EP4515313A1 - Configurable optical fiber sheath holders and sheath retainer storage for optical fiber organizers - Google Patents

Abstract

System for anchoring sheaths containing optical fibers. Subunits of a selectable number of retainer inserts from a retainer insert unit can be removed from the unit to accommodate sheath holders holding different numbers and/or sizes of sheaths. The unit or subunits can be stored for later use in storage locations defined by an optical fiber organizer.

Description

CONFIGURABLE OPTICAL FIBER SHEATH HOLDERS AND SHEATH RETAINER STORAGE FOR OPTICAL FIBER ORGANIZERS

Cross-Reference Ta Related Applications

This application is being filed on April 27, 2023, as a PCT International application and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/336,334, filed on April 29, 2022, and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/497,600 filed April 21, 2023, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to telecommunications enclosures, and more particularly to devices that anchor sheaths containing optical fibers to optical fiber organizers housed within telecommunications closures.

Background

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Telecommunications cables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical tel ecommunications network also includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures or “closures” are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, wave division multiplexers, fiber management trays, cable organizing and routing components, etc.

It is often preferred for telecommunications enclosures to be re-enterable. The term “re-enterable” means that the telecommunications enclosures can be reopened to allow access to the telecommunications components housed therein without requiring the removal and destruction of the telecommunications enclosures. For example, certain telecommunications enclosures can include separate access panels that can be opened to access the interiors of the enclosures, and then closed to reseal the enclosures. Other telecommunications enclosures take the form of elongated sleeves formed by wrap around covers or half-shells having longitudinal edges that are joined by clamps or other retainers. Still other telecommunications enclosures include two half-pieces that are joined together through clamps, wedges or other structures.

Typically, telecommunications closures house a fiber organizing assembly having equipment for organizing fibers, storing fibers, and optically connecting provider side fibers to subscriber side fibers. A given closure can accommodate different types of optical connections between fibers, such as connector to connector connections and splice connections.

For some closures, cables enter the closure through sealed ports. The outer jackets of the cables are fixed to the organizer. Lengths of outer layers of the cables are stripped to expose sheaths containing loose optical fibers. The sheaths are routed to a fiber manager via sheath channels. Lengths of the sheaths are stripped to expose the optical fibers. The optical fibers are routed to fiber connectivity and storage equipment of the organizer.

Summary

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to improvements in anchoring of optical fiber sheaths at optical fiber organizers of telecommunications equipment, such as telecommunications closures, panels, racks, cabinets and so forth.

According to certain aspects, a sheath holding system includes a module having one or more sheath holders configurable for anchoring different sizes and/or numbers of sheaths.

According to certain aspects, a sheath holding system includes a sheath holder configurable for anchoring different sizes and/or numbers of sheaths using an insertable retainer of selectable size.

According to certain aspects, a sheath holding system includes a sheath holder and a unit of insertable retainers from which a selectable number of retainers can be removed for inserting into the sheath holder.

According to certain aspects, an organizer of a telecommunications closure includes one or more storage locations configured to receive one or more units of insertable retainers for later insertion of the insertable retainers into one or more sheath holding volumes.

According to certain specific aspects of the present disclosure, a system includes: a sheath holder defining a sheath holding volume configured to hold one or more sheaths containing one or more optical fibers; and. a unit, including a spine and elastomeric retainer inserts projecting from the spine with a gap between each pair of adjacent inserts, the unit being configured for a subunit of at least one of the retainer inserts and a portion of the spine to be separated from a remainder of the unit, the subunit being configured to be inserted into the sheath holder, a number of the retainer inserts of the subunit being selectable based on a quantity of, and/or one or more sizes of, the one or more sheaths to be retained in the sheath holding volume.

According to further specific aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes: providing a unit, including a spine and elastomeric retainer inserts projecting from the spine with a gap between each pair of adjacent inserts; inserting, via a passage defined by a sheath holder, one or more sheaths containing one or more optical fibers into a sheath holding volume defined by the sheath holder; separating, from the unit, a subunit of the unit, the subunit including a portion of the spine and at least two of the inserts projecting from the portion; and inserting the at least two of the inserts into the sheath holder volume and/or the passage to secure the one or more sheaths within the sheath holding volume.

