EP3980824A1

EP3980824A1 - High capacity splice holder

Info

Publication number: EP3980824A1
Application number: EP20731055.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bart Mattie Claessens; Roger Joseph ALAERTS
Original assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Current assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
Priority date: 2019-06-07
Filing date: 2020-06-05
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: WO2020245335A1

Abstract

A high density splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables is disclosed. The splice holder can include a main body defining a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables. The splice holder can also include snap member pairs located at the ends of the main body to retain the optical fibers. The splice holder can also include intermediate snap members for retaining splice protectors of the spliced fiber optic cables. In one aspect, two offset arrays or rows of intermediate snap members are provided, wherein the intermediate snap members are located on every other channel to increase the pitch or density of the fiber optic cables stored on the splice holder.

Description

HIGH CAPACITY SPLICE HOLDER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

62/858,540, filed on June 7, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic telecommunications components. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to components for arranging and retaining spliced fiber optic cables.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is frequently necessary to splice to optical fibers of separate fiber optic cables together when installing a fiber optic system. The spliced-together optical fibers are generally protected with a sleeve which necessarily increases the overall thickness of the optical fibers at the location of the splice. One example of a sleeve is a crimp or sandwich fusion splice“ANT” protector which, in some examples, includes a metal sleeve provided with a resilient material coating such as an acrylic foam tape. After splicing, an open sleeve can be folded along a hinge such that the resilient material surrounds and seals against the splice to protect the splice against environmental conditions. The metal sleeve also adds mechanical integrity to the splice. A typical dimension for an ANT splice protector is 1 - 1.5 mm (thickness) x 3 mm (width) x 30 mm (length) and can accommodate a variety of fiber buffer sizes (e.g. 250 - 900 pm).

A splice protector of this type is shown at Figures 9 and 10. Other types of sleeves also exist. For example, heat shrink type protectors can be used which can include an outer heat shrink material, a low temperature hot-melt adhesive to encapsulate the splice, and an optional strengthening rod.

[0004] Frequently, a plurality of spliced fibers are secured at the location of the splice protector in a splice holder. Typically, splice protectors are individually secured into a splice holder in a side-by-side arrangement by pairs of snap members, resulting in two individual snap members residing between each splice protector. These snap members therefore increase the overall width of the splice holder. Conversely, the snap members can decrease the pitch or density of the number of spliced fibers that can be retained in a given width. Improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

[0005] A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables is disclosed. The splice holder can include a main body, a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end and being for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second end and being for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, a plurality of first intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a first side of every other of the plurality of channels, and a plurality of second intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a second side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members.

[0006] In some examples, the splice holder is integrally formed as a single component.

[0007] In some examples, the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

[0008] In some examples, each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

[0009] In some examples, each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

[0010] In some examples, the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions.

[0011] In some examples, the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions.

[0012] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

[0013] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body.

[0014] In some examples, at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

[0015] A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables is disclosed. The splice holder can include a main body, a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, each of the plurality of channels having a first side and a second side defined within the main body, a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end and being for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, each of the snap member pairs including a first snap member located on the first side of each of the plurality of channels and including a second snap member located on the second side of each of the channels opposite the first snap member, a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second end and being for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, each of the second snap member pairs including a first snap member located on the first side of each of the plurality of channels and including a second snap member located on the second side of each of the plurality of channels opposite the first snap member, a plurality of first intermediate snap members located on the first side of every other channel and located between the first and second snap member pairs, and a plurality of second intermediate snap members located on the second side of every other channel and located between the first and second snap member pairs, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members. [0016] In some examples, the splice holder is integrally formed as a single component.

[0017] In some examples, the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

[0018] In some examples, each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

[0019] In some examples, each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

[0020] In some examples, the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions.

[0021] In some examples, the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions.

[0022] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

[0023] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body.

