WO2023055419A1 - Fiber optic closure organizer with demarcation cover and improved component mounting interfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

Fiber management organizer assemblies of telecommunications closures. In some embodiments, the organizer includes interfaces for improved mounting or routing of components relative to a main body of the organizer.

Description

FIBER OPTIC CLOSURE ORGANIZER WITH DEMARCATION COVER AND IMPROVED COMPONENT MOUNTING INTERFACES

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application is being filed on February 22, 2022 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63/250,029, filed on September 29, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to telecommunications enclosures, and more particularly to features of fiber organizer assemblies housed in telecommunications closures.

Background

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Telecommunications cables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical telecommunications network also includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network of telecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures (or “closures”) are adapted to house and protect telecommunications components such as splices, termination panels, power splitters, wave division multiplexers, fiber management trays, cable organizing and routing components, etc.

Typically, telecommunications closures house a fiber organizing assembly having equipment for organizing fibers, storing fibers, and optically connecting provider side fibers to subscriber side fibers. A given closure can accommodate different types of optical connections between fibers, such as connector to connector connections and fiber splices.

Summary

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to improvements in fiber management equipment of fiber management organizers of telecommunications closures.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an improved telecommunications closure.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an improved fiber management organizer of a telecommunications closure.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to fiber management organizers having features that provide selective access to different areas of the fiber management organizer.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a demarcation cover configured to provide selective access to an area of a fiber management organizer.

In another aspect, the demarcation cover can be locked or unlocked to a main body of the organizer.

In another aspect, when unlocked, the demarcation cover can be pivoted to one or more open positions relative to a main body of the organizer in which the cover remains pivotally coupled to the organizer.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber management organizer assembly for a telecommunications closure, includes: a subassembly, including: a main body defining a first area and a second area; a tray support structure mounted at the second area; and fiber management trays pivotally supported by the tray support structure; a demarcation cover, the demarcation cover being pivotally coupled with a hinge mechanism to the subassembly between an open position and a closed position, and being lockable, in the closed position, to the subassembly with a locking mechanism, an interior surface of the cover defining a seat; and a compressible pad positioned on the seat and configured to compress against one of the fiber management trays when the demarcation cover is in the closed position.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber management organizer assembly for a telecommunications closure, includes: a subassembly, including: a main body defining a first area and a second area; a tray support structure mounted at the second area; and fiber management trays pivotally supported by the tray support structure; a demarcation cover, the demarcation cover being pivotally coupled to the subassembly with a hinge mechanism; and a cover support including a cover support body slidably positioned in a slot defined by the tray support structure, wherein the cover is configured to pivot to at least one open cover position relative to the subassembly while remaining coupled to the subassembly, the cover support being configured to abut the cover in the at

2

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) least one open cover position and thereby encumber further pivoting of the cover from the at least one open cover position.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a telecommunications closure, includes: housing pieces that cooperate to define a sealable and re-enterable closure volume; and a fiber management organizer assembly positionable in the closure volume, including: a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body; a cable sealing region at the proximal end of the main body, the cable sealing region including seal block support structures configured to support seal blocks for sealing around cables entering the closure volume from an exterior of the closure; and an interlocking interface for snappingly interlocking the main body and one of the housing pieces, the main body defining press surfaces positioned distally from the cable sealing region, the press surfaces being configured to be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the axis to snappingly interlock the main body and the one of the housing pieces.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber management organizer for a telecommunications closure, includes: a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body, including: a panel defining an upper region above an upper surface of the panel and a lower region below a lower surface of the panel; a wall positioned at a perimeter of the panel and extending above the upper surface of the panel and below the lower surface of the panel; and a passage configured to guide optical fibers between the lower region and the upper region through a gap in the wall, the passage including an interface having a surface configured to directly support a sheath holder of a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the surface being pitched at an oblique angle relative to the upper surface and the lower surface.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber management organizer for a telecommunications closure, includes: a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body, including: a panel defining an upper region above an upper surface of the panel and a lower region below a lower surface of the panel, the panel being configured to support assemblies that fix telecommunications cables entering the closure to the main body; a wall positioned at a perimeter of the panel and extending above the upper surface of the panel and below the lower surface of the panel; and an interface having at least a portion integrated with the panel, the interface having a surface configured to directly support a sheath holder holding

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the interface including structures for snappingly interlocking complementary structures of the sheath holder.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive 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 inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telecommunications closure in accordance with the present disclosure, the closure being in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the housing pieces of the closure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly including an optical fiber management organizer according to the present disclosure, the organizer having a demarcation cover in a pivoted closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 3, the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of the organizer of FIG. 3, the organizer having a demarcation cover in an unlocked and first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 6 is a top planar view of the organizer of FIG. 3, the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the organizer of FIG. 3 taken along the line A- A in FIG. 6, the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the called out area C in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the called out area C of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the organizer of FIG. 3 taken along the line B- B in FIG. 6, the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed and locked configuration.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the called out area D of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded view of the organizer of FIG. 3.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) FIG. 13 is a further partially exploded view of the organizer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the organizer of FIG. 3, the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed configuration.

FIG. 15 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 14 the demarcation cover being in a pivoted closed configuration.

FIG. 16 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in a first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 17 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in the first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 18 is a distal end view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in the first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the subassembly of FIG. 14 taken along the line E-E in FIG. 18, the demarcation cover being in the first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the called out area F of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a further perspective cross-sectional view of the subassembly of FIG. 14 taken along the line E-E in FIG. 18, the demarcation cover being in the first pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the called out area G of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in a second pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 24 is a further perspective view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in the second pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 25 is a distal end view of the subassembly of FIG. 14, the demarcation cover being in the second pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 26 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the subassembly of FIG. 14 taken along the line H-H in FIG. 25, the demarcation cover being in the second pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the called out area I of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a further perspective cross-sectional view of the subassembly of FIG. 14 taken along the line H-H in FIG. 25, the demarcation cover being in the second pivoted open configuration.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the called out area J of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the demarcation cover of the organizer of FIG. 3.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) FIG. 31 is a further perspective view of the demarcation cover of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a side view of the demarcation cover of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a bottom view of the demarcation cover of FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the cover support of the subassembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 35 is a further perspective view of the cover support of the subassembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a further example telecommunications closure according to the present disclosure, including cables entering the closure.