According to further specific aspects of the present disclosure, an optical fiber organizer of a telecommunications closure, includes: a plurality of organizer pieces configured to connect to one another: a first of the organizer pieces being configured to receive a sheath holder module; and a second of the organizer pieces defining a storage location including a bank of slots defined by partitions configured to frictionally hold and store a unit of one or more elastomeric retainer inserts, with at least one of the elastomeric retainer inserts being configured to be Installed in the sheath holder module to anchor one or more of sheaths of optical fibers.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive 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 embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present discl osure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present di sclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspecti ve view of an example telecommunications closure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical fiber organizer of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the optical fiber organizer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the subassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the called-out portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the called-out portion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sheath holder module assembly of the subassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the sheath holder module assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a further perspective view of the sheath holder module assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the sheath holder module assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a further exploded view of the sheath holder module assembly of

FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a unit of insertable retainers of a sheath holding system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a further perspective view of the unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a planar view' of the unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a view of a single one of die insertable retainers of the unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further example optical fiber organizer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the fiber router cover of the organizer of FIG. 18, without the units of retainer inserts mounted to the cover.

FIG. 20 is perspective view' of a subassembly of the organizer of FIG. 18. FIG. 21 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 20, and including units of retainer inserts mounted to storage locations.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a further example fiber router cover of an optical fiber organizer, and including units of retainer inserts mounted thereto.

FIG. 23 is a further perspective view of the fiber router cover of FIG. 22, without the units of retainer inserts mounted thereto.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a subassembly of a further example optical fiber organizer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a planar view' of the subassembly of FIG. 24, and including a unit of retainer inserts mounted to a storage location.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a piece of the subassembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a perspective vi ew of the piece of FIG. 26, and including units of retainer inserts mounted to storage locations.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another piece of the subassembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the piece of FIG. 28, and including a unit of retainer inserts mounted to a storage location.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 show's an enclosure (or closure) 20 (e.g., a telecommunications enclosure) in accordance w'ith the principles of the present disclosure. The enclosure 20 includes a housing 22 defining an interior volume having an opening. The enclosure includes a cable sealing unit 30 (see FIG. 2) that mounts within the opening of the housing 22 for sealing about one or more cables desired to be routed into the interior volume of the housing 22 through the opening. In the example shown, the housing 22 includes a cover 31 (e.g., a dome style cover) defining the opening at one end 29, and a base 32 that mounts to the end 29 of the cover 31. In certain examples, the base 32 can be detachably secured to the cover 31 by a mechanical fastening arrangement that can include latches, clamps, fasteners, or the like. The cable sealing unit 30 can be retained in the opening 26 by the base 32. An optical fiber organizer 34 (FIG. 2) supporting fiber optic components 36 (e.g., optical splice trays, optical splitter trays, etc.) can be carried with the sealing unit 30. In one example, the cable sealing unit 30 includes sealant 38 (e.g., a sealant arrangement, a volume of sealant that may be formed by one or more sections or blocks of sealant, etc.) defining a plurality of cable pass-through locations (e.g., ports, interfaces between adjacent sections of sealant, etc.). When pressurized, the sealant 38 is configured for providing seals about structures (e.g., cables, plugs, etc.) routed though the pass-through locations of the sealant 38 and is also configured for providing a peripheral seal between the housing 22 and the cable sealing unit 30 about the boundary (e.g., perimeter, profile, etc.) of the opening 26.

The cable sealing unit 30 includes an actuator arrangement 49 for pressurizing the sealant 38 within the opening 26 once cables have been routed through the sealant daring installation of the enclosure 20 in the field.

As shown in FIG. 2, cables 50, 52 pass through the sealant 38 and the ends of the jackets of the cables 50, 52 are secured to cable fixation units mounted in a cable fixation region 54 of the organizer 34.

One or more optical fibers emerging from the ends of the cable 50, 52 continue on to other fiber management components of the organizer 34. These optical fibers can be sleeved in protective sheaths. Such sheaths of fibers can be stored in loops within the loop storage area defined by the organizer 34. For fibers needed for active cable to cable connectivity, the sheaths can be truncated, exposing the bare fibers for further management of the bare fibers on the organizer .34.

The organizer 34 includes a subassembly 60 which receives sheathed fibers extending from the cable fixation region 54.

All components of the organizer 34 can be constructed of, e.g., a polymeric material, and configured to snap-connect, together to form the organizer 34.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the subassembly 60 includes a piece 62, a cover 64 and a sheath holder module assembly 100.