[0024] In some examples, at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

[0025] A telecommunications assembly is disclosed. The telecommunications system may include a plurality of spliced fiber optic cables, each of the spliced fiber optic cables including a splice protector, a splice holder for holding the spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder including a main body, a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end and retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second end and retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the plurality of channels, a plurality of first intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a first side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of first intermediate snap members retaining every other splice protector, and a plurality of second intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a second side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members, the plurality of second intermediate snap members retaining the splice protectors not retained by the first intermediate snap members.

[0026] In some examples, the splice holder is integrally formed as a single component.

[0027] In some examples, the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

[0028] In some examples, each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

[0029] In some examples, each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

[0030] In some examples, the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions and receives the splice protectors of the spliced fiber optic cables.

[0031] In some examples, the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions to secure the splice protectors.

[0032] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

[0033] In some examples, the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body. [0034] In some examples, at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

[0035] A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables can include a main body, a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, and a holder arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the holder arrangement holding the spiced fiber optic cables in a staggered arrangement relative to each adjacent spliced fiber optic cable.

[0036] In some examples, the splice holder includes a cover for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels.

[0037] In some examples, the splice holder includes a plurality of snaps for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels.

[0038] In some examples, the splice holder includes a holder arrangement configured to hold ANT splices.

[0039] A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables can include a main body, a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, and a holder arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the holder arrangement holding the spiced fiber optic cables in a staggered arrangement relative to each adjacent spliced fiber optic cable, wherein the holder arrangement includes no more than three snap members. In one example, the snap members include a pair of opposing snap members proximate an end of the main body and a single snap member proximate a central region of the main body.

[0040] A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can 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 examples disclosed herein are based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] 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:

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a splice holder with a plurality of spliced fiber optic cables retained within the splice holder.

[0043] Figure 2 is a top view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 3 is an end view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 2.

[0046] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 2.

[0047] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 2.

[0048] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 7-7 in Figure 2.

[0049] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the splice holder and spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1.

[0050] Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the spliced fiber optic cables shown in Figure 1.

[0051] Figure 10 is an end view of the spliced fiber optic cable shown in Figure 9.

[0052] Figure 11 is a top view of the splice holder shown in Figure 1.

[0053] Figure 12 is a bottom view of the splice holder shown in Figure 1.

[0054] Figure 13 is an end view of the splice holder shown in Figure 1.

[0055] Figure 14 is a side view of the splice holder shown in Figure 1.

[0056] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a splice holder with a plurality of spliced fiber optic cables retained within the splice holder.

[0057] Figure 16 is a top view of the splice holder shown in Figure 15. [0058] Figure 17 is a top view of the splice holder shown in Figure 15, with a cover of the splice holder removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Referring to Figures 1 to 8, a telecommunications system 10 includes a plurality of spliced fiber optic cables 12 with splice protectors 14 are stored and retained on a splice holder 100. In one aspect, the splice holder 100 is a high density splice holder.

In contrast to prior art configurations, the splice holder 100 organizes twelve ANT-type splice protectors 14 in a staggered or offset arrangement with a unique snap member arrangement that enables pairs of splice protectors 14 to be retained directly adjacent to each other. This improvement enables more splice protectors to be installed on a splice holder of the same dimensions or to reduce the width of the splice holder.

[0060] The splice holder 100 is shown in isolation at Figures 11 to 14. As shown, the splice holder 100 includes a main body 102. In one aspect, the main body 102 extends between first and second ends 102a, 102b and between first and second sides 102c, 102d. The main body 102 also defines a top side 102e and a bottom side 102f.

[0061] In one aspect, an attachment feature 114 can be provided on the bottom side 102f of the main body 102 to enable the splice holder 100 to be attached to a telecommunications component, for example a splice tray. Examples of configurations for the attachment feature 114 are shown and described in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application Serial Number PCT/US2019/17904, filed on February 13, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein; Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application Serial Number PCT/US2019/028245, filed on April 19, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein; and United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/824,824, filed on March 27, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. In the example shown, the attachment feature 114 includes a pair of dovetail- shaped interconnection features 114a and a pair of ramp structures 114b aligned along the longitudinal axis X of the main body 102. More than one attachment feature 114 may be provided on the main body 102. [0062] In one aspect, the main body 102 also defines a plurality of channels 104 defined on the top side 102e and extending between the first end 102a and the second end 102b of the main body 102. Each of the channels 104 is shown as including a first portion 104a, a second portion 104b, and an intermediate portion 104c. The first and second portions 104a, 104b extend to the first and second ends 102a, 102b, respectively. The intermediate portion 104c, which is wider than the first and second portions 104a, 14b, is located between the first and second portions 104a, 104b. The wider