FIG. 37 is a further perspective view of the closure of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an assembly of a housing piece of the closure of FIG. 36 and a further example optical fiber organizer assembly positioned in the housing piece.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is an exploded view showing the main body of FIG. 39 and the housing piece of FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 43 is an enlarged view of a called-out portion of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a component of the assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 46 is a further perspective view of the component of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

FIG. 48 is a further perspective view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 49 is a further perspective view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

FIG. 50 is a further perspective view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

FIG. 51 is an enlarged view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) FIG. 52 is a planar view of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K in FIG. 52.

FIG. 54 is an enlarged view of the called-out portion of FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of one of the sheath holders of FIG. 47.

FIG. 56 is a further perspective view of the sheath holder of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 58 is a further, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 59 is a further, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders.

FIG. 60 is a further, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including another example sheath holder and tie wraps.

FIG. 61 is a further, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including a tie wrap.

FIG. 62 is a further, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main body of the organizer assembly of FIG. 38, and including sheath holders and tie wraps.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a telecommunications closure 10 extends along a longitudinal axis 12 between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The closure 10 extends along a transverse axis 18 between a first side 20 and a second side 22. The closure 10 extends along a vertical axis 24 between a top 26 and a bottom 28. The axes 12, 18 and 24 are mutually perpendicular, with the axes 12 and 18 defining a horizontal plane.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) As used herein, terms such as proximal, distal, top, bottom, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal and so forth will be used with reference to the axes 12, 18, and 24 of FIG. 1 and in relating the positions of one component to another with respect to the full closure assembly of FIG. 1. These relative terms are for ease of description only, and do not limit how the closure 10 or any individual component or combination of components, may be oriented in practice.

The closure 10 includes a first upper housing piece 30 and a second lower housing piece 32 that cooperate (e.g., with hinges, clamps, etc.) to form a sealable and re-enterable closure volume 40. A perimeter seal element 31 forms a seal about three sides of the closure volume 40 when the closure 10 is in sealed and closed configuration.

The closure volume 40 is configured to house a fiber management organizer 34. Cables enter the closure volume 40 via the opening 36 and sealed cable ports defined by the internal portion of the cable organizer 34.

The cable organizer 34 is configured to accommodate relatively thick cables (such as feeder cables and branch cables) entering the closure 10 via a lower region 38 of the cable organizer 34, and relatively thin cables (such as drop cables) entering the closure via an upper region 42 of the cable organizer 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-13, a fiber management organizer (or organizer) 100 in accordance with the present disclosure will be described. The cable organizer 100 can cooperate with housing pieces of a closure such as the closure described above. For example, the cable organizer 100 can cooperate with the housing pieces 30, 32 as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. An internal portion of the organizer can be positioned in the closure volume 40.

The organizer 100 extends along a longitudinal axis 102 from a proximal end 103 to a distal end 104, along a transverse axis 106 from a first side 108 to a second side 110, and along a vertical axis 112 from a top 114 to a bottom 116. The axes 102, 106 and 112 are mutually perpendicular, with the axes 102 and 106 defining a horizontal plane.

The organizer 100 is generally divided by one or more panels, walls, or other structures between an upper region 122 and a lower region 124. Some of these panels, walls and other structures form an integrated unit that serves as a main body 111 of the organizer 100.

The organizer 100 defines one or more channels 130 and other guiding structures for guiding optical fibers between the upper and lower regions. The lower region 124 is

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) configured to store loops of sheathed fibers. For example, fibers of feeder cables that are not needed for active connections can be stored in sheathed loops in the lower region 124.

Fibers from provider side feeder cables 70 and/or branch cables enter the organizer in the lower region 124. These fibers can be loose, ribbonized, and/or positioned in protective sheaths. The fibers can be routed to the upper region 122 via channels 130.

The upper region 122 of the organizer 100 includes a proximal area 140 and a distal area 141. The proximal area 140 includes banks 144 of adapters 146. The adapters 146 are configured to receive connectorized ends of fibers from drop cables 172 and optically connect them to connectorized pigtails. For example, an adapter 146 receives a connector 148 of a drop cable fiber and a connector 150 a pigtail fibers such that the two fibers are optically connected.

The pigtail fibers are routed to the distal area 141. The distal area 141 is a fiber management area. The fiber management area 141 includes a stack 152 of fiber management trays 154. The trays 154 are pivotally mounted to a tray support 156. For compactness and access to trays within the stack 152, the tray support 156 is angled obliquely to a horizontal plane. To access a lower tray in the stack 152, the tray(s) 154 above can be pivoted to a pivot up position using a hinged coupling of the trays and the tray support 156.

The trays 154 can support fiber management components, such as a splice holders, signal splitters, wave division multiplexers, etc. In the example shown, each tray 154 includes a splice holder region 158 and a fiber routing and spooling region 160. The splice holder region 158 includes splice holders 159 configured to hold splice bodies (e.g., protective bodies surrounding splices between two individual fibers or between two sets of fibers).

Each pigtail fiber terminated at a connector 150 can be routed onto a tray 154 via a fiber routing channel defined by the tray support 156. On the tray 154, a splice body protecting a splice between the pigtail fiber and a fiber of a feeder cable or a branch cable routed from the lower region 114 can be held by a splice holder 159. In addition, branch cable fibers can be spliced to other branch cable fibers and their splice bodies held by splice holders 159 of the trays 154. Such fibers can be routed from the lower region 124 to the splice location in the upper region 122 and then back to the lower region 124.

