The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications management devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to fiber management trays for managing optical fibers.
Optical fiber distribution systems may include equipment such as fiber management trays that are mounted in telecommunications closures or at other locations. Fiber management trays are commonly used to manage, store and protect optical fibers and optical splices. Fiber management trays include fiber routing paths for allowing excess length of optical fiber to be stored in looped configurations without violating minimum bend radius requirements for the optical fiber. Fiber management trays typically include fiber guide structures that define the fiber routing paths and splice storage locations. Fiber optic components such as fiber optic fusion splice holders, passive optical splitters and wavelength division multiplexers are often mounted to fiber management trays. Improvements in fiber management trays are needed for optical fiber accessibility and handling.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications optical fiber management tray. The tray can include a main body with a multi-stable flexible base that defines a storage region for storing optical fiber. The multi-stable flexible base can be resiliently flexible between a stable non-deflected position and a stable deflected position. The tray can include a fiber containment wall that extends upwardly from the multi-stable flexible base. The fiber containment wall can define portions of a perimeter of the main body of the tray that surrounds the multi-stable flexible base. The tray can further include a plurality of tabs that extend from the fiber containment wall. Deformation of the tray deforms the main body of the tray from the stable non-deflected position to the stable deflected position. When the tray is in the stable deflected position, each one of the plurality of tabs can be maintained in an open position where access to the storage region of the multi-stable flexible base is provided for adding optical fiber. Deformation of the tray can deform the main body of the tray from the stable deflected position to the stable non-deflected position. When the tray is in the stable non-deflected position, each one of the plurality of tabs can be maintained in a closed position where the plurality of tabs move away from the storage region as the plurality of tabs move from the closed position toward the open position and the plurality of tabs move toward the storage region as the plurality of tabs move from the open position toward the closed position.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber management tray. The fiber management tray can include a multi-stable flexible base resiliently flexible between a stable non-deflected position and a stable deflected position. The fiber management tray can include cable management elements positioned about a periphery of the fiber management tray; and a flex mechanism inherently formed within the multi-stable flexible base of the tray to provide an over-the-center action. The over-the-center action can allow the multi-stable flexible base to move between the stable non-deflected position and the stable deflected position. Deformation of the tray can deform the fiber management tray from the stable non-deflected position to the stable deflected position. When the fiber management tray is in the stable deflected position, each one of the cable management elements can be maintained in an open position where access to the multi-stable flexible base is provided for adding and removing optical fiber. Deformation of the fiber management tray can also deform the fiber management tray from the stable deflected position to the stable non-deflected position. When the fiber management tray is in the stable non-deflected position, each one of the cable management elements can be maintained in a closed position to retain optical fibers on the fiber management tray.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like structure.
The present disclosure relates to an advantageous example telecommunications optical fiber management tray adapted to be used within a telecommunications enclosure, closure, box, cabinet, terminal or at any other location where fiber management is desirable. The example telecommunications optical fiber management tray can include an over-the-center action in a flex/detent mechanism inherently formed within the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray. The flex/detent mechanism can be generally formed within a center region of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray. The over-the-center action allows the multi-stable flexible base to move between a stable non-deflected position and a stable deflected position.
When the multi-stable flexible base is in the stable deflected position, a plurality of tabs positioned about a periphery of the multi-stable flexible base is maintained in an open position to provide enhanced access for loading and removing optical fiber. When the multi-stable flexible base is in the stable non-deflected position, the plurality of tabs is maintained in a closed position to retain the optical fiber thereon.
Each one of the plurality of tabs moves between the open and closed positions as the deformation of the multi-stable flexible base causes the multi-stable flexible base to flex/detent between the stable non-deflected and stable deflected positions. The advantageous optical fiber management tray provides for a flexible, easy access, arrangement for storing optical fibers.
