US20220212892A1 - Spool with multi-position loop keeper - Google Patents
Spool with multi-position loop keeper Download PDFInfo
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- US20220212892A1 US20220212892A1 US17/576,434 US202217576434A US2022212892A1 US 20220212892 A1 US20220212892 A1 US 20220212892A1 US 202217576434 A US202217576434 A US 202217576434A US 2022212892 A1 US2022212892 A1 US 2022212892A1
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- spool
- cable
- telecommunications cable
- telecommunications
- wall
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- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/04—Kinds or types
- B65H75/08—Kinds or types of circular or polygonal cross-section
- B65H75/14—Kinds or types of circular or polygonal cross-section with two end flanges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/18—Constructional details
- B65H75/28—Arrangements for positively securing ends of material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
-
- 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
- G02B6/4441—Boxes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
- H02G11/02—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using take-up reel or drum
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
- B65H2701/32—Optical fibres or optical cables
-
- 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
- G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
-
- 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
- G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
- G02B6/4458—Coiled, e.g. extensible helix
Definitions
- Spools, reels, cassettes, and cartridges can be used to store telecommunications cable (e.g., electrical cable and/or fiber optic cable).
- the spools typically include a hub or a drum about which the cable is wound.
- the hub of the spools is often cylindrical, and the cable is often wrapped around the cylindrical hub in a predominantly circumferential manner. By winding up the cable on the spool, the cable can be compactly stored and transported, protected from tangling and kinking, and kept ready for easy deployment.
- the installation of a telecommunications cable of a given length between two devices that are fixed in location may result in an excess length of the telecommunications cable.
- the excess length of the telecommunications cable may be vulnerable to tangling and kinking, may be unsightly, and may not be compact.
- An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a spool device for storing at least a portion of a telecommunications cable in a storage configuration.
- the spool device includes a base, a spool member, and at least one loop engaging member.
- the base includes at least a first cable holder, configured for receiving a first portion of the telecommunications cable, and a second cable holder, configured for receiving a second portion of the telecommunications cable.
- the spool member is mounted to the base.
- the spool member includes a wrapping area configured for storing a coiled portion of the telecommunications cable.
- the at least one loop engaging member is configured for engaging a looped portion of the telecommunications cable and thereby securing at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of storing at least the portion of the above telecommunications cable on the above spool device.
- the method includes: a) providing the spool device, b) providing the telecommunications cable, c) looping the telecommunications cable, d) routing the first portion of the telecommunications cable, e) routing the second portion of the telecommunications cable, f) wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area, and g) securing the loop portion of the telecommunications cable on one of the at least one loop engaging member.
- the looping of the telecommunications cable forms the looped portion of the telecommunications cable.
- the routing of the first portion of the telecommunications cable is done at the first cable holder of the base.
- the routing of the second portion of the telecommunications cable is done at the second cable holder of the base.
- the wrapping of the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area forms the coiled portion of the telecommunications cable.
- the securing of the looped portion of the telecommunications cable secures at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration.
- Still other aspects of the present disclosure may include connecting a first end of the above telecommunications cable to a first mounted device prior to the wrapping of the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area and connecting a second end of the telecommunications cable to a second mounted device prior to wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area of the spool member.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a spool device, according to the principles of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device of FIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including a base and a one-way member;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device of FIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including the sub-assembly of FIG. 2 and a spool member;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device of FIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including the sub-assembly of FIG. 4 and a spool wall member;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the spool wall member of FIG. 6 and the one-way member of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the spool wall member of FIG. 6 and the one-way member of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 6 illustrated with a telecommunications cable routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly;
- FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 6 also illustrated with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 6 also illustrated with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly, and also illustrated with a looped portion of the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 approaching a loop engaging member of the spool wall member of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the spool device of FIG. 1 illustrated with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the spool device and the looped portion of FIG. 12 engaged with the loop engaging member of FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of another spool device, according to the principles of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device of FIG. 14 illustrated with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly and ends of the telecommunications cable connected to fixed telecommunication devices, respectively;
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 15 with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly;
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 15 with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly and also illustrated with a looped portion of the telecommunications cable engaged with a loop engaging member of a spool member of the spool device of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the spool device of FIG. 14 illustrated with the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the spool device and also illustrated with the looped portion of FIG. 17 engaged with the loop engaging member of FIG. 17 ;
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 20 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 19 , as called out at FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 4 illustrated with a portion of the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed therethrough;
- FIG. 22 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 21 , as called out at FIG. 21 ;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 6 illustrated with a portion of the telecommunications cable of FIG. 10 routed therethrough;
- FIG. 24 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 23 , as called out at FIG. 23 .
- a spool device 60 may store a telecommunications cable 800 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be retrieved from the spool device 60 .
- the spool device 60 may include a base 100 , a one-way member 200 , a spool member 300 , a spool wall member 400 , and a cover 500 .
- Another spool device 90 is illustrated at FIG. 14 .
- the spool device 90 includes a base 600 , a spool member 700 , and the cover 500 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be wrapped about the spool member 300 of the spool device 60 and similarly may be wrapped about the spool member 700 of the spool device 90 .
- FIGS. 10 and 15 illustrate an example application of the spool devices 60 , 90 .
- a first end 802 of the telecommunications cable 800 is connected to a first device 902 .
- a second end 804 of the telecommunications cable 800 is connected to a second device 904 .
- the first device 902 may be a mounted device 902
- the second device 904 may be a mounted device 904 .
- the mounted devices 902 , 904 may be attached to a telecommunications cabinet, a telecommunications device, a computer, and/or other devices that are stationary and not typically moved.
- the first end 802 of the telecommunications cable 800 may remain connected to the first device 902 , and/or the second end 804 of the telecommunications cable 800 may remain connected to the second device 904 when a portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped and/or unwrapped from the spool device 60 , 90 . Furthermore, the first device 902 and/or the second device 904 may remain in position while the portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about the spool device 60 , 90 and/or unwrapped from the spool device 60 , 90 .
- the ability to wrap and/or unwrap the telecommunications cable 800 while the ends 802 , 804 of the telecommunications cable 800 remain connected and/or at a fixed location makes the spool device 60 , 90 useful for storing excess length of the telecommunications cable 800 and/or for adjusting a routing of the telecommunications cable 800 between the devices 902 , 904 .
- the first end 802 of the telecommunications cable 800 may be permanently connected to a component (e.g., the first device 902 ).
- the first end 802 may be spliced, fusion spliced or otherwise connected to the component.
- a connecting element 912 may be positioned at the first end 802 .
- the connecting element 912 may be a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, a splice, etc.
- the second end 804 of the telecommunications cable 800 may be permanently connected to a component (e.g., the first device 904 ).
- the second end 804 may be spliced, fusion spliced or otherwise connected to the component.
- a connecting element 914 may be positioned at the second end 804 .
- the connecting element 914 may be a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, a splice, etc.
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be a patch cord. Patch cords typically are connectorized at each of their ends.
- the connecting element 912 at the first end 802 of the telecommunications cable 800 may be a connector (e.g., a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, etc.).
- the connecting element 914 at the second end 804 of the telecommunications cable 800 may be a connector (e.g., a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, etc.).
- the first device 902 and/or the second device 904 may be configured to releasably receive the connecting elements 912 and/or 914 (e.g., the connectors).
- the spool device 60 , 90 being used to take up excess lengths of the telecommunications cable 800 will be further described below. It may be desired to connect the first device 902 to the second device 904 with the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the devices 902 , 904 may be at various distances with respect to each other and a routing path for the telecommunications cable 800 may travel across a variety of obstacles of unknown size and position.
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be ordered taking into account the distance between the devices 902 , 904 and allowing for the routing path between the devices 902 , 904 .
- An excess length of the telecommunications cable 800 may be ordered to accommodate unknowns along the cable route and/or to select a standard length of the telecommunications cable 800 (e.g., 100 meters, 250 meters, etc.).
- a standard length of the telecommunications cable 800 e.g. 100 meters, 250 meters, etc.
- the excess length of the telecommunications cable 800 may become tangled, may occupy more space than desired, may appear unsightly, and/or may be vulnerable to environmental hazards.
- the routing between the devices 902 , 904 can follow a clean, neat, and organized route and the excess portion of the telecommunications cable 800 may be stored within the spool device 60 , 90 .
- the ends 802 , 804 may remain connected while the excess portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about the spool device 60 , 90 , there is no need to disconnect the devices 902 , 904 from each other while finalizing the routing of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- spool device 60 , 90 when adjusting either the position of one or both of the mounting devices 902 , 904 and/or adjusting the route of the telecommunications cable 800 between the devices 902 , 904 will be discussed below. From time to time, it may be desired to rearrange either one or both of the devices 902 , 904 . Additionally, the telecommunications cable 800 may need to be rerouted between the devices 902 , 904 . It may be desired to leave a connection provided by the telecommunications cable 800 in operation while the devices 902 , 904 are moved and/or the route of the telecommunications cable 800 is rerouted.
- the spool device 60 , 90 allows the stored portion of the telecommunications cable 800 to be unwound from the spool device 60 , 90 thereby providing excess cable length between the devices 902 , 904 without disconnection of the devices 902 , 904 .
- the devices 902 and/or 904 may then be moved within the limits of the overall length of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the route of the telecommunications cable 800 may be rerouted within the constraints of the overall length of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the resulting excess length and/or the remaining excess length of the telecommunications cable 800 may be wound upon the spool device 60 , 90 .
- the spool device 60 , 90 may serve as an adjustable overlength device for telecommunications cable.
- the base 100 , 600 may include a variety of mounting elements 160 (e.g., mounting holes, mounting slots, etc.) that allow the base 100 , 600 , and thereby the spool device 60 , 90 , to be conveniently attached against a wall, a cabinet, or other convenient location.
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be wrapped about the spool device 60 , 90 before and/or after the base 100 , 600 is secured to its mounting location. Upon the excess portion of the telecommunications cable 800 being wrapped about the spool member 300 , 700 of the spool device 60 , 90 , the cover 500 may be positioned over the spool member 300 , 700 .
- the base 100 includes a plurality of the mounting elements 160 .
- the mounting elements 160 include a mounting slot pair 162 positioned about a central longitudinal axis A 1 of the spool device 60 .
- the mounting slot pair includes two mounting slots with one end of the slots enlarged so as to accommodate a head of a mounting fastener.
- the base 100 may thereby be attached to the wall, the cabinet, etc.
- the base 100 may be turned and the heads of the mounting fasteners thereby positioned over the opposite end of the slots.
- the mounting fasteners may be tightened to secure the base 100 to the wall, or the mounting fasteners may fit snugly or otherwise not need to be tightened upon the base 100 being rotated into the mounted position.
- the base 100 may be mounted by itself, or as part of the spool device 60 .
- the spool device 60 may be mounted to the attachment fasteners as an assembly and may be mounted with or without the telecommunications cable 800 wound about.
- the mounting elements 160 may further include a mounting slot 164 and/or a mounting slot 166 .
- the mounting slots 164 , 166 may accommodate varying fastener positions about a length of the mounting slots 164 , 166 .
- the base 100 includes a base plate 101 that extends between a first side 102 and a second side 104 .
- the base plate 101 defines a perimeter 106 that is a cylindrical perimeter.
- the base 100 includes a plurality of entrance/exits 108 .
- the plurality of entrance/exits 108 may include axial entrance/exits 108 a , perimeter entrance/exits 108 n , perimeter entrance/exits 108 r , and perimeter entrance/exits 108 t . As illustrated at FIGS.
- the axial entrance/exit 108 a is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first side 102 of the base plate 101 and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the perimeter entrance/exits 108 n are oriented substantially normal to the perimeter 106 of the base plate 101 .
- the tangent perimeter entrance/exits 108 r are oriented substantially tangential to the perimeter 106 of the base plate 101 .
- the perimeter entrance/exits 108 t are oriented substantially tangential to the perimeter 106 of the base plate 101 .
- a rotational wrapping direction Dw is defined for the spool device 60 .
- the wrapping direction Dw is clockwise as viewed when looking at the spool device 60 mounted on a wall.
- the wrapping direction Dw may be reversed.