The proximal area 140 with pigtail connectorization capability allows a technician working on the fiber management organizer (e.g., in the field where the closure is situated) to create, deactivate and swap drop cable connections without needing access to the fiber

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) management trays 154, or even any portion of the fiber management area 141. Avoiding unnecessary access to the fiber management area 141 can be advantageous in minimizing disruption and/or damage to the delicate fiber management components and loose fibers supported on the trays 154.

To minimize inadvertent handling or disruption, e.g., by a technician, of the components and structures positioned in the fiber management area 141, a demarcation cover 162 is provided. The demarcation cover 162 can be a molded part, e.g., molded from a polymeric material. In some examples, the demarcation cover 162 can be constructed of metal, e.g., sheet metal.

The demarcation cover 162 is releasably lockable to the main body 111, or to another component coupled to the main body 111. When locked to the main body 111 , the demarcation cover (or cover) 162 covers the trays 154 minimizing access to the trays 154. In some examples, the cover 162 also covers the tray support 156, minimizing access to the tray support 156. When locked to the main body 111 of the organizer, the cover 162 does not cover the proximal area 140, allowing access to the proximal area 140. Thus, when locked to the main body 111, the cover 162 does not cover the banks 144 of adapters 146, allowing access to the banks 144 of adapters 146, such that different connectorization arrangements between drop cables and pigtails can be performed when the cover 162 is locked to the main body 111.

To further minimize inadvertent or unnecessary access to the distal area 141, two locking mechanisms that operate with different locking principles are provided to lock the cover 162 to the main body 111.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 12, 13, and 30-33, the first locking mechanism includes, on each of two opposite sides of the cover 162, a resilient arm 164 having a catch 166. The resilient arm 164 includes a ramp 168 leading to the catch 166.

When covering the distal area 141 with the cover 162, the cover 162 is lowered toward the main body 111 such that, on each of two opposite sides of the cover 162, the ramp 168 engages a lip 170 defined by the main body 111. As the ramp 168 slides relative to the lip 170, the arm 164 flexes about flex point 173 until the catch 166 clears the lip 170. At this point, the arm 164 resiliently returns to its unflexed position and the catch 166 snaps into snapping engagement with an underside of the 170 creating a locking engagement between the cover 162 and the main body 111. To unlock the cover 162 from the main body 111, the resilient arm 164 can be flexed, with a tool or a finger, to pivot

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) about the flex point 173 such that the catch 166 disengages the lip 170 and no longer locks the arm 164 to the main body 111.

The second or redundant locking mechanism for locking the cover 162 to the main body 111 includes use of a self-tapping screw or other fastener 180 on each of two opposite sides of the cover 162. On each of the two opposite sides of the cover 162, the fastener 180 is inserted through a through hole 182 defined by the cover 162 and a corresponding and aligned fastener hole 183 defined by the main body 111.

In the example shown, the first and second locking mechanism are adjacent each other at opposite sides of the cover 162 and corresponding opposite sides of the main body 111. In other examples, the two locking mechanisms can be spaced apart from each other to a greater extent on the cover 162.

In some examples, the organizer 100 is constructed and shipped from a manufacturing facility with the cover 162 pre-locked to the main body 111. In some examples, the cover 162 can be locked to the main body in the field after being shipped from the manufacturing facility.

In some examples, the cover 162 and main body 111 include only the first locking mechanism. In some examples, the cover 162 and main body 111 include only the second locking mechanism. In some examples, the cover 162 and main body 111 include the first and second locking mechanisms, but only the first locking mechanism is utilized to lock the cover 162 and the main body 111. In some examples, the cover 162 and main body 111 include the first and second locking mechanisms, but only the second locking mechanism is utilized to lock the cover 162 and the main body 111. In some examples, the cover 162 and main body 111 include the first and second locking mechanisms, and the first and second locking mechanisms are utilized to lock the cover 162 and the main body 111.

In examples in which the cover 162 and the main body 111 are locked to each other using both locking mechanisms, in order to unlock the cover 162 from the main body 111 and thereby permit access to the fiber management area 141, the fasteners 180 are unscrewed or otherwise removed from the cover 162 and the main body 111 and, subsequently, the resilient arms 164 are flexed simultaneously so that their catches 166 disengage the lips 170, allowing the cover 162 to be lifted (e.g., pivoted) away from the main body 111.

The cover 162 extends from a proximal end 184 to a distal end 186. The cover 162 defines an exterior surface 188 and an interior surface 190.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The cover 162 includes an upper panel 185 and side panels 187 and 189 extending from the upper panel 185. The cover 162 also includes a proximal panel 191 extending from the upper panel 185. The locking mechanisms described above are both accessible at the exterior of the cover 162 and positioned at the side panels 187 and 189.

When the cover 162 is in a pivoted closed and locked position, the top panel 185 completely covers the stack 152 of trays 154 and extends horizontally beyond the outermost edges of the trays 154. When the cover 162 is in the pivoted closed and locked position, the side panels 187 and 189 and the proximal panel covers sides of the stack 152 of trays 154. In this manner, inadvertent and/or unnecessary access to the trays 154 when working on the proximal area 140 can be minimized.

The cover 162 includes a holder 197 for a fiber pick 198. In the example shown, the holder includes snap clips 192 and 194 and a grooved rest 196 defined by the exterior surface 188. Advantageously a fiber pick 198 can be secured to the cover 162 by locking the fiber pick 198 in the snap clips 192 and resting the fiber pick on the grooved rest 196. The fiber pick 198 can be handheld and used to guide optical fibers on a tray 154, or to guide pigtails extending from the adapters 146. The fiber pick 198 can provide for finer and more precise manipulation of individual fibers, particularly in cramped or crowded spaces of the organizer 100, than a technician’s fingers.

