and in that the stacking means are arranged for stacking the panels such that the connector-retaining means of each panel project into the opening or recess in the adjacent panel, thus allowing the adjacent panel to rest on the upstanding edge.
Although the present invention envisages that the stack of panels could comprise only two panels, usually there would be more panels. A particularly preferred embodiment uses six panels.
The present invention refers to a base panel, and further panels on the base panel. These will usually be above the base panel. However they could be below the base panel, or the base and further panels may be on their sides. For convenience in this specification, reference may be made to orientations such as above, below, up, down, etc. These will be made with reference to a base panel beneath further panels. It will be appreciated that other orientations are possible, and encompassed by this invention. It is the relative positions of the panels that is important, and the term “base panel” is used to designate the starting point panel, wherever it may be (above, below, to the side) relative to the further panels.
The connector-retaining means in each panel are offset laterally (i.e., in the plane of each panel) relative to the connector-retaining means in the adjacent panel. The openings or recesses in each panel will usually also be similarly offset.
In a preferred embodiment the connector-retaining means comprise projections, e.g., projecting stubs. These project upwards from the plane of each panel, and are of such a height, that when the panels are stacked they project through the opening in the adjacent panel. The base panel, where it is beneath the further panels, has no projecting connector. retaining means attempting to project through it, and therefore it need not contain an opening. However, it may do so, and this may be preferred to minimize inventory. Also, as mentioned above, the base panel may be above the further panels, and the connector retaining means may project downwards rather than upwards from the plane of each panel.
The connector-retaining means are preferably arranged to be of such a height that they are slightly higher than a connector, when inserted.
In other embodiments, the connector-retaining means may comprise an adapter which fits between the projections to enhance retention of the connectors. One design of adapter is in the shape of a double open ended box, having one dimension, in cross-section, longer than the other. The adapter fits, preferably with the aid of spring clips, between the retaining projections. The adapter is shaped to fit around a standard, known, connector, which has a correspondingly rectangular cross-section. Preferably the adapter is arranged so that its shorter dimension, in cross-section, extends in the plane of each panel.
In preferred embodiments, each panel comprises a lip around, or near its edge, and when the panels are stacked, each panel is preferably arranged to rest on the lip of the adjacent panel. In these embodiments, when the connector-retaining means are in the form of projections, the projections on any particular panel preferably
Peeters Erik
Wambeke Alain
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Nguyen Khiem
Tyco Electronics Corporation
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