The example multi-stable flexible base 14 includes a flex/detent mechanism that provides an over-the-center action to allow the multi-stable flexible base 14 to be resiliently flexible between a stable non-deflected position (see
The multi-stable flexible base 14 of the main body 12 is shown as including a generally flat body of a suitably resilient plastic or polymeric material, although alternatives are possible. According to some examples, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may be formed of a polymeric material, such as, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, ABS, PMMA, some other material or any combination thereof. In other examples, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may be formed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material.
The main body 12 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may define an opening 24 (e.g., cut-out, notch) in the multi-stable flexible base 14. The opening 24 can be defined by a first end 26 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 and a second end 28 of the multi-stable flexible base 14, although alternatives are possible. For example, the opening 24 can extend between the first and second ends 26, 28 of the multi-stable flexible base 14.
The example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 can further include a sidewall 30. The sidewall 30 is positioned along the opening 24 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 to define a side of the opening 24, although alternatives are possible. As depicted, the sidewall 30 extends upwardly from a portion of the multi-stable flexible base 14 along the opening 24 defined by the first and second ends 26, 28 of the multi-stable flexible base 14.
The sidewall 30 is arranged and configured with a mechanical coupling interface 32 (e.g., a hinge mechanism, pivot mounts) to couple the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 to a structure 34 (see
The mechanical coupling interface 32 is arranged and configured on an outer surface 36 of the sidewall 30 facing toward the opening 24 of the multi-stable flexible base 14, although alternatives are possible. The mechanical coupling interface 32 includes hinge members 38 that are attached to the sidewall 30 to pivotally connect the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 to the structure 34. The mechanical coupling interface 32 allows the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 to rotate or pivot upwardly or downwardly at an angle with respect to a plane of the structure 34.
Although two hinge members 38 are shown, any number of hinges may be used. Additionally or alternatively, any mechanism or design that provides or allows for a pivoting or tilting action of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 with respect to the structure 34 may be employed. Such mechanism or design may include for example a hinge that is constructed of the same or different material as the structure 34 and/or example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. The hinge members 38 may be made of a lightweight, structurally flexible material, such as a polymeric material or molded plastic, although alternatives are possible.
Additionally, the mechanical coupling interface 32 may be formed as an integral portion of one or both of the structure 34 and/or example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. In other examples, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may be secured to the structure 34 by clamps, latches, straps or any other suitable mechanism, such as, capture arms, although alternatives are possible.
The top surface 18 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is configured for storing, protecting, and routing optical fiber. For example, the top surface 18 can include structure that defines one or more fiber routing paths. In certain examples, the fiber routing paths can define one or more fiber loops. In certain examples, the fiber routing paths can include a fiber management loop that is routed along the periphery 20 of the main body 12 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10.
Turning again to
In the example depicted, one radius limiter 40 is shown on the multi-stable flexible base 14. Although one radius limiter 40 is shown, no fiber routing guides, one fiber routing guides, or any number of fiber routing guides may be used. In one example, the radius limiter 40 may be monolithically formed with the multi-stable flexible base 14 to define a one-piece unit, although alternatives are possible.
In certain examples, at least one inner fiber guide wall (not shown) may be used as a fiber routing guide on the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. The inner fiber guide wall can project upwardly from the top surface 18 of the multi-stable flexible base 14, although multiple inner fiber guide walls may be used.
In one example, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may include a splice holding element (not shown) for securing a plurality of fiber optic splices. The splice holding element can be provided to hold splice sleeves that protect fusion splices between drop cables and fibers of a through cable. In one example, the splice holding element can be adapted for in-line splicing. The multi-stable flexible base 14 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may also include other routing transition structures for transitioning optical fibers.
During manufacture of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10, the splice holding element can be molded with the multi-stable flexible base 14 so that the splice holding element and the multi-stable flexible base 14 are integral. That is, the splice holding element is not attachable or detachable from the multi-stable flexible base 14; rather, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is constructed such that the multi-stable flexible base 14 and the splice holding element are a one-piece unit, although alternatives are possible.