The interior surface 190 of the cover 162 defines a ridge 200. The ridge 200 fully encloses a seat 202 for receiving a pad 204. For example, a pad 204 can be adhered to the seat 202 within the ridge 200. In some examples, the seat 202 is recessed relative to the interior surface 190 that surrounds the ridge 200.

The pad 204 can be made of a soft, compressible material, such as a foam. The pad 204 is sized and otherwise configured to press against the uppermost tray 154 of the stack 152 when the cover 162 is locked to the main body 111 (FIG. 11). In some examples, the pressing of the uppermost tray 154 of the stack 152 against the pad 204 causes the pad 204 to compress. The interfacing of the pad 204 and the uppermost tray 154 (FIG. 11) can minimize unwanted shifting or rattling of the trays 154 when the cover 162 is locked to the main body 111. In some examples, the pad 204 is positioned to abut the splice holders 159 of the uppermost tray 154 when the cover 162 is locked to the main body 111.

In addition to the cover 162 being lockable to the main body 111, the distal end 186 of the cover 162 is pivotally coupled to the tray support 156. Thus, advantageously, the cover 162 can be opened to provide access to the fiber management area 141 without complete disengagement of the cover.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Referring, to FIGS. 14-35, the cover 162 includes hinge pin sockets 206, 208. The hinge pin sockets 206, 208 pivotally receive hinge pins 209, 211 (FIG. 13) by snap engagement with the sockets. The hinge pins 209, 211 are defined by the tray support 156 to provide a hinge joint 167 between the cover 162 and the tray support 156.

In some situations, it can be beneficial to hold the cover 162 in a pivoted open position so that work (e.g., splice work) can be performed in the fiber management area 141. For example, if the closure is aerially suspended, gravity may urge the cover towards the pivoted closed position, hampering the ability for work to be performed in the fiber management area 141.

A cover support 210 is provided to support the cover 162 in each of one or more pivoted open positions. The cover support 210 includes an elongate support body 212 and a tab 213 extending away from the support body 212 at an oblique angle to the elongate dimension of the support body 212. A hole 215 defined by the tab 213 can receive a tool (e.g., the fiber pick 198) for sliding the cover support 210 between different support positions. The support body 212 is slidingly received in a slot 214 defined by the tray support 156. The support body 212 and the slot 214 cooperate with each other to hold the support body 212 in each of three or more different positions relative to the slot.

In a first of the positions, or the non-extended position (FIG. 15), pivoting of the cover 162 relative to the tray support 156 about the pivot axis defined by the hinge 167 is entirely, or at least substantially, unencumbered by the cover support body 212. Typically, when the cover support 210 is in the first position, the cover 162 is closed and locked to the main body 111.

In a second of the positions (FIGS. 16-22), pivoting of the cover 162 relative to the tray support 156 about the pivot axis defined by the hinge 167 is encumbered by the tab 213 of the cover support 210 at a first engagement site 218, beginning from a first maximum pivot angle 221 away from the cover closed position. In some examples, the encumbrance prevents further pivoting beyond the first maximum pivot angle. The first maximum pivot angle 221 can be in a range from about 60 degrees to about 100 degrees. In some examples, the first maximum pivot angle is about 60 degrees, or about 70 degrees, or about 80 degrees, or about 90 degrees, or about 100 degrees.

In a third of the positions (FIGS. 23-29), further pivoting of the cover relative to the tray support 156 about the pivot axis defined by the hinge 167 is encumbered by the cover support body 212 at a second engagement site 220, beginning from a second maximum pivot angle 216 away from the cover closed position. In some examples, the

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) encumbrance prevents further pivoting beyond the second maximum pivot angle. The second maximum pivot angle 216 can be in a range from about 110 degrees to about 180 degrees. In some examples, the second maximum pivot angle is about 120 degrees, or about 130 degrees, or about 140 degrees, or about 145 degrees, or about 150 degrees, or about 160 degrees.

The cover support body 212 can be slid within the slot 214 from the first position to the second position. The cover support body 212 can be slid within the slot 214 from the second position to the third position. Similarly, the cover support body 212 can be slid within the slot 214 from the third position to the second position, and from the second position to the first position.

Cooperating features of the cover support body 212 and the slot 214 stabilize the cover support body 212 in the first, second, or third position, until it is desirable to move the cover support body 212 from that position to another position. These features include one or more (e.g., two) resilient members 230, 232 of the body 212 (FIG. 35). Each resilient member 230, 232 includes, at its free end, a catch 234, 236 (FIG. 35).

In the first position, in which the cover 162 is pivoted closed (FIG. 15), the proximal end 240 (FIGS. 34-35) of the cover support 210 engages a slide stop 242 of the tray support 156. The slide stop 242 is a bar that defines the bottom end of the slot 214 and inhibits further sliding of the cover support 210 within the slot 214 in the direction 244. The cover 162 defines a notch 260 (FIG. 31) that, in some examples, receives a distal end portion of the cover support 210 when the cover support 210 is the first position.

In the second position, in which the cover 162 is pivoted to the first open position (FIGS. 16-22), the cover support 210 has been slid opposite the direction 244 (FIG. 15) in the slot 214 until the catch 236 rides over the catch engagement bar 246 defined by the tray support 156. The catch 236 rides upward over the catch engagement bar 246, causing the resilient member 232 to flex until the catch 236 snaps back into engagement with the upper side of the catch engagement bar 246, inhibiting sliding of the cover support 210 in the direction 244 (FIG. 15) within the slot 214 without sufficient force to cause the catch 236 to ride downward over the catch engagement bar 246.

