Optical fiber clips, random access management systems including clips and methods for using the same

A method for managing optical fibers in an optical fiber termination device wherein a first plurality of optical fibers is to be selectively coupled to a second plurality of optical fibers, the method comprising:

• providing an optical fiber random access management (RAM) system proximate the optical fiber termination device, the RAM system including a clip holder and a plurality of manually operable clips mounted on the clip holder;
• capturing ends of a designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers in a predetermined one of the clips;
• thereafter
• selectively releasing and removing a selected one of the ends of the subset of the first plurality of optical fibers from the predetermined clip;
• and thereafter
• coupling the selected one of the ends of the subset of the first plurality of optical fibers to a corresponding designated one of the second plurality of fibers;
• wherein each clip includes a clip member including a pair of opposed clip arms defining a receiving slot therebetween, the method including:
• moving a selected clip member into an open position, wherein the pair opposed clip arms thereof are separated or separable to permit insertion of ends of a designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers into the receiving slot;
• thereafter
• inserting the ends of the designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers into the receiving slot while the selected clip member is in the open position;
• and thereafter
• moving the selected clip member into a closed position while ends of a designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers are located in the receiving slot, wherein the pair of opposed clip arms thereof are held together to secure the ends of a designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers in the receiving slot.

An optical fiber random access management (RAM) system for use with an optical fiber termination device configured to selectively couple a first plurality of optical fibers to a second plurality of optical fibers, the RAM system comprising:

• a clip holder configured to be mounted proximate the optical fiber termination device;
• and
• a plurality of clips positioned on the clip holder, wherein each of the clips is configured to releasably hold ends of a designated subset of the first plurality of optical fibers to provide access to a selected one of the ends of the subset of the first plurality of optical fibers within a predetermined one of the clips to couple the selected one of the ends of the subset of the first plurality of optical fibers to a corresponding designated one of the second plurality of fibers;
• wherein each clip includes a contact pad mounted on a clip arm thereof and configured to engage a plurality of optical fibers in the receiving slot, the clip arm is formed of a first material having a first hardness, and the pad is formed of second material having a second hardness that is softer than the first hardness.