Optical fiber distribution panel

• US 4,824,196 A
• Filed: 05/26/1987
• Issued: 04/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bylander, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/053,965
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22, 350/96.23
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4454 with splices

Abstract

An improved fiber distribution panel including fiber connecting and splicing modules which are slidable into and out of a housing which is formed to support a plurality of said modules. Each module is provided with means for supporting a fiber connector at an angle with respect to the front edge thereof allowing access to the connectors and supports a booklet for storing slack fiber and for supporting permanent fiber connectors within said module.

Claims

1. A distribution panel for supporting a plurality of connector sockets which are adapted to be connected to a transmission cable by conductors fastened to the rear of said sockets, said panel comprising

a housing having a plurality of sides,

an array of conductor sockets in rows and columns adjacent one side of said housing,

means on said housing for supporting a plurality of said sockets for limited translational movement to move said plurality of sockets with relationship to others of said sockets from a normally closed retracted position to a projected position spaced from said other sockets in a row or column to expose said sockets allowing easy finger access thereto for connection and disconnection of a mating plug with a said socket and restricting access to the rear of said sockets and said conductors, and for pivotal movement affording access to the rear of said sockets and said conductors.

2. A distribution panel according to claim 1 wherein said sockets are generally cylindrical and the axes of said sockets are disposed at an angle to said one side of said housing of less than 90 degrees.

3. A distribution panel according to claim 1 wherein said means restricting said translational movement comprises latch means, the release of which is required to afford said pivotal movement.

4. A distribution panel according to claim 3 wherein said sockets have parallel axes and said axes are positioned at an angle of about 45 degrees to said one side of said housing.

5. A distribution panel according to claim 3 wherein said conductors are optical fibers connected to the fibers in a said transmission cable and means are provided on said means for supporting a plurality of said sockets for supporting slack optical fiber in coils having a diameter at least twice the minimum bending radius of the fibers.

6. A module for use in connecting an incoming or outgoing distribution optical fiber to an optical fiber of a feeder cable comprising

a tray member, said tray member having

a forward edge,

a front wall adjacent said forward edge for supporting a plurality of fiber connector sockets having a length of optical fiber connected to the rear thereof and the front of said connector sockets being adapted for receiving the plug connectors of distribution optical fibers,

a rear wall parallel to said forward edge and spaced from said forward edge by a distance twice the minimum bending radius of said length of optical fiber, and

wall members at the edges joining said rear wall and said front wall, said wall members at the edge having support means affording limited translational movement of said tray member for restricting access to said optical fibers at the rear of said connector sockets but easy access to the front of said connector sockets.

7. A module according to claim 6 wherein said front wall includes wall portions disposed at an angle of approximately 45°

for supporting a fiber connector socket at an angle to said leading edge to expose a side of said fiber connector socket to the front of said module.

8. A module according to claim 6 wherein said tray member has a third wall positioned between said front wall and said rear wall for containing slack fibers therebetween, said rear wall and said third wall being spaced from each other a distance at least twice the minimum bending radius of the optical fibers affording said slack fibers to be disposed in loops therebetween.

9. A module according to claim 6 wherein said tray member has a third wall disposed adjacent said front wall and spaced from said rear wall at least twice the minimum bending radius of the optical fibers, and a cover member hinged to said rear wall to extend between said rear wall and said third wall to protect the fibers during sliding translational movement of the module and said tray member has a door hinged to said forward edge to cover the connector sockets.

10. A module according to claim 9 wherein slack cable storage means are disposed between said rear wall and said third wall for storing slack fiber in coils the radius of which is at least twice the minimum bending radius of the fiber.

11. A module for use in connecting an incoming or outgoing distribution optical fiber to an optical fiber of a feeder cable comprising

a tray member having a forward edge,

a front wall adjacent said forward edge for supporting a plurality of fiber connector sockets adapted for receiving the plug connectors of distribution optical fibers,

a rear wall parallel to said front edge,

a third wall positioned in spaced relation to said rear wall by a distance twice the minimum bending radius of the fibers,

a splice supporting plate hinged to the rear wall and positioned between said rear wall and said third wall, said plate having a support surface for supporting a plurality of permanent fiber splices which may be formed between a fiber joined to a said fiber connector socket and a fiber from a feeder cable, and

a cover hinged to said rear wall to cover said splice supporting plate, said cover being movable between said covering position and an open position allowing access to a splice storage area between said rear wall and said third wall, said cover being formed with fiber retaining lips to store a length of slack fiber on a surface of said cover, and

said tray member having support means for affording limited translational movement.

12. A module corresponding to claim 11 wherein said front wall is an undulating wall disposed adjacent said front edge and alternate portions of said front wall are disposed at an angle to said front edge and parallel to each other, said alternate wall portions having cradle means for supporting said fiber connector sockets with the fiber connector sockets disposed at an angle to said front edge exposing a side surface and the plug connector receiving portion to the front of said module.

13. A module according to claim 12 wherein said alternate wall portions are disposed at about 45°

to said forward edge and said cradle means for supporting said fiber connector socket comprises a U-shaped saddle formed in the upper edge of the alternate wall portions.

14. A slack storage organizer for optical fibers comprising a plurality of flexible pages bound together along one edge and disposed in spaced relationship, each of said pages being formed with a inwardly folded free edge which fold is spaced from said one edge a distance at least twice the minimum bending radius of the optical fibers.