- the perimeter entrance/exits 108 r are reversing tangential perimeter entrance/exits as they receive a portion of the telecommunications cable 800 in a direction opposite from the wrapping direction Dw.
- the perimeter entrance/exits 108 t receive a portion of the telecommunications cable 800 in the wrapping direction Dw and therefore are non-reversing tangential perimeter entrance/exits 108 t .
- the perimeter entrance/exits 108 n , 108 r , and 108 t may thereby receive a portion of the telecommunications cable 800 in a variety of orientations and guide the telecommunications cable 800 for wrapping about the spool member 300 in the wrapping direction Dw.
- the axial entrance/exit 108 a is able to receive a portion of the telecommunications cable 800 at the first side 102 of the base plate 101 as it is routed to and/or from the spool member 300 (e.g., through a wall duct).
- a single portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is illustrated entering/exiting the first side 102 of the base plate 101 .
- two portions of the telecommunications cable 800 may enter/exit through one or more of the axial entrance/exit 108 a.
- a plurality of cable holders 110 are provided on the base 100 .
- the plurality of cable holders 110 includes one or more of cable holders 110 a and one or more of cable holders 110 p .
- the cable holder 110 a guides the telecommunications cable 800 upon entrance from the axial entrance/exit 108 a .
- the cable holder 110 p holds and guides the telecommunications cable 800 upon entrance from the perimeter entrance/exits 108 n , 108 r , and 108 t .
- the cable holders 110 thereby serve to guide the telecommunications cable 800 as it passes between the exterior of the spool device 60 and the interior of the spool device 60 .
- the cable holders 110 thereby extend between a first end 112 at the perimeter 106 or at the first side 102 of the base plate 101 and a second end 114 at the interior of the spool device 60 (i.e., an interior end).
- a plurality of keepers 116 may be provided to retain the telecommunications cable 800 within the cable holder 110 .
- the keepers 116 extend partially over the cable holder 110 and thereby hold the telecommunications cable 800 within the cable holder 110 .
- the cable holder 110 may take a form of a cable guiding channel, a cable guiding groove, a cable guiding slot, a cable guiding hole, etc. The channel, groove, slot, hole, etc.
- the of the cable holder 110 may include a widened portion adjacent the keeper 116 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be pressed into the widened portion, and upon clearing the keeper 116 , the telecommunications cable 800 may tend to straighten and thereby position itself beneath the keeper 116 .
- the cable holders 110 are slot shaped in the depicted embodiments, there is no need to thread the telecommunications cable 800 through the cable holder 110 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may thereby remain connected at the ends 802 , 804 when positioning the portions of the telecommunications cable 800 into the cable holders 110 .
- a radial slot 118 is positioned between the cable holder 110 a and the perimeter 106 of the base plate 101 (see FIG. 23 ). As the radial slot 118 is opened to the perimeter 106 , the telecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within the cable holder 110 a without disconnecting the ends 802 , 804 .
- the base 100 further includes a fastener stand 120 .
- the fastener stand 120 may include a fastener hole 122 (e.g., a threaded hole) positioned along the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a fastener hole 122 e.g., a threaded hole
- the fastener hole 122 may include threads and thereby receive a threaded fastener to retain the cover 500 , connected to the fastener stand 120 at the fastener hole 122 .
- a recess 124 is provided around the fastener stand 120 .
- the base 100 may further include a first mount 130 .
- the first mount 130 is a releasable mount 130 .
- the first mount 130 includes a pair of partially cylindrical members 132 .
- Positioned between the partially cylindrical members 132 is a pair of retainers 134 .
- the retainers 134 are a pair of opposing latches 134 .
- the opposing latches 134 may deflect inwardly together and thereby receive a catch 422 of the spool wall member 400 and thereby retain the spool wall member 400 .
- the recess 124 between the fastener stand 120 and the pair of opposing latches 134 , permit the pair of opposing latches 134 to deflect inwardly.
- a recess 136 is provided outside of the first releasable mount 130 .
- the recesses 124 and 136 are annular recesses that are centered about the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the first releasable mount 130 is generally centered on the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a one-way interface 140 is provided on the base 100 .
- the one-way interface 140 is provided on the outside portion of the recess 136 .
- the one-way interface 140 includes a plurality of one-way elements 142 .
- the one-way elements 142 are a plurality of ratchet teeth.
- the base 100 further includes a second mount 150 .
- the second mount 150 may include a pair of opposing latches 152 (i.e., a retainer). In other embodiments, alternative retainers may be used.
- the second mount 150 may further include alignment keys 154 .
- An annular recess 156 may hold the alignment keys 154 .
- the second mount 150 may be generally cylindrical and extend along the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- a recess 158 is provided on the second mount 150 .
- the recess 158 accommodates routing of the telecommunications cable 800 through the axial entrance/exit 108 a and the axially extending cable holder 110 a .
- the second mount 150 is adapted to retain the spool member 300
- the recess 158 is adapted to uniquely rotationally orient the spool member 300 with respect to the base 100 .
- the recess 158 is a wedge-shaped recess.
- the recess 158 extends along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the annular recess 156 may accommodate a first side 302 of the spool member 300 as the spool member 300 is mounted to the base 100 .
- the spool wall member 400 is configured to rotate in the wrapping direction Dw (see FIG. 10 ) with respect to the base 100 .
- the spool wall member 400 is prevented from substantially rotating opposite the wrapping direction Dw.
- this selective rotational relationship between the spool wall member 400 and the base 100 is facilitated by the one-way member 200 .
- a ratchet system is illustrated.
- other one-way members may be used (e.g., a one-way clutch, etc.).
- the one-way member 200 extends between a first end 202 and a second end 204 .
- the one-way member 200 is generally annular in shape and extends between an outer surface 206 and an inner surface 208 .
- a flange 210 may extend to the inner surface 208 .
- a pair of one-way elements 220 are positioned with a cantilevered arm 224 extending and curving along the outer surface 206 .
- a pawl 222 extends above the otherwise generally cylindrical surface of the outer surface 206 .
- Adjacent the inner surface 208 and extending from the flange 210 are a set of engagement members 230 .
- three of the engagement members 230 extend toward the second end 204 from the flange 210 .
- the engagement members 230 extend from a base end 232 , adjacent the flange, 210 to an extended end 234 .
- the engagement member 230 further includes opposing sides 236 .
- the opposing sides 236 are tapered and narrow as the engagement member 230 extends toward the second end 204 .
- the one-way member 200 may be installed into the base 100 and thereby form a sub-assembly 10 of the spool device 60 .
- the one-way member 200 is inserted into the recess 136 of the base 100 along a direction of arrow 12 .
- the pair of opposing latches 134 may engage the inner surface 208 of the one-way member 200 and thereby prevent the one-way member 200 from inadvertently separating from the base 100 after installation.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the one-way element 220 installed in the base 100 .
- the spool member 300 extends between the first side 302 and a second side 304 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the spool member 300 includes a wall 390 with a first side 392 and a second side 394 .
- the wall 390 includes a plurality of partition members 360 .
- four partition members 360 a , 360 b , 360 c , and 360 d are included in the wall 390 .
- more than four or fewer than four partition members 360 may be included on the wall 390 .
- the partition members 360 each extend between a first edge 362 and a second edge 364 .
- the second edges 364 taken together, generally define a perimeter 306 of the wall 390 .
- the partition members 360 extend between a third edge 366 and a fourth edge 368 .
- a radius 370 may be formed at intersections of the edges 364 , 366 , 368 .
- the edges 366 and 368 of adjacent partition members 360 form a set of cable passages 380 through the wall 390 .
- a cable passage 380 a is formed between the partition member 360 a and 360 b .
- a cable passage 380 b is formed between the partition member 360 b and the partition member 360 c .
- a cable passage 380 c is formed between the partition member 360 c and 360 d .
- a cable passage 380 d is formed between the partition member 360 d and the partition member 360 a .
- the cable passages 380 are slot-like. As the cable passages 380 are each open to the perimeter 306 , the telecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within the cable passages 380 without disconnecting the ends 802 , 804 .
- the wall 390 generally extends perpendicular to a hub 310 of the spool member 300 .
- the hub 310 extends between the first side 302 and the second side 304 of the spool member 300 .
- the hub 310 includes an exterior 312 that is substantially cylindrically shaped.
- a cable wrapping area 314 is formed on the exterior 312 of the hub 310 .
- a wrapping surface 316 may be defined on the exterior 312 of the hub 310 .
- a lip 318 of the hub 310 may be inserted into an annular groove 414 of the spool wall member 400 .
- the spool member 300 may include an interior 308 . As depicted, the interior 308 of the spool member 300 is substantially defined by an interior of the hub 310 .
- the spool member 300 may further include a mount engaging arrangement 320 .
- the mount engaging arrangement 320 is adapted to mount the spool member 300 to the base 100 .
- the mount engaging arrangement 320 may include one or more catches 322 and/or notches 328 .
- a pair of the catches 322 is formed by latch engaging shoulders of the catches 322 .
- a pair of latch reliefs 324 extends from the latch engaging shoulders of the catches 322 to the second side 304 of the spool member 300 .
- a plurality of the notches 328 are formed within the hub 310 .
- the notches 328 each include a pair of notch edges 330 and a notch bottom 332 .
- the notch edges 330 may serve as anti-rotation features.
- latch relief edges 326 may form anti-rotation features.
- the spool member 300 may further include one or more grooves 350 that accommodate routing of the telecommunications cable 800 when routed to the axial entrance/exit 108 a .
- the groove 350 extends between a first end 352 and a second end 354 .
- the groove 350 may generally sweep an angle of about 90 degrees about an axis A 3 (see FIG. 20 ).
- the groove 350 generally extends below the wrapping surface 316 of the spool member 300 .
- the groove 350 may allow positioning of the telecommunications cable 800 below the surface 316 of the spool member 300 at the first end 352 of the groove 350 .
- a depth of the groove 350 diminishes to zero.
- the depth of the groove 350 at the first end 352 may be about the same as a depth of the cable holders 110 . As illustrated at FIG. 19 , the depth of the cable holders 110 is illustrated by a dimension Ds.
- the telecommunications cable 800 passes along the groove 350 from the first end 352 to the second end 354 , the telecommunications cable 800 gradually rises above the wrapping surface 316 of the hub 310 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 is fully above the wrapping surface 316 .
- the groove 350 thereby approaches the wrapping surface 316 in a tangential manner at the second end 354 .
- the groove 350 guides the telecommunications cable 800 from an axial orientation, substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A 1 , to an orientation substantially tangential to the wrapping surface 316 at the second end 354 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 is oriented substantially parallel to the wall 390 at the second end 354 of the groove 350 .
- the interior 308 of the spool member 300 may accommodate the groove 350 with a set of inwardly extending features.
- a ramp 340 is included on the interior 308 of the spool member 300 .
- the ramp 340 extends from a tangent end 342 to a raised end 344 .
- the ramp 340 further extends between a longitudinal end 346 and the notch bottom 332 and/or the first end 302 of the spool member 300 .
- the ramp 340 therefore takes a form of a wedge, a key, etc.
- the ramp 340 extends generally in a longitudinal direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the raised end 344 may generally correspond with the first end 352 of the groove 350 , as more depth is needed there.
- the tangent end 342 of the ramp 340 may correspond with the second end 354 of the groove 350 , as diminishing depth is required there.
- a pocket 348 may be included that generally corresponds to the curvature of the groove 350 as it extends between the first end 352 and the second end 354 .
- a slot 349 may further extend between the pocket 348 and the second side 304 of the spool member 300 .
- the raised end 344 of the ramp 340 may serve as a key for orienting the spool member 300 with the base 100 .
- the ramp 340 is shaped to be received by the recess 158 .
- the spool member 300 thereby mounts to the base 100 in a unique orientation relative to the base 100 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 the installation of the spool member 300 onto the base 100 is illustrated and will now be described in detail.
- the spool member 300 and the base 100 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis A 1 with the first side 302 of the spool member 300 facing the second side 104 of the base plate 101 .
- the spool member 300 is then slid into the base 100 along the direction of arrow 22 (see FIG. 4 ).
- the alignment keys 154 of the base 100 are engaged with the notches 328 of the spool member 300 .
- the ramp 340 may be engaged with the recess 158 .
