Fiber optic cable saddle

Abstract

A fiber optic cable saddle for securing and routing fiber optic cables on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other component used in the communications field. The fiber optic cable saddle includes a body portion that may be connected to a post having a barb at one end. The saddle may be mounted in a PCB by forcing the barb in an opening provided in the PCB. The fiber optic cable saddle is formed from a soft, resilient material that permits the body portion to flex open and return back to its original shape. The profile of the body portion is a thin, closely spaced spiral. Each of the free ends of the body portion has a cylindrical projection integrally formed thereon. In a closed position of the saddle, the cylindrical projections are partially disposed within corresponding recesses formed in the body portion. Before securing the fiber optic cables within the saddle, a user will preferably mount the saddle on the PCB. Once the saddle is mounted on the PCB, the user opens the saddle by flexing a section of the body portion so that a space forms between the ends of the body portion. With the body portion in this open position, the user then places the fiber optic cables against the inner surface of the body portion, and then ceases flexure of the section of the body portion. This allows the saddle to relax and coil around the fiber optic cables, holding them in place. The fiber optic cable saddle is easy to use since it is self-closing and naturally wraps around the fiber optic cables when the user ceases flexure of the body portion. Furthermore, the saddle is soft and flexible so it does not damage the fiber optic cable contained therein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.