BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to fiber management and, more particularly, to connector adapter trays.
In typical adaptor trays, connectors can be challenging to unlatch as the housing cannot easily be gripped. The tray can only be accessed from one side which may cause difficulties in some installations. Current adaptor trays have a ‘floor’ that prevents gripping the connector from above/below, and also prevents access from one side.
Conventionally, fiber trays route fibers across the tops of trays which limits access and flexibility when used with other components. When a large number of fibers are involved, the tray can get messy and difficult to organize. In tight spaces, it can be difficult to access the side of the tray where the fibers are routed.
In some enclosures or other tray mounting arrangements, a plurality of trays are positioned in a stacked arrangement where an upper tray must be moved to access a lower tray. In such arrangements, a technician must hold the upper tray in a position that allows access to the lower tray while the technician works with/on the lower tray. This requirement can impede efficient work.
SUMMARY
It may be desirable to provide a tray that has an open area that is configured to permit simultaneous access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as a first side of the adapter tray and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as a second side of the adapter tray so as to facilitate connecting the connector to and disconnecting the connector from the adapter.
It may be desirable to provide a channel used for routing fibers through a fiber management tray. In embodiments, the channel can include an intersecting rib to separate the channel into a top and bottom half. The tray routing can enable fibers to be routed through both sections of the channel to separate different fiber groups going to either side of the adaptor tray, or to separate fibers going to different splice trays.
It may be desirable to provide a mechanism that holds an upper tray, or trays, in an open or upper position that allows access to trays below the upper tray without requiring the technician to hold, or otherwise prop, the upper tray in the open or upper position.
Embodiments provide a cable adapter tray configured to provide enhanced access to an adapter, including: an adapter mounting portion that is configured to receive an optical fiber cable adapter that is configured to receive a cable connector attached to a cable; a perimeter portion that extends around the adapter mounting portion; a support portion that is configured to extend from the adapter mounting portion to the perimeter portion; a hinge portion configured to be pivotally coupled with a receiving portion of a base structure such that the cable adapter tray is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The cable adapter tray may comprise a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; the adapter mounting portion may be configured to receive the optical fiber cable adapter in a direction parallel to the first side of the cable adapter tray; and the support portion, the adapter mounting portion, and the perimeter portion may be configured to define an open area inside the perimeter portion that is structurally configured to permit access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as the first side of the cable adapter tray and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as the second side of the cable adapter tray so as to facilitate connecting the cable connector to, and disconnecting the cable connector from, the adapter mounting portion.
In particular embodiments, the open area may be configured to provide access to a majority of the first side of the cable connector and a majority of the second side of the cable connector.
In particular embodiments, the cable adapter tray may be configured such that the open area is a majority of an area inside of the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured as a perimeter wall, and the perimeter wall surrounds the open area.
In particular embodiments, the adapter mounting portion may be configured so that the optical fiber cable adapter extends from the adapter mounting portion toward the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured to extend around the adapter mounting portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may comprise a cable channel configured to receive the cable.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may comprise an outer perimeter wall and an inner wall, and the outer perimeter wall and the inner wall may define the cable channel.
Embodiments provide an adapter management device configured to provide enhanced access to an adapter, including: an adapter receiving portion; a perimeter portion; a support portion that may be configured to connect the adapter receiving portion to the perimeter portion; and a hinge portion that may be configured to be pivotally coupled with a base structure such that the adapter management device is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The adapter management device may comprise a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; and the support portion, the adapter receiving portion, and the perimeter portion may be configured to define an open area inside the perimeter portion that may be structurally configured to permit access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as the first side of the adapter management device and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as the second side of the adapter management device so as to facilitate connecting the cable connector to, and disconnecting the cable connector from, the adapter receiving portion.
In particular embodiments, the adaptor receiving portion may be configured to receive an optical fiber cable adapter.
In particular embodiments, the optical fiber cable adapter may be configured to receive a cable connector that is attached to a cable.
In particular embodiments, the open area may be configured to provide access to a majority of the first side of the cable connector and a majority of the second side of the cable connector.
In particular embodiments, the adapter receiving portion may be configured so that the optical fiber cable adapter extends from the adapter receiving portion toward the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured to extend around the adapter receiving portion.
In particular embodiments, the adapter management device may be configured such that the open area is a majority of an area inside of the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured as a perimeter wall, and the perimeter wall surrounds the open area.
Embodiments provide an adapter management device including: an adapter receiving portion; and a perimeter portion. The adapter management device may comprise a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; and the adapter receiving portion and the perimeter portion may be configured to define an open area inside the perimeter portion that may be structurally configured to permit access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as the first side of the adapter management device and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as the second side of the adapter management device so as to facilitate connecting the cable connector to, and disconnecting the cable connector from, the adapter receiving portion.
