US 6,445,865 B1 · Optical fiber jumper cable bend limiter and housing therefor

Abstract

A cable jumper bend limiter arrangement for a fiber distribution shelf that is readily adaptable for use in conventional fiber distribution frames. The shelf jumper bend limiter arrangement of the invention operates to maintain minimum bend radii for jumpers routed via the shelf and facilitates increased storage and routing space for jumper cables routed in jumper troughs of distribution frames in which the shelves are installed. Radial guides that form the bend limiters for the distribution shelf of the invention are disposed predominantly within the perimeter of the shelf and extend only minimally beyond an edge of the shelf.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims14

Dependent claims

A fiber distribution shelf for use in a communication system distribution frame, comprising:

a base having oppositely disposed first and second sides;
and
a first radial guide located on a surface of said base adjacent at least one of said first and second sides and arranged to form a radial protrusion above said base surface;
wherein said first radial guide is disposed predominantly within a perimeter of said base, extending beyond said perimeter only to an extent needed to maintain a required bending radius for a 90 degree turn from said base;
said first radial guide being operative to limit a bending radius of optical fiber jumper cables routed to or from said fiber distribution shelf.

2 more elements

A shelf jumper bend limiter housing comprising:

(a) a base having a first end and a second end,
(b) a connector panel comprising optical connectors into which optical fiber jumper cables can be plugged,
(c) a first side panel and a second side panel, each having an area removed, wherein perimeters of said first and second side panels intersect perimeters of said base and a bulkhead panel, and said areas removed from said first and second side panels form apertures for first and second jumper ports on opposite sides of said base;
(d) a top panel having a perimeter which intersects perimeters of said bulkhead panel and said first and second side panels, such that said bulkhead panel, said first and second, side panels, said base, and said top panel form a chamber,
(e) a first upper bend limiter attached to said first side panel in said first jumper port above said first end of said base, and a second upper bend limiter attached to said second side panel in said second jumper port above said second end of said base;
and
(f) a fiber guide tray located on said base, wherein said fiber guide tray comprises:
(i) a fiber ring mounting surface having a first end and a second end,
(ii) a first radial guide located on said fiber ring mounting surface, wherein said first radial guide is arranged to form a radial protrusion above said fiber ring mounting surface and is disposed predominantly within a perimeter of said tray, extending beyond said perimeter only to an extent needed to maintain a required bending radius for a 90 degree turn from said tray, and
(iii) a second radial guide located on said fiber ring mounting surface, wherein said second radial guide is arranged to form a radial protrusion above said fiber ring mounting surface and is disposed predominantly within said perimeter of said tray, extending beyond said perimeter only to an extent needed to maintain a required bending radius for a 90 degree turn from said tray,
said first and second upper bend limiters and said first and second radial guides cooperatively forming said first and second jumper ports respectively, and being operative to limit a bending radius of optical fiber jumper cables routed to or from said fiber distribution shelf.

8 more elements

A shelf jumper bend limiter housing comprising:

(a) a base having a first end and a second end;
(b) a connector panel comprising optical connectors into which optical fiber jumper cables can be plugged;
(c) a first side panel and a second side panel, each having an area removed, wherein perimeters of said first and second side panels intersect perimeters of said base and a bulkhead panel, and said areas removed from said first and second side panels form apertures for first and second jumper ports on opposite sides of said base;
(d) a top panel having a perimeter which intersects perimeters of said bulkhead panel and said first and second side panels, such that said bulkhead panel, said first and second side panels, said base, and said top panel form a chamber;
(e) a first upper bend limiter attached to said first side panel in said first jumper port above said first end of said base, and a second upper bend limiter attached to said second side panel in said second jumper port above said second end of said base;
and
(f) a fiber guide tray located on said base, wherein said fiber guide tray comprises:
(i) a fiber ring mounting surface having a first end and a second end;
(ii) a first radial guide located on said fiber ring mounting surface, wherein said first radial guide is arranged to form a radial protrusion above said fiber ring mounting surface and is disposed predominantly within a perimeter of said tray, extending beyond said perimeter only to an extent needed to maintain a required bending radius for a 90 degree turn from said tray, and
(iii) a second radial guide located on said fiber ring mounting surface, wherein said second radial guide is arranged to form a radial protrusion above said fiber ring mounting surface and is disposed predominantly within said perimeter of said tray, extending beyond said perimeter only to an extent needed to maintain a required bending radius for a 90 degree turn from said tray,
said first and second upper bend limiters and said first and second radial guides cooperatively forming said first and second jumper ports respectively, and being operative to limit a bending radius of optical fiber jumper cables routed to or from said fiber distribution shelf,
said shelf jumper bend limiter housing further comprising a first shoulder attached to said first radial guide that extends towards said first upper bend limiter, and a second shoulder attached to said second radial guide which extends towards said second upper bend limiter, whereby, upon an attachment to said housing of a front door having a perimeter which intersects the perimeters of said base, said first and second side panels, and said top panel, such that, upon closing of said front door, said chamber can be enclosed, said first and second shoulders prevent said jumpers in said jumper ports from being pinched between the perimeter of said front door and said first and/or second side panels.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,868 words