In the third position, in which the cover 162 is pivoted to the second open position (FIGS. 23-29), the cover support 210 has been slid opposite the direction 244 (FIG. 15) in the slot 214 until the catch 234 rides over the catch engagement bar 246 defined by the tray support 156. The catch 234 rides upward over the catch engagement bar 246, causing the resilient member 232 to flex until the catch 234 snaps back into engagement with the

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) upper side of the catch engagement bar 246, inhibiting sliding of the cover support 210 in the direction 244 (FIG. 15) within the slot 214 without sufficient force to cause the catch 234 to ride downward over the catch engagement bar 246.

A fourth position, or intermediate pivot open position for the cover 162 that is between the first pivot open position and the second pivot open position can be achieved by sliding the cover support 210 within the slot 214 such that the catch 234 engages the upper side of the other catch engagement bar 248 of the slot 214. In some examples, due to cover pivoting encumbrance provided by the angle and position of the tab 213, in the fourth position the maximum pivot angle of the cover 162 away from the cover closed position is between the first and second maximum pivot angles.

Referring to FIGS. 36-37, a further example telecommunications closure 300 will be described. The closure 300 includes housing pieces 302 and 304 that sealingly cooperate to define an interior volume that holds an optical fiber organizer assembly for optical fibers of telecommunications cables 301, 303 that sealingly enter the interior volume through cable ports.

Referring to FIG. 38, an optical fiber organizer assembly 306 is positioned in the interior volume defined by the housing piece 304, the assembly 306 and the housing piece 304 being locked to each other with clamps, and a perimeter sealing element (e.g., a perimeter gel seal) being positioned around the perimeter of the interior volume and compressible between the housing pieces. The assembly 306 extends from a proximal end 308 to a distal end 310 along an axis 312. The assembly 306 extends from a first side 314 to a second side 316 along an axis 318. The assembly 306 extends from a bottom 320 to a top 322 along a vertical axis 324. The axes 312, 318 and 324 are mutually perpendicular.

The assembly 306 includes a main body 330. Depending on a particular fiber management scheme desired, the main body 330 can be used in various ways. For example, the main body 330 can support a subassembly that includes fiber management trays 332. The main body 330 can support adapter banks 334 that receive connectorized optical fibers 336. The main body 330 supports plates 338 that are configured to mount cable fixation subassemblies that fix end portions of cables entering the closure.

A cable sealing region 340 is positioned at the proximal end of the main body 330. The cable sealing region 340 is configured to seal around cables entering the interior volume of the closure for fiber management using the main body 330 or structures supported by the main body 330. The cable sealing region 340 includes seal block support structures 342 configured to support seal blocks 344 for sealing around cables entering the

15

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) closure volume from an exterior of the closure. Some of the seal block support structures 342 are integrally formed with the main body 330, as shown in FIG. 39.

Referring to FIG. 39, positioned distally of, and adjacent the seal block support structures 342 is a cable fixation region 346. The cable fixation region 346 is configured to mount cable fixation subassemblies that fix distal end portions of cables (e.g., drop cables) entering the closure at the top side of the main body 330.

An interlocking interface is provided for snappingly interlocking the main body 330 and the housing piece 304. In particular, the main body 330 includes horizontal press surfaces 350 positioned distally from the cable sealing region 340 and aligned, perpendicular to the axis 312, with the cable fixation region 346.

The press surfaces 350 are configured to be pressed downward (parallel to the axis 324) to snappingly interlock the main body 330 and housing piece 304 using an interlocking mechanism described below. The press surfaces 350 are positioned on opposite sides of a cable fixation region 346 and aligned along a reference line parallel to the axis 318.

The press surfaces 350 can include gripping ribs 352 which can serve as indicia indicating where to press on the surfaces 350 to interlock the main body 330 and the housing piece 304 and also provide a gripping surface for the pressing. The press surfaces 350 are positioned above and distally from the interlocking mechanism for interlocking the main body 330 and the housing piece 304. This positioning can minimize the amount of downward press force needed to engage the interlocking mechanism.

The press surfaces 350 can be integrally formed with the vertical, outer perimeter wall 354 of the main body 330. The press surfaces 350 are perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces 356 and 358, respectively, of the outer perimeter wall 354.

Referring now to FIGS. 40-46, an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the main body 330 and the housing piece 304 by pressing downward on the press surfaces 350 will be described. The interlocking mechanism includes one or more latches 360. Each latch 360 is fixedly mounted to a side wall 305 of the housing piece 302. In some examples, the latches can be integrally formed with the housing piece 302. Each latch 360 includes a resilient latch arm 362 having a shoulder 364. The main body 330 includes a vertical channel 368 interrupted by a catch 366 projecting horizontally from a surface 370 of the channel 368. To engage the interlocking mechanism, the main body 330 is aligned with the housing piece 304 such that the channel 368 receives the latch 360 until the catch 366 rests on the ramp 372 of the latch 360. The main body 330 can then be pressed at one

16

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) or both of the press surfaces 350 causing the latch arm 362 to flex in the direction 374 as the catch 366 rides along the ramp 371 and until the catch 366 downwardly clears the shoulder 364, thereby vertically capturing the main body 330 relative to the housing piece 304. In this manner, the main body 330 and the housing piece 304 can be interlocked, in some examples with some vertical play therebetween. In addition, a vertical through hole 380 positioned immediately proximate to each press surface 350 is vertically aligned with a corresponding through hole 382 defined by the housing piece 304. A fastener, such as a screw, a bolt, a peg, a pin or the like, can be inserted into the through holes 380 and 382 on each side of the cable fixation region to further secure together the main body 330 and the housing piece 304.

