MXPA97007081A - Organizers of optimal fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article for releasably securing a plurality of elongated fiber optic components such as splice elements, the article comprises a pad member and a plurality of flexible arm members, attached and extending in general. perpendicular to the pad member the arm members positioned to form a series of adjacent, parallel openings or slots having a first and a second side side and to receive the fiber optic components, the article is characterized in that: each of the arm members they include a means for firmly tightening each component inserted in one of the openings or slits, the clamping means alternately faces opposite directions along a given side of the component such that the component is firmly tightened by at least two clamping means facing in the same direction on the first side and a third fastening means faces the opposite direction on the second side between the two clamping means on the first side to provide a multiple point load staggered on the component

Description

ORGANIZERS OF OPTICAL FIBERS Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to articles that support and organize interconnecting devices, and more particularly to an organizer, or organizer insert, adapted to store a plurality of fiber optic splices, the insert having a plurality of arms' placed to form a series of openings or slits that receive the splices. 2 . Description of the Previous Technique It is often necessary to join the ends of two cables, as used in telecommunications, to lengthen or lengthen the cable system, bifurcate additional cables, or repair damaged cables. It is common to use protective enclosures to protect the unions, either aerial, direct underground, on the ground or under the ground (installation or well operator or inspection). The protective enclosures, in general REP: 25581 are one of two types, in line or butt splice. In the butt splicing of optical fiber cables, various designs of protective enclosures employ a dome shape, ie, a body of the closure or cover which is generally elongated, and which has a closed end and an open end. Several such designs are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,927,227, 5,222,183, 5,249,253 and 5,278,933, and in British Patent Application No. 93/00157 of the PCT. These closures or caps use various clamps, bolts, connections, etc. to secure the cable near the open end of the closure or cover. See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,097,529, 5,280,556 and 5,288,946 and U.S. Patent Applications No. 93/05742, British No. 93/01120 and British Patent No. 93/01942 of the PCT. These elements provide clamping assistance against the cable tensions caused by the movement of the external cable relative to the closure or cover. A cable that is pulled or pulled axially, twists or bends must not transmit this movement to the opening of the cover or cable case inside the closure or cover. The prior art designs are less suitable for optical fiber cables, however, since these include metal components having sharp or pointed edges that can damage the exposed fibers and their coatings. These designs also require many parts, increasing the cost of the closure or lid, and sometimes require special tools for installation. The use of many interconnection parts additionally increases the installation time. Some cable terminations of the prior art use protective joint connectors to additionally secure the sheath or sheath of the cable, and provide electrical continuity through the covers or support cases, using metal braids. These connectors typically have an inner fastening member that fits within the liner or sheath of the cable, and an outer fastening member that firmly clamps the outer surface of the sheath or sheath of the cable, and a bolt or other means for forcing both members together to fix the liner or sheath between them. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,787,797, 4,895,525 and 5,097,529, U.S. Patent Application No. 94/04198 of PCT and German Patent No. 4,231,181. These designs are unsuitable for redoing the integrity of the cable sheath or sheath for both fiber optic and copper cables since, for example, they can not adequately handle the security or reinforcement members found in fiber optic cables, such as wires or aramid fibers. In fact, it would be very useful to have a connector that would allow an easier conversion of the protective copper union to the protective fiber joint. In several of the above designs, the • fiber optic storage trays, such as splice trays, are supported or attached to the fastening assistance member or body of the closure or cover. Storage trays usually include guide walls to hold the fibers with a minimum folding radius. In the '227,' 183 and * 253 patents mentioned above, and in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,323,480 and 5,363,466, several splice trays, superimposed or stacked during storage, are articulated to a common base, in a similar fashion to a stair. U.S. Patent No. 5,071,220 and U.S. Patent Application No. 94/04232 to the PCT show in-line closures or lids having trays hinged to a common base in this manner. In U.S. Patent No. 5,323,478, the trays are superposed or stacked by means of strips or articulation tapes. These articulation arrangements still allow the fibers to travel between adjacent splice trays to become kinked when the tray is lifted, inducing loss of microbending in the fiber. These also do not make the best use of space due to the geometry similar to a staircase. The fibers that are routed between the trays are often protected in a wrapping or spiral wound pipe or a cylindrical pipe to protect the fibers from being physically damaged and to resist bending of the fibers unless their minimum folding radius. The cylindrical pipe and the wrapping or spiral winding, both take a considerable amount of time to install since, for the cylindrical pipe, the fibers must be passed through the pipe and, for wrapping or spiral winding, the Wrapping or wrapping should be rolled by hand around the fibers, which can be very difficult if a long fiber length is present. With wrapping or spiral wrapping, it is also easy to tighten a fiber as it is wrapped or rolled up. The disconnection tubes of the prior art fiber also do nothing to protect the flat fiber from excessive or unduly twisting. Several of the splice trays shown in the aforementioned patents use splices or splice supports that retain a plurality of splice elements. See also the '. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,793,681, 4,840,449 and 4,854,661. The retention characteristics can be molded directly on the surface of the tray, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,074,635. The splice inserts can be removably attached to the trays, having retention features in the form of flexible bracket fasteners for quick adjustment; See U.S. Patent Nos. 4,489,830, 4,679,896 and 5,375,185. These fasteners do not always firmly tighten the splice elements, if many elements are present in adjacent openings or slits, due to the displacement and development of tolerance of the material forming the retention feature. The repeated and extended use of splice inserts can also lead to weakening of retention members. In view of all these problems, and particularly those associated with closures or covers for optical fiber cables, it would be desirable and advantageous to devise or invent a closure or cover for optical fibers having appropriate components to overcome the above limitations.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention provides an optical fiber splice organizer generally comprising a fiber optic storage tray having at least two depressions formed therein, and at least two splice inserts each having a pad whose shape corresponds to the shape of the depressions such that the splice inserts can be secured removably in the depressions, the splice inserts each having a plurality of flexible arms attached and extending in general, perpendicular to the pad, the arms placed to form a series of parallel openings or slots for receiving the individual fiber optic components, such as splice elements, and the arms that are staggered along a given of the openings or slits to provide a multiple dot load on any component inserted in it. Preferably there are at least three arms on each side of a given opening or slot, and each of the arms advantageously has a hook < , formed thereon to retain the optical component, with hooks on the arms along a given side of one of the openings or slits facing alternatively in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the pad is provided with lugs for coupling the notches in the splice tray. The pad, ears and arms can be formed integrally (injection molding) of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, EPDM, Neoprene or nitrile, or mixtures of these materials, including blends with polypropylene. The material must have a hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 50 Shore D, and preferably in the range of 60-80 Shore A.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dome lid or closure for the fiber of the present invention, with two wires entering the closure or top; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the closure or lid of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the support assist member used with the closure or cover of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a clamping connector of the protective joint of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the fastening connector of the protective joint of Figure 4 installed on a cable; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the closure or lid of Figures 1 and 2 illustrating the transition tray; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the end of a part of the split fiber-guiding tube used in the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the closure or lid of Figures 1 and 2 showing two splice trays attached to the transition tray of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating a splice tray maintained in an access position, intermediate; Figures 10A-10C are perspective views of the alternative splice inserts used in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures, and in particular with reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a mode 10 of the closure or cover of the present invention. While this closure or cover is particularly suitable for use with fiber optic cables, many of the features described and claimed herein may be used with little or no modification in other applications, such as copper or coaxial cable. The described modalities have general use in fiber applications in the circuit, including pedestals, cabinets, inspection or operator wells, cable or pole assemblies. These applications could include closures or covers for fiber terminals in video nodes in fiber networks / coaxial cable, hybrid, closures or distribution covers or closures or fiber terminal covers for fiber networks for curved telegraphic signals or fiber for the home. The closure or cover 10 is generally comprised of an outer housing and an interior structure, the housing includes an elongated dome body 12 having a first closed end and a second open end, a tubular base 14 attached to the open end of the body dome 12, a clamping wire 16 for releasably securing the body 12 to the base 14, and a base plate or fastening assist member 18 which is obscured in Figure 1 by a pre-stretched or dilated tube ( PST) 20. This housing instruction is similar to the 3M Reintroduced Dome Cap or Lid used for copper wire splices, except for the clamping assist member 18. In the drawings, two wires 22 and 24 are shown entering into the cable. the closure or cover 10, but the number of the cables may vary. In the embodiment described, the fastening assist member 18 has six cable holes designed to receive cables of varying diameters, and more than one cable can be placed in a single hole if they are small in diameter. The dome body 12, the base 14 and the support assist member 18 can be formed of any durable material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer (injection moldable) such as polypropylene. The illustrated construction is an anterior surface closure or cover for the butt splice. The PST 20 is preferably formed of an elastomer, such as EPDM, and is loaded into a collapsible core, with either or both of its ends turned inwardly outwardly, ie, wound back on itself. After the cables are secured to the fastening assist member 18 and the base 14 is