The piece 62 includes plates 66 for mounting cable fixation units in the cable fixation region 54. The piece 62 also includes a fiber router 68. The router 68 includes structures for routing optical fibers to different sides of fiber management trays pivotally supported on the organizer 34 so that desired splice fiber pathways between cables entering the closure can be achieved. Between the plates 66 and the router 68, the piece 62 includes a sheath module supporting region 70. The region 70 defines toothed structures 72 surrounding a recess 74, and receivers 76 and 78 in which a sheath holder module can be lockingly attached to the piece 62, with the tooth structures 72 providing positional stability to the sheath holder module. The tooth structures 72 also allow for selectable posi tioning of a sheath holder module at different positions within the recess 74.

Referring to FIGS. 9-13, the sheath holder module assembly includes a sheath holder module 102, sheaths 104, 106 and retainer inserts 202.

The module 102 includes a base 112 and sheath holders 114 projecting from the base 111. The base 112 includes a mounting arrangement 116 for mounting the base to the supporting region 70. The mounting arrangement 116 includes structures 118 that are configured to engage and complement the toothed structures 72 and recess 74 of the region 70. The mounting arrangement 116 also includes ramped tabs 120 and latches 122 configured to lockingly couple to the region 70 within the recei vers 76 and 78, respectively.

The module 102 can be of uniform (e.g., seamless, molded) construction.

Each sheath holder 114 defines a labyrinthine passage 126. According to some examples, as used herein with respect to a passage or a sheath passage, the term “labyrinthine” means that a path along a center of the passage in the elongate dimension of the passage changes direction by at least 90 degrees at each of at least one comer.

Each sheath holder 114 includes walls 130, 132. The walls 130, 132 define inner surfaces 134, 136 of the passage 126 of each sheath holder 114. The inner surfaces 134, 136 defines a sheath holding volume 138 configured to hold one or more sheaths having an elongate dimension substantially perpendicular to the row of sheath holders 114. In this example, the module 102 includes fiber sheath holders 114 each defining sheath holding volume 138. Alternatively, a module body can define more or fewer sheath holders and sheath holding volumes.

The module 102 defines, for each sheath holder 114, a slot 140 that is in communication with the corresponding sheath holding volume 138. Each slot 140, together with the labyrinthine passage 126 that begins at the slot 140, is configured to allow a sheath (e.g., a tube, a plastic tube, a woven sheath) containing one or more optical fibers to be inserted into the corresponding sheath holding volume 138 in a direction perpendicular to the elongate dimension of the sheath. Each slot 140 defines a relatively tight lateral entryway for a sheath into the corresponding sheath holding volume, which can provide for improved retention of a sheath within the sheath holding volume 138,

Depending on the specific fiber management configuration for the organizer 34, different quantities and sizes of sheaths may need to be anchored by a given module 102, and/or a given sheath holder 114 of a module 102. For example, referring to FIG. 11 , the sheath holder 114a is holding one relatively small sheath 104 (based on maximum transverse diameter), the sheath holder 114b is holding eight relatively small sheaths 104 (based on maximum transverse diameter), and the sheath holder 114c is holding one relatively large sheath 106 (based on maximum transverse diameter). Because of the different quantities and sizes of the sheaths 104, the sheaths occupy different amounts of the corresponding sheath holder volumes 138. As a result, a retainer of a single size inserted into each of the holders 114a, 114b, 114c is not able to equivalently anchor each corresponding sheath or set of sheaths. Rather, the sheath(s) in one or more of the sheath holders can be loose as a result of an insufficiently sized retainer insert, which can impact optical signal continuity and connectivity between optical fibers on the organizer 34.

To alleviate one or more of these drawbacks, the sheath holding system includes a unit of retainer inserts from which subunits of selectable sizes can be removed for inserting into sheath holders 114 to secure the sheath or sheaths held in the sheath holders regardless of their size or quantity.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, an example unit 200 of retainer inserts (or tabs) 202 is shown. The unit 200 can be of unitary⁷ (e.g., seamless, molded) construction. The unit 200 incudes a spine 204 supporting a plurality of retainer inserts 202 arranged in a row along an elongate dimension of the spine 204. The uni t can include any number of retainer inserts projecting from the spine, such as at least five, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, or more retainer inserts. The unit 300 can be constructed uniformly of an elastomeric material, such as rubber or silicone. The unit 200 is configured such that subunits of one or more inserts 202 including their portion of the spine 204 can be easily cut off (e.g,, with tool, such as a knife or scissors) or tom off (e.g., by hand) from the rest of the spine 204 for use as retainers in specific sheath holders 114. The spine portion of each subunit can serve as a handle for inserting the subunit of one or more retainer inserts 202 into the desired sheath holder 114. The nature of the elastomeric material forming the inserts 202 allows the inserts to grip the sheaths 104, 106 as well as the inner surfaces 134. 136 of the sheath holders 114.