- the opposing latches 152 deflect inwardly until the latches 152 reach the catches 322 .
- the latches 152 extend outwardly and engage the catches 322 .
- the latches 152 may occupy the pair of latch reliefs 324 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates the spool member 300 mounted to the base 100 .
- the spool wall member 400 extends between a first side 402 and a second side 404 .
- a hub 410 extends between the first side 402 and the second side 404 .
- a wall 490 projects radially outwardly away from the hub 410 to a perimeter 406 of the spool wall member 400 .
- the hub 410 is substantially cylindrical at an exterior surface and extends inwardly to an interior 412 .
- the interior 412 is substantially the same as an interior 408 of the spool wall member 400 .
- FIG. 8 the hub 410 is substantially cylindrical at an exterior surface and extends inwardly to an interior 412 .
- the interior 412 of the hub 410 includes a mount engaging arrangement 420 .
- the catch 422 is formed within the interior 412 of the hub 410 .
- a latch relief 424 extends from the catch 422 to the second side 404 of the spool wall member 400 .
- the catch 422 is a latch engaging shoulder.
- the mount engaging arrangement 420 may take other forms.
- a plurality of notches 428 extends inwardly from the first side 402 of the spool wall member 400 .
- the notches 428 extend between the exterior of the hub 410 and the interior 412 of the hub 410 .
- three of the notches 428 are equally distributed along a circumference of the hub 410 .
- more than three or fewer than three notches 428 may be used.
- the notches 428 project toward the second side 404 of the spool wall member 400 to a notch bottom 432 .
- Each of the notches 428 is defined by a pair of notch edges 430 .
- the notches 428 are tapered and extend inwardly as the notches 428 extend toward the second side 404 .
- the wall 490 extends between a first side 492 and a second side 494 .
- the first side 492 of the wall 490 includes the annular groove 414 .
- the hub 410 extends outwardly away from the first side 492 of the wall 490 .
- a cable passage 480 extends through the wall 490 .
- the wall 490 thereby includes a spool wall partition member 460 that extends between a first end 462 , adjacent the annular groove 414 , and a second end 464 that generally defines the perimeter 406 of the spool wall member 400 .
- the spool wall partition member 460 circumferentially extends between a third edge 466 and a fourth edge 468 .
- the cable passage 480 is slot-like and extends between the third edge 466 and the fourth edge 468 down to a bottom 472 .
- a chamfer 470 may be included between the bottom 472 and the third edge 466 .
- the cable passage 480 is thereby open outwardly in a radial direction away from the hub 410 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within the cable passage 480 without disconnecting the ends 802 , 804 .
- a loop engaging member 440 extends outwardly from the second side 494 of the wall 490 .
- the loop engaging member 440 includes a cylindrical surface 442 that may provide radial support for the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the loop engaging member 440 defines an axis A 2 that extends substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the axis A 2 is spaced from the central longitudinal axis A 1 by a distance Da.
- the loop engaging member 440 further defines a radius R 1 .
- a radial keeper 456 may be provided.
- a plurality of retainers 444 may further be provided to position the telecommunications cable 800 against the second side 494 of the wall 490 .
- the retainers 444 and the radial keeper 456 may be included in a cable guide arrangement 450 .
- the cable guide arrangement 450 further includes a pair of guides 452 .
- the pair of guides 452 includes a first guide 452 a and a second guide 452 b .
- the pair of guides 452 guide the telecommunications cable 800 as it approaches the loop engaging member 440 .
- a pair of keepers 454 may extend inwardly together from the pair of guides 452 .
- a gap is formed between the pair of keepers 454 thereby allowing the telecommunications cable 800 to be positioned within the keepers 454 and adjacent the guides 452 without disconnecting the ends 802 , 804 .
- a first keeper 454 a of the pair of keepers 454 extends from the guide 452 a and a second keeper 454 b of the pair of keepers 454 extends from the guide 452 b.
- the installation of the spool wall member 400 onto the base 100 and into engagement with the one-way member 200 will be described in detail.
- the spool wall member 400 and the base 100 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- the spool wall member 400 is slid along a direction of arrow 32 along the central longitudinal axis A 1 . As illustrated at FIGS.
- the spool wall member 400 may be rotated about the central longitudinal axis A 1 until the notches 428 are aligned with the engagement members 230 of the one-way element 220 .
- the engagement members 230 are inserted into the notches 428 , the spool wall member 400 and the one-way member 200 become rotationally engaged with each other.
- rotation of the spool wall member 400 may substantially only occur in the wrapping direction Dw. It is understood that a small amount of backlash, deformation, or other minor effects may be present that allow a small amount of rotation opposite the wrapping direction Dw.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the spool wall member 400 engaged with the base 100 .
- the spool wall member 400 is selectively rotatably mounted to the base 100 and may rotate relative to the base 100 in the wrapping direction Dw.
- the cover 500 extends between a first side 502 and a second side 504 .
- an end wall 506 substantially covers the second side 504 .
- a fastener hole 512 may extend through the end wall 506 and thereby allow a fastener to be inserted through the fastener hole 512 and engage the fastener hole 122 of the base 100 and thereby attach the cover 500 to the base 100 .
- the fastener hole 512 and the fastener may be included in an attachment arrangement 510 . In other embodiments, alternative methods of fastening and/or attaching the cover 500 to the base 100 may be used.
- the cover 500 further includes a perimeter wall 508 that extends from the first side 502 to the second side 504 and joins the end wall 506 .
- the cover 500 may be installed over the loop engaging member 440 and other portions of the spool wall member 400 and further over the spool member 300 and thereby substantially cover the telecommunications cable 800 held by the spool device 60 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 extends between the first end 802 , mounted to the first device 902 , and the second end 804 mounted to the second device 904 .
- a first exterior portion 812 may extend from a short distance to a substantial distance away from the first device 902
- a second exterior portion 814 may extend from a short distance to a substantial distance away from the second device 904 .
- An amount from a small amount or a substantial amount of excess telecommunications cable 800 may be present upon routing the telecommunications cable 800 along a desired route between the devices 902 , 904 .
- a looped portion 828 may be formed of the excess telecommunications cable 800 .
- the looped portion 828 extends in a first direction along the telecommunications cable 800 toward the first end 802 along a first strand 842 and also extends in a second direction along the telecommunications cable 800 toward the second end 804 along a second strand 844 .
- the first and second strands 842 , 844 together form a pair of strands 850 .
- the strands 842 , 844 of the pair of strands 850 may generally run together, may be twisted together, not twisted together, or may be sporadically twisted together, as might happen when wrapping the pair of strands 850 without particular concern for them twisting or not twisting together.
- the spool device 60 may be placed at any convenient location along the intended routed path, the first exterior portion 812 and the second exterior portion 814 may be neatly positioned, as desired, along the routed path with no inadvertent excess slack. Length shortages are likewise avoided as the telecommunications cable 800 may be ordered or configured longer than the routed path. As the final step in routing the telecommunications cable 800 is winding the excess length about the spool device 60 , none of the excess length need be accumulated outside of the spool device 60 .
- the pair of strands 850 may not begin until initial routing of a first interior portion 822 , a second interior portion 824 , a first transitional portion 832 , a second transitional portion 834 , and a single strand extension portion 836 are routed through the base 100 and initially onto the spool member 300 .
- the first exterior portion 812 extends to the first interior portion 822 upon entering the entrance/exit 108 of the base 100 .
- the first interior portion 822 , 822 p is secured within a first cable holder 110 x , 110 p .
- the first cable holder 110 x , 110 p guides the first interior portion 822 , 822 p into a tangential position with respect to the wrapping surface 316 of the spool member 300 .
- the second exterior portion 814 extends to the second interior portion 824 upon entering a second cable holder 110 y , 110 p .
- the second cable holder 110 y , 110 p similarly guides the second interior portion 824 , 824 p into a tangential orientation with the wrapping surface 316 of the spool member 300 .
- the first transitional portion 832 , 832 p begins and passes through one of the cable passages 380 .
- the first transitional portion 832 , 832 p passes through the cable passage 380 d .
- the first transitional portion 832 , 832 p extends to the extension portion 836 .
- the extension portion 836 continues until the first strand 842 and the second strand 844 meet and become the pair of strands 850 .
- the second interior portion 824 , 824 p is similarly guided through the second cable holder 110 y , 110 p .
- the second interior portion 824 , 824 p extends to the second transitional portion 834 .
- the second transitional portion 834 like the first transitional portion 832 , extends through one of the cable passages 380 .
- the second transitional portion 834 extends through the cable passage 380 b .
- the second transitional portion 834 enters the wrapping area 314 , it meets the extension portion 836 and the pair of strands 850 is formed.
- the excess portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about the spool wrapping area 314 until a short portion of the looped portion 828 remains.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a remaining looped portion 828 that would not have enough length to wrap an additional revolution about the wrapping area 314 .
- a substantial portion and/or a majority portion of the excess portion of the telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about the spool wrapping area 314 , but the telecommunications cable 800 is in an unsecured configuration 860 .
- the pair of strands 850 exits the wrapping area 314 and a third transitional portion 852 and a fourth transitional portion 854 is formed as the pair of strands 850 passes through the cable passage 480 .
- a coiled portion 826 has thereby been wound upon the wrapping area 314 between the wall 390 and the wall 490 , and the looped portion 828 will now be secured.
- a third portion 830 of the telecommunications cable 800 may be formed outside of the wrapping area 314 between the third and fourth transitional portions 852 , 854 and the looped portion 828 .
- the third portion 830 may be routed through the cable guide arrangement 450 , and the looped portion 828 may be positioned around the loop engaging member 440 .
- FIG. 12 illustrates the loop engaging member 440 with the looped portion 828 positioned quite loosely about the loop engaging member 440 .
- the spool wall member 400 is rotated in the wrapping direction Dw (see FIG. 10 ).
- the looped portion 828 is thereby brought into contact with a radial surface 458 of the cable guide arrangement 450 , and the telecommunications cable 800 is configured in a storage configuration 870 .
- substantially all slack has been removed from the telecommunications cable 800 , and the telecommunications cable 800 is neatly stored within the spool device 60 .
- the one-way member 200 does not allow the loop engaging member 440 to rotate about the central longitudinal axis A 1 opposite the rotational wrapping direction Dw, the one-way member 200 and the loop engaging member 440 secure the telecommunications cable 800 in the storage configuration 870 .
- the cover 500 may be installed over the coiled portion 826 and the looped portion 828 of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- FIGS. 19-24 the entrance and transition of the telecommunications cable 800 when entering from the axial entrance/exit 108 a is illustrated.
- the first exterior portion 812 approaches the first side 102 of the base plate 101 and enters at the axial entrance/exit 108 a .
- the first cable holder 110 x is assigned to the cable holder 110 a .
- the cable holder 110 , 110 x , 110 a guides the telecommunications cable 800 and, in particular, guides the first interior portion 822 , 822 a through the base plate 101 of the base 100 .
- the cable holder 110 , 110 x , 110 a guides the first interior portion 822 , 822 a into the groove 350 of the spool member 300 .
- the first interior portion 822 , 822 a extends into a first transitional portion 832 , 832 a .
- One or more of the keepers 356 may retain the first transitional portion 832 , 832 a within the groove 350 .
- the first transitional portion 832 , 832 a may be met by the second strand 844 and thereby immediately form the pair of strands 850 .
- first transitional portion 832 , 832 a may extend around the wrapping area 314 as the single strand extension portion 836 until meeting the second strand 844 at one of the cable passages 380 .
- the winding about the wrapping area 314 continues in the same way as the prior example.
- first exterior portion 812 and the second exterior portion 814 may both approach the first side 102 of the base plate 101 together and either be routed together through the groove 350 or a groove similar to 350 but customized for holding the first strand 842 and the second strand 844 together.
- two of the grooves 350 may be included on the spool member 300 and one of the grooves 350 may accommodate the first strand 842 while the other of the grooves 350 may accommodate the second strand 844 .
- the spool device 90 includes similarities to the spool device 60 . Therefore, the spool device 90 will be described where it differs from the spool device 60 .
- the spool device 90 includes the base 600 that is similar to the base 100 . However, the one-way interface 140 may be eliminated from the base 600 .