properly positioned against the member 18, the PST 20 is placed on these two components and their core released, causing it to collapse around the base-14 and the support assist member 18, and forming a water resistance seal, adjusted along its interface. The ridges are provided along the outer surface of the base 14 to couple the PST 20. A gel end seal such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,258,578 is also used. Access to the inside of the closure or cover 10 is then provided by removal of the dome body 12 from the base 14 using the fastener 16. The fastener 16, which is preferably stainless steel, is rotatably joined to the base 14 to two pivots or rods 26 formed with the base. The hairpin-shaped portions for the hair of the fastener 16 are held in the corresponding pivots or rods 28 formed in the body 12. The location of the hairpin-shaped portions for the hair and the portions of pivots or rods 26 and 28 are selected to cause the body 12 to be forcefully urged against the base 14 and form a tight seal therewith, the seal is further enhanced by a sealing ring 30 which is placed near the top of the base 14 in an annular opening or slit 32 formed in the outer surface thereof. The diameter of the sealing ring 30 couples with the width of the opening or slit 32 to provide an improved seal. With further reference to Figure 3, the fastening assistance member 18 of the present invention utilizes a novel design that provides fastening assistance for the cable (s) that enter the closure or cover 10 and allows quick and simple installation. The fastening assist member 18 includes a plate 34 having several notches, tension-increasing enhancement holes, U-shaped 36 and allowing the cables to be placed on the fastening assist member 18 laterally, ie without having to pass the cable through an opening. The plate has several exterior surfaces between the adjacent holes 36, which coincide with the shape of the outer surface of the base 14 such that the fastening assist member 18 can be partially positioned within the base 14 and have a tight fitting between the inner surface thereof and the surfaces 38. A series of ridges or fingers 40 formed along the surfaces 38 snap around the bottom edge of the base 14 for a solid connection. The plate 34 also has a mounting accessory 42 for receiving the tray, back plate, terminal block, etc., which supports and stores the individual fibers (or cables) and associated interconnection devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting fixture 42 extends generally perpendicular to the plate 34 and has a groove therein for receiving a tongue or strip in the tray. The slot can be bent or grooves'. provided for a more solid union. A portion of the inner surface of the holes is provided with various rows of protrusions or teeth 44 that bite into the lining or sheath of the cable or fitting material to more securely grasp the cable. Near these teeth, along the interior surface of the holes 36, there are two slots or inlet openings 46 that receive the cable connections 48 (see Figures 2 and 6) to further secure the cable, and two slots output 50 for connections. The respective pairs of the slots 46 and 50 are joined by the autoguiding channels formed within the walls of the holes 36. Additional slots can be provided for additional, or only one, cable connections or junctions, but two are considered optimal. This construction allows the rapid installation of most of the cables in the support assist member 18 in three simple steps. First, the connections or connections of the cables 48 are inserted into the openings 46 and pushed until a sufficient length of the outlets 50 extends. Second, the cable is prepared, if necessary, for clamping assistance by wrapping the area to be fixed with an adjustment material, such as vinyl tape. Finally, with the cable in place in an opening or hole 36, the connections or connections 48 are tightly tightened using pliers or tongs or a gun to connect the cable. After all the cables are secured in this manner, the fastening assist member 18 is locked or locked in the base 14 with the flaps 40 firmly fitted against the bottom edge of the base 14. An end seal, such as those made of foam, can be used to provide resistance to the passage or entry of water. The sheaths or sheaths of the cables can be further secured within the closure or cover 10, for example, directly attached to the support member which is mounted on the accessory 42, using conventional fixing devices, including those providing electrical continuity through of covers or fundamental cases or ground connection. If the cable is additionally provided with security or reinforcement members (such as thick metal wires or high strength aramid fibers), then the modified protective bonding connector 52 shown in Figures 4 and 5 can be used to secure these members. The connector 52 utilizes two conventional fasteners 54 and 56 which secure the sheath or cable sheath 58. The inner fastener 56 has a pivot or bolt 60 which passes through a hole 62 in the outer fastener 54 Both elements 54 and 56 have a plurality of tongues or teeth 64 formed therein for tightly tightening the liner, 58. A series of small strips or teeth, including a central tooth 66, formed at the upper end of the element 56. they adjust against the complementary teeth 68. The modification of the connector 52 consists in the provision of two additional elements 70 and 72 which serve to extend the protective connection and provide the fastening assistance for the safety members or reinforcement of the cable 74. The extension of the protective union 70 has three holes 76, 78 and 80 in it. The hole 76 is formed in a narrowed end portion 82 of the extension member 70 and receives the bolt 60 when the connector 52 is assembled or assembled (the narrowed end portion 82 is interposed between the inner and upper fastening elements 54). and 56). The hole 78 receives the tooth 66 of the fastening element 56 which, with the hole 76, serves to securely fix the extension element 70 to the fastening elements 54 and 56. The hole 80 is adapted to receive another bolt 84 formed in the extension fixing plate 72, whereby the security or reinforcement members 74 can be secured between the plate 72 and the extension element 70. The pin 84, which extends in the same