Since the number of inserts in each subunit is selectable, a subunit of appropriate size can be selected and removed from the rest of the unit to accommodate the size and quantity of sheaths held by a given sheath holder 114, to ensure adequate anchoring of that sheath or sheaths within the given sheath holder.

For example, referring to FIGS. 12-13, a subunit 212 of two inserts 202 and a corresponding spine portion 216 (which can serve as a handle for inserting the subunit 212 into a sheath holder 114) is used to accommodate the group of eight small sheaths 104. Likewise, a subunit 212 of two inserts 202 and a corresponding spine portion 216 (which can serve as a handle for inserting the subunit 212 into a sheath holder 114) is used to accommodate the one large sheath 106. A subunit 210 of three inserts 202 and a corresponding spine portion 214 (which can serve as a handle for inserting the subunit 210 into a sheath holder 114) is used to accommodate the single small sheath 104. It can be appreciated that for larger numbers and/or sizes of sheaths a subunit 220 (FIG. 17) of just a single insert and a corresponding spine portion 222 may be appropriate for anchoring the sheath(s) in a sheath holder 114.

When inserting a subunit into a sheath holder 114, in some examples, at least one of the inserts 202 (or the only insert 202) is inserted in the labyrinthine passage 126.

The inserts 202 are spaced apart from each other by gaps 230 along the spine 204. When inserting a subunit having more than one insert connected to one another by a spine portion, the portion 133 of the wall 132 is received in a gap 230, and the spine portion serves as insertion stop, preventing over-insertion of the subunit when the spine portion con tacts the portion 133 of the wall 132.

Aligned with each gap 230, the spine 204 can define a notch 232 or other form of material void. Each notch 232 can facilitate cutting or tearing of the unit 200 at the location of tire notch.

In some examples, the inserts 202 are tabs that taper, narrowing as they extend away from the spine 204. The tapered nature of the inserts 202 can facilitate their insertion into the sheath holder 114, with the frictional hold between the insert(s) 202 and the sheath holder 114 and sheath(s) increasing the more die subunit is inserted in the sheath holder 114. Each subunit is configured to be inserted into a sheath holder 114 in a direction that is perpendicular to the row of sheath holders 114.

In some examples, each slot 140 narrows in a narrowed internal region of the slot 140 that is positioned away from the opposing opening ends of the slot 140. The narrowed internal region is configured to frictionally hold an insert 202 or subunit of inserts 202 in the corresponding sheath holder 114. The positioning of the narrowed internal region away from the opposing ends of the slot 140 is configured to allow the insert 202 or subunit of inserts to be inserted from either direction perpendicular to the row of sheath holders 114 into the slot 140 and still hold the insert or subunit in place by the narrowed internal region.

The retainer insert units are configured to customize a fiber optic closure organizer for different routing schemes, e.g., schemes including different numbers and/or sizes of sheaths that may need to be anchored and extending from cables positioned at different locations with respect to the sheath holders of the organizer. Before the organizer is configured with fiber routing in the field, it may be unknown how a unit of retainer inserts will ultimately be broken up into subunits used for sheath anchoring. At the same time, it is advantageous to the technician configuring the organizer in the field to have ready access to the retainer inserts for inserting in the sheath holders when it comes time to route the optical fibers on the organizer.

Referring to Figs. 18-29, optical fiber organizers of telecommunications closures can be configured with storage at one or more locations for storing the units of one or more retainer inserts until they are needed for sheath holders. Each retainer storage location is configured to be accessed by the technician in the field and to frictionally hold a unit (or strip) of one or more of the retainer inserts. In addition, the storage and storage locations are configured so as to not increase the external profile of the organizer (e.g., so that a larger closure is not needed to accommodate the organizer) and so as to not interfere with fiber routing or other management tasks on the organizer.

