US 6,594,434 B1 · Fiber optic cables management and measurement apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for managing and measuring fiber optic cable includes a mounting base for receiving and retaining a variety of fiber cassettes capable of holding optical components having fiber optic cables emanating therefrom. The apparatus includes a pair of interchangeable marking mandrels spaced from the fiber cassette and having circumferences that exceed the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables. Each marking mandrel has marking grooves formed on its periphery so that the fiber optic cable may be marked at a predetermined location for future splicing of the cable. The apparatus further includes fiber take up mandrels connected to the mounting base, each fiber take up mandrel having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables. The marked fiber optic cables may be temporarily wound around the circumference of the fiber take up mandrels to prevent entanglement and keep the fiber out of the operator's way while another cable is being marked. The apparatus also includes a pair of fiber retainer rails interposed between the fiber cassette and the fiber take up mandrels for guiding the fiber optic cable from the fiber cassette to the fiber take up mandrels. Each of the fiber retainer rails has a resilient rail portion that protects the fiber optic cables from damage.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for managing and measuring fiber optic cable, comprising:

a mounting base for receiving and retaining a fiber cassette capable of holding at least one optical component having at least one fiber optic cable emanating therefrom;
a fiber take up mandrel connected to said mounting base and having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic cable may be wound around the circumference of said fiber take up mandrel for temporary storage thereon;
a fiber retainer rail connected to said mounting base and interposed between the fiber cassette and said fiber take up mandrel, said fiber retainer rail guiding the fiber optic cable from the fiber cassette to said fiber take up mandrel;
and
a marking mandrel spaced from the fiber cassette and having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable, said marking mandrel having a marking groove formed on its periphery so that the fiber optic cable may be marked at a predetermined location.

2 more elements

An apparatus for managing and measuring fiber optic cable, comprising:

a mounting base for receiving and retaining a fiber cassette capable of holding a plurality of optical components, each optical component having at least one fiber optic cable emanating therefrom;
a plurality of fiber take up mandrels connected to said mounting base, each fiber take up mandrel having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables, wherein the fiber optic cables may be wound around the circumference of each fiber take up mandrel for temporary storage thereon;
a fiber retainer rail connected to said mounting base, said fiber retainer rail being interposed between the fiber cassette and one of said plurality of fiber take up mandrels, said fiber retainer rail guiding the fiber optic cables from the fiber cassette to one of said plurality of fiber take up mandrels;
and
a marking mandrel spaced from the fiber cassette, said marking mandrel having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables and having a marking groove formed on the periphery so that the fiber optic cables may be marked at predetermined locations.

2 more elements

A method for managing and measuring a fiber optic cable with an apparatus having a mounting base for receiving and retaining a fiber cassette, a fiber take up mandrel connected to the mounting base and having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of a fiber optic cable, a fiber retainer rail connected to the mounting base and interposed between the fiber cassette and the fiber take up mandrel, and a marking mandrel spaced from the fiber cassette and having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable, comprising:

mounting an optical component having at least one fiber optic cable emanating therefrom in the fiber cassette;
wrapping a portion of the fiber optic cable around the marking mandrel;
marking a predetermined location of the fiber optic cable using a marking groove formed on the periphery of the marking mandrel;
and
wrapping the marked fiber optic cable on the fiber take up mandrel for temporary storage thereon.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fiber optic cables management and measurement apparatus

Life of this patent

Fiber optic cables management and measurement apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24