intermediate portion 104c is sized to receive a splice protector 14. In one aspect, adjacent intermediate portions 104c are staggered relative one another such that the intermediate portion 104c of one channel 104 is shifted towards or closer to the first end 102a than the adjacent intermediate portions 104c. As can be most easily seen at Figure 2, this configuration results in the splice protectors 14 to be alternately staggered relative to one another with every other splice protector 14 being closer to the first end 102a and the remaining splice protectors 14 being closer to the second end 102b. As is discussed later, this configuration enables for the splice protectors 14 to be arranged within the channels in an increased density arrangement.

[0063] As most easily seen at Figure 11, the plurality of channels 104 are defined by multiple sidewall structures 114d - 114r. The outermost channels 104 are defined by sidewall structures 104e, 104j, 104p on one side and sidewall structures 104f and 104q on the other side of the channel 104. The inbound or interior channels 104 are defined by sidewall structures 104g, 104i, 104k, 104n, and 104r on one side and by sidewall structures 104f, 104h, 104m, and 104q on the opposite side. It is noted that the sidewall structure 104k is only provided at every other channel 104 such that two intermediate channel portions 104c are disposed between a pair of sidewall structures 104k. This configuration results in the splice protectors 14 being arranged within the intermediate channel portions 104c in pairs such that the two splice protectors 14 of each pair are immediately adjacent to each other. In the example shown, the splice protectors 14 are arranged in six pairs for a total of twelve splice protectors 14. Other arrangements involving fewer or more splice protector pairs are possible. [0064] In one aspect, the main body 102 is provided with a plurality of first snap member pairs 106 including a first snap member 106a and a second snap member 106b. The first snap member pairs 106 are located proximate the first end 102a of the main body 102 and are oriented such that a channel 104 is disposed between the first and second snap member 106a, 106b. As most easily seen at Figure 4, the first and second snap members 106a, 106b each include a shoulder or horizontal extension portion 106c. The shoulders 106c extend towards each other to create a narrowed portion over the channel 104 to retain the splice protector 14 within the channel 104. In one example, the first snap members 106 are deflectable.

[0065] In one aspect, the main body 102 is provided with a plurality of second snap member pairs 108 including a first snap member 108a and a second snap member 108b. The second snap member pairs 108 are located proximate the second end 102b of the main body 102 and are oriented such that a channel 104 is disposed between the first and second snap member 108a, 108b. As most easily seen at Figure 7, the first and second snap members 108a, 108b each include a shoulder or horizontal extension portion 108c. The shoulders 108c extend towards each other to create a narrowed portion over the channel 104 to retain the splice protector 14 within the channel 104. In one example, the snap members 108 are deflectable.

[0066] In one aspect, the main body 102 is provided with a plurality of first intermediate snap members 110. The first intermediate snap members 110 are located between the first and second snap member pairs 106, 108 and adjacent the intermediate channel portion 104c of every other channel 104. As most easily seen at Figure 5, the first intermediate snap members 110 include a shoulder or horizontal extension portion 110a. The shoulders 110a extend towards the channel 104 to create a narrowed portion over the channel 104 to retain the splice protector 14 within the channel 104. In one example, first intermediate snap members 110 are deflectable.

[0067] In one aspect, the main body 102 is provided with a plurality of second intermediate snap members 112. The second intermediate snap members 112 are located between the first and second snap member pairs 106, 108 and, more

specifically, between the first intermediate snap members 114 and the second snap member pairs 108. The second intermediate snap members 112 are disposed adjacent the intermediate channel portion 104c of every other channel 104 such that each channel 104 has either a first intermediate snap member 110 or a second intermediate snap member 112 adjacent the channel 104, but not both. As most easily seen at Figure 6, the second intermediate snap members 112 include a shoulder or horizontal extension portion 112a. The shoulders 112a extend towards the channel 104 to create a narrowed portion over the channel 104 to retain the splice protector 14 within the channel 104. In one example, second intermediate snap members 112 are deflectable. Collectively, the snap member pairs 106, 108 and the intermediate snap members 110, 112 can be referred to as a holder arrangement.