Referring to Figs. 18-21, an optical fiber organizer 400 is configured to be installed in a sealable and re-enterable telecommunications closure. The organizer 400 is configured to fix cables entering the closure and manage optical fibers of the cables.

The organizer 400 includes a cover 402 that removably mounts to a piece 404 of the organizer 400. When mounted to the piece 404, the cover 402 covers and protects optical fibers routed about the spool structures 408 and 410 of the fiber router 406, which can direct optical fibers emerging from sheaths anchored in sheath holders to one or the other side of the organizer.

The piece 404 snap connects to a piece 412 of the organizer 400. The piece 412 defines a loop storage basket for storing loops of optical fibers, and is also configured to support modules that can pivotally support optical fiber management trays. The router 406 is used to route optical fibers to one side or the other side of the trays for desired management on the trays.

The cover 402 includes a holder for a fiber pick 420.

The cover 402 defines pockets 414, 416, 418 recessed relative to an outer surface 419 of die cover 402. Each pocket 414, 416, 418 defines a storage location for a unit or one or more subunits of retainer inserts 202 for optional later use for sheath anchoring purposes.

The storage locations include banks of slots 422, 424 in a row defined by rows of parti tions 426, 428. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots. As used herein, slots are blind slots in that they are closed (not open) at the opposite end of the slots from the end at which retainers are initially inserted. Edges of the partitions 426, 428 are contoured. The recessed nature of the pockets and/or the contoured or angled nature of the partitions and slots minimize the overall external profile of the cover 402 when units 200 of retainer inserts are mounted at the storage locations. In this manner, the overall size of the organizer 400 is not substantially increased (or not increased at all) by die presence of the units 200 on the cover 402 for purposes of installing the organizer 400 in the smallest closure possible. In addition, to minimize the external profile of the cover 402, the units 200 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 18, with the elongate dimensions of an insert 202 generally parallel to the major recessed surfaces of the pockets.

Retainer inserts 202 can be stored in the banks of slots in the storage locations in units or subunits of any length that can be accommodated by the width of the pockets 414, 416, 418. In the example shown, three full units 200 of 20 inserts 202 each are stored, one in each pocket 414, 416, 418. There need not be a slot 422, 424 for each insert 202, as there is sufficient friction between the retainer or retainers 202 and partition(s) 426, 428 of each storage location to sufficiently hold any length of retainer unit or subunit that can fit in the corresponding pocket.

Each spool structure 408, 410 also includes a bank 430 of slots 432 (e.g., three slots) defined by partitions 434 for frictionally holding and storing one or more subunits of inserts 202, such as the subunit 212 of two inserts 202 and the subunit 211 of four inserts shown in FIG. 21. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots. Each bank 430 is positioned interior to, and surrounded by, the wall 440 of the corresponding spool structure 408, 410. Optical fibers can be routed about tire interior surface 442 of a wall 440 and/or about the exterior surface 444 of a wall 440, with loops of both such fibers folly surrounding the corresponding bank 430.

The locations of the banks 430 is convenient for actually installing retainer inserts 202 in sheath holders after the cover 402 has been removed. Thus, for example, the size of the subunits stored in the banks 430 can be pre-cut to the length needed for a given fiber routing scheme on the organizer 400, and can be easily retrieved from the banks 430 and inserted into the desired sheath holders to anchor sheaths in the field. There need not be a slot 432 for each insert 202, as there is sufficient friction between the retainer or retainers 202 and partition(s) 434 of each bank 430 to sufficiently hold any length of retainer unit or subunit that can fit within the corresponding width of the corresponding spool structure 408, 410.

In this example, the depths of the spool structures 408. 410 is sufficient to accommodate insertion of the inserts 202 in a direction parallel to the elongate dimension of an insert 202 without impacting management or routing of fibers or other components on the organizer.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, another configuration of a cover 500 is shown. The cover 500 can be snap-connected over a fiber router of a subassembly of an optical fiber organizer of a telecommunications closure. The cover 500 has a different configuration of pockets, banks, slots, and partitions than the cover 402 described above. The cover 500 includes two elongate pockets 502, 504 with a dividing wall 506 between them. Each pocket 502, 504 includes one or more banks 508 (in this example, three banks) of slots 510 defined by partitions 512. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots. In FIG. 22, two complete units 200 of retainer inserts are mounted in the pockets 502, 504 and held by frictional fit against the partitions 512. The pockets 502, 504 are recessed from the exterior surface 520 of the cover 500. The slots 510 and partitions 512 are angled to be generally obliquely (i.e., not perpendicular) to the surface 520.