Referring now to FIGS. 47-62, the main body 330 includes a panel 400 defining an upper region 402 above an upper surface 404 of the panel and a lower region 406 below a lower surface 408 of the panel 400. The outer perimeter wall 354 is positioned at an outer perimeter of the panel 400. The wall 354 extends above the upper surface 404 of the panel 400 and also extends below the lower surface 408 of the panel 400. The main body 330 includes passages 410 on opposite sides of the panel 400. Each passage 410 is configured to guide optical fibers between the lower region 406 and the upper region 402 through upper and lower gaps 412 and 413, respectively, in the wall 354.

Each passage 410 includes an interface 414 having a surface 416 configured to directly support a sheath holder 418, 420 of a sheath surrounding an optical fiber. Protective sheaths (e.g., plastic tubes, woven sleeves) are used to protect lengths of optical fibers routed and organized on organizer assemblies, such as the assembly 306. When two fibers need to be connected to each other, e.g., with a splice on a fiber management tray of the organizer assembly, portions of the sheaths are shaved off or stripped to expose those fibers. Sheaths can protect single fibers, groups of loose single fibers, or ribbonized fibers, such as flat ribbon fibers or rollable ribbon fibers. The sheath holder 418 is configured to secure (e.g., by interference fit) a portion of a sheath holding one or more loose fibers. The sheath holder 420 is configured to secure (e.g., with teeth and/or a tie wrap) a portion of a sheath holding one or more ribbon fibers and includes features for orienting flat ribbon fibers in an organized manner as they protrude from the ends of the sheath.

The surface 416 is pitched at an oblique angle 422 relative to the upper surface 404 and the lower surface 408 of the panel 400. In particular, the surface 416 is pitched downwardly as it extends from an outer edge 424 of the main body 330 inwardly. In some examples, the angle 422 is in a range from about 1 degree to about 25 degrees relative to

17

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the upper surface 404. In some examples, the angle 422 is in a range from about 1 degree to about 15 degrees relative to the upper surface 404. In some examples the angle 422 is about 5 degrees. In addition, to aid routing of sheaths and/or optical fibers from the lower region 406 to the upper region 402, the surface 416 is also pitched upward in the distal direction leading away from the gap 412.

The pitch of the surface 404 can help minimize the possibility that a vertical stack 426 of sheath holders 418 would tilt outwardly and beyond the outer edge 424, which could damage the optical fibers of the sheaths held by the sheath holders 418, and undesirably increase the horizontal footprint of the main body 330, which could render the main body 330, when in use, too large for the interior volume of the closure.

Each interface 414 includes structures 430 for snappingly interlocking complementary structures 432 of a sheath holder 418. In addition, the same structures 432, as well as a complementary bar 434 of the sheath holders 418, can be used to snappingly mount sheath holders 418 one atop another.

The sheath holder 420 is not configured to snappingly engage the interface 414 to mount the sheath holder 420 to the interface 414. To mount the sheath holder 420 to the interface 414, each interface 414 includes a fully enclosed opening 440 adjacent a structure 430. Each opening 440 is configured to receive a tie wrap 442 (e.g., a zip tie) passing through the opening 440 in a direction 444 parallel to the upper surface 404 and the lower surface 408. The tie wrap(s) 442 can be used to secure the sheath holder 420 to the interface 414. The positioning of the opening 440 relative to the rest of the interface 414 can help prevent a tie wrap 442 from disengaging the interface 414 during installation of the tie wrap 442 to secure the sheath holder 420 to the interface 414. For example, the structure of the wall surrounding and defining the opening 440 can act to inhibit unintended movement of a tie wrap 442 through the opening 440. In addition, the juxtaposition of the opening 446 of the interface 414 and the wall 354 can act to inhibit unintended movement of a tie wrap 442 through the opening 446 as the tie wrap is fed through the opening 446 during installation of the tie wrap 442.

Indicia or indicator 433 can be provided adjacent the interface 414 and distal thereto. The indicia 433 can be, e.g., visual indicia and/or textual indicia (e.g., a recessed line or groove). The indicia 433 can indicate a preferred sheath termination location or zone to guide a technician to strip the sheath such that the end of the sheath is positioned in the sheath termination zone or at the sheath termination location, and the optical fiber(s) continues from the end of the sheath into the upper region 402.

18

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The main body 330 includes another interface 450 for securely mounting one or more sheath holders 418, 420. There are two such interfaces 450 on opposite sides of the main body 330 and aligned with each other along a reference line parallel to the axis 318. The interface 450 can be integrally formed with the panel 400. The interface 450 includes a surface 452 configured to directly support a sheath holder 418, 420. The interface 450 is substantially aligned with the interface 414 along a reference line parallel to the axis 312 (FIG. 38). The interface 450 is positioned to secure one or more sheath holders 418, 420 in the lower region 406 defined by the main body 330 and at or near the wall 354. Thus, for example, to organize and stabilize sheaths, a single sheath can be held in place by a sheath holder at the interface 450 and then at another sheath holder secured to the interface 414. In this manner, portions of sheaths passing from the lower region 406 to the upper region 402 can be kept separate from portions of sheaths stored in loops in the lower region 406.

The interface 450 interface includes structures 460, 462 for snappingly interlocking complementary structures of a sheath holder 418. Thus, the interfaces 414 and 450 are configured to interlock with the same structures of a sheath holder 418.

The interface 450 includes a fully enclosed opening 464 configured to receive a tie wrap 442 passing through the opening 464 in a direction parallel to the upper surface 404 and the lower surface 408. The opening 464 is at least partially defined by the wall 354.

The interface 450 includes a rim 466 projecting downward from the lower surface 408. The rim 466 defines a seat 458 for receiving a sheath holder 418, 420.