15. A slack fiber organizer for storing slack optical fiber having a known bending radius and comprising a binding, a plurality of flexible pages positioned generally parallel to each other and joined along one edge to said binding in spaced relationship, which space between said pages succeeds the diameter of the fibers and any coating thereon plus the thickness of the page, each page having an inwardly folded free edge portion opposite the joined edges, said fold being spaced from said joined edges at least a distance twice the minimum bending radius of the fiber affording a fiber to be coiled and placed upon a said page between said folded portion and said joined edges.

16. A slack fiber organizer according to claim 15 said folded edge portion is narrower than the page.

17. An optical fiber distribution panel for splicing and connecting optical fiber cables to optical fibers, said optical fibers having a known minimum bending radius, said panel comprising

a housing having a top wall, a back wall, and side walls which are joined together, said back wall having means for securing a fiber optic feeder cable thereto and for permitting the optical fibers therein to be disposed in the housing,

a plurality of splicing and connecting modules disposed in the housing in parallel relationship, each module comprising a bottom wall having a forward edge and a parallel rear edge and said bottom wall being adapted to support slack fiber between said forward edge and said rear edge, and wall means disposed adjacent to said front edge for removably supporting a plurality of parallelly disposed fiber connectors at an angle to said front edge, means supporting each module for limited sliding movement away from said back wall for affording ease of access to said fiber connectors and for restricting access to the slack fiber and having means affording pivotal movement of said module adjacent one end for allowing easy access to the slack fiber.

18. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 17 wherein each said module comprises a hinged door connected along said front edge.

19. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 17 wherein each module comprises a rear wall adjacent said rear edge, a third wall disposed parallel to and spaced from said rear wall at least a distance twice the minimum bending radius of an optical fiber for storing slack fiber and a cover hinged to said rear wall for covering said space between said rear wall and said third wall.

20. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 19 wherein a slack fiber booklet is disposed in said space, said booklet comprising a plurality of leaves and binding means for binding said leaves in spaced relationship, said leaves each having an inwardly folded free edge portion opposite said binding means and spaced therefrom at least a distance twice the minimum bending radius of an optical fiber.

21. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 20 wherein said folded edge portion is narrower than the leaves.

22. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 19 wherein each module has a hinged door to cover the fiber connectors.

23. An optical, fiber distribution panel according to claim 19 wherein said wall means supports said fiber connectors with the axis of the same at about 45°

to said front edge, and a door is hingedly connected to said front edge to cover said fiber connectors when said module is placed in said housing.

24. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 17 wherein latch means limit the sliding movement of said module and release of said latch means affords pivoting movement of said module about said one end.

25. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 23 wherein a panel is hinged to said housing along one side wall to cover the modules, and wherein said door on each module is generally L-shaped to form a guide for optical fibers when in the normal position covering said fiber connectors.

26. An optical fiber connector comprising

a generally cylindrical socket having an axis,

means at one end of said socket for releasably receiving a plug connector in axial alignment with said socket, and said socket having attaching means secured thereto for connecting said socket to a wall, said attaching means comprising a bifurcated leg on said socket and projecting radially in relationship to the axis of said socket.

27. A distribution panel for supporting a plurality of connector sockets which are connected to a transmission cable, said panel comprising

a housing having a plurality of sides,

an array of connector sockets in rows and columns adjacent one side of said housing,

means on said housing for supporting a plurality of said sockets for limited translational movement with relationship to others of said sockets to move said plurality of sockets from a normally retracted position to a projected position spaced from said other sockets in a row or column to expose said sockets allowing easy finger access thereto for connection and disconnection of a mating plug with a said socket, and

an L-shape hinged door mounted on said means on said housing for covering said sockets when in said retracted position and for exposing said sockets and supporting optical fibers on a said mating plug when in said projected position.

28. An optical fiber distribution panel for splicing and connecting optical fiber cables to optical fibers, said optical fibers having a known minimum bending radius, said panel comprising

a housing having a top wall, a back wall, and side walls which are joined together, said back wall having means for securing a fiber optic feeder cable thereto and for permitting the optical fibers therein to be disposed in the housing,

a plurality of splicing and connecting modules disposed in the housing in parallel relationship, each module being supported for limited sliding movement away from said back wall and having means affording pivotal movement of said module adjacent one end, said module comprising a bottom wall having a forward edge and a parallel rear edge, wall means disposed adjacent to said front edge for removably supporting a plurality of parallel disposed fiber connectors at an angle to said front edge, and a hinged door connected along said front edge.

29. An optical fiber distribution panel for splicing and connecting optical fiber cables to optical fibers, said optical fibers having a known minimum bending radius, said panel comprising

a housing having a top wall, a back wall, and side walls which are joined together, said back wall having means for securing a fiber optic feeder cable thereto and for permitting the optical fibers therein to be disposed in the housing,

a plurality of splicing and connecting modules disposed in the housing in parallel relationship, each module being supported for limited sliding movement away from said back wall and having means affording pivotal movement of said module adjacent one end, said module comprising a bottom wall having a forward edge and a parallel rear edge, wall means disposed adjacent to said front edge for removably supporting a plurality of parallelly disposed fiber connectors at an angle to said front edge, a rear wall adjacent said rear edge, a third wall disposed parallel to and spaced from said rear wall at least a distance twice the minimum bending radius of an optical