The example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 can include cable management elements 29 for holding incoming cables or optical fibers inside the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. The cable management elements 29 can include hooks, fingers, tabs, ties, and other devices for guiding and managing cables or optical fibers. In certain examples, the cable management elements 29 can include one or more pivoting components. In one example, the cable management elements 29 can be positioned along the fiber containment wall 16 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 and generally extend over the top surface 18 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 to retain optical fiber. That is, the cable management elements 29 can extend from the fiber containment wall 16 in a direction toward the radius limiter 40 when in a closed position (see
Referring to
When the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is progressively bent, flexed, or deformed from the stable non-deflected position to the stable deflected position, a center region 44 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 bends, flexes, or deforms from a generally flat orientation (see
Although the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is not stable while the flex/detent mechanism 42 is actuated to create the over-the-center action between configurations of the stable non-deflected position and the stable deflected position, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is adapted and configured to be stable once in the stable non-deflected position or in the stable deflected position. That is, while the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is in the stable non-deflected position, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is not flexed, bent, and/or deformed back to the stable deflected position, inadvertently. Also, while the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is in the stable deflected position, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is not flexed, bent, and/or deformed to the stable non-deflected position, inadvertently.
In certain examples, deformation of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 deforms the main body 12 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 between the stable non-deflected position and the stable deflected position. When the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is moved from the non-deflected position to the stable deflected position, each one of cable management elements 29 are moved and maintained in an open position (see
In certain examples, the cable management elements 29 are monolithically formed with the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 such that each one of the cable management elements 29 is moveable with the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 upon deformation. That is, the cable management elements 29 are arranged and configured to move from a closed position (see
When the cable management elements 29 are in the open position, easier access can be provided to the storage region 22 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 for adding or removing optical fiber from the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. While the cable management elements 29 are in the open position, a user can have easier access to optical fibers stored or managed on the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 with limited or zero interference with the cable management elements 29. That is, by allowing the cable management elements 29 to be in the open position, unobstructed access can be obtained to the optical fibers on the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10.
When the flex/detent mechanism 42 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is actuated or pushed generally in a second direction D2 to again create the over-the-center action, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 can be moved from the stable deflected position to the stable non-deflected position. Each one of cable management elements 29 can be arranged and configured to move from the open position to the closed position as the flex/detent mechanism 42 of the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 is actuated generally in the second direction D2. When the cable management elements 29 are in the closed position, the cable management elements 29 can extend in a direction toward the radius limiter 40 and the storage region 22 of the multi-stable flexible base 14 to retain optical fibers positioned on the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10.
The cable management elements 29 can be constructed of the same or different material as the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10. The cable management elements 29 may be made of a lightweight, structurally flexible material, such as a polymeric material or molded plastic, although alternatives are possible. Additionally, the cable management elements 29 may be formed as an integral portion of the fiber containment wall 16, although alternatives are possible.
Referring to
Hinge members 38 can include snap-in pivot devices 46 (see
The hinge members 38 can have a hinge axis 50 (see
The example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 may include, for example, fiber guides, a splice/termination holder, and may include one or more pivoting components. The example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 can include fiber routing paths for routing excess fiber in looped configurations that prevent the fibers from being bent beyond their minimum bend radius requirements. Additionally, the example telecommunications optical fiber management tray 10 can retain and protect fiber optic components such as passive optical splitters and/or wavelength division multiplexors.
In certain examples, fiber management trays in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can include structures for mounting optical fiber splices and/or passive optical components on major sides of the trays. In other examples, outputs of optical components can be routed to the tray for splicing to cables. Outputs of the optical component can also be spliced to optical fibers for forward feeding and/or back feeding signals through the main fiber optic cable.
From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/481,249, filed on Apr. 4, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/058564 | 4/4/2018 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62481249 | Apr 2017 | US |