Each opening 464 extends above the upper surface 404 and below the lower surface 408. The tie wrap(s) 442 can be used to secure the sheath holder 420 or sheath holders 420 to the interface 450. The positioning of the opening 464 relative to the rest of the interface 450 can help prevent a tie wrap 442 from disengaging the interface 450 during installation of the tie wrap 442 to secure the sheath holder 420 to the interface 450. For example, the structure surrounding the opening 464 can act to inhibit unintended movement of a tie wrap 442 through the opening 464. In addition, the juxtaposition of the opening 464 of the interface 450 and the wall 354 can act to inhibit unintended movement of a tie wrap 442 through the opening 464 as the tie wrap is fed through the opening 464 during installation of the tie wrap 442. In addition, each interface 450 includes guide ramps 470 ramping downward to the lower surface 408. Each guide ramp 470 is configured to guide a tie wrap 442 there-along and around a sheath holder 420 when installing the tie wrap 442 to secure a sheath holder 420 to the interface 450. The guide ramps 470 can further serve to inhibit unintended movement of a tie wrap 442 through the

19

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) opening 472 of the interface 450 as the tie wrap is fed through the opening 472 during installation of the tie wrap 442.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Example Embodiments

According to a first example embodiment, a fiber management organizer assembly for a telecommunications closure, comprises: a subassembly, including: a main body defining a first area and a second area; a tray support structure mounted at the second area; and fiber management trays pivotally supported by the tray support structure; a demarcation cover, the demarcation cover being pivotally coupled with a hinge mechanism to the subassembly between an open position and a closed position, and being lockable, in the closed position, to the subassembly with a locking mechanism, an interior surface of the cover defining a seat; and a compressible pad positioned on the seat and configured to compress against one of the fiber management trays when the demarcation cover is in the closed position.

According to a second example embodiment, there is provided the first example embodiment, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a first hinge component on the demarcation cover that forms a hinge with a second hinge component on the tray support.

According to a third example embodiment, there is provided the second example embodiment, wherein the first hinge component is a socket and the second hinge component is a pin.

According to a fourth example embodiment, there is provided any of the first through third example embodiments, wherein the demarcation cover is lockable to the subassembly with two different locking mechanisms.

According to a fifth example embodiment, there is provided the fourth example embodiment, wherein one of the locking mechanisms includes a fastener insertable in holes defined by the cover and the main body, and wherein the other of the locking mechanism includes a resilient arm having a catch configured to lockingly engage a lip defined by the main body.

20

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) According to a sixth example embodiment, there is provided any of the first through fifth example embodiments, wherein the cover completely covers and extends beyond outer edges of the trays.

According to a seventh example embodiment, there is provided any of the first through sixth example embodiments, wherein the cover includes a holder for a fiber pick.

According to an eighth example embodiment, there is provided the seventh example embodiment, wherein the holder for the fiber pick includes clips and/or a grooved rest.

According to a ninth example embodiment, there is provided any of the first through eighth example embodiments, wherein the seat is defined by a ridge projecting from the interior surface of the cover and fulling surrounding the compressible pad.

According to a tenth example embodiment, there is provided any of the first through ninth example embodiments, further comprising a cover support including a cover support body, wherein when the cover is not locked to the subassembly the cover can be pivoted to at least one open cover position relative to the subassembly while remaining coupled to the subassembly, the cover support being configured to abut the cover in the at least one open cover position and thereby encumber further pivoting of the cover from the at least one open cover position.

According to an eleventh example embodiment, there is provided the tenth example embodiment, wherein the cover support body is slidable between different support positions in a slot defined by the subassembly, each support position corresponding to a different open cover position of the cover relative to the subassembly.

According to a twelfth example embodiment, there is provided the eleventh example embodiment, wherein the slot is defined by the tray support structure.

According to a thirteenth example embodiment, there is provided any of the eleventh or twelfth example embodiments, wherein the cover support body includes at least one flexible member including a catch configured to engage a catch engagement bar defined by the tray support structure at the slot.

According to a fourteenth example embodiment, there is provided any of the eleventh or twelfth example embodiments, wherein the cover support body includes two flexible members each including a catch configured to engage a catch engagement bar defined by the tray support structure at the slot.

21

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) According to a fifteenth example embodiment, there is provided the eleventh example embodiment, wherein the at least one open cover position is pivoted at least 80 degrees relative to a closed position of the cover relative to the subassembly.

According to a sixteenth example embodiment, a fiber management organizer assembly for a telecommunications closure, comprises: a subassembly, including: a main body defining a first area and a second area; a tray support structure mounted at the second area; fiber management trays pivotally supported by the tray support structure; a demarcation cover, the demarcation cover being pivotally coupled to the subassembly with a hinge mechanism; and a cover support including a cover support body slidably positioned in a slot defined by the tray support structure, wherein the cover is configured to pivot to at least one open cover position relative to the subassembly while remaining coupled to the subassembly, the cover support being configured to abut the cover in the at least one open cover position and thereby encumber further pivoting of the cover from the at least one open cover position.

According to a seventeenth example embodiment, there is provided the sixteenth example embodiment, wherein the cover support body includes at least one flexible member including a catch configured to engage a catch engagement bar defined by the tray support structure at the slot.

According to an eighteenth example embodiment, there is provided a telecommunications closure, comprising: housing pieces configured to cooperate to define a sealable and re-enterable closure volume; cables carrying optical fibers entering the closure volume; and a fiber management organizer assembly according to any of the first through seventeenth example embodiments positioned in the closure volume.

According to a nineteenth example embodiment, there is provided the eighteenth example embodiment, wherein splice bodies protecting splices between optical fibers of the cables are held in spliced holders supported by the fiber management trays.

According to a twentieth example embodiment, there is provided a method of accessing the fiber trays of the assembly of the first example embodiment, comprising: unlocking the locking mechanism; and subsequent to the unlocking, pivoting the cover to an open position while the cover remains coupled to the subassembly.

According to a twenty-first example embodiment, there is provided the twentieth example embodiment, further comprising, sliding a cover support within a slot defined by the tray support structure such that the cover support abuts the cover and encumbers further pivoting of the cover beyond the open position.