direction as the pin 60 when the extension element 70 is attached to fasteners 54 and 56, it can be directly secured to the support member (or positioning or mounting accessory) within the closure or cover 10. A flange 86 formed on the end of the fastening plate 72 serves to additionally stabilize the connection by providing a safety stop and friction fit or assembly with the top edge 88 of the extension member 70. The sides 90 of the plate '<; of clamp 72 are also bent to form flanges that engage in a manner similar to the sides of the extension member 70. The clamp plate 72 may have two cuts in the present so that the safety or reinforcement members can be bent backwards. on the plate, in the cuts, for the additional fastening assistance, additional flanges can be provided, for example in the narrowed portion of the element 70, for holding the bent wires. The holding plate 72 the extension element 70 are preferably formed of a metallic material such as a copper alloy, for example, bronze, preferably with a tin electrodeposition. The connector 52 has several advantages. First, it can he any kind of security or reinforcement member, for example, wires or aramid fibers. It does not allow the safety or reinforcement members to bend or deform (for example, due to thermal cycling) because they are held at short distances from the opening of the cable cover. This attribute is particularly significant in fiber optic applications. The connector 52 can be attached to different types of protective joint connectors, existing, for the conversion of the copper protective joint to the fiber protective joint. Since it is confined, the security or reinforcement member closes to the opening of the liner or sheath, this can be easily isolated from the fiber hing devices in the closure or lid 10. Finally, because it is similar to the connectors Copper protective joint of the prior art, the transition for copper or fiber technicians will be easier. Referring again to Figure 2, the inner structure of the closure or lid 10 may take various forms, but advantageously includes a rear plate or transition tray 92 one or more junction trays 94, each having a cover 94. one or more splice insert 98 for receiving splices 100 interconnecting a plurality of optical fibers 102. The term "splice" frequently refers to the permanent interconnection of two transmission lines, as opposed to a "connector" which usually means a device that can be joined, separated, joined again, repeatedly if necessary. These terms should not be constructed in this manner in a limiting sense as used herein, however, since the present invention is equally usable with both permanently connecting devices devices that are temporarily connected. Although only two junction trays 94 are depicted, more could be provided in the larger embodiments of the closure or cap 10. The transition tray 92 is best observed in Figure 6, is elongated, having a connecting fitting 104 a an end for the removable connection with the mounting fixture 42 of the fastening assist member 18. The transition tray 92 has a floor 106 with two cylinders or coils 108 formed therein to receive looseness coils of the optical fiber, such as fast fiber not used (spliced) in this position. Another curved wall 110 guides a fiber outlet tube 112 to one of the junction trays 94. The coils 108 the wall 110 maintain the optical fibers at a minimum bend radius. The small strips 114 can be used to retain the fibers in the tray. If there is sufficient space within the dome body 12, the fiber of the damper tube can be twisted or rolled over the outer periphery of the plate secured with the cable connections. For individual tubes, the tube is terminated secured with the cable connections at the entrance loose or loose fiber is stored inside the transition tray 92. For fiber-shaped tape, fast, storage in the patterns The "figure-8" eliminates any twisting of the tapes. The tray 92 is preferably sufficiently deep to allow multiple crossing of the tapes. A block of foam can be attached to the back side of the tray 92, such as inside the cylinder formed by the molding of the upper coil 108, to support the trays when the closure or cover is opened, that is, the dome body 12 is removed, and the trays extend horizontally. Another piece of foam, such as a foam O-ring, can be placed around the free ends of the trays or pre-positioned within the closed end of the body 12 to provide resistance against vibrations and external impacts. Figure 7 illustrates a novel divided tube 116 that can be used to direct the fibers of the transition tray 92 to the splice tray 94, or from one splice tray to another. Similar prior art articles, the tube directing the fiber 116 protects the fibers from being physically damaged, and resists bending of the fiber unless its minimum folding radius. The distinct cylindrical pipe or spiral wrapping or winding tube 116 is particularly suitable for flat or tape-shaped fiber; 12 Flat or tape-shaped fibers are neatly stacked inside the rectangular cross-section, and this shape allows little twisting of the tapes. Additionally, this can be done. install on the fibers much faster than the cylindrical pipe or spiral wrap, by using an interconnection, joint or releasable joining line comprised of a longitudinal groove 118 extending the full length of the joint or joining line, and a slit or complementary opening or slit 120. The spline 118 elongates or grows rapidly at its tip, and the opening or slit 120 has a region of decreased width, to provide a snap closure or snap fit, but the material of the tube 116 is sufficiently elastic (such as a mixture of EPMD / polypropylene) to allow the walls forming the opening or slit 120 to expand and allow the spline 118 to fully enter the opening or slit 120 and seal the tube 116 along its seal or line of union. If any pipe is used, it can advantageously pass below the pivot point of the tray to allow the fibers to move freely without picking up any joints, and relax to their minimum state of stress. Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, the splice trays 94 are preferably the same shape and overall size of the transition tray 92, and have similar structures, including curved walls 122 for guiding the fibers, small strips 124 for retaining them, and channels 126 for restricting or retaining the fiber outlet tubes. The trays 94 are also preferably deep enough to allow multiple crossings of tapes. The channels 126 may have a snap closure feature to secure the tubes, or be used with cable connections. The splice trays 94 also have one or more pad areas or depressions 128 for receiving the splice inserts 98. A fastener 130 can be provided on a transition tray 92 to releasably secure the adjacent splice tray 94 in its position of storage, and splice trays 94 can be provided with similar fasteners 132. The superimposed small strips 134 formed on the sides of the splice trays 94 help to keep trays stacked neatly. The transition tray 92 and the junction trays 94 are preferably molded from an injection moldable thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate. When used with the other thermoplastic components described above (body 12, base 14 and fastening assist member 18), absolutely no metal components are exposed within the closure or cover 10, which is desirable for the storage of the entire cable dielectric, and for the cover wire or metal case. The connector 52 can be wrapped with, for example, vinyl tape so that there is no exposed metal. The use of an injection-moldable material also allows the articulation mechanism of the tray to be formed integrally with the transition tray 92 and the junction trays 94. Specifically, the similar pivot pins 136 and 138 are formed on the upper surface of the transition tray 92, and the similar pivot pins 140 and 142 are formed on the upper surfaces of the junction trays 94. These pins fit within the correspondingly placed connection nozzles along the lower surfaces of the legs. junction trays. Since these pins and the connection ports are formed at a common end of all the trays, they can access (inclined) without kinking the fibers directed around that end. The connection ports have an outer wall with an irregular or retaining shape, formed to predispose the tray to a position that is inclined 60 ° from the storage position (horizontal), as shown in Figure 9. The pivot pins are engaged in a receptacle having an inner surface with the same irregular shape as the outer wall of the connecting mouth. This feature allows hands-free access to the fibers in the trays below the top (s), and the integrally molded pins allow the trays to be rotated without the kinking or breaking of the fibers entering and leaving the top. tray. To move a splice tray 94 back into alignment with the other trays, or horizontally against the transition tray 92, two buttons 144 are pushed and the fixing mechanism is released. Various embodiments of the novel splice inserts 98 used with the present invention are shown in Figures 10A-10C. While the inserts 98 are adapted to receive any fusion or mechanical splices, and for either discrete fibers or ribbon fibers, they are equally suitable for accommodating similar optical components such as couplers, spacers and dampers. The insert 98a shown in Figure 10A is designed to be used with dough melt joints, and includes a base or pad 146 having a shape corresponding generally to the depressions 128 formed in the junction trays 94 which, in the preferred embodiment, is rectangular or parallelogram. The ears 148 formed at the ends of the pad 146 engage with correspondingly shaped notches formed in the tray to assist in retaining the insert 98a in the depression 128. Other means may be provided to attach the pads to the trays, such as Pressure sensitive adhesive. The insert 98a has a plurality of fingers or arms 150a that are positioned to form a series of parallel inclusions or openings or slits for receiving the individual splice elements. The arms 150a are staggered to provide a multiple point load on the splice elements, and are preferably constructed of an elastic material such as natural and synthetic rubbers, polystyrene, EPDM (or mixtures thereof with polypropylene), Neoprene or nitrile. Each of the arms 150a has a flange or hook 152 formed therein, with the hooks along a given side of a splice element that alternately faces the opposite directions; in this way, in the embodiment shown where the three arms are provided on each side of the splice element, a given element is held firmly by two hooks facing the same direction at their ends, and by a third hook facing the direction opposite in its center. Figure 10B illustrates an alternative splice insert 98b adapted for use with discrete mechanical splices, such as splice 154 FIBRLOK (FIBRLOK is a trademark of 3M). The arms 150b are similar to the arms 150a although these are thinner than the arms 150a and the hooks are less pronounced. In Figure 10C, the splice insert 98c has been adapted for use with discrete fusion splice elements 156, and its arms 150c are almost triangular in cross section, with a lower missing or missing to form the hook feature. Two layers of discrete melting joints can be stacked in the openings or slits of the insert 98c to double their capacity, to twelve elements in the embodiment shown. The present invention eliminates the requirement in the prior art splice inserts of added assistance areas for displaced rubber, and avoids the tolerance of manufacturing problems associated with the removal of these assistance areas, in turn reducing the size total of the insert, and increasing and equalizing the retention force on the splice elements. This is achieved by providing staggered arms that are also flexible, having a hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 50 Shore D, preferably in the range of 60-80 Shore A, and more preferably approximately 70 Shore A The construction of the inserts 98a-98c allows easy insertion and removal of the splice element without damaging the interconnected element or fibers. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description does not mean that it is constructed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the described modality, as well as also alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the reference for the description of the invention. For example, almost all the components can be used with the closures or lids in line as well as closures or dome covers. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates. te * Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following are claimed as property:

Claims (10)

1. An article for releasably securing a plurality of elongated optical fiber components such as splice elements, the article comprises a pad member and a plurality of flexible arm members, attached and extending generally perpendicular to the cushion member the arm members positioned to form a series of adjacent, parallel openings or slots having a first and a second lateral side and for receiving the optical fiber components, the article is characterized in that: each of the arm members includes a means to firmly tighten each component inserted in one of the openings or slits, the clamping means alternately faces opposite directions along a given side of the component such that the component is firmly tightened by at least two clamping means facing the Same direction on the first side and a third fastening means faces the opposite direction ta in the second side between the two clamping means on the first side to provide a multiple point load stepped on the component.

2. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a hook formed in each of the arm members' for retaining the optical fiber component in one of the given openings or slits.

3. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pad member has a plurality of ear members attached thereto, adapted to fit in correspondingly shaped notches, formed in a fiber optic storage tray.

4. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pad member is formed integrally with the arm members.

5. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least one of the openings or slits has at least three of the arm members on each side of the opening or slit.

6. The article according to claim 1, further characterized in that the arm members are formed of a material having a hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 50 Shore D.

7. The article of conformity in claim 1, further characterized in that the arm members are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, EPDM, Neoprene, nitrile and mixtures of the above with polypropylene.

8. The article according to claim 2, further characterized in that the hooks on the arm members a < -. along a given side of one of the openings or slits face or face alternately in opposite directions.

9. The article according to claim 6, further characterized in that the arm members are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, EPDM, Neoprene, nitrile and mixtures of the above with polypropylene.

10. The article according to claim 6, further characterized in that the arm members are formed of a material having a hardness in the range of 60-80 Shore A. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An optical fiber splice organizer including an optical fiber storage tray having a region for receiving a splice insert (98a), and at least one splice insert (98a) having a pad (146) and a plurality of flexible arms (150a) attached and extending generally perpendicular to the pad (146), the arm (150a) positioned to form a series of parallel openings or slits for receiving individual fiber optic components, such as splice elements , and the arms (150a) that are staggered along a given opening or slot to provide a multiple point load on any component inserted therein. Preferably there are at least three arms (150a) on each side of a given opening or slot, and each of the arms (150a) advantageously has a hook (152) or other fastening element formed therein for retaining the optical component, with the hooks (152) on the arms (150a) along the side of one of the openings or slits that face or face alternately in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the pad (146) is provided with lugs for engaging the respective notches in the tray. The pad, ears, arms can be integrally formed (injection molded) of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, EPDM, Neoprene or nitrile, or mixtures of these materials, including mixtures with polypropylene. The material must have a hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 50 Shore D, and preferentially in the range of 60-90 \ Shore A.