- the spool member 700 may substantially include all of the features of the spool member 300 . In addition, the spool member 700 may include many of the features of the hub 410 of the spool wall member 400 . However, the notches 428 are not needed in a hub 710 of the spool member 700 .
- the spool device 90 differs from the spool device 60 in that no parts of the spool device 90 rotate relative to each other (except for possibly the cover 500 ). Therefore, the one-way member 200 and features directly associated with the one-way member 200 are not needed in the spool device 90 .
- the spool device 90 includes a plurality of loop engaging members 740 , and the looped portion 828 is attached to the best fitting one of the loop engaging members 740 .
- the spool member 700 includes an inner annular groove 748 and an outer annular groove 750 that allow the looped portion 828 of the telecommunications cable 800 to extend around the axis A 1 almost a full revolution.
- the plurality of the loop engaging members 740 is positioned around the central longitudinal axis A 1 and thereby substantially allow slack to be removed from the looped portion 828 .
- the spool member 700 extends between a first side 702 and a second side 704 .
- the first side 702 is similar to or the same as the first side 302 of the spool member 300 .
- the spool member 700 engages the base 600 in substantially the same way as the spool member 300 engages the base 100 .
- the spool member 700 includes a spool wall 760 similar to the spool wall 460 . However, the spool wall 760 does not rotate relative to the base 600 .
- the spool wall 760 includes a cable passage 780 similar in function to the cable passage 480 .
- the spool wall 760 and the cable passage 780 include a first edge 766 similar to the edge 466 and also include a second edge 768 similar to the edge 468 .
- the spool wall 760 includes a perimeter 706 similar to the perimeter 406 . However, the perimeter 706 does not rotate with respect to the base 600 .
- the spool member 700 includes an interior 708 similar to the interior 408 . In particular, the interior 708 may include some or all of the features of the mount engaging arrangement 420 . It is understood that the spool member 700 includes redundant attachments to the base 600 . It is further understood that one or more of the redundant attachments may be removed from the spool device 90 .
- a mount engaging arrangement 720 similar to or the same as the mount engaging arrangement 420 , may be removed from the spool member 700 , and the mount engaging arrangement 320 may instead be used to connect the spool member 700 to the base 600 .
- the mount engaging arrangement 720 may be kept and the features of the mount engaging arrangement 320 of the spool member 700 may be deleted.
- each of the loop engaging members 740 is arranged about the central longitudinal axis A 1 .
- Each of the loop engaging members 740 includes a convex portion 742 that may serve as an engagement surface for the looped portion 828 of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the convex portion 742 meets both the inner annular groove 748 and the outer annular groove 750 in a substantially tangential manner.
- a lip 752 extends around the outer annular groove 750 .
- an external surface 754 of the hub 710 of the spool member 700 forms an inside portion of the inner annular groove 748 .
- the loop engaging members 740 each include a surface 758 that may engage the looped portion 828 of the telecommunications cable 800 .
- the first of the loop engaging members 740 includes additional features to introduce the looped portion 828 into the inner annular groove 748 and the outer annular groove 750 .
- the remaining loop engaging members 740 each include the concave portion 744 .
- a groove 746 is thereby formed between the concave portion 744 and the convex portion 742 .
- a last concave portion is formed on an end member 740 b .
- the end member 740 b forms one side of the last groove 746 .
- the end member 740 b does not include the surface 758 that engages the looped portion 828 on an inside of the looped portion 828 .
- the telecommunications cable 800 may be selected from a variety of telecommunications cables including fiber-optic cables and/or electrical cables.
- the telecommunications cables may include a variety of minimum allowable bend radii.
- the device 60 , 90 may be adapted for winding, unwinding, storing, and other functions while protecting the telecommunications cable 800 from developing a bend radius of less than 15 millimeters.
- the device 60 , 90 may be adapted for similarly protecting the telecommunications cable 800 from developing a bend radius of less than 19 millimeters or 25 millimeters or 50 millimeters or 100 millimeters.
- the example illustrated embodiments of the device 60 , 90 are suited for fiber optic cables with an outer diameter of about 1.5 millimeters to 2 millimeters. In other embodiments, other outer diameters of fiber optic cables may be used.
- the device 60 , 90 may prevent uncontrolled bend radius, cable pinching and/or signal losses in telecommunications cable 800 including optical fiber.
Abstract
A spool device (60, 90) for storing at least a portion of a telecommunications cable (800) in a storage configuration (870) includes a base (100, 600), a spool member (300, 700), and a loop engaging member (440, 740). The base (100, 600) includes a plurality of cable holders (110, 110 x, 110 y, 110 a, 110 p) configured for receiving a first portion (822, 822 a, 822 p) and a second portion (824, 824 p) of the cable (800). The spool member (300, 700) is mounted to the base (100, 600) and includes a wrapping area (314, 714) that is configured for storing a coiled portion (826) of the cable (800). The loop engaging member (440, 740) is configured for engaging a looped portion (828) of the cable (800) and thereby secures at least the coiled portion (826) and the looped portion (828) of the cable (800). The spool device (60, 90) may be used as an adjustable overlength device for looped cable. The spool device (60, 90) may store and dispense the cable (800) while ends (802, 804) of the cable (800) remain connected to stationary first and second devices (902, 904), respectively.
Description
- This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/998,421, filed on Aug. 15, 2018, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2017/053397, filed on Feb. 15, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/295,427, filed on Feb. 15, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
- Spools, reels, cassettes, and cartridges can be used to store telecommunications cable (e.g., electrical cable and/or fiber optic cable). The spools typically include a hub or a drum about which the cable is wound. The hub of the spools is often cylindrical, and the cable is often wrapped around the cylindrical hub in a predominantly circumferential manner. By winding up the cable on the spool, the cable can be compactly stored and transported, protected from tangling and kinking, and kept ready for easy deployment.
- The installation of a telecommunications cable of a given length between two devices that are fixed in location may result in an excess length of the telecommunications cable. The excess length of the telecommunications cable may be vulnerable to tangling and kinking, may be unsightly, and may not be compact.
- An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a spool device for storing at least a portion of a telecommunications cable in a storage configuration. The spool device includes a base, a spool member, and at least one loop engaging member. The base includes at least a first cable holder, configured for receiving a first portion of the telecommunications cable, and a second cable holder, configured for receiving a second portion of the telecommunications cable. The spool member is mounted to the base. The spool member includes a wrapping area configured for storing a coiled portion of the telecommunications cable. The at least one loop engaging member is configured for engaging a looped portion of the telecommunications cable and thereby securing at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration.
- Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of storing at least the portion of the above telecommunications cable on the above spool device. The method includes: a) providing the spool device, b) providing the telecommunications cable, c) looping the telecommunications cable, d) routing the first portion of the telecommunications cable, e) routing the second portion of the telecommunications cable, f) wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area, and g) securing the loop portion of the telecommunications cable on one of the at least one loop engaging member. The looping of the telecommunications cable forms the looped portion of the telecommunications cable. The routing of the first portion of the telecommunications cable is done at the first cable holder of the base. The routing of the second portion of the telecommunications cable is done at the second cable holder of the base. The wrapping of the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area forms the coiled portion of the telecommunications cable. And, the securing of the looped portion of the telecommunications cable secures at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration.
- Still other aspects of the present disclosure may include connecting a first end of the above telecommunications cable to a first mounted device prior to the wrapping of the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area and connecting a second end of the telecommunications cable to a second mounted device prior to wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area of the spool member.
- A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These 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 concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
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FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a spool device, according to the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device ofFIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including a base and a one-way member; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device ofFIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including the sub-assembly ofFIG. 2 and a spool member; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device ofFIG. 1 , the sub-assembly including the sub-assembly ofFIG. 4 and a spool wall member; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the spool wall member ofFIG. 6 and the one-way member ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the spool wall member ofFIG. 6 and the one-way member ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 6 illustrated with a telecommunications cable routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly; -
FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 6 also illustrated with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 6 also illustrated with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly, and also illustrated with a looped portion of the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 approaching a loop engaging member of the spool wall member ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the spool device ofFIG. 1 illustrated with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the spool device and the looped portion ofFIG. 12 engaged with the loop engaging member ofFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of another spool device, according to the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of the spool device ofFIG. 14 illustrated with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly and ends of the telecommunications cable connected to fixed telecommunication devices, respectively; -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 15 with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly; -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 15 with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the sub-assembly and also illustrated with a looped portion of the telecommunications cable engaged with a loop engaging member of a spool member of the spool device ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the spool device ofFIG. 14 illustrated with the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed through and wrapped about the spool device and also illustrated with the looped portion ofFIG. 17 engaged with the loop engaging member ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 20 is an enlarged portion ofFIG. 19 , as called out atFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 4 illustrated with a portion of the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed therethrough; -
FIG. 22 is an enlarged portion ofFIG. 21 , as called out atFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly ofFIG. 6 illustrated with a portion of the telecommunications cable ofFIG. 10 routed therethrough; and -
FIG. 24 is an enlarged portion ofFIG. 23 , as called out atFIG. 23 . - Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like structure.