The recessed nature of the pockets and/or the angled nature of the partitions and slots minimize the overall external profile of the cover 500 when units 200 of retainer inserts are mounted at the storage locations defined by the pockets and banks of slots. In this manner, the overall size of the organizer is not substantially increased by the presence of the units 200 on the cover 500 for purposes of installing the organizer in the smallest closure possible. In addition, to minimize the external profile of the cover 500, the units 200 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 22, with the elongate dimension of an insert 202 generally parallel to the major recessed surfaces of the pockets.

Referring to FIGS. 24-29, another configuration of a subassembly 600 of an optical fiber organizer of a telecommunications closure is shown.

Unlike the covers 402 and 500, components of the subassembly 600 and the corresponding closure that accommodates the subassembly 600 are two small to support storage locations for units or subunits of retainer inserts for sheath holders on a cover of the fiber router of the subassembly 600. Similarly the spool structures of the fiber router of the subassembly 600 are not deep enough to permit the retainer inserts to be mounted internally therein along a direction parallel to the elongate dimension of an insert without interfering wi th fiber routing or another management component of the organizer. Accordingly, positions and configurations of banks of slots at storage locations for ffictionally holding and storing units or subuni ts of retainer inserts are modified as compared with the cover 500 and tire organizer 400, as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 24-29, the subassembly 600 includes a piece 602 and a piece 604 that snap-connect to each other. The piece 604 defines a loop storage basket for storing loops of optical fibers, and is also configured to support modules that can pivotally support optical fiber management trays. The piece 602 includes a router 606 having two spool structures 608, 610 that are used to route optical fibers to one side or the other side of the frays for desired management on the trays. Optical fibers can be routed about the interior surface or about the exterior surface of the spool structures 608, 610.

The spool structure 608 (in other embodiments, the spool structure 610 or both spool structures 608 and 610) includes a bank 630 of slots 632 (e.g., three slots) defined by partitions 634 for fractionally holding and storing one or more subunits of inserts 202, such as the subunit 219 of six inserts shown in Fig. 25. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots. The bank 630 is positioned interior to, and surrounded by, the wall of the corresponding spool structure 608. Optical fibers can be routed about the interior surface of that that wall or about the exteri or surface of that wall, with loops of both such fibers full surrounding the corresponding bank 630. The location of the bank 630 is convenient for actually installing retainer inserts 202 in sheath holders. Thus, for example, the size of the subunits stored in the bank 630 can be pre-cut to the length needed for a given fiber routing scheme on the subassembly 600, and can be easily retrieved from the bank 630 and inserted into the desired sheath holders to anchor sheaths.

There need not be a slot 632 for each insert 202, as there is sufficient friction between the retainer or retainers 202 and partition(s) 634 of the bank 630 to sufficiently hold any length of retainer unit or subunit that can fit within the corresponding width of the corresponding spool structure 608. In this example, the depth of the spool structure 608 is not sufficient to accommodate insertion of the inserts 202 in a direction parallel to the elongate dimension of an insert 202 without impacting management or routing of fibers or other components on the organizer. Therefore, the inserts 202 are inserted into the bank 630 in a direction perpendicular to or oblique to elongate dimension of an insert 202.

The partitions 634 extend in the retainer insertion direction to different partition lengths in order to accommodate the spine portion of the subunit of retainers 202 when the subunit is installed in the bank 630.

To store a sufficient number of retainer units or subunits, the subassembly 600 includes additional internal storage locations defined by tire pieces 602 and 604 in the internal space 640 defined between the pieces 602 and 604. The internal space 640 can be accessed for retrieving (or storing) units or subunits of sheath retainers via, e.g., an opening 642 (and/or a corresponding opening on the other side of the subassembly 600). Alternatively, the pieces 602 and 604 can be separated from each other (and later snap-connected to each other) to access the internal storage locations.

The piece 604 includes banks 650, 652 of slots 654 defined by rows of partitions 656. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots.

