GB2368136A - Optic fibre splice storage tray - Google Patents
Optic fibre splice storage tray Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2368136A GB2368136A GB0025465A GB0025465A GB2368136A GB 2368136 A GB2368136 A GB 2368136A GB 0025465 A GB0025465 A GB 0025465A GB 0025465 A GB0025465 A GB 0025465A GB 2368136 A GB2368136 A GB 2368136A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- central portion
- optical fibre
- storage tray
- splice storage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
- G02B6/4453—Cassettes
- G02B6/4454—Cassettes with splices
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An optical fibre splice storage tray comprises 11 a generally flat central portion 11 and optionally a generally flat base portion 10 which extends around the periphery of the central portion 11 in a plane which is parallel to but offset from the plane of the central portion. The base is provided with a peripheral wall 12 and the flat central portion 11 lies in a plane intermediate the upper and lower edges of the side wall 12. A port 18 is provided on the base 10 for the entry of optical fibre into the tray and an aperture 19 is formed in the tray within the peripheral wall 12 to allow optical fibre to pass between opposite sides of the central portion 11. In use, one side of the central portion can be dedicated for the storage of splices whilst the other side can be used for the storage of coils of fibres. The tray is preferably in one piece of moulded plastics material.
Description
Optical Fibre Splice Storage Tray
This invention relates to an optical fibre splice storage tray.
Hitherto, splices between optical fibres have been stored in trays. Such trays generally comprise a plurality of parallel ridges or channels which hold the delicate splices, and a peripheral region inside the tray in which excess fibre can be coiled.
In use, the fibre to be spliced enters the tray through an opening in its side wall and is coiled several times around the periphery of the central portion of the tray before curving inwardly towards one of a number of parallel splice-retaining channels in the centre of the tray, where it is joined to a second fibre which enters the tray through the another other port.
The fibre capacity of optical fibre cables has greatly increased over recent years and with this has come a demand for splice enclosures having trays which are able to accommodate a very large number of splices.
A disadvantage of feeding a large number of fibres (e. g. 288) to one tray is that there is often insufficient room to store both the coiled ends of the fibres and the splices.
Many cables nowadays carry ribbon cables which are difficult to organise, owing to the difficulties involved in crossing the cables over one another.
We have now devised an optical fibre splice storage apparatus which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
In accordance with this invention there is provided an optical fibre splice storage tray comprising a generally flat central portion which is bounded on opposite sides thereof by a peripherally extending wall or walls, and a port for the entry of optical fibre into the tray, an aperture being formed in the tray within said peripheral wall (s) to allow optical fibre to pass between opposite sides of the central portion.
In use, one side of the central portion can be dedicated for the storage of splices whilst the other side can be used for the storage of coils of fibres. Accordingly, the splice tray is able to accommodate a large number of splices without the above-mentioned disadvantages of known trays.
Preferably the tray is elongate, each end of the tray being provided with an aperture to allow optical fibres to pass between opposite sides of the central portion.
Preferably means are provided on one side of the tray for retaining coiled optical fibres.
Preferably means are provided on one side of the tray for supporting splices between the optical fibres.
Preferably the peripheral walls on opposite sides of the tray co-extend with each other.
Preferably the tray comprises a generally flat base portion which extends in a plane which is parallel to but offset from the plane of the central portion.
Preferably the port is provided on the base portion.
Preferably the base portion extends around the periphery of the central portion, preferably between the peripheral wall (s) and the central portion.
Preferably said aperture (s) are formed in the base portion.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an optical fibre splice storage tray in accordance with this invention;
FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the tray of Figure 1;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of
Figure 1;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of
Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from above of the tray of Figure 1;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view from below of the tray
of Figure 1 ; FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the tray of Figure 1, when in use; and
FIGURE 8 is a bottom view of the tray of Figure 1, when in use.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown a one-piece tray of moulded plastics material for storing splices between optical fibres in a splice storage enclosure.
The tray is generally rectangular in shape and comprise a flat base 10, which is provided at its centre with a raised central portion 11. The central portion 11 lies in a plane which is spaced above but parallel to plane of the base 10.
The tray further comprises opposite side walls 12 which upstand from the side edges of the base 10 and which extend above the central portion 11, such that the central portion 11 lies in a plane intermediate the upper and lower edges of the side wall 12.
The central portion 11 is connected to the base 10 by depending walls 13 which extend along respective opposite sides of the central portion. A pair of channels 14 extend along respective opposite side edges of the base 10 between the walls 12,13. A plurality of tabs 15 project into the channel from the walls 12,13 and serve to retain cables or fibres running along the channels 14.