- According to the principles of the present disclosure, a
spool device 60 may store atelecommunications cable 800. In addition, thetelecommunications cable 800 may be retrieved from thespool device 60. As illustrated atFIG. 1 , thespool device 60 may include abase 100, a one-way member 200, aspool member 300, aspool wall member 400, and acover 500. Anotherspool device 90 is illustrated atFIG. 14 . Thespool device 90 includes abase 600, aspool member 700, and thecover 500. As illustrated atFIGS. 10 and 15 , thetelecommunications cable 800 may be wrapped about thespool member 300 of thespool device 60 and similarly may be wrapped about thespool member 700 of thespool device 90. -
FIGS. 10 and 15 illustrate an example application of thespool devices first end 802 of thetelecommunications cable 800 is connected to afirst device 902. Similarly, asecond end 804 of thetelecommunications cable 800 is connected to asecond device 904. According to the principles of the present disclosure, thefirst device 902 may be a mounteddevice 902, and thesecond device 904 may be a mounteddevice 904. The mounteddevices first end 802 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may remain connected to thefirst device 902, and/or thesecond end 804 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may remain connected to thesecond device 904 when a portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 is wrapped and/or unwrapped from thespool device first device 902 and/or thesecond device 904 may remain in position while the portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about thespool device spool device telecommunications cable 800 while theends telecommunications cable 800 remain connected and/or at a fixed location makes thespool device telecommunications cable 800 and/or for adjusting a routing of thetelecommunications cable 800 between thedevices - The
first end 802 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be permanently connected to a component (e.g., the first device 902). Thefirst end 802 may be spliced, fusion spliced or otherwise connected to the component. As illustrated atFIG. 12 , a connectingelement 912 may be positioned at thefirst end 802. The connectingelement 912 may be a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, a splice, etc. Thesecond end 804 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be permanently connected to a component (e.g., the first device 904). Thesecond end 804 may be spliced, fusion spliced or otherwise connected to the component. As illustrated atFIG. 12 , a connectingelement 914 may be positioned at thesecond end 804. The connectingelement 914 may be a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, a splice, etc. - The
telecommunications cable 800 may be a patch cord. Patch cords typically are connectorized at each of their ends. Thus, the connectingelement 912 at thefirst end 802 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be a connector (e.g., a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, etc.). Likewise, the connectingelement 914 at thesecond end 804 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be a connector (e.g., a fiber optic connector, an electrical connector, etc.). Thefirst device 902 and/or thesecond device 904 may be configured to releasably receive the connectingelements 912 and/or 914 (e.g., the connectors). - An example application of the
spool device telecommunications cable 800 will be further described below. It may be desired to connect thefirst device 902 to thesecond device 904 with thetelecommunications cable 800. Thedevices telecommunications cable 800 may travel across a variety of obstacles of unknown size and position. Thetelecommunications cable 800 may be ordered taking into account the distance between thedevices devices telecommunications cable 800 may be ordered to accommodate unknowns along the cable route and/or to select a standard length of the telecommunications cable 800 (e.g., 100 meters, 250 meters, etc.). Upon connecting thefirst end 802 of thetelecommunications cable 800 to thefirst device 902 and connecting thesecond end 804 to thesecond device 904, the excess length of thetelecommunications cable 800 may become tangled, may occupy more space than desired, may appear unsightly, and/or may be vulnerable to environmental hazards. By coiling up the excess portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 on thespool device devices telecommunications cable 800 may be stored within thespool device ends telecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about thespool device devices telecommunications cable 800. - An example application of using the
spool device devices telecommunications cable 800 between thedevices devices telecommunications cable 800 may need to be rerouted between thedevices telecommunications cable 800 in operation while thedevices telecommunications cable 800 is rerouted. Thespool device telecommunications cable 800 to be unwound from thespool device devices devices devices 902 and/or 904 may then be moved within the limits of the overall length of thetelecommunications cable 800. Similarly, the route of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be rerouted within the constraints of the overall length of thetelecommunications cable 800. Upon thedevices telecommunications cable 800 being rerouted, the resulting excess length and/or the remaining excess length of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be wound upon thespool device - As described above in the example applications and in additional applications known to those of skill in the art of routing and/or connecting telecommunications cables, the
spool device FIG. 2 , thebase base spool device telecommunications cable 800 may be wrapped about thespool device base telecommunications cable 800 being wrapped about thespool member spool device cover 500 may be positioned over thespool member - Turning now to
FIGS. 1-13 and 19-24 , thespool device 60 will be described in detail. As illustrated atFIGS. 2 and 3 , thebase 100 includes a plurality of the mountingelements 160. In particular, the mountingelements 160 include a mounting slot pair 162 positioned about a central longitudinal axis A1 of thespool device 60. The mounting slot pair includes two mounting slots with one end of the slots enlarged so as to accommodate a head of a mounting fastener. The base 100 may thereby be attached to the wall, the cabinet, etc. by positioning the enlarged ends (e.g., hole portions) over the heads of pre-positioned fasteners and, upon the fasteners reaching through the enlarged ends, thebase 100 may be turned and the heads of the mounting fasteners thereby positioned over the opposite end of the slots. The mounting fasteners may be tightened to secure the base 100 to the wall, or the mounting fasteners may fit snugly or otherwise not need to be tightened upon the base 100 being rotated into the mounted position. The base 100 may be mounted by itself, or as part of thespool device 60. Thespool device 60 may be mounted to the attachment fasteners as an assembly and may be mounted with or without thetelecommunications cable 800 wound about. As illustrated atFIGS. 2 and 3 , the mountingelements 160 may further include a mounting slot 164 and/or a mounting slot 166. The mounting slots 164, 166 may accommodate varying fastener positions about a length of the mounting slots 164, 166. - As depicted, the
base 100 includes abase plate 101 that extends between afirst side 102 and asecond side 104. In the depicted embodiment, thebase plate 101 defines aperimeter 106 that is a cylindrical perimeter. As depicted, thebase 100 includes a plurality of entrance/exits 108. To accommodate a variety of applications and a variety of orientations of routes for thetelecommunications cable 800, the plurality of entrance/exits 108 may include axial entrance/exits 108 a, perimeter entrance/exits 108 n, perimeter entrance/exits 108 r, and perimeter entrance/exits 108 t. As illustrated atFIGS. 23 and 24 , the axial entrance/exit 108 a is oriented substantially perpendicular to thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101 and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A1. As illustrated atFIGS. 2 and 3 , the perimeter entrance/exits 108 n are oriented substantially normal to theperimeter 106 of thebase plate 101. The tangent perimeter entrance/exits 108 r are oriented substantially tangential to theperimeter 106 of thebase plate 101. Likewise, the perimeter entrance/exits 108 t are oriented substantially tangential to theperimeter 106 of thebase plate 101. - As illustrated at
FIG. 10 , a rotational wrapping direction Dw is defined for thespool device 60. As illustrated atFIG. 10 , the wrapping direction Dw is clockwise as viewed when looking at thespool device 60 mounted on a wall. In other embodiments, the wrapping direction Dw may be reversed. As illustrated atFIG. 2 , the perimeter entrance/exits 108 r are reversing tangential perimeter entrance/exits as they receive a portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 in a direction opposite from the wrapping direction Dw. Conversely, the perimeter entrance/exits 108 t receive a portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 in the wrapping direction Dw and therefore are non-reversing tangential perimeter entrance/exits 108 t. The perimeter entrance/exits 108 n, 108 r, and 108 t may thereby receive a portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 in a variety of orientations and guide thetelecommunications cable 800 for wrapping about thespool member 300 in the wrapping direction Dw. The axial entrance/exit 108 a is able to receive a portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 at thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101 as it is routed to and/or from the spool member 300 (e.g., through a wall duct). As depicted, a single portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 is illustrated entering/exiting thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101. In other embodiments, two portions of thetelecommunications cable 800 may enter/exit through one or more of the axial entrance/exit 108 a. - As illustrated at
FIGS. 2, 3, and 20 , a plurality ofcable holders 110 are provided on thebase 100. The plurality ofcable holders 110 includes one or more ofcable holders 110 a and one or more ofcable holders 110 p. As illustrated atFIG. 20 , thecable holder 110 a guides thetelecommunications cable 800 upon entrance from the axial entrance/exit 108 a. Likewise, thecable holder 110 p holds and guides thetelecommunications cable 800 upon entrance from the perimeter entrance/exits 108 n, 108 r, and 108 t. Thecable holders 110 thereby serve to guide thetelecommunications cable 800 as it passes between the exterior of thespool device 60 and the interior of thespool device 60. Thecable holders 110 thereby extend between afirst end 112 at theperimeter 106 or at thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101 and asecond end 114 at the interior of the spool device 60 (i.e., an interior end). To retain thetelecommunications cable 800 within thecable holder 110, a plurality ofkeepers 116 may be provided. As illustrated atFIG. 2 , thekeepers 116 extend partially over thecable holder 110 and thereby hold thetelecommunications cable 800 within thecable holder 110. As depicted, thecable holder 110 may take a form of a cable guiding channel, a cable guiding groove, a cable guiding slot, a cable guiding hole, etc. The channel, groove, slot, hole, etc. of thecable holder 110 may include a widened portion adjacent thekeeper 116. Upon insertion into thecable holder 110, thetelecommunications cable 800 may be pressed into the widened portion, and upon clearing thekeeper 116, thetelecommunications cable 800 may tend to straighten and thereby position itself beneath thekeeper 116. - As the
cable holders 110 are slot shaped in the depicted embodiments, there is no need to thread thetelecommunications cable 800 through thecable holder 110. Thetelecommunications cable 800 may thereby remain connected at theends telecommunications cable 800 into thecable holders 110. - As illustrated at
FIGS. 19-24 , aradial slot 118 is positioned between thecable holder 110 a and theperimeter 106 of the base plate 101 (seeFIG. 23 ). As theradial slot 118 is opened to theperimeter 106, thetelecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within thecable holder 110 a without disconnecting theends - As depicted at
FIG. 1 , the base 100 further includes afastener stand 120. Thefastener stand 120 may include a fastener hole 122 (e.g., a threaded hole) positioned along the central longitudinal axis A1. In other embodiments, alternative fastening methods may be provided. Thefastener hole 122 may include threads and thereby receive a threaded fastener to retain thecover 500, connected to thefastener stand 120 at thefastener hole 122. In the depicted embodiment, arecess 124 is provided around thefastener stand 120. - As further illustrated at
FIG. 1 , thebase 100 may further include afirst mount 130. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst mount 130 is areleasable mount 130. As depicted, thefirst mount 130 includes a pair of partiallycylindrical members 132. Positioned between the partiallycylindrical members 132 is a pair ofretainers 134. In the depicted embodiment, theretainers 134 are a pair of opposing latches 134. In the depicted embodiment the opposinglatches 134 may deflect inwardly together and thereby receive acatch 422 of thespool wall member 400 and thereby retain thespool wall member 400. Therecess 124, between thefastener stand 120 and the pair of opposinglatches 134, permit the pair of opposinglatches 134 to deflect inwardly. As illustrated atFIG. 2 , arecess 136 is provided outside of the firstreleasable mount 130. As depicted, therecesses releasable mount 130 is generally centered on the central longitudinal axis A1. - A one-
way interface 140 is provided on thebase 100. In particular, the one-way interface 140 is provided on the outside portion of therecess 136. As depicted, the one-way interface 140 includes a plurality of one-way elements 142. In the depicted embodiment, the one-way elements 142 are a plurality of ratchet teeth. - As illustrated at
FIG. 4 , the base 100 further includes asecond mount 150. Thesecond mount 150 may include a pair of opposing latches 152 (i.e., a retainer). In other embodiments, alternative retainers may be used. Thesecond mount 150 may further includealignment keys 154. Anannular recess 156 may hold thealignment keys 154. Thesecond mount 150 may be generally cylindrical and extend along the central longitudinal axis A1. In the depicted embodiment, arecess 158 is provided on thesecond mount 150. As will be further described hereinafter, therecess 158 accommodates routing of thetelecommunications cable 800 through the axial entrance/exit 108 a and the axially extendingcable holder 110 a. Thesecond mount 150 is adapted to retain thespool member 300, and therecess 158 is adapted to uniquely rotationally orient thespool member 300 with respect to thebase 100. In the depicted embodiment, therecess 158 is a wedge-shaped recess. In the depicted embodiment, therecess 158 extends along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis A1. Theannular recess 156 may accommodate afirst side 302 of thespool member 300 as thespool member 300 is mounted to thebase 100. - The