[0068] With the disclosed arrangement, the splice protectors 14 are secured in pairs within the channels 104 such that each splice protector 14 is secured by one of the snap member pairs 106, 108 and one of the intermediate snap members 110, 112 on one side. Each splice protector 14 is also supported and retained within the channel 104 via the adjacent splice protector 14. For example, with reference to Figure 2, the top two splice protectors 14 (on the page) are secured within adjacent channels 104 as a splice protector pair. The top splice protector 14 is secured by a second snap member pair 108 and by a first intermediate snap member 110. The adjacent lower splice protector 14, which is staggered axially along the longitudinal axis X relative to the above splice protector 14, is secured by a first snap member pair 106 and by a second intermediate snap member 112. The remaining splice protectors 14 are secured in this same manner. With the disclosed arrangement, the first and second snap member pairs 106, 108 of one channel 104 are located adjacent the narrower channel portions 104a, 104b and thus do not increase the overall width of the splice holder 100. However, as the intermediate snap members 110, 112 are located adjacent the splice protectors 14, these snap members do increase the overall width of the splice holder. Even so, as there is only one intermediate snap member 110, 112 disposed between every other splice protector 14 such that the splice protectors 14 can be arranged immediately adjacent to each other in pairs. With such a configuration, the overall width of the splice holder is reduced in comparison to prior art configurations which can include clip or retaining arrangements for each individual splice protector 14.

[0069] Referring to Figures 15-17, a modified splice holder 100 design is presented. Many of the features of the splice holder 100 shown in Figures 15-17 are common with the splice holder 100 shown at Figures 1-14 and the description for the splice holder 100 shown at Figures 1-14 is generally applicable for the splice holder 100 shown in Figures 15-17. The splice holder 100 shown at Figures 15-17 is different in that a cover 120 is provided to aid in retaining the splice protectors 14 within the channels 104. As shown, the cover 120 extends over each of the channels 104 and is retained by a pair of locking tabs 104s extending from the sidewall structures of the splice holder 100 and through a pair of t-shaped slots 120a of the cover 120. Other attachment configurations are possible. As a cover 120 is provided for the splice holder 100 of Figures 15-17, snap members are not provided. With the absence of the snap members, the sidewall structures defining the channels can be formed continuously. For example, sidewall structures 104e and 104g extend the entire length of the splice holder 100 in the example shown at Figures 15-17. In one aspect, the holder 120 can be referred to as a holder arrangement.

[0070] In some examples, the splice holder 100 is formed from a polymeric material.

In some examples, the splice holder 100 is injection molded from a polymeric material. In some examples, the cover 120 is also a polymeric material, which can be injection molded. Other materials and formation processes are possible for the splice holder 100 and cover 120.

[0071] The various examples described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made with respect to the examples and applications illustrated and described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder comprising: a) a main body;

b) a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables;

c) a snap member arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the snap member arrangement including:

i) a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end;

ii) a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second;

iii) a plurality of first intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a first side of every other of the plurality of channels; and

iv) a plurality of second intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a second side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members.

2. The splice holder of claim 1, wherein the splice holder is integrally formed as a single component.

3. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

4. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

5. The splice holder of claim 1 or 4 or any other preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

6. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions.