Retainer inserts 202 can be stored in the banks 650, 652 of slots 654 in the storage locations in units or subunits of any length that can be accommodated by the corresponding dimension of the piece 604. For example, the bank 650 can accommodate a strip or subunit 213 of up to nine inserts 202, while the bank 652 can accommodate up to a complete unit 200 of 20 inserts 202 due to the oblique angle of the row of slots 654 of the bank 542 relative to the elongate dimension of the piece 604. There need not be a slot 654 for each insert 202, as there is sufficient friction between the retainer or retainers 202 and partition(s) 656 of bank 650, 652 for each storage location to sufficiently hold any length of retainer unit or subunit that can fit in the corresponding dimension allowed by the piece 604.

The piece 602 includes an additional bank 660 of slots 662 defined by a row of partitions 664. In some examples, the slots can be blind slots. The partitions 664 are on the opposite side of the piece 602 from the spool structures and from the sheath holder mounting area. The partitions 664 vary in length along the row of partitions due to the contour of the surfaces 666 and 668 of the piece 602 from which the partitions 664 project.

Retainer inserts 202 can be stored in the bank 660 of slots 662 in the storage location in units or subunits of any length that can be accommodated by the corresponding dimension of the piece 602. For example, the bank 660 can accommodate a strip or subunit 215 of up to 10 inserts 202 due to the shape and dimensions of the portion of the space 640 defined by the piece 602. There need not be a slot 662 for each insert 202, as there is sufficient friction between the retainer or retainers 202 and partition(s) 662 of the bank 660 for the storage location to sufficiently hold any length of retainer unit or subunit that can fit in the corresponding dimensions allowed by the piece 602.

Between the banks 650, 652 and 660, the subassembly 600 can store strips of up to about 40 (e.g., two complete units’ 200 worth of retainers 202) or more retainers 202 in the internal space 640 between the pieces 602 and 604, with additional storage provided in one or both of the spool structures of the piece 602.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made in the devices of the disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for holding sheaths of optical fibers, comprising: a sheath holder defining a sheath holding volume configured to hold one or more sheaths containing one or more optical fibers; and a unit, including a spine and elastomeric retainer inserts projecting from the spine with a gap between each pair of adjacent inserts, the unit being configured for a subunit of at least one of the retainer inserts and a portion of the spine to be separated from a remainder of the unit, the subunit being configured to be inserted into the sheath holder, a number of the retainer inserts of the subunit being selectable based on a quantity of. and/or one or more sizes of, the one or more sheaths to be retained in the sheath holding volume.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a module defining a plurality of the sheath holders arranged in a row, the subunit being configured to be inserted in to one of the sheath holders in a direction perpendicular to tire row.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an optical fiber organizer of a telecommunications closure including one or more pivotally mounted optical fiber management trays, wherein the module is configured to snap-connect to the optical fiber organizer.

4. The system of any of claims 1-3, wherein each of the retainer inserts defines a tab that tapers as it extends away from the spine.

5. The system of any of claims 1-4, wherein the portion of the spine defines a handle for holding when the subunit is inserted into the sheath holder.

6. The system of any of claims 1-5, further comprising the one or more sheaths.

7. The system of any of claims 1-6, wherein the sheath holder defines a labyrinthine passage configured to receive the one or more sheaths in a direction perpendicular to an elongate dimension of the one or more sheaths.

8. The system of any of claims 1-7, wherein the portion of the spine defines an insertion stop that prevents further insertion of the subunit into the sheath holder.

9. The system of any of claims 1-8, wherein the spine includes a notch aligned with each gap.

10. A telecommunications closure, comprising: one or more housing pieces defining a sealable and re-enterable interior closure volume; and the system of any of claims 1-9 positioned in the interior closure volume.

11. A method of anchoring a sheath to an optical fiber organizer, comprising: providing a unit, including a spine and elastomeric retainer inserts projecting from the spine with a gap between each pair of adjacent inserts; inserting, via a passage defined by a sheath holder, one or more sheaths containing one or more optical fibers into a sheath holding volume defined by the sheath holder; separating, from the unit, a subunit of the unit, the subunit including a portion of the spine and at least two of the inserts projecting from the portion; and inserting the at least two of the inserts into the sheath holder volume and/or the passage to secure the one or more sheaths within the sheath holding volume.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a number of the inserts of the subunit is selected based on a quantity of, and/or one or more sizes of, the one or more sheaths.

13. The method of any of claims 11-12, wherein each of the retainer inserts defines a tab that tapers as it extends away from the spine.

