CABLE PAYOUT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100034506A1
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Gronvall, Erik, Marcouiller, Tom, Cobb, John Clifton III, Gniadek, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,121,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/20 Package-supporting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/322 Enclosing boxes with supporting means for the package or reel during unwinding
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 55/04 characterised by method of winding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4457 Bobbins; Reels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A method for deploying a telecommunications cable includes obtaining a payout arrangement including a length of cable, selecting one of the first end and the second end of the length of cable to access; accessing the selected end of the length of cable; and pulling the selected end to unwind the length of cable from the payout arrangement. In some embodiments, the cable is arranged around adjacent spools. In other embodiments, the cable is arranged within a container with access opening on the top and bottom. In still other embodiments, the cable is wound around a spool and at least one spacer.

Claims

1-3. -3. (canceled)

4. A method for storing a telecommunications cable, the method comprising:

providing a payout device including a first spool and a second spool mounted on a base, the first spool being configured to rotate about a central axis of the first spool, the second spool being configured to rotate about a central axis of the second spool;

providing a length of telecommunications cable having a first end and a second end, the length of cable having a first section and a second section;

winding the length of telecommunications cable about the payout device including winding the first section of the length of cable around the first spool and winding the second section of the length of cable around the second spool;

transporting the payout device to a deployment site;

selecting between the first end of the length of cable and the second end of the length of cable to be a selected end for accessing; and

unwinding the length of cable by pulling on the selected end.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

winding an intermediate section of the length of cable in a “

figure eight”

pattern around the first and second spools.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

winding an intermediate section of the length of cable in a “

cassette deck”

pattern around the first and second spools.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first end is the selected end, and wherein unwinding the length of cable comprises pulling the first end from the first spool.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the second end is the selected end, and wherein unwinding the length of cable comprises pulling the second end from the second spool.

9. A method for storing a telecommunications cable, the method comprising:

providing a spool extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, the spool being configured to rotate about a central axis, the spool having a diameter;

providing at least one spacer extending longitudinally along the spool;

winding a length of cable, which has a first end and a second end, around the spool and the at least one spacer to form a coil, the coil having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the spool;

selecting one of the first and second ends of the length of cable for access; and

accessing the selected end of the length of cable.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein selecting one of the ends of the length of cable for access comprises selecting the first end;

and wherein accessing the selected end of the length of cable comprises accessing the first end.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first end of the length of cable is located at an inner portion of the coil.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein accessing the first end of the length of cable comprises reaching into a gap provided between an interior of the coil and an exterior of the spool to access the first end of the length of cable.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein winding the length of cable around the spool and the at least one spacer to form the coil comprises winding the length of cable around the spool and at least four spacers to form the coil.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising removing the spacer before accessing the selected end of the length of cable.

15. A method for storing cable, comprising:

providing a container having a top and a bottom and defining an interior, the container including first and second top cover panels attached at the top of the container, the top cover panels being configured to pivot to a deployment position, the container also including first and second bottom cover panels attached to the bottom of the container, the bottom cover panels being configured to pivot to a deployment position;

providing a length of cable having a first end and a second end;

winding the length of cable in a figure-eight pattern within the interior of the container so that the first end of the length of cable is positioned at the top of the container and the second end of the length of cable is positioned at the bottom of the container;

selecting one of the first end and the second end of the length of cable to be a selected end;

pivoting the first and second top cover panels to the deployment position if the first end is selected;

pivoting the first and second bottom cover panels to the deployment position if the second end is selected;

accessing the selected end through the cover panels that are pivoted into the deployment position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

winding the length of cable around guides positioned within the interior of the container.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein selecting one of the first end and the second end of the length of cable comprises selecting the second end, and wherein the method further comprises orienting the container to expose the bottom of the container;

wherein accessing the selected end comprises pulling the second end of the length of cable through a gap defined by the bottom cover panels when the bottom cover panels are arranged in the deployment position.