22

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A telecommunications closure, comprising: housing pieces that cooperate to define a sealable and re-enterable closure volume; and a fiber management organizer assembly positionable in the closure volume, including: a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body; a cable sealing region at the proximal end of the main body, the cable sealing region including seal block support structures configured to support seal blocks for sealing around cables entering the closure volume from an exterior of the closure; and an interlocking interface for snappingly interlocking the main body and one of the housing pieces, the main body defining press surfaces positioned distally from the cable sealing region, the press surfaces being configured to be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the axis to snappingly interlock the main body and the one of the housing pieces.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the press surfaces include gripping ribs.

3. The closure of 1, wherein the press surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of a cable fixation region defined by the main body.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the press surfaces are integrally formed with an outer perimeter wall of the main body.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the interlocking interface includes a channel defined by the main body that receives a latch that is fixed to, or integral with, the one of the housing pieces, the latch being configured to snappingly engage a catch positioned in the channel.

6. A fiber management organizer for a telecommunications closure, comprising:

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body, including: a panel defining an upper region above an upper surface of the panel and a lower region below a lower surface of the panel; a wall positioned at a perimeter of the panel and extending above the upper surface of the panel and below the lower surface of the panel; and a passage configured to guide optical fibers between the lower region and the upper region through a gap in the wall, the passage including an interface having a surface configured to directly support a sheath holder of a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the surface being pitched at an oblique angle relative to the upper surface and the lower surface.

7. The organizer of claim 6, wherein the surface is pitched downwardly as it extends from an outer edge of the main body inwardly.

8. The organizer of any of claims 6-7, wherein the angle is between about 1 degree and about 25 degrees relative to the upper surface.

9. The organizer of any of claims 6-7, wherein the angle is between about 1 degree and about 15 degrees relative to the upper surface.

10. The organizer of any of claims 6-7, wherein the angle is about 5 degrees relative to the upper surface.

11. The organizer of any of claims 6-10, wherein the interface includes structures for snappingly interlocking complementary structures of the sheath holder.

12. The organizer of any of claims 6-10, wherein the interface includes a fully enclosed opening configured to receive a tie wrap passing through the opening in a direction parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface.

13. The organizer of any of claims 6-12, further comprising a sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the sheath holder including structures for snappingly interlocking with the interface.

24

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

14. The organizer of any of claims 6-12, further comprising: a sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber; and a tie wrap securing the sheath holder to the interface.

15. The organizer of any of claims 6-14, further comprising another interface having at least a portion integrated with the panel, the another interface having a surface configured to directly support another sheath holder, the another interface being substantially aligned with the interface along a reference line parallel to the axis.

16. The organizer of claim 15, wherein the another interface includes structures for snappingly interlocking complementary structures of the another sheath holder.

17. The organizer of any of claims 15-16, wherein the another interface includes another opening that is fully enclosed configured to receive a tie wrap passing through the another opening in a direction parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface.

18. The organizer of claim 17, wherein the another opening is at least partially defined by the wall.

19. The organizer of any of claims 15-18, further comprising another sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the another sheath holder including structures for snappingly interlocking with the another interface.

20. The organizer of any of claims 15-18, further comprising: another sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber; and a tie wrap securing the another sheath holder to the another interface.

21. The organizer of any of claims 15-20, wherein the interface and the another interface are configured to interlock with the same structures of a sheath holder.

22. The organizer of any of claims 15-21, wherein the another interface includes a rim projecting downward from the lower surface, the rim defining a seat for receiving another sheath holder.

25

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

23. A fiber management organizer for a telecommunications closure, comprising: a main body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis defined by the main body, including: a panel defining an upper region above an upper surface of the panel and a lower region below a lower surface of the panel, the panel being configured to support assemblies that fix telecommunications cables entering the closure to the main body; a wall positioned at a perimeter of the panel and extending above the upper surface of the panel and below the lower surface of the panel; and an interface having at least a portion integrated with the panel, the interface having a surface configured to directly support a sheath holder holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the interface including structures for snappingly interlocking complementary structures of the sheath holder.

24. The organizer of claim 23, wherein the interface includes a fully enclosed opening configured to receive a tie wrap passing through the opening in a direction parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface.

25. The organizer of claim 24, wherein the opening is at least partially defined by the wall.

26. The organizer of any of claims 23-25, further comprising a sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber, the sheath holder including structures for snappingly interlocking with the interface.

27. The organizer of any of claims 23-25, further comprising: a sheath holder for holding a sheath surrounding an optical fiber; and a tie wrap securing the sheath holder to the interface.

28. The organizer of any of claims 23-27, wherein the interface includes a rim projecting downward from the lower surface, the rim defining a seat for receiving a sheath holder.

26

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

29. The organizer of any of claims 17-18, wherein the another opening extends above the upper surface and below the lower surface.

30. The organizer of any of claims 24-25, wherein the opening extends above the upper surface and below the lower surface.

31. The organizer of any of claims 23-28 or 30, wherein the interface defines a guide ramp ramping downward to the lower surface, the guide ramp being configured to guide a tie wrap therealong.

32. A telecommunications closure, comprising: housing pieces configured to cooperate to define a sealable and re-enterable closure volume; cables carrying optical fibers entering the closure volume; and the organizer according to any of claims 6-31 positioned in the closure volume, the cables being fixed relative to the main body.

33. The closure of claim 1, wherein the organizer assembly includes a stack of fiber management trays and a demarcation cover pivotally coupled with a hinge mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the cover being lockable, in the closed position, with a locking mechanism, an interior surface of the cover defining a seat; and a compressible pad positioned on the seat and configured to compress against one of the fiber management trays when the demarcation cover is in the closed position.

27

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)