Optical fiber routing tool
AssigneeClearfield, Inc.
InventorsJohn P. Hill, William J. Cruzen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical fiber routing tool that can protect optical fiber and facilitate routing of the optical fiber during installation. The optical fiber routing tool includes a pen-shaped elongated body that includes a body bore therethrough configured to receive one or more optical fiber. The tool can further include a removable tip for single fiber routing, the removable tip comprises a tip bore having a reduced diameter tip bore therethrough and configured to receive an optical fiber. Additionally, the tool can include other optional features, such as a tapered tip, an attachment feature such as clip for storing the removable tip when not in use, and/or pick features, for added functionality.
Claims18
An optical fiber routing tool, comprising:
- an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more optical fibers therethrough for routing;
- a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing an optical fiber therethrough for routing;
- and
- an attachment feature connected to the elongated body, the attachment feature configured to engage with and store the removable tip outside of the elongated body when decoupled and not in use.
A method of routing a plurality of optical fibers in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool, the method comprising:
- temporarily securing the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber routing tool, wherein the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
- an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more optical fibers therethrough;
- a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing an optical fiber therethrough;
- and
- an attachment feature configured to couple with at least a portion of the tip bore of the removable tip when the removable tip is detached from the elongated body, and wherein the removable tip is configured for being secured to the attachment feature outside of the elongated body when the removable tip is removed from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool;
- wherein temporarily securing the plurality of fibers in the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
- removing the removable tip from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool;
- threading the plurality of optical fibers through the body bore;
- and
- manipulating the optical fiber routing tool.
A method of routing an optical fiber in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool, the method comprising:
- temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool, wherein the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
- an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more fibers therethrough;
- a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing a fiber therethrough;
- and
- an attachment feature configured to couple with at least a portion of the tip bore of the removable tip when the removable tip is detached from the elongated body, and wherein the removable tip is configured for being secured to the attachment feature outside of the elongated body when the removable tip is removed from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool;
- wherein temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
- inserting the second end of the removable tip into the body bore of the elongated body at the first end;
- and
- threading the optical fiber through the combined tip bore of the removable tip and the body bore of the elongated body;
- and
- manipulating the optical fiber routing tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.