In particular embodiments, the adaptor receiving portion may be configured to receive an optical fiber cable adapter.
In particular embodiments, the optical fiber cable adapter may be configured to receive a cable connector that is attached to a cable.
In particular embodiments, the adapter management device may further comprise a support portion that may be configured to connect the adapter receiving portion to the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the adapter management device may further comprise a hinge portion that may be structurally configured to be pivotally coupled with a base structure such that the adapter management device may be configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position by rotating the hinge portion relative to the base structure.
In particular embodiments, the open area may be configured to provide access to a majority of the first side of the cable connector and a majority of the second side of the cable connector.
In particular embodiments, the adapter receiving portion may be configured so that the optical fiber cable adapter extends from the adapter receiving portion toward the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured to extend around the adapter receiving portion.
In particular embodiments, the adapter management device may be configured such that the open area is a majority of an area inside of the perimeter portion.
In particular embodiments, the perimeter portion may be configured as a perimeter wall, and the perimeter wall may surround the open area.
Various aspects of the system, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this disclosure, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a generic fiber-to-the-home fiber optic distribution box having a solid adapter tray populated with connectors;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary adapter tray mounted for accessibility in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is perspective view of the exemplary adapter tray shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the exemplary adapter tray shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the exemplary adapter tray shown in FIG. 2 mounted in a distribution box and populated with connectors in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary adapter tray shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounted exemplary adapter tray configured to receive a double layer of adapters;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the example shown in FIG. 7 with the adapter tray and splice trays in open positions;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary adapter tray shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the example shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the example shown in FIG. 7 showing exemplary transport tubes in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the example shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a side view of an exemplary adapter tray having an exemplary adapter tray clip in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the adapter tray shown in FIG. 13 with the adapter tray in an unclipped position;
FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the adapter tray shown in FIG. 13 in a clipped position;
FIG. 16 is a partial bottom view of the adapter tray shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 17 is a plan view of an exemplary base plate in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure; and
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the base plate of FIG. 17 and the adapter tray of FIG. 13 in a clipped position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments provide a cable adapter tray having a perimeter portion that may be configured to define an open area inside the perimeter portion that is structurally configured to permit access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as the first side of the cable adapter tray and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as the second side of the cable adapter tray so as to facilitate connecting the cable connector to, and disconnecting the cable connector from, an adapter mounting portion.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a tray that has an open area that is configured to permit simultaneous access to a first side of a cable connector that faces a same direction as a first side of the adapter tray and a second side of the cable connector that faces a same direction as a second side of the adapter tray so as to facilitate connecting the connector to and disconnecting the connector from the adapter
FIG. 1 shows is a generic fiber-to-the-home distribution box 100. The generic distribution box 100 includes an adapter tray 107 and cover 102. The adapter tray 107 includes a connector mounting housing 109 and a rib 111. In this example, a plurality of connectors 101 and attached cables 103 are individually mounted in the connector mounting housing 109. The adapter tray 107 includes is a floor 105 which is adjacent to the connectors 101. The available space for manipulating the connectors 101 is limited to the distance between the connectors 101 and/or the cables 103 and the adaptor tray floor 105. The connectors 101 can be difficult to connect and/or disconnect in high density adaptor trays 107 due to the lack of space around each of the connectors 101. This is particularly true for the connectors 101 at the edges of the tray 107 or between other of the connectors 101. There is little space to grip an individual connector 101 due to the high density setup and the adapter tray floor 105.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary distribution box 200 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In this example, the distribution box 200 includes an adapter management device, for example, an adapter tray, 202, two splice trays 201, a base structure, for example, a base plate/splitter tray, 209, and an enclosure 214. FIG. 2 shows a top side of the adapter tray 202. An adapter mounting portion, for example, an adapter receiving fence, 222 extends from the top side of the adapter tray 202 and is configured to receive a plurality of adapters 211. In embodiments, each adapter 211 is configured to receive one or more connectors 101. The open design of the adapter tray 202 (described in more detail below) allows a user to pinch the connectors 101 from both sides, which is not possible when using adapter trays such as the adaptor tray depicted in FIG. 1. The adapter tray 202 is configured to clip into one or more receiving portions 208 of the base plate 209 such that the adapter tray 202 is rotatable relative to the base plate 209. In this example, the adapter tray 202 has two hinge portions, for example, hinge pins, 207 that each snap into one of the receiving portions 208 and the adapter tray 202 rotates or pivots between an open position shown in FIG. 2 and a closed position shown, for example, in FIG. 5. In embodiments, the adapter tray 202 pivots independently from the splice trays 201. When the adapter tray 202 is in the closed position (pivoted toward the base plate 209), as shown in FIG. 5, for example, one or more securing features 210 secure the adapter tray 202 to the base plate 209. In this example, by securing the adapter tray 202 to the base plate 209, the securing features 210 also keep the splice trays 201 in a closed position due to the splice trays 201 being located between the base plate 209 and the adapter tray 202. While the examples shown include two hinges (or hinge pins 207), other examples have one hinge or more than two hinges located centrally and/or at additional locations spaced away from the central area of the edge of the adapter tray 202. Additional hinges and/or locations can be configured to resist twisting of the adapter tray 202 when it is pivoted relative to the base plate 209.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, separating walls 224 separate the fence 222 into individual openings 203 that are each configured to receive one of the adapters 211. As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter tray 202 has a plurality of open areas 205 within a perimeter portion, for example, a perimeter wall, 206. The open areas 205 provide access by a user to both sides of the connectors 101 when the adapter tray 202 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. This access allows a user to grasp the connectors 101 from two opposite sides to more easily pinch the connector 101 and disconnect the connector 101 from its associated adapter 211. Similarly, this two-sided access allows a user to grasp the adapters 211 from two opposite sides to more easily pinch the adapter 211 and disconnect the adapter 211 from the fence 222.
