GB2343261A

GB2343261A - Optical Fibre storage apparatus with movable stacks

Info

Publication number: GB2343261A
Application number: GB9823701A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Charles Foss
Original assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Current assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
Priority date: 1998-10-29
Filing date: 1998-10-29
Publication date: 2000-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-29
Also published as: EP0997758A3; EP0997758A2; GB9823701D0; GB2343261B; US6311008B1

Abstract

An optical fibre storage apparatus comprises a base 10 formed with one or more ports 11 for the entry of cables. Supports 12 for mounting fibre storage trays 14 on the base 10 are also included and are arranged as three stacks having respective axes spaced at successive intervals around in a circle. At least one of the stacks of trays 14 is able to move sidewards to afford access or increased access to a central space around which the three stacks are positioned. The trays 14 may also pivot as shown in figure 2. The stacks can be arranged so at least part of them can swivel on the axis of the stack. A stack that can pivot outwardly and downwardly relative to the base is also disclosed (see figure 4). A cylinder casing 16 is also shown attached to the base 10.

Description

2343261 oRtical fibre storage apparatus The present invention relates to

an apparatus or enclosure for storing optical fibres and splices between optical fibres, in an optical fibre cable network.

It is known to provide optical fibre storage apparatus in the form of an enclosure which houses two stacks of storage trays, the two stacks being mounted back-to-back with space between them to accommodate the fibres running to the individual trays.

We have now devised a fibre storage apparatus which is able to enclose a larger number of storage trays whilst still affording a good degree of access to the cables and fibres leading to the individual trays.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre storage apparatus which comprises a base f ormed with one or more ports for the entry of cables, means for mounting a plurality of fibre storage trays on the base, arranged as three stacks having respective axes spaced at successive intervals around in a circle, at least part of at least one of the stacks of trays being able to move sidewards to afford access or increased access to a central space around which the three stacks are positioned.

In particular, at least one part of at least one stack may be arranged to swivel around on its axis to afford access or increased access to the central space behind the stacks of trays.

Preferably each of the three stacks of trays is arranged that at least part of it can swivel on its axis. Thus, the trays in any two stacks can be swivelled away from each other to afford accessf or increased access, to the central space behind the stack s of trays. The central space may be used to accommodate cables or fibres leading to the individual trays.

Preferably the trays of each stack are mounted so as to project radially outwardly, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the central space of the apparatus, from the respective swivel axis of the stack. Preferably the trays of each stack 2 are mounted f or individual pivoting about respective axes transverse to the swivel axis of the stack. Preferably the trays are normally inclined downwardly towards the base but can be pivoted upwardly to gain access to any selected tray.

Preferably at least part of at least one of the stacks can be pivoted radially outwardly and downwardly. This movement also af f ords increased access to the central space behind the stacks of trays and also to any selected individual tray.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre storage apparatus which comprises a base formed with one or more ports for the entry of cables, means for mounting a plurality of fibre storage trays on the base, arranged as one or more stacks, at least part of the stack or at least one of the stacks being arranged for pivoting outwardly and downwardly relative to the base.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view of an optical fibre storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown with its cover removed.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the storage apparatus, taken on the line II-II indicated in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the storage apparatus, to show the manner in which each adjacent pair of stacks of trays can be swivelled apart; and FIGURE 4 is a schematic sectional view, corresponding to Figure 2, showing the manner in which each stack of trays can be pivoted outwardly.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an optical fibre storage apparatus which comprises a generally circular base 10 formed with a number of tubular cable entry ports 11 projecting from its underside. Three upright supports 12 are mounted to the base 10 at positions spaced at 1200 intervals around in a circle: the supports 12 project upwardly from the base, generally parallel to its axis. 24 trays 14 are mounted to each support 12, each tray being 3 coupled to its support 12 via an intermediate member 13. The set of 24 trays are stacked one-upon- another, normally to incline downwardly and radially outwardly from the respective upright support 12. Each tray is pivoted to the intermediate member 13 for pivoting about a horizontal axis: the intermediate member 13 is mounted to the upright support 12 for swivelling around the latter. Each tray 14 is generally oval in plan view, disposed with its minor axis extending radially outwardly with respect to the axis of the base 10. The storage apparatus is provided with a cylindrical casing, indicating at 16, which is open at one end and closed at its opposite, thus forming a cover which can be fitted over the three stacks of trays and fitted onto the base 10.

The apparatus is arranged so that optical fibre cables may enter the closure through one or more of the ports 11 of the base 10: the cables or fibres from these cables can be accommodated in the central space radially inwardly of the three upright supports 12 and their stacks of trays, the fibres running to the individual trays 14 via entry ports e. g. 14a, 14b formed at the radially-inner edges of the trays. With 24 trays in each of the three stacks, there is a total of 72 trays: the apparatus can therefore accommodate a total of 144 fibres, two fibres in each tray.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that when access to any particular tray is required, the trays above that tray, in the same stack, are pivoted upwardly about their respective pivotal couplings to their upright support. The engineer can then work on the required tray, to insert a coil of fibres or to insert a fibre splice into that tray.

Referring to Figure 3, when access is required to a cable or fibres in the central space radially inwardly of the three upright supports 12, and to the fibre entry ports of the individual trays, then an adjacent pair of stacks of trays can be swivelled apart around their respective upright supports 12:

the access is effectively increased from a width W1 to a width W2 as shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 4, each upright support 12 has a short, lower portion 12a projecting upwardly from the base 10, and an elongate upper portion 12b the lower end of which is 4 pivotally mounted to the top of the lower portion 12a. This enables the portion 12b of the support, together with the entire stack of trays 14, to be pivoted radially outwards, giving a greater access to the trays themselves and to the 5 cables and fibres behind them.

Claims

1) An optical f ibre storage apparatus which comprises a base f ormed with one or more ports f or the entry of cables, means for mounting a plurality of fibre storage trays on the base, arranged as three stacks having respective axes spaced at successive intervals around in a circle, at least part of at least one of the stacks of trays being able to move sidewards to af ford access or increased access to a central space around which the three stacks are positioned.

2) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one part of at least one stack may be arranged to swivel around on its axis to afford access or increased access to the central space behind the stacks of trays.

3) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in clairL 2, in which each of the three stacks of trays is arranged that at least part of it can swivel on its axis.

4) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in claims 2 or 3, in which the trays of each stack are mounted so as to project radially outwardly, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the central space of the apparatus, from the respective swivel axis of the stack.

5) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, in which the trays of each stack are mounted for individual pivoting about respective axes transverse to the swivel axis of the stack.

6) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the trays are normally inclined downwardly towards the base but can be pivoted upwardly to gain access to any selected tray.

7) An optical fibre storage apparatus as claimed in any 6 preceding claim, in which at least part of at least one of the stacks can be pivoted radially outwardly and downwardly.

8) An optical f ibre storage apparatus which comprises a base f ormed with one or more ports f or the entry of cables, means for mounting a plurality of fibre storage trays on the base, arranged as one or more stacks, at least part of the stack or at least one of the stacks being arranged for pivoting outwardly and downwardly relative to the base.

9) An optical fibre storage apparatus substantially as 10 herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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