spool wall member 400 is configured to rotate in the wrapping direction Dw (seeFIG. 10 ) with respect to thebase 100. Thespool wall member 400 is prevented from substantially rotating opposite the wrapping direction Dw. In the depicted embodiment of thespool device 60, this selective rotational relationship between thespool wall member 400 and thebase 100 is facilitated by the one-way member 200. In the depicted embodiment, a ratchet system is illustrated. In other embodiments, other one-way members may be used (e.g., a one-way clutch, etc.). - As illustrated at
FIG. 2 , the one-way member 200 extends between afirst end 202 and asecond end 204. The one-way member 200 is generally annular in shape and extends between anouter surface 206 and aninner surface 208. As depicted, aflange 210 may extend to theinner surface 208. Along a ring adjacent theouter surface 206, a pair of one-way elements 220 are positioned with acantilevered arm 224 extending and curving along theouter surface 206. At a cantilevered end of the cantileveredarm 224, apawl 222 extends above the otherwise generally cylindrical surface of theouter surface 206. Adjacent theinner surface 208 and extending from theflange 210 are a set ofengagement members 230. In the depicted embodiment, three of theengagement members 230 extend toward thesecond end 204 from theflange 210. In particular, theengagement members 230 extend from abase end 232, adjacent the flange, 210 to anextended end 234. Theengagement member 230 further includes opposingsides 236. In the depicted embodiment, the opposingsides 236 are tapered and narrow as theengagement member 230 extends toward thesecond end 204. - As illustrated at
FIGS. 2 and 3 , the one-way member 200 may be installed into thebase 100 and thereby form asub-assembly 10 of thespool device 60. In particular, the one-way member 200 is inserted into therecess 136 of thebase 100 along a direction ofarrow 12. The pair of opposinglatches 134 may engage theinner surface 208 of the one-way member 200 and thereby prevent the one-way member 200 from inadvertently separating from the base 100 after installation.FIG. 3 illustrates the one-way element 220 installed in thebase 100. - Turning now to
FIG. 4 , thespool member 300 will be described in detail. Thespool member 300 extends between thefirst side 302 and a second side 304 (seeFIG. 1 ). Thespool member 300 includes awall 390 with afirst side 392 and asecond side 394. As depicted, thewall 390 includes a plurality ofpartition members 360. In the depicted embodiment, fourpartition members wall 390. In other embodiments, more than four or fewer than fourpartition members 360 may be included on thewall 390. Thepartition members 360 each extend between afirst edge 362 and asecond edge 364. The second edges 364, taken together, generally define aperimeter 306 of thewall 390. As illustrated atFIGS. 1 and 5 , thepartition members 360 extend between athird edge 366 and afourth edge 368. Aradius 370 may be formed at intersections of theedges edges adjacent partition members 360 form a set ofcable passages 380 through thewall 390. In particular, acable passage 380 a is formed between thepartition member cable passage 380 b is formed between thepartition member 360 b and thepartition member 360 c. Likewise, acable passage 380 c is formed between thepartition member cable passage 380 d is formed between thepartition member 360 d and thepartition member 360 a. In the depicted embodiment, thecable passages 380 are slot-like. As thecable passages 380 are each open to theperimeter 306, thetelecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within thecable passages 380 without disconnecting theends - The
wall 390 generally extends perpendicular to ahub 310 of thespool member 300. Thehub 310 extends between thefirst side 302 and thesecond side 304 of thespool member 300. As depicted, thehub 310 includes an exterior 312 that is substantially cylindrically shaped. Acable wrapping area 314 is formed on theexterior 312 of thehub 310. Awrapping surface 316 may be defined on theexterior 312 of thehub 310. Alip 318 of thehub 310 may be inserted into anannular groove 414 of thespool wall member 400. - The
spool member 300 may include an interior 308. As depicted, theinterior 308 of thespool member 300 is substantially defined by an interior of thehub 310. - The
spool member 300 may further include amount engaging arrangement 320. Themount engaging arrangement 320 is adapted to mount thespool member 300 to thebase 100. In particular, themount engaging arrangement 320 may include one ormore catches 322 and/ornotches 328. In the depicted embodiment, a pair of thecatches 322 is formed by latch engaging shoulders of thecatches 322. A pair oflatch reliefs 324 extends from the latch engaging shoulders of thecatches 322 to thesecond side 304 of thespool member 300. At thefirst side 302 of thespool member 300, a plurality of thenotches 328 are formed within thehub 310. Thenotches 328 each include a pair of notch edges 330 and anotch bottom 332. The notch edges 330 may serve as anti-rotation features. Alternatively or additionally, latchrelief edges 326 may form anti-rotation features. - As illustrated at
FIGS. 19-24 , thespool member 300 may further include one ormore grooves 350 that accommodate routing of thetelecommunications cable 800 when routed to the axial entrance/exit 108 a. In particular, thegroove 350 extends between afirst end 352 and asecond end 354. Thegroove 350 may generally sweep an angle of about 90 degrees about an axis A3 (seeFIG. 20 ). Thegroove 350 generally extends below thewrapping surface 316 of thespool member 300. Thegroove 350 may allow positioning of thetelecommunications cable 800 below thesurface 316 of thespool member 300 at thefirst end 352 of thegroove 350. As thegroove 350 progresses toward thesecond end 354, a depth of thegroove 350 diminishes to zero. The depth of thegroove 350 at thefirst end 352 may be about the same as a depth of thecable holders 110. As illustrated atFIG. 19 , the depth of thecable holders 110 is illustrated by a dimension Ds. As thetelecommunications cable 800 passes along thegroove 350 from thefirst end 352 to thesecond end 354, thetelecommunications cable 800 gradually rises above thewrapping surface 316 of thehub 310. At thesecond end 354 of thegroove 350, thetelecommunications cable 800 is fully above thewrapping surface 316. Thegroove 350 thereby approaches thewrapping surface 316 in a tangential manner at thesecond end 354. Thegroove 350 guides thetelecommunications cable 800 from an axial orientation, substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A1, to an orientation substantially tangential to thewrapping surface 316 at thesecond end 354. Thetelecommunications cable 800 is oriented substantially parallel to thewall 390 at thesecond end 354 of thegroove 350. - To retain the
telecommunications cable 800 within thegroove 350, one ormore keepers 356 may be provided. Theinterior 308 of thespool member 300 may accommodate thegroove 350 with a set of inwardly extending features. In particular, aramp 340 is included on theinterior 308 of thespool member 300. Theramp 340 extends from atangent end 342 to a raisedend 344. Theramp 340 further extends between alongitudinal end 346 and thenotch bottom 332 and/or thefirst end 302 of thespool member 300. Theramp 340 therefore takes a form of a wedge, a key, etc. As illustrated atFIG. 4 , theramp 340 extends generally in a longitudinal direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis A1. The raisedend 344 may generally correspond with thefirst end 352 of thegroove 350, as more depth is needed there. Conversely, thetangent end 342 of theramp 340 may correspond with thesecond end 354 of thegroove 350, as diminishing depth is required there. Apocket 348 may be included that generally corresponds to the curvature of thegroove 350 as it extends between thefirst end 352 and thesecond end 354. Aslot 349 may further extend between thepocket 348 and thesecond side 304 of thespool member 300. - As the raised
end 344 of theramp 340 extends between thefirst end 302 and thelongitudinal end 346, the raisedend 344 may serve as a key for orienting thespool member 300 with thebase 100. Theramp 340 is shaped to be received by therecess 158. Thespool member 300 thereby mounts to the base 100 in a unique orientation relative to thebase 100. - Turning now to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , the installation of thespool member 300 onto thebase 100 is illustrated and will now be described in detail. To assemble thespool member 300 onto thebase 100 of the sub-assembly 10 and thereby form asub-assembly 20 of thespool device 60, thespool member 300 and the base 100 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis A1 with thefirst side 302 of thespool member 300 facing thesecond side 104 of thebase plate 101. Thespool member 300 is then slid into thebase 100 along the direction of arrow 22 (seeFIG. 4 ). In particular, thealignment keys 154 of the base 100 are engaged with thenotches 328 of thespool member 300. In addition, theramp 340 may be engaged with therecess 158. As thespool member 300 is pushed inwardly along the direction of thearrow 22, the opposinglatches 152 deflect inwardly until thelatches 152 reach thecatches 322. Upon thelatches 152 reaching thecatches 322, thelatches 152 extend outwardly and engage thecatches 322. Thelatches 152 may occupy the pair oflatch reliefs 324.FIG. 5 illustrates thespool member 300 mounted to thebase 100. - Turning now to
FIG. 6 , thespool wall member 400 will be described in detail. Thespool wall member 400 extends between afirst side 402 and asecond side 404. As depicted, ahub 410 extends between thefirst side 402 and thesecond side 404. Awall 490 projects radially outwardly away from thehub 410 to aperimeter 406 of thespool wall member 400. As illustrated atFIG. 8 , thehub 410 is substantially cylindrical at an exterior surface and extends inwardly to an interior 412. As depicted, theinterior 412 is substantially the same as an interior 408 of thespool wall member 400. As illustrated atFIG. 9 , theinterior 412 of thehub 410 includes amount engaging arrangement 420. In particular, thecatch 422 is formed within theinterior 412 of thehub 410. Alatch relief 424 extends from thecatch 422 to thesecond side 404 of thespool wall member 400. As depicted thecatch 422 is a latch engaging shoulder. In other embodiments, themount engaging arrangement 420 may take other forms. As depicted, a plurality ofnotches 428 extends inwardly from thefirst side 402 of thespool wall member 400. Thenotches 428 extend between the exterior of thehub 410 and theinterior 412 of thehub 410. As depicted, three of thenotches 428 are equally distributed along a circumference of thehub 410. In other embodiments, more than three or fewer than threenotches 428 may be used. Thenotches 428 project toward thesecond side 404 of thespool wall member 400 to anotch bottom 432. Each of thenotches 428 is defined by a pair of notch edges 430. In the depicted embodiment, thenotches 428 are tapered and extend inwardly as thenotches 428 extend toward thesecond side 404. - The
wall 490 extends between afirst side 492 and asecond side 494. Thefirst side 492 of thewall 490 includes theannular groove 414. Thehub 410 extends outwardly away from thefirst side 492 of thewall 490. - A
cable passage 480 extends through thewall 490. Thewall 490 thereby includes a spoolwall partition member 460 that extends between afirst end 462, adjacent theannular groove 414, and asecond end 464 that generally defines theperimeter 406 of thespool wall member 400. The spoolwall partition member 460 circumferentially extends between athird edge 466 and afourth edge 468. As depicted atFIG. 8 , thecable passage 480 is slot-like and extends between thethird edge 466 and thefourth edge 468 down to a bottom 472. Achamfer 470 may be included between the bottom 472 and thethird edge 466. Thecable passage 480 is thereby open outwardly in a radial direction away from thehub 410. As thecable passage 480 is open to theperimeter 406, thetelecommunications cable 800 may be positioned within thecable passage 480 without disconnecting theends - Turning again to
FIG. 6 , features on thesecond side 404 of thespool wall member 400 will be described in detail. Aloop engaging member 440 extends outwardly from thesecond side 494 of thewall 490. As depicted, theloop engaging member 440 includes acylindrical surface 442 that may provide radial support for thetelecommunications cable 800. As illustrated atFIG. 6 , theloop engaging member 440 defines an axis A2 that extends substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A1. As illustrated atFIG. 1 , the axis A2 is spaced from the central longitudinal axis A1 by a distance Da. Theloop engaging member 440 further defines a radius R1. - To retain the
telecommunications cable 800 adjacent theloop engaging member 440, aradial keeper 456 may be provided. A plurality ofretainers 444 may further be provided to position thetelecommunications cable 800 against thesecond side 494 of thewall 490. Theretainers 444 and theradial keeper 456 may be included in acable guide arrangement 450. Thecable guide arrangement 450 further includes a pair ofguides 452. The pair ofguides 452 includes afirst guide 452 a and a second guide 452 b. The pair ofguides 452 guide thetelecommunications cable 800 as it approaches theloop engaging member 440. To keep thetelecommunications cable 800 positioned adjacent thesecond side 494 of thewall 490, adjacent the pair ofguides 452, a pair ofkeepers 454 may extend inwardly together from the pair ofguides 452. A gap is formed between the pair ofkeepers 454 thereby allowing thetelecommunications cable 800 to be positioned within thekeepers 454 and adjacent theguides 452 without disconnecting theends first keeper 454 a of the pair ofkeepers 454 extends from theguide 452 a and asecond keeper 454 b of the pair ofkeepers 454 extends from the guide 452 b. - Turning again to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , the installation of thespool wall member 400 onto thebase 100 and into engagement with the one-way member 200 will be described in detail. To install thespool wall member 400 onto thebase 100 of the sub-assembly 20 and thereby form asub-assembly 30 of thespool device 60, thespool wall member 400 and the base 100 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis A1. Upon alignment, thespool wall member 400 is slid along a direction ofarrow 32 along the central longitudinal axis A1. As illustrated atFIGS. 8 and 9 , as thefirst side 402 of thespool wall member 400 approaches the one-way member 200, thespool wall member 400 may be rotated about the central longitudinal axis A1 until thenotches 428 are aligned with theengagement members 230 of the one-way element 220. As theengagement members 230 are inserted into thenotches 428, thespool wall member 400 and the one-way member 200 become rotationally engaged with each other. As thepawls 222 are engaged with theteeth 142 of thebase 100, rotation of thespool wall member 400 may substantially only occur in the wrapping direction Dw. It is understood that a small amount of backlash, deformation, or other minor effects may be present that allow a small amount of rotation opposite the wrapping direction Dw. Thus, by indicating that rotation may substantially only occur in the wrapping direction Dw, these minor effects are neglected. Upon continued insertion of thespool wall member 400 into thebase 100, the pair of opposinglatches 134 deform inwardly toward each other until thecatch 422 is reached. Upon thecatch 422 being reached by the pair of opposinglatches 134, the pair of opposinglatches 134 spread outwardly and engages thecatch 422. The pair of opposinglatches 134 may occupy thelatch relief 424 upon spreading apart.FIG. 7 illustrates thespool wall member 400 engaged with thebase 100. As the one-way member 200 is rotationally engaged between the base 100 and thespool wall member 400, thespool wall member 400 is selectively rotatably mounted to thebase 100 and may rotate relative to the base 100 in the wrapping direction Dw. - Turning now to