A pair of upstanding arcuate end walls 16 are formed at each opposite edge of the tray and define a channel therebetween which co-extends with the channels 14 running along opposite sides of the base 10. An additional end wall 17 is formed at one end of the base 10, outwardly of the end walls 16. Opposite ends of the end wall 17 are connected to respective entry ports 18 of the tray. The entry ports 18 comprise channels on respective opposite side edges of the tray, which extend axially of the tray.
An arcuate aperture 19 is formed at opposite ends of the tray adjacent the point where the base 10 meets the end of the central portion 11 of the tray. The central portion 11 is
not provided with a depending peripheral wall at its opposite ends and as such cables and fibres can pass from the upper surface of the base to the underside of the tray without having to be vertically deflected.
A plurality of transverse ridges 20 are formed axially of both sides of the central portion 11, between which splice retaining elements can be mounted. A plurality of fingers 21 project inwardly from the inner surface of the walls 13 parallel with the underside of the central portion 13.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, in use two tubes 22 carrying the fibres to be spliced extend side-by-side axially of the tray up a channel formed on the exterior surface of the side walls 12. The tubes extend around the end wall 16 of the tray and down the opposite side wall 12 until they reach an entry port 23 comprising an opening formed between the side wall 12 and the end walls 16.
The ends of the tubes 22 are retained inside the tray by cable ties 26 and the individual fibres 24 therein are fed to one or both sides of the central portion 11 of the tray, with the fibres being able to pass between opposite sides of the tray through the arcuate apertures 19 at opposite ends of the tray.
Generally, it is envisaged that the fibres will initially pass to the underside of the central portion 11, where any excess length or loops of fibre can be stored by coiling it around the periphery of the central portion 11, the fingers 21 serving to retain the coils of fibres. The fibres 24 may then pass through the apertures 19 onto the top of the central portion 11 where they are spliced together. The spices 27 are retained in elements 28 mounted between adjacent ones of the transverse ridges 20.
A splice tray in accordance with this invention is thus able to store a large number of splices as well as excess lengths of fibres on respective sides of the tray. If desired, additional splices can be mounted on the underside of the tray.
Claims (11)
1. An optical fibre splice storage tray comprising a generally flat central portion which is bounded on opposite sides thereof by a peripherally extending wall or walls, and a port for the entry of optical fibre into the tray, an aperture being formed in the tray within said peripheral wall (s) to allow optical fibre to pass between opposite sides of the central portion.
2. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in claim 1, in which the tray is elongate, each end of the tray being provided with an aperture to allow optical fibres to pass between opposite sides of the central portion.
3. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which means are provided on one side of the tray for retaining coiled optical fibres.
4. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in any preceding claim, in which means are provided on one side of the tray for supporting splices between the optical fibres.
5. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the peripheral walls on each opposite sides of the tray co-extend with each other.
6. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tray comprises a generally flat base portion which extends in a plane which is parallel to but offset from the plane of the central portion.
7. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in any claim 6, in which the port is provided on the base portion.
8. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in
claims 6 or 7, in which the base portion extends around the periphery of the central portion.
9. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in claims 6 or 7, in which the base portion extends around the periphery of the central portion, between the peripheral wall (s) and the central portion extends around the periphery of the central portion.
10. An optical fibre splice storage tray as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, in which said aperture (s) are formed in the base portion.