FIG. 3 is an underside view of the adaptor tray 202 and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the adapter tray 202. FIG. 5 is a top view of the enclosure 214 with the adapter tray 202 in a closed position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the adapter tray 202 has four of the open areas 205. Other examples have fewer or more of the open areas 205. When the splice trays 201 are rotated to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the user can take advantage of unobstructed access to the connectors 101 and the adapters 211 provided by the open areas 205. This unobstructed access allows the connectors 101 and/or the adapters 211 to be located close to, or even touching, each other because no space between the connectors 101 and/or the adapters 211 is needed for gripping the connectors 101 and/or the adapters 211. In embodiments, the perimeter wall 206 and one or more inner walls 304 form a cable channel 303 around the open areas 205. In embodiments, the cable channel 303 has a plurality of openings that allow cables to enter and exit the cable channel 303 at various locations.
FIG. 3 shows the adapter tray 202 including a support portion, for example, a beam, 302 that provides structure to support the perimeter wall 206 and the fence 222. In embodiments, the perimeter wall 206, the inner wall 304, the beam 302, and the fence 222 are formed as a single component, enabling efficient manufacturing options such as, for example, 3D printing. In embodiments, one or more of the perimeter wall 206, the inner wall 304, the beam 302, and the fence 222 is formed as a separate part.
FIG. 4 shows the upper side of the adapter tray 202 and shows the cable channel 303 formed by the permitter wall 206 and the inner walls 304. FIG. 5 shows the adapter tray 202 in the closed position in the enclosure 214. In this closed position, the adapter tray 202 is positioned above the splice trays 201. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a cover 501 of the enclosure 214.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter tray 202 that shows more detail regarding the cable channel 303 of the adapter tray 202. In this example, the perimeter wall 206 includes corner walls 604 and side walls 602. In this example, the inner walls 304 include various inner wall sections 606. The distance between the permitter wall 206 and the inner walls 304 (the width of the cable channel 303) is sized to accommodate the size and number of cables expected to be used in the adapter tray 202.
Referring back to FIG. 1, cables 701 routed through an opening 703 and then below the adapter tray 107. Cables 709 are routed on top of the adapter tray 107, though a channel 705, and then below the adapter tray 107. An absence of cable management below the adapter tray 107 can result in the cables below the adapter tray 107 becoming tangled and difficult to differentiate and reconfigure.
FIG. 2 shows the inner wall sections 606 and the corner walls 604 of the cable channel 303. In embodiments, the adapter tray 202 is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or other shaped.
FIG. 3 shows the inner wall sections 606 and the corner walls 604 of the cable channel 303. Cable insertion slots 901 are shown between the inner wall sections 606 and the corner walls 604 and are configured to allow cables to be inserted into the cable channel 303. Similarly, cable insertion slots 903 are also provided. Cables are routed around the edges of the adapter tray 202, which is not possible when using the fiber management tray depicted in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4-6 also show the inner wall sections 606 and the corner walls 604 of the cable channel 303. Also shown are the cable insertion slots 901 and the cable insertion slots 903.
In embodiments, the cable insertion slots 901, 903 are configured to be wide enough to admit a cable or a bundle of cables, but narrow enough and angled enough to inhibit the cables from exiting the cable channel 303 without user manipulation. In embodiments, the cable insertion slots 901, 903 are located at the corners and sides of the rectangular adapter tray 202. In embodiments, cable insertion slots are located around the entire perimeter of the adapter tray 202.
