SYSTEM OF COUPLING OF TRANSITION CHANNELS FOR FIBERS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for the handling and routing of fiber optic cables, with more particularity to systems for coupling transition elements or transition channels to other channels and splices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the telecommunications industry there are numerous locations where a significant amount of fiber optic cable must be routed within one installation or from one installation to another. The routing within an installation can be from one piece or from one equipment to another, or from external lines that arrive at a central office and to fiber optic connectors where these are connected to equipment inside the installation. The number of fibers can be large and the fibers must be handled with great care to avoid damage to the fiber cable, which prevents its operation. In a typical installation, fiber optic channels are normally used to conduct or route fiber optic cables. Although not necessarily, in most installations the channels are located above and above the location of fiber optic distributors, racks and REF; 144965 team. In certain types of installations, a significant network of channels is necessary to contain and route the fiber cables. The installation time and the expense can be substantial for said channel systems. Installation time and expense grow even more when channels, channel supports and splices are not easily adaptable to the desired configuration in the installation and when channels, couplings, splices, downspouts and other equipment are not assembled promptly and easily , or when tools such as screwdrivers are required for installation. The typical system of the prior art requires numerous screws to secure the covers and other components together. The design, arrangement and assembly of these channel systems is further complicated due to the unique nature of fiber cables and how fiber cables should be placed, routed and handled. When handling fiber optic cables, it is important to maintain a minimum bend radius to protect the fiber optic cables. A typical minimum standard radius of curvature is 25.4 and 38.1 millimeters (one and one and a half inches), while another standard minimum radius of curvature is thirty millimeters (30 millimeters). It is also desirable to minimize the number and size of dents, cracks, holes and other deviations from those of a smooth surface to which the fibers are exposed, or on which the fibers are supported. For many years there has been an unmet need to reduce assembly time and / or expense to provide a channel system which minimizes or eliminates the need for the use of screws and other fasteners and supports that consume time, providing the instead a channel system which protects the integrity of the fiber cables. In the prior art system numerous screws are used to join the various components with one another. Those who have assembled toys for children can confirm that it can be tedious to screw many screws to join something together. While such screw-based systems are easier to design, they overwhelm the owner of the installation with the high unnecessary expense of screw mounting, for example, and with the intent to make the system conform to the particular installation. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a new system of coupling of transition channels which significantly reduces assembly and installation time and expense and does not require any tool to carry out the assembly. Other embodiments of the present invention allow the transition channels to be moved together with receiver channels in a predetermined manner to assemble both of them together without any additional tools, screws or equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the embodiments of the present invention with multiple transition channels and receiver channels, in one application; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modality of a transition channel sometimes referred to as a funnel; Figure 3 is a side view of a funnel channel shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mode of a transition channel in the process of being joined to a mode of a receiver channel; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transition channel as contemplated by the present invention, referred to as a downward bend or sometimes a downpipe; Figure 6 in a perspective view of another embodiment of a transition channel as contemplated by the present invention, with only two latches placed on the side walls of the transition channels; Figure 7 is a view of separate parts in perspective bottom of a mode of a transition channel as contemplated by the present invention, showing its relationship with a splice receiver channel, which illustrates the reed locks in the receiver channel which it complements and corresponds to the insurance of the lower wall of the transition channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Many of the fastening, connecting, manufacturing and other means and components used in the present invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art or science; therefore, they will not be discussed in significant detail. In addition, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of the present invention may be varied or altered as anticipated by the present invention and the practice of a specific application or embodiment of any element may already be known or widely used in the art. or by people with experience in the art or science; therefore, they will not be discussed in significant detail. The terms "a" or "an", and "the" or "the", as used herein in the claims are used in accordance with the practice of many years of writing claims and not in a limiting manner. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "a" or "an" and "the" or "the" are not limited to one such element, but instead means "at least one." The term "secure" is used herein in a broad sense, and covers numerous different mechanisms of union / disunion, each component including a secure one such as the corresponding or complementary components which interact with one another. The term "secure" as used herein is in no way to be limited to the configurations shown in the drawings or described herein. Therefore, by way of example but not limitation, the safe term as used herein would include structures which are held or retained, such as a flexible member with a retainer or a tab contained therein, which then could interact with a corresponding and complementary component (also called as insurance), which can be a catch or a tab. It is intended to cover each of the configurations or structures that are joined or held together with one another in a complementary manner, or would allow for example a component to join the side wall of the channel. In addition, the term insurance aims to cover each of the complementary components which interact or complement each other. Consistent with this definition and in the case of transition channels, the retention pins and the lateral support structure are considered and defined as safe. The term "channel" as used herein means any straight, transitional, curved or splicing channel. The term "splice or splice channel" as used herein means any point or splice area, such as, without limitation, horizontal elbows., tes, four-way junctions or intersections, and others. The term "transition channel" as used herein means any channel component that facilitates the vertical routing of fiber optic cables, including, without limitation, what is referred to as a downcomer, downcomer, drop elbow, elbow rise and as a funnel, and others. The term "receiver channel" as used herein means any channel component that is to be coupled with the transition channel, such as straight channels, junction channels, or splices, and even including other transition channels. For example a downspout or drop elbow may be a receiving channel at its lower end for a funnel channel element, as shown in the figures. The term "lateral support stop" as used herein means any structure which has a stop element for engaging in the retaining pin and to prevent movement of the transition channel out of the receiving channel (lateral movement), including without limitation, a opening into which the retaining pin can be placed. In addition, the term "lateral support stop" as used herein is considered to be a safe as defined herein. The term "retaining pin" as used herein means a pin or other structure which has a support structure oriented vertically. Depending on the orientation of the channel, the vertically oriented structure may in fact be horizontal within what is contemplated by the present invention, if the movement of separation of the transition channel from the receiver channel were necessarily in the vertical direction. In addition, the term retention pin is considered to be a safe as defined above. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing embodiments of the present invention with multiple transition channels and receiver channels, in a possible application of embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 shows an elbow channel 110 (a splice channel), with a fiber support surface 110a, a first side wall 110b, a second side wall 110c, a retention pin 111, a retention pin 112, which it acts as a receiver channel for the transition funnel channel 100, and coupled via a connector 140 to a junction channel 120, a four-way junction channel. The funnel transition channel 100 is shown with a fiber support surface 100a (or bottom wall), a latch represented by a lateral support stop 102 or structure on the first side wall 100b, and a latch represented by a stopper of lateral support 101 on the second side wall 100c. The splice receiving channel 120 has a fiber support surface 120a (bottom wall), a first side wall 120b, a second side wall 120c, and which acts as a receiver channel for a downcomer transition channel 130. The receiver channel of splice 120 has retaining pins 121 and 122 which are secure as that term is employed herein, to allow transition channel 130 to be attached thereto. The transition channel 130 has a fiber support surface 130a, a first side wall 130b, a second side wall 130c, side support stops 131 and 132 (safety), and latching pins 133 and 134. The transition channel 130 it also acts as a receiving channel by means of the retention pins 133 and 134 and by means of one or more tabs (not visible from this drawing), for the funnel transition channel 140. The funnel transition channel 140 is shown in FIG. with a fiber support surface 140a, a first side wall 140b, a second side wall 140c, a side support stop 141 (secure) on the second side wall 140c and a side support stop 142 on the first side wall 140b. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modality of a transition channel sometimes referred to as a funnel 100, illustrating a bottom wall 100a, a first side wall 100b and a second side wall 101c. Figure 2 also illustrates two of the numerous safeguards of possible transition channels which can be used within what is contemplated by the present invention. The first two latches are the combination of the lateral support structure 101 combined with the latch opening 103, and the combination of the lateral support structure 102 combined with the latch opening 104. The openings 103 and 104 can be raised above the corresponding and complementary insurances in a receiving channel, and lowered on a retention pin as shown in later figures. The combination of the lateral support structure 102 combined with the latch opening 104 provides lateral support and vertical support, thereby retaining the transition channel 100 adjacent to a receiver channel. Fig. 2 also shows another embodiment of a latch as contemplated by the present invention, a flexible member 105 with detents 106. When the transitional channel 100 moves together with a receiver channel after the upper latches have been placed in the latches. respective retaining pins, the flexible member flexes to allow the flexible member 105 to move over two (secure) tabs in the receiver channel which complement the detents 106. Once the transition channel 100 is at the desired location in In relation to the receiver channel, the detents 106 will coincide with the tabs and the flexible member 105 will return to its non-flexed position. It should be noted that two detents 106 are shown, and in that case the spacer between the two detents 106 provides some lateral support. However, there may be any number of detents 106 within what is contemplated by the present invention. Figure 3 is a side view of a funnel channel shown in Figure 2, and shows a second side wall 100c, a latch 101, a flexible member 105 of the lower latch and the latch 106. The lower latch is the member combination flexible and the retainer 106. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modality of a transition channel in the process of being joined to a modality of a receiver channel. The openings 103 and 104 are raised above the corresponding and complementary latches in a receiving channel, which in FIG. 4 are the retaining pins 111 and 112, which are located in a recess of the upper part of the upper walls. of the receiver channel 110. By moving together the transition channel and the receiver channel in a predetermined manner involves the descent of the lateral support structures 101 and 102 in such a manner that the openings 103 and 104 descend and engage on the retaining pins. 111 and 112. This provides lateral and vertical support. The retaining pins provide lateral support in all lateral directions when the pin corresponds and complements the opening of the other of the receiver channel or the transition channel. The recess around the pin is also provided in a direction perpendicular to the lateral support, which could typically (but not necessarily) be in the vertical direction. Once the two latches engage in the receiver channel 110, the lower portion of the transition channel moves together with the lower portion of the receiver channel, causing the flexible member 105 to flex to initially allow it to pass over the corresponding tabs in the lower part of the receiver channel 110. The tabs or latches in the lower part of the receiver channel correspond to the transition channel latch such that when the channels are in the desired location, the latch 106 engages and surrounds the corresponding tabs in the receiving channel, thereby preventing the lower walls 110a and 100a from separating. The movement described above is only one embodiment or example of a predetermined movement of the transition channel with the receiver channel as contemplated by the present invention. Figure 4 also shows a first side wall 100b, a second side wall 100c, and a bottom wall 100a (also fiber support surface) of the transition channel 100, as well as a first side wall 110b, a second side wall 110c, and a bottom wall 100a or a supporting surface of fibers of the receiver channel 110. Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transition channel 130 contemplated by the present invention, which is referred to as a descent bend or sometimes downcomer. Figure 5 illustrates a lower wall 130a, a first side wall 130b, a second side wall 130c, a lock constituted by a flexible member 135 and a retainer 136 at a first end of the transition channel 130. At the first end of the wall side 130b is a lock, the lock is constituted by a stop of lateral support structure 132 and an opening 134. At the first end of the second side wall 130c is a lock, the lock is constituted by a stop of structure of side support 131 and an opening 133. Figure 5 also illustrates how one embodiment of a transition channel may also be a receiving channel for another transition channel, because the transition channel 130 has a second end which additionally comprises a first secure of receiver channel 138 in the first side wall 130b; a second receiver channel lock 137 in the second side wall 130c; and a third receiver channel lock of a flexible member 135 with a detent 136 thereon, attached to the bottom wall 130a. Therefore when the lowered term is used here in connection with a lateral support opening that has been lowered to a retaining pin, for example, it is not required that this be only in the vertical direction, but instead it means placing or Slide the latch opening on the side support stop or side support structure, over and up to the latch pin. Also, when the term "bottom wall" is used herein, it refers to a fiber support surface which does not necessarily have to be vertically lower than the side walls, depending on the orientation of the channel being described. Figure 5 shows a retaining pin 137 (secure) at the second end of the second side wall 130c, and the retaining pin 138 at the second end of the first side wall 130b. In the application shown in Figure 5, a funnel can be a transition channel attached to the second end of the transition channel 130. Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a transition channel 200 as contemplated by the present invention. , only with two latches located on the side walls of the transition channel in place or in replacement of the latch represented by the flexible member 135 combined with the retainer 136 (shown in Fig. 5). In the first side wall 200b of the transition channel 200 there is a first latch represented by the flexible member 205 and a retainer 206, in addition to the latch represented by the lateral support structure 202 and the opening 203. Likewise, in the second side wall 200c is a lock represented by the flexible member 207 and the retainer 208, in addition to the lock represented by the lateral support member 201 combined with the opening 204. Figure 6 also shows a lower wall of transition channel 200a or a surface of fiber support. Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of separate pieces of a transition channel 130 mode as contemplated by the present invention, showing its relationship to a splice receiver channel 120, which illustrates the reed latches 139 in the receiver channel 120 which complements and corresponds to the lock of the lower wall of the transition channel 130 which is represented by the flexible member 135 and the retainer 136. Figure 7 also shows the lower wall 130a or a channel fiber support surface of transition 130, a first side wall 130b, a second side wall 130c, retention posts 137 and 138 at a second end of the channel, and which can be secure to make the transition channel 130 a receiving channel if desired . Figure 7 also shows a lower receiver channel wall 120a of a fiber support surface, a first side wall 120b and a second side wall 120c.
It should also be noted that while the retention pin latches shown and described herein are preferably on or near an upper part of the side wall, they need not be there and can be located on either side thereon within contemplated by the present invention. As will be appreciated by those of reasonable skill in the art, there are numerous embodiments of the present invention, and variations of elements and components which may be used, all within the scope of the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention for example for the coupling system of the fiber optic cable transition channel for coupling a transition channel to a receiver channel, the coupling system comprising: a receiver channel with a fiber support surface, a first side wall and a second side wall, and further comprising: a first receiver channel lock in the first side wall; a second receiver channel lock in the second side wall; a third receiver channel insurance; a transition channel with a fiber support surface, a first side wall and a second side wall corresponding to the receiver channel, the transition channel comprises: a first and second transition channel latch corresponding and engaging the first and second receiver channel latches, the first and second transition channel latches arranged to provide lateral support for retaining the transition channel in a position adjacent to the receiver channel; and a third transition channel lock corresponding to and complementary to the third receiver channel lock, and arranged to engage the receiver channel lock. In related embodiments the first transitional insurance may be a lateral support stop, and the insurance of the first receiving channel may be a retention pin, and combinations of the different types of insurance may be used. There are also embodiments of the present invention in which a channel is both a transition channel and a receiver channel, such as the channel shown in FIG. 5. In another embodiment of the invention, a transition channel coupling system is provided. for fiber optics for coupling a transition channel to a receiver channel, wherein the coupling system comprises: a receiver channel with a fiber support surface, a first side wall, a second side wall and at least two receiver channel safeguards; and a transition channel with a fiber support surface, a first side wall and a second side wall corresponding to the receiver channel, and at least two transition channel locks which correspond to and are complementary to the transition channel locks; wherein the receiver channel and the transition channel are arranged to be operatively joined to one another by joint movement in a predetermined manner. Additional modalities of this would be when the receiver channel is a piece, and / or the transition channel is a piece. Also described are process modalities, such as a process for mounting a channel, transitioning optical fibers to a receiver channel, the process comprises the following steps: the provision of a receiver channel which includes a fiber support surface , a first side wall, a second side wall, and at least two receiver channel locks; the provision of a transition channel which includes a fiber support surface; a first side wall, a second side wall corresponding to the receiving channel, and at least two transition channel locks which correspond to and are complementary to the at least two receiver channel locks, additionally the at least two safe transition channels are a piece with the transition channel; and the movement of the transition channel and the receiver channel together in a predetermined manner to form an operative joint, wherein moving together the transition channel and the receiver channel in the predetermined manner is the only step required to form the operational link. Similar to the modalities of the apparatus, additional processing modalities of this would be when the receiving channel is a piece, and / or the transitional channel is a piece. Another embodiment of the process described is one in which the transition channel and the receiver channel are moved together in a predetermined manner to join both and no tool is required and no additional components need to be added to form the operational link. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.