14. The method of any of claims 11-13, wherein the portion of the spine defines a handle; and wherem the inserting includes holding the handle.

15. The method of any of claims 11-14, wherein the passage is labyrinthine and configured to receive the one or more sheaths in a direction perpendicular to an elongate dimension of the one or more sheaths.

16. The method of any of claims 11-15, wherein the portion of the spine defines an insertion stop that prevents further insertion of the subunit into the sheath holder.

17. The method of any of claims 11-16, wherein the spine includes notches aligned with the gaps; and wherein the separating occurs at one of the notches.

18. The method of any of claims 11-16, wherein the separating includes tearing the subunit unit by hand.

19. The method of any of claims 11-18, wherein the providing includes removing the unit from a storage location of a piece of an optical fiber organizer, the storage location including a bank of slots defined by partitions configured to frictionally hold the unit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the piece is not a sheath holder module.

21. The system of claim 3, wherein the optical fiber organizer includes a piece having a storage location including a bank of blind slots defined by partitions configured to frictionally hold the unit or the subunit.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein a slot of the sheath holder is open at each of two opposing ends and has a narrowed internal region positioned away from both of the opposing ends.

23. An optical fiber organizer of a telecommunications closure, comprising: a plurality of organizer pieces configured to connect to one another: a first of the organizer pieces being configured to receive a sheath holder module; and a second of the organizer pieces defining a storage location including a bank of slots defined by partitions configured to frictionally hold and store a uni t of one or more elastomeric retainer inserts, with at least one of the elastomeric retainer inserts being configured to be installed in the sheath holder module to anchor one or more of sheaths of optical fibers.

24. The organizer of claim 23, wherein the first of the organizer pieces and the second of the organizer pieces are the same piece.

25. The organizer of claim 23, wherein the first of the organizer pieces and the second of the organizer pieces are different pieces.

26. The organizer of any of claims 23-25, wherein the slots are blind slots.

27. The organizer of any of claims 23-26, wherein the second of the organizer pieces is not a sheath holder modul e configured to hold sheaths of optical fibers.

28. The organizer of any of claims 23-27, wherein the bank of slots is positioned in a pocket of a fiber router cover, the pocket being recessed from an exterior surface of the fiber router cover.

29. The organizer of any of claims 23-27, wherein the bank of slots is positioned inside a spool structure of a fiber router.

30. The organizer of any of claims 23-27, wherein the bank of slots is positioned in an internal space of the organizer.

31. The organizer of claim 30, wherein the internal space is defined between a piece of the organizer that includes a fiber router having spool structures and another piece of the organizer configured to support modules that can pivotally support optical fiber management trays.

32. The organizer of claim 31, wherein the organizer defines an access opening for accessing the internal space and the bank from a position exterior to the organizer.

33. The organizer of any of claims 23-27 or 30-32, wherein the bank of slots is positioned on a side of the second of the organizer pieces that is opposite a side of the second of the organizer pieces that includes a fiber router having spool structures.

34. The organizer of any of claims 23-27 or 30-32, wherein the bank of slots is positioned on a side of the second of the organizer pieces that is opposite a side of the second of the organizer pieces that includes a mounting location for mounting the sheath holder module.

35. The organizer of any of claims 23-27, 30-32 or 34 wherein the bank of slots is positioned on a side of the second of the organizer pieces that is opposite a side of the second of the organizer pieces that includes a basket for storing loops of optical fibers.

36. The organizer of claim 23, wherein the bank is configured to mount a unit of up to 20 of the elastomeric retainer inserts.

37. The organizer of claim 23, further comprising: the sheath holder module, the sheath holder module including a sheath holder defining a sheath holding volume configured to hold the one or more sheaths; and the unit, the unit including a spine and a plurality of the elastomeric retainer inserts projecting from the spine with a gap between each pair of adjacent inserts, the unit being configured for a subuni t of at least one of the retainer inserts and a portion of the spine to be separated from a remainder of the unit, the subunit being configured to be inserted in to the sheath holder, a number of the retainer inserts of the subunit being selectable based on a quantity of, and/or one or more sizes of, the one or more sheaths to be retained in the sheath holding volume of the sheath holder.

38. A telecommunications closure, comprising: one or more housing pieces defining a sealable and re-enterable interior closure volume; and the organizer of any of claims 23-37 positioned in the interior closure volume.