7. The splice holder of claim 6 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions.

8. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

9. The splice holder of claim 1 or 7 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body.

10. The splice holder of claim 6 or any other preceding claim, wherein at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

11. A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder comprising: a) a main body;

b) a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables, each of the plurality of channels having a first side and a second side defined within the main body; c) a snap member arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the snap member arrangement including:

i) a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end, each of the snap member pairs including a first snap member located on the first side of each of the plurality of channels and including a second snap member located on the second side of each of the channels opposite the first snap member;

ii) a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second end, each of the second snap member pairs including a first snap member located on the first side of each of the plurality of channels and including a second snap member located on the second side of each of the plurality of channels opposite the first snap member;

iii) a plurality of first intermediate snap members located on the first side of every other channel and located between the first and second snap member pairs; and

iv) a plurality of second intermediate snap members located on the second side of every other channel and located between the first and second snap member pairs, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members.

12. The splice holder of claim 11 or any other preceding claim, wherein the splice

holder is integrally formed as a single component.

13. The splice holder of claim 11 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

14. The splice holder of claim 11 or any other preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

15. The splice holder of claim 11 or 14 or any other preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

16. The splice holder of claim 11 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions.

17. The splice holder of claim 16 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions.

18. The splice holder of claim 11 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

19. The splice holder of claim 11 or 17 or any other preceding claim, wherein the

plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body.

20. The splice holder of claim 16 or any other preceding claim, wherein at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

21. A telecommunications assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of spliced fiber optic cables, each of the spliced fiber optic cables including a splice protector; and

b) a splice holder for holding the spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder

including: i) a main body;

ii) a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables;

iii) a snap member arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables

within the channels, the snap member arrangement including:

(1) a plurality of first snap member pairs located proximate the main body first end;

(2) a plurality of second snap member pairs located proximate the main body second end;

(3) a plurality of first intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a first side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of first intermediate snap members retaining every other splice protector; and

(4) a plurality of second intermediate snap members located between the first and second snap member pairs and along a second side of every other of the plurality of channels, the plurality of second intermediate snap members being axially offset from the plurality of first intermediate snap members, the plurality of second intermediate snap members retaining the splice protectors not retained by the first intermediate snap members.

22. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or any other preceding claim,

wherein the splice holder is integrally formed as a single component.

23. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or any other preceding claim,

wherein the plurality of channels includes 12 channels.

24. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or any other preceding claim,

wherein each of the plurality of first intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel second side.

25. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or 24 or any other preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of second intermediate snap members includes a horizontal extension portion extending in a direction towards the channel first side.

26. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or any other preceding claim,

wherein the plurality of channels are defined with a first portion proximate the main body first end, a second portion proximate the main body second end, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions, wherein the intermediate portion has a width that is greater than a width of the first and second portions and receives the splice protectors of the spliced fiber optic cables.

27. The telecommunications assembly of claim 26 or any other preceding claim,

wherein the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members are located along the channel intermediate portions to secure the splice protectors.

28. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or any other preceding claim,

wherein the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by the plurality of first and second snap member pairs and by the plurality of first and second intermediate snap members.

29. The telecommunications assembly of claim 21 or 27 or any other preceding claim, wherein the plurality of channels are at least partially defined by sidewall members extending from the main body.

30. The telecommunications assembly of claim 26 or any other preceding claim,

wherein at least two adjacent channels are joined together at the intermediate portions to form a common channel.

31. A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder comprising: a) a main body; b) a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables;

c) a holder arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the holder arrangement holding the spiced fiber optic cables in a staggered arrangement relative to each adjacent spliced fiber optic cable.

32. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim, further comprising: a) a cover for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels.

33. The splice holder of claim 1 or any other preceding claim further comprising: a) a plurality of snaps for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the

channels.

34. The splice holder of any of claims 31-33 or any other preceding claim, further comprising:

a) a holder arrangement configured to hold ANT splices.

35. A splice holder for holding spliced fiber optic cables, the splice holder comprising: a) a main body;

b) a plurality of channels for receiving the spliced fiber optic cables;

c) a holder arrangement for retaining the spliced fiber optic cables within the channels, the holder arrangement holding the spiced fiber optic cables in a staggered arrangement relative to each adjacent spliced fiber optic cable, wherein the holder arrangement includes no more than three snap members.

36. The splice holder of claim 35 or any other preceding claim, wherein the snap

members include a pair of opposing snap members proximate an end of the main body and a single snap member proximate a central region of the main body.