FIGS. 7-10 show an example of an adapter tray 2202 that is similar to the adapter tray 202 but is configured to receive two rows of adapters 211 and/or a row of double adapters 2211. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a base plate/splitter tray 2209 has securing features 2210 similar to the securing features 210 of the base plate/splitter tray 209. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the securing features 2210 are taller than the securing features 210 to accommodate a taller adapter tray 2202. This example, the adapter tray 2202 is taller than the adapter tray 202 in order to better accommodate the double height adapters 2211 (or two rows of the adapters 211). The taller adapter tray 2202 also provides a taller cable channel 303 that can receive more cables than the shorter cable channel 303 of the adapter tray 202. In other embodiments, the adapter tray 202 is configured to receive the double adapters 2211 or two rows of adapters 211 by, for example, having a taller fence 2222.
FIG. 9 shows the adapter tray 2202 with two rows of the adapters 211. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the enclosure 2214, the cover 501, 2501, the base plate/splitter tray 2209, and the adapter tray 2202.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show an example of transport tubing 3000 that extends from the adapter tray 2202 to one or more of the splice trays 201. The transport tubing 300 provides protection for one or more optical fibers, for example, that extend between the adapter tray(s) 202, 2202 and the splice tray(s) 201. In this example, the transport tubing 3000 is a single piece of tubing that includes a first section 3010 that extends from the adapter tray 2202 to a mounting extension 280 (described in more detail below), a third section 3030 that extends from the mounting extension 280 to the splice tray 201, and a second section 3020 that connects the first section 3010 to the third section 3030. Other examples have multiple separate sections and/or are routed differently between the adapter tray(s) 202, 2202 and the splice tray(s) 201 and/or other devices or locations.
FIGS. 13-18 show an exemplary adapter tray clip 1300 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 13 shows the adapter tray 202 attached to one of the receiving portions 208 of the base plate 209. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 208 is configured as an extension from an angular mounting extension 280 that extends from the base plate 209. As shown in FIG. 13, one or more of the adapter trays 202 and/or one or more of the splice trays 201 can be mounted to the base plate 209. In this example, the adapter tray 202 is attached to the receiving portion 208 by the hinge pins 207 (each of which extends between two walls 240) being received in the receiving portions 208. FIG. 13 shows the adapter tray 202 being held in an upper or open position by the adapter tray clip 1300. In this example, the adapter tray clip 1300 has an engagement portion (in this example, a hook or latch) 1304 that extends over a ledge 281 formed at the end of the mounting extension 280 of the base plate 209. In embodiments, when the adapter tray 202 is pressed into the open position by the user, the latch 1304 resiliently deforms sufficiently to slide over the ledge 281 and then drop into engagement after passing the ledge 281, holding the adapter tray 202 in the open position. To disengage the latch 1304 from the ledge 281, a user presses on a finger (or lever) 1302 located at an end of the adapter tray clip 1300 opposite to the latch 1304. A fulcrum 1306 of the adapter tray clip 1300 is located between the lever 1302 and the latch 1304. The adapter tray clip 1300 pivots about the fulcrum 1306. By holding the adapter tray 202 in the open position, the adapter tray clip 1300 allows the user to easily access the splice trays 201 and/or perform operations on the adapter tray 202 that require (or are made easier by) accessing the underside or both sides of the adapter tray 202.
FIG. 14 shows the adapter tray 202 in a lower or closed position in which the adapter tray clip 1300 is not engaged with the base plate 209. More particularly, FIG. 14 shows the latch 1304 in a disengaged position in which the latch 1304 is not engaged with the ledge 281.
FIG. 15 shows a partial view of the adapter tray 202 being held in the open position by the latch 1304 of the adapter tray clip 1300 engaging the ledge 281 of the base plate 209. The interaction between the hinge pins 207 (not shown) of the adapter tray 202 and the receiving portions 208 of the base plate 209 can be seen in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a top view of the adapter tray 202 showing the hinge pins 207 and the latch 1034, and the finger 1302 of the adapter tray clip 1300. FIG. 17 is a top view of the base plate 209 showing the mounting extension 280 and the receiving portions 208. FIG. 18 shows the adapter tray 202 being held in the open position and the splice trays 201 in the open position.
While the embodiments described show one ledge 281 that is located in a position that is configured to receive the latch 1304 of the adapter tray 202 mounted in the upper or outer most position, other embodiments include additional ledges corresponding to other mounting positions such that one or more trays in positions other than the upper most position can be clipped open.
Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.
Patent Application
20240248272