Summary1,240 words

#The present invention relates generally to optical fiber handling systems, and more particularly to an optical fiber bend limiter that provides increased volume for storage of optical fiber jumper cables.

#Many applications utilize an optical fiber network of interconnected optical fiber cables to enable optical communications between network locations. Optical fiber cable consists of a plurality of optical fibers surrounded by a protective sheath. Individual optical fibers consist of a small diameter core of low-loss material such as glass or plastic surrounded by a protective cladding that has a slightly lower index of refraction than the core. As is well known, fiber optic cable operates to guide transmitted light pulses with small pulse attenuation (i.e., low signal loss).

#Due to the fragile nature of the fiber, there is a need to protect the fiber from external sources of stress, such as bending, pressure and strain, that can damage the fiber and/or cause degradation of the signal being transmitted via the fiber. For example, a fiber should not be bent sharply anywhere along its path. In addition to the possibility of breakage or fracture, if a fiber is bent past a critical angle, portions of transmitted light pulses will leak out, rather than being reflected within the fiber core, thereby attenuating the transmitted light pulses and degrading signal quality. Accordingly, it is necessary that a fiber be routed so that bends in the fiber be of a sufficient radius to substantially avoid occurrence of such light leakage.

Brief description of the drawings4 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber distribution shelf housing of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower bend limiter in accordance with the invention,

#FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a chamber of a fiber distribution shelf housing of the present invention, showing particularly the perspective of the radial guides of the invention being predominantly located within the perimeter of the shelf

Detailed description1,536 words

#The invention disclosed herein provides a novel and useful optical fiber distribution shelf and housing having an increased volume for storing and handling optical fiber jumper cables relative to the volume available in known optical fiber jumper bend limiter shelves and housings. Consequently, the fiber distribution shelf and housing of the invention accommodates a greater number of fiber jumper cables while preventing bending of optical fibers beyond a minimum bend radius, and permits easy removal, addition, and/or re-routing of those jumpers.

#With reference now to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of the shelf jumper bend limiter housing of the invention, a housing (I) includes base (2), bulkhead panel (6), and side panels (3) and (4), each of which has a portion removed that eventually forms jumper ports (7) and (8). Base (2) is disposed within the housing such that a first edge thereof intersects an edge of bulkhead panel (6), and the two edges orthogonally disposed relative to the first edge intersect first and second side panels (3) and (4). Bulkhead panel (6) also is adapted to receive a plurality of optical connectors (not shown) into which optical fiber jumpers can be plugged.

#The housing (1) also includes top panel (5) approximately parallel to base (2), and similarly having a first edge intersecting an edge of bulkhead panel (6) and the two edges orthogonally disposed relative to that first edge intersecting first and second side panels (3) and (4). As a result of these intersections, chamber (9) is formed, in which optical fiber jumpers may be routed and stored.

Facts

Application

09/676,176Filed 29 Sep 2000

Granted

3 Sep 2002

Term ended

29 Sep 2020

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination. Patent term adjustment is unavailable; no adjustment was added.

Classification4 codes

G02B 6/4478
Terminating devices ; Cable clamps: bending relief means
G02B 6/44524
Distribution frames: with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack
G02B 6/44528
Systems or boxes with surplus lengths: patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box
G02B
Optical elements, systems or apparatus

Optical fiber jumper cable bend limiter and housing therefor

Life of this patent

Optical fiber jumper cable bend limiter and housing therefor

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims14

Description2,868 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,868 words