FIG. 13 , thecover 500 will be described in detail. Thecover 500 extends between afirst side 502 and asecond side 504. At thesecond side 504, anend wall 506 substantially covers thesecond side 504. Afastener hole 512 may extend through theend wall 506 and thereby allow a fastener to be inserted through thefastener hole 512 and engage thefastener hole 122 of thebase 100 and thereby attach thecover 500 to thebase 100. Thefastener hole 512 and the fastener may be included in anattachment arrangement 510. In other embodiments, alternative methods of fastening and/or attaching thecover 500 to the base 100 may be used. Thecover 500 further includes aperimeter wall 508 that extends from thefirst side 502 to thesecond side 504 and joins theend wall 506. Thecover 500 may be installed over theloop engaging member 440 and other portions of thespool wall member 400 and further over thespool member 300 and thereby substantially cover thetelecommunications cable 800 held by thespool device 60. - An example method of storing a portion of the
telecommunications cable 800 on thespool device 60 will now be described in detail. As thecover 500 is removed while thetelecommunications cable 800 is installed, thetelecommunications cable 800 is installed on the sub-assembly 30 (seeFIG. 7 ) and thereby forms sub-assembly 40 (seeFIG. 10 ). Upon installing thecover 500 upon the sub-assembly 40, a spool device andcable assembly 50 is formed (seeFIG. 13 ). - In the example method, the
telecommunications cable 800 extends between thefirst end 802, mounted to thefirst device 902, and thesecond end 804 mounted to thesecond device 904. Afirst exterior portion 812 may extend from a short distance to a substantial distance away from thefirst device 902, and a secondexterior portion 814 may extend from a short distance to a substantial distance away from thesecond device 904. An amount from a small amount or a substantial amount ofexcess telecommunications cable 800 may be present upon routing thetelecommunications cable 800 along a desired route between thedevices telecommunications cable 800 exceeds the capacity of thespool device 60,multiple spool devices 60 may be used to store theexcess telecommunications cable 800. At approximately a desired mounting location of thespool device 60, a loopedportion 828 may be formed of theexcess telecommunications cable 800. The loopedportion 828 extends in a first direction along thetelecommunications cable 800 toward thefirst end 802 along afirst strand 842 and also extends in a second direction along thetelecommunications cable 800 toward thesecond end 804 along asecond strand 844. The first andsecond strands strands 850. Thestrands strands 850 may generally run together, may be twisted together, not twisted together, or may be sporadically twisted together, as might happen when wrapping the pair ofstrands 850 without particular concern for them twisting or not twisting together. - If the
first end 802 is mounted to thefirst device 902 and thesecond end 804 is mounted to thesecond device 904 prior to routing and storing thetelecommunications cable 800 in thespool device 60, there should be no inadvertent excess slack or length shortages oftelecommunications cable 800 along the routed path. In particular, thespool device 60 may be placed at any convenient location along the intended routed path, the firstexterior portion 812 and thesecond exterior portion 814 may be neatly positioned, as desired, along the routed path with no inadvertent excess slack. Length shortages are likewise avoided as thetelecommunications cable 800 may be ordered or configured longer than the routed path. As the final step in routing thetelecommunications cable 800 is winding the excess length about thespool device 60, none of the excess length need be accumulated outside of thespool device 60. - If the first
exterior portion 812 and thesecond exterior portion 814 approach thespool device 60 from different directions, as illustrated atFIG. 11 , the pair ofstrands 850 may not begin until initial routing of a firstinterior portion 822, a secondinterior portion 824, a firsttransitional portion 832, a secondtransitional portion 834, and a singlestrand extension portion 836 are routed through thebase 100 and initially onto thespool member 300. In particular, as illustrated atFIG. 3 , the firstexterior portion 812 extends to the firstinterior portion 822 upon entering the entrance/exit 108 of thebase 100. As illustrated, the firstinterior portion 822, 822 p is secured within afirst cable holder first cable holder interior portion 822, 822 p into a tangential position with respect to thewrapping surface 316 of thespool member 300. Likewise, thesecond exterior portion 814 extends to the secondinterior portion 824 upon entering asecond cable holder 110 y, 110 p. Thesecond cable holder 110 y, 110 p similarly guides the secondinterior portion 824, 824 p into a tangential orientation with thewrapping surface 316 of thespool member 300. As thetelecommunications cable 800 leaves thefirst cable holder transitional portion cable passages 380. In the example depicted atFIG. 5 , the firsttransitional portion cable passage 380 d. Upon reaching thewrapping surface 316 of thespool member 300, the firsttransitional portion extension portion 836. Theextension portion 836 continues until thefirst strand 842 and thesecond strand 844 meet and become the pair ofstrands 850. - Returning now to
FIG. 3 , the secondinterior portion 824, 824 p is similarly guided through thesecond cable holder 110 y, 110 p. As thetelecommunications cable 800 leaves thesecond cable holder 110 y, 110 p, the secondinterior portion 824, 824 p extends to the secondtransitional portion 834. As illustrated atFIG. 5 , the secondtransitional portion 834, like the firsttransitional portion 832, extends through one of thecable passages 380. In the depicted embodiment, the secondtransitional portion 834 extends through thecable passage 380 b. In the depicted embodiment, as the secondtransitional portion 834 enters thewrapping area 314, it meets theextension portion 836 and the pair ofstrands 850 is formed. Upon the pair ofstrands 850 being formed, the excess portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about thespool wrapping area 314 until a short portion of the loopedportion 828 remains. For example,FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a remaining loopedportion 828 that would not have enough length to wrap an additional revolution about thewrapping area 314. Thus, a substantial portion and/or a majority portion of the excess portion of thetelecommunications cable 800 is wrapped about thespool wrapping area 314, but thetelecommunications cable 800 is in anunsecured configuration 860. - Turning now to
FIG. 7 , the pair ofstrands 850 exits thewrapping area 314 and a thirdtransitional portion 852 and a fourthtransitional portion 854 is formed as the pair ofstrands 850 passes through thecable passage 480. Acoiled portion 826 has thereby been wound upon thewrapping area 314 between thewall 390 and thewall 490, and the loopedportion 828 will now be secured. Athird portion 830 of thetelecommunications cable 800 may be formed outside of thewrapping area 314 between the third and fourthtransitional portions portion 828. Thethird portion 830 may be routed through thecable guide arrangement 450, and the loopedportion 828 may be positioned around theloop engaging member 440.FIG. 12 illustrates theloop engaging member 440 with the loopedportion 828 positioned quite loosely about theloop engaging member 440. To finalize the storage of thetelecommunications cable 800 about thespool device 60, thespool wall member 400 is rotated in the wrapping direction Dw (seeFIG. 10 ). The loopedportion 828 is thereby brought into contact with aradial surface 458 of thecable guide arrangement 450, and thetelecommunications cable 800 is configured in astorage configuration 870. As illustrated atFIG. 13 , substantially all slack has been removed from thetelecommunications cable 800, and thetelecommunications cable 800 is neatly stored within thespool device 60. As the one-way member 200 does not allow theloop engaging member 440 to rotate about the central longitudinal axis A1 opposite the rotational wrapping direction Dw, the one-way member 200 and theloop engaging member 440 secure thetelecommunications cable 800 in thestorage configuration 870. To further tidy up appearances and to protect thetelecommunications cable 800, thecover 500 may be installed over the coiledportion 826 and the loopedportion 828 of thetelecommunications cable 800. - Turning now to
FIGS. 19-24 , the entrance and transition of thetelecommunications cable 800 when entering from the axial entrance/exit 108 a is illustrated. In particular, the firstexterior portion 812 approaches thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101 and enters at the axial entrance/exit 108 a. For this example, thefirst cable holder 110 x is assigned to thecable holder 110 a. Like thecable holder FIG. 3 in the prior example, thecable holder telecommunications cable 800 and, in particular, guides the firstinterior portion base plate 101 of thebase 100. Thecable holder interior portion groove 350 of thespool member 300. Upon exiting thecable holder interior portion transitional portion keepers 356 may retain the firsttransitional portion groove 350. Upon the firsttransitional portion second end 354 of thegroove 350, the firsttransitional portion second strand 844 and thereby immediately form the pair ofstrands 850. Alternatively, the firsttransitional portion wrapping area 314 as the singlestrand extension portion 836 until meeting thesecond strand 844 at one of thecable passages 380. Upon thefirst strand 842 and thesecond strand 844 becoming the pair ofstrands 850, the winding about thewrapping area 314 continues in the same way as the prior example. - In certain embodiments, the first
exterior portion 812 and thesecond exterior portion 814 may both approach thefirst side 102 of thebase plate 101 together and either be routed together through thegroove 350 or a groove similar to 350 but customized for holding thefirst strand 842 and thesecond strand 844 together. Alternatively, two of thegrooves 350 may be included on thespool member 300 and one of thegrooves 350 may accommodate thefirst strand 842 while the other of thegrooves 350 may accommodate thesecond strand 844. - Turning now to
FIGS. 14-18 , thespool device 90 will be described in detail. Thespool device 90 includes similarities to thespool device 60. Therefore, thespool device 90 will be described where it differs from thespool device 60. Thespool device 90 includes the base 600 that is similar to thebase 100. However, the one-way interface 140 may be eliminated from thebase 600. Thespool member 700 may substantially include all of the features of thespool member 300. In addition, thespool member 700 may include many of the features of thehub 410 of thespool wall member 400. However, thenotches 428 are not needed in ahub 710 of thespool member 700. - The
spool device 90 differs from thespool device 60 in that no parts of thespool device 90 rotate relative to each other (except for possibly the cover 500). Therefore, the one-way member 200 and features directly associated with the one-way member 200 are not needed in thespool device 90. Instead of having theloop engaging member 440 that rotates in the wrapping direction Dw, thespool device 90 includes a plurality ofloop engaging members 740, and the loopedportion 828 is attached to the best fitting one of theloop engaging members 740. Thespool member 700 includes an innerannular groove 748 and an outerannular groove 750 that allow the loopedportion 828 of thetelecommunications cable 800 to extend around the axis A1 almost a full revolution. Therefore, rather than having the singleloop engaging member 440 that removes slack from the loopedportion 828, the plurality of theloop engaging members 740 is positioned around the central longitudinal axis A1 and thereby substantially allow slack to be removed from the loopedportion 828. - Turning now to
FIG. 14 , thespool member 700 will be described in detail. Thespool member 700 extends between afirst side 702 and asecond side 704. Thefirst side 702 is similar to or the same as thefirst side 302 of thespool member 300. Thus, thespool member 700 engages the base 600 in substantially the same way as thespool member 300 engages thebase 100. Thespool member 700 includes aspool wall 760 similar to thespool wall 460. However, thespool wall 760 does not rotate relative to thebase 600. Thespool wall 760 includes acable passage 780 similar in function to thecable passage 480. However, as thespool wall 760 does not rotate, neither does thecable passage 780. Thespool wall 760 and thecable passage 780 include afirst edge 766 similar to theedge 466 and also include asecond edge 768 similar to theedge 468. Thespool wall 760 includes aperimeter 706 similar to theperimeter 406. However, theperimeter 706 does not rotate with respect to thebase 600. Thespool member 700 includes an interior 708 similar to theinterior 408. In particular, the interior 708 may include some or all of the features of themount engaging arrangement 420. It is understood that thespool member 700 includes redundant attachments to thebase 600. It is further understood that one or more of the redundant attachments may be removed from thespool device 90. For example, amount engaging arrangement 720, similar to or the same as themount engaging arrangement 420, may be removed from thespool member 700, and themount engaging arrangement 320 may instead be used to connect thespool member 700 to thebase 600. Alternatively, themount engaging arrangement 720 may be kept and the features of themount engaging arrangement 320 of thespool member 700 may be deleted. - Turning again to
FIG. 14 , thespool wall 760 and features attached thereto will be described in detail. As illustrated, the plurality of theloop engaging members 740 is arranged about the central longitudinal axis A1. Each of theloop engaging members 740 includes aconvex portion 742 that may serve as an engagement surface for the loopedportion 828 of thetelecommunications cable 800. Theconvex portion 742 meets both the innerannular groove 748 and the outerannular groove 750 in a substantially tangential manner. Alip 752 extends around the outerannular groove 750. Similarly, anexternal surface 754 of thehub 710 of thespool member 700 forms an inside portion of the innerannular groove 748. - As illustrated at