11. An optical fibre splice storage tray substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0025465A GB2368136B (en) | 2000-10-17 | 2000-10-17 | Optical fibre splice storage tray |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0025465A GB2368136B (en) | 2000-10-17 | 2000-10-17 | Optical fibre splice storage tray |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0025465D0 GB0025465D0 (en) | 2000-11-29 |
| GB2368136A true GB2368136A (en) | 2002-04-24 |
| GB2368136B GB2368136B (en) | 2004-09-08 |
Family
ID=9901483
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0025465A Expired - Fee Related GB2368136B (en) | 2000-10-17 | 2000-10-17 | Optical fibre splice storage tray |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2368136B (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007064729A2 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2007-06-07 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Splice tray arrangement |
| WO2014008081A1 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2014-01-09 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Fiber-optic module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment |
| US8995812B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2015-03-31 | Ccs Technology, Inc. | Fiber optic management unit and fiber optic distribution device |
| US9279951B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2016-03-08 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Fiber optic module for limited space applications having a partially sealed module sub-assembly |
| US9513451B2 (en) | 2012-10-02 | 2016-12-06 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical fibre distribution enclosure |
| EP3063577A4 (en) * | 2013-10-30 | 2017-10-18 | TE Connectivity Corporation | Two-sided optical fiber management tray and method of use |
Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4722585A (en) * | 1984-11-20 | 1988-02-02 | Mars Alcatel | Optical fiber connection support |
| US4840449A (en) * | 1988-01-27 | 1989-06-20 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Optical fiber splice organizer |
| US4861134A (en) * | 1988-06-29 | 1989-08-29 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Opto-electronic and optical fiber interface arrangement |
| EP0490644A1 (en) * | 1990-12-13 | 1992-06-17 | AT&T Corp. | Optical fiber cable closure having enhanced storage capability |
| WO1994012904A2 (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1994-06-09 | Raychem Corporation | Fiber optic splice closure |
| WO1995030165A1 (en) * | 1994-05-02 | 1995-11-09 | Felten & Guilleaume Austria Ag | Holder |
| WO1997022025A1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-19 | Psi Telecommunications, Inc. | Fiber optic splice tray |
| WO1997031281A1 (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 1997-08-28 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Multi-media connection housing |
| EP0795768A2 (en) * | 1996-03-14 | 1997-09-17 | KRONE Aktiengesellschaft | Manageable splicing cassette |
| EP0823650A1 (en) * | 1996-08-06 | 1998-02-11 | Optotec S.p.A. | Fibre-optic junction card |
| GB2318648A (en) * | 1996-10-25 | 1998-04-29 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Optical fibre amplifier organiser |
-
2000
- 2000-10-17 GB GB0025465A patent/GB2368136B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4722585A (en) * | 1984-11-20 | 1988-02-02 | Mars Alcatel | Optical fiber connection support |
| US4840449A (en) * | 1988-01-27 | 1989-06-20 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Optical fiber splice organizer |
| US4861134A (en) * | 1988-06-29 | 1989-08-29 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories | Opto-electronic and optical fiber interface arrangement |
| EP0490644A1 (en) * | 1990-12-13 | 1992-06-17 | AT&T Corp. | Optical fiber cable closure having enhanced storage capability |
| WO1994012904A2 (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1994-06-09 | Raychem Corporation | Fiber optic splice closure |
| WO1995030165A1 (en) * | 1994-05-02 | 1995-11-09 | Felten & Guilleaume Austria Ag | Holder |
| WO1997022025A1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-19 | Psi Telecommunications, Inc. | Fiber optic splice tray |
| WO1997031281A1 (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 1997-08-28 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Multi-media connection housing |
| EP0795768A2 (en) * | 1996-03-14 | 1997-09-17 | KRONE Aktiengesellschaft | Manageable splicing cassette |
| EP0823650A1 (en) * | 1996-08-06 | 1998-02-11 | Optotec S.p.A. | Fibre-optic junction card |
| GB2318648A (en) * | 1996-10-25 | 1998-04-29 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Optical fibre amplifier organiser |
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007064729A3 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2007-07-26 | Adc Telecommunications Inc | Splice tray arrangement |
| US7274852B1 (en) | 2005-12-02 | 2007-09-25 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Splice tray arrangement |
| US7457504B2 (en) | 2005-12-02 | 2008-11-25 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Splice tray arrangement |
| US7620288B2 (en) | 2005-12-02 | 2009-11-17 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Splice tray arrangement |
| WO2007064729A2 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2007-06-07 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Splice tray arrangement |
| US9279951B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2016-03-08 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Fiber optic module for limited space applications having a partially sealed module sub-assembly |
| WO2014008081A1 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2014-01-09 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Fiber-optic module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment |
| US9250409B2 (en) | 2012-07-02 | 2016-02-02 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Fiber-optic-module trays and drawers for fiber-optic equipment |
| US9513451B2 (en) | 2012-10-02 | 2016-12-06 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical fibre distribution enclosure |
| RU2620904C2 (en) * | 2012-10-02 | 2017-05-30 | 3М Инновейтив Пропертиз Компани | Fibre-optic distribution module |
| US8995812B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2015-03-31 | Ccs Technology, Inc. | Fiber optic management unit and fiber optic distribution device |
| EP3063577A4 (en) * | 2013-10-30 | 2017-10-18 | TE Connectivity Corporation | Two-sided optical fiber management tray and method of use |
| US10114187B2 (en) | 2013-10-30 | 2018-10-30 | Commscope Technologies Llc | Two-sided optical fiber management tray and method of use |
| US10393981B2 (en) | 2013-10-30 | 2019-08-27 | Commscope Technologies Llc | Two-sided optical fiber management tray and method of use |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0025465D0 (en) | 2000-11-29 |
| GB2368136B (en) | 2004-09-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20071017 |