FIG. 15 , theloop engaging members 740 each include asurface 758 that may engage the loopedportion 828 of thetelecommunications cable 800. The first of theloop engaging members 740 includes additional features to introduce the loopedportion 828 into the innerannular groove 748 and the outerannular groove 750. Except for the firstloop engaging member 740 a, the remainingloop engaging members 740 each include theconcave portion 744. Agroove 746 is thereby formed between theconcave portion 744 and theconvex portion 742. A last concave portion is formed on anend member 740 b. Theend member 740 b forms one side of thelast groove 746. Theend member 740 b does not include thesurface 758 that engages the loopedportion 828 on an inside of the loopedportion 828. - The
telecommunications cable 800 may be selected from a variety of telecommunications cables including fiber-optic cables and/or electrical cables. The telecommunications cables may include a variety of minimum allowable bend radii. In certain embodiments, thedevice telecommunications cable 800 from developing a bend radius of less than 15 millimeters. In other embodiments, thedevice telecommunications cable 800 from developing a bend radius of less than 19 millimeters or 25 millimeters or 50 millimeters or 100 millimeters. The example illustrated embodiments of thedevice - By preventing cable slack at the end of the
cable loop 828 from hanging freely and/or uncontrolled in thedevice device telecommunications cable 800 including optical fiber. - Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
-
PARTS LIST Number Name A1 central longitudinal axis A2 axis A3 axis Da distance Ds depth Dw rotational wrapping direction Rb Rl radius Rw Ws 10 sub-assembly 12 arrow 20 sub-assembly 22 arrow 30 sub-assembly 32 arrow 40 sub-assembly 50 spool device and cable assembly 60 spool device 70 80 90 spool device 100 base 101 base plate 102 first side 104 second side 106 perimeter 108 entrance/exit 108a axial entrance/exit 108n normal perimeter entrance/exit 108r reversing tangent perimeter entrance/exit 108t tangent perimeter entrance/exit 110 cable holder 110a cable holder 110p cable holder 110x first cable holder 110y second cable holder 112 first end 114 interior end 116 keeper 118 radial slot 120 fastener stand 122 fastener hole 124 recess 130 first mount 132 partially cylindrical members 134 opposing latches 136 recess 140 one-way interface 142 one-way elements 150 second mount 152 latch 154 alignment keys 156 annular recess 158 recess 160 mounting element 162 mounting slot pair 164 mounting slot 166 mounting slot 170 base layer 180 cable routing layer 200 one-way member 202 first end 204 second end 206 outer surface 208 inner surface 210 flange 220 one-way element 222 pawl 224 cantilevered arm 230 engagement member 232 base end 234 extended end 236 opposing sides 300 spool member 302 first end 304 second side 306 perimeter 308 interior 310 hub 312 exterior 314 cable wrapping area 316 wrapping surface 318 lip 320 mount engaging arrangement 322 catch 324 latch relief 326 latch relief edge 328 notch 330 notch edges 332 notch bottom 340 ramp 342 tangent end 344 raised end 346 longitudinal end 348 pocket 349 slot 350 groove 352 first end 354 second end 356 keepers 360 partition member 360a partition member 360b partition member 360c partition member 360d partition member 362 edge 364 edge 366 edge 368 edge 370 radius 380 cable passage 380a cable passage 380b cable passage 380c cable passage 380d cable passage 390 wall 392 first side 394 second side 396 stationary wall layer 398 cable wrapping layer 400 spool wall member 402 first side 404 second side 406 perimeter 408 interior 410 hub 412 interior 414 annular groove 420 mount engaging arrangement 422 catch 424 latch relief 428 notch 430 notch edges 432 notch bottom 440 loop engaging member 442 cylindrical surface 444 retainers 450 cable guide arrangement 452 guides 452a guide 452b guide 454 pair of keepers 454a first keeper 454b second keeper 456 radial keeper 458 radial surface 460 spool wall 462 first end 464 second end 466 edge 468 edge 470 chamfer 472 bottom 480 cable passage 490 wall 492 first side 494 second side 496 outer wall layer 498 cable loop layer 500 cover 502 first side 504 second side 506 end wall 508 perimeter wall 510 attachment arrangement 512 fastener hole 600 base 700 spool member 702 first side 704 second side 706 perimeter 708 interior 710 hub 714 wrapping area 720 mount engaging arrangement 740 loop engaging member 740a first loop engaging member 740b end member 742 convex portion 744 concave portion 746 groove 748 inner annular groove 750 outer annular groove 752 lip 754 external surface 758 surface 760 spool wall 766 first edge 768 second edge 780 cable passage 800 telecommunications cable 802 first end 804 second end 812 first exterior portion 814 second exterior portion 822 first interior portion 822a first interior portion 822p first interior portion 824 second interior portion 824p second interior portion 826 coiled portion 828 looped portion 830 third portion 832 first transitional portion 832a first transitional portion 832p first transitional portion 834 second transitional portion 836 single strand extension portion 842 first strand 844 second strand 850 pair of strands 852 third transitional portion 854 fourth transitional portion 860 unsecured configuration 870 storage configuration 902 first device 904 second device 912 first connecting element 914 second connecting element
Claims (20)
1.-28. (canceled)
29. A spool device configured for storing at least a portion of a telecommunications cable in a storage configuration, the spool device comprising:
a base;
a spool member mounted to the base, the spool member including a wrapping area configured for storing a coiled portion of the telecommunications cable;
at least one loop engaging member configured for engaging a looped portion of the telecommunications cable and thereby securing at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration;
and a spool wall positioned between the wrapping area and at least portions of the at least one engaging member.
30. The spool device of claim 29 , wherein the first cable holder, the second cable holder, the wrapping area, and the at least one loop engaging member are all configured to route the telecommunications cable with bend radii greater than a predetermined minimum bend radius.
31. The spool device of claim 30 , wherein the predetermined minimum bend radius is 15 mm.
32. The spool device of claim 29 wherein the wrapping area defines a first axis and the at least one loop engaging member defines a second axis substantially parallel to and spaced from the first axis.
33. The spool device of claim 29 , wherein the base includes at least a first cable holder configured for receiving a first portion of the telecommunications cable and a second cable holder configured for receiving a second portion of the telecommunications cable, wherein the base defines a perimeter, wherein the first cable holder and the second cable holder each respectively extend from an entrance/exit at the perimeter to an interior end, wherein the first cable holder and the second cable holder are each respectively oriented at the entrance/exits with a predetermined orientation with respect to the perimeter, and wherein the first cable holder and the second cable holder are each respectively oriented at the interior end to be substantially tangential to the wrapping area in a same rotational direction.
34. The spool device of claim 29 , further comprising a wall including at least one cable passage, the wall positioned between the wrapping area and at least portions of the first cable holder and the second cable holder, the at least one cable passage configured to transfer a first transitional portion of the telecommunications cable from the first portion of the telecommunications cable to a first strand of a pair of strands of the coiled portion of the telecommunications cable, and the at least one cable passage further configured to transfer a second transitional portion of the telecommunications cable from the second portion of the telecommunications cable to a second strand of the pair of strands of the coiled portion of the telecommunications cable.
35. The spool device of claim 34 , wherein the wall is one piece with the spool member.
36. The spool device of claim 29 , wherein the base includes a releasable mount and the spool member includes a mount engaging arrangement, wherein the mount engaging arrangement releasably attaches to the releasable mount and thereby mounts the spool member to the base, and wherein the mount engaging arrangement detaches from the releasable mount and thereby unmounts the spool member from the base.
37. The spool device of claim 36 , wherein the spool member is rotationally fixed to the base when the mount engaging arrangement of the spool member is releasably attached to the releasable mount of the base.
38. The spool device of claim 34 , wherein the at least one cable passage includes at least two of the cable passages and separate ones of the at least two cable passages are configured to transfer the first transitional portion and the second transitional portion, respectively.
39. The spool device of claim 29 , wherein the spool wall includes at least one cable passage.
40. The spool device of claim 39 , further comprising a one-way device, wherein the spool wall and the at least one loop engaging member are included on a spool wall member that is rotatably mounted to the base, and wherein the one-way device allows the spool wall member to rotate in a wrapping direction and substantially prevents the spool wall member from rotating opposite the wrapping direction.
41. A method of storing a portion of a telecommunications, the method including:
providing a spool device having a base, a wrapping area, and at least one loop engaging member;
providing a telecommunications cable;
looping the telecommunications cable and thereby forming a looped portion (828) of the telecommunications cable;
routing the first portion of the telecommunications cable on a first cable holder of the base;
routing a second portion of the telecommunications cable on a second cable holder of the base;
wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area and thereby forming the coiled portion of the telecommunications cable; and
securing the looped portion of the telecommunications cable on the at least one loop engaging member and thereby securing at least the coiled portion and the looped portion of the telecommunications cable in the storage configuration.
42. The method of claim 41 , further comprising:
connecting a first end of the telecommunications cable to a first mounted device prior to wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area of the spool member; and
connecting a second end of the telecommunications cable to a second mounted device prior to wrapping the telecommunications cable on the wrapping area of the spool member.
43. A spool device configured for storing at least a portion of a telecommunications cable in a storage configuration, the spool device comprising:
a spool member positioned between a first wall and a second wall and defining a wrapping area for the telecommunications cable; and
a loop engaging member located on the first wall on a side opposite the spool member, the loop engaging member for engaging a looped portion of the telecommunications cable.
44. The spool device of claim 43 , wherein the first wall is rotatable with respect to the second wall.
45. The spool device of claim 44 , wherein the first wall is rotatable with respect to the second wall in only a single direction.
46. The spool device of claim 43 , wherein the loop engaging member includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged loop engaging members.
47. The spool device of 43, wherein the spool member includes a plurality of partition members extending in a direction generally parallel to the first and second walls.
Priority Applications (1)
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US17/576,434 US20220212892A1 (en) | 2016-02-15 | 2022-01-14 | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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US201662295427P | 2016-02-15 | 2016-02-15 | |
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US201815998421A | 2018-08-15 | 2018-08-15 | |
US17/576,434 US20220212892A1 (en) | 2016-02-15 | 2022-01-14 | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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US15/998,421 Continuation US11225393B2 (en) | 2016-02-15 | 2017-02-15 | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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US17/576,434 Pending US20220212892A1 (en) | 2016-02-15 | 2022-01-14 | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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WO2017140725A1 (en) * | 2016-02-15 | 2017-08-24 | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
EP4179371A2 (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2023-05-17 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Cable slack management apparatus for co-packaged opto-electrical devices |
US20220041401A1 (en) * | 2020-08-06 | 2022-02-10 | RIJATEK Design Pty Ltd | Cable reel |
Citations (1)
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US11225393B2 (en) * | 2016-02-15 | 2022-01-18 | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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DE3841607C2 (en) * | 1988-12-08 | 1996-05-23 | Siemens Ag | Cassette for excess lengths of optical fibers in the splice area |
US5559922A (en) | 1995-02-28 | 1996-09-24 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Wire guide and optical fiber storage spool assembly |
US6215938B1 (en) | 1998-09-21 | 2001-04-10 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Fiber optic cabinet and tray |
US6408124B1 (en) * | 2000-09-21 | 2002-06-18 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Cable storage cartridge |
US20020118944A1 (en) | 2001-02-28 | 2002-08-29 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Optical fiber storage reel |
US6580866B2 (en) | 2001-05-16 | 2003-06-17 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Fiber splice holder with protected slack storage feature |
US7359611B1 (en) * | 2007-02-23 | 2008-04-15 | Multilink, Inc. | Slack cable storage box with adjustable height spools |
US9188760B2 (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2015-11-17 | Adc Telecommunications, Inc. | Mini rapid delivery spool |
US9908742B2 (en) | 2012-04-30 | 2018-03-06 | Commscope Technologies Llc | Cable storage spool with center feed |
US9429729B2 (en) * | 2014-08-04 | 2016-08-30 | Ofs Fitel, Llc | Compact storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable |
US10359590B2 (en) * | 2016-04-04 | 2019-07-23 | Opterna Technology Limited | Fiber optic cable deployment assemblies, systems, and methods |
US10222571B2 (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2019-03-05 | Commscope Technologies Llc | Telecommunications module and frame |
MX2020002749A (en) * | 2017-09-11 | 2020-10-15 | Ppc Broadband Inc | Reel enclosures. |
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US11225393B2 (en) * | 2016-02-15 | 2022-01-18 | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | Spool with multi-position loop keeper |
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US11225393B2 (en) | 2022-01-18 |
US20200270094A1 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
EP3417327A1 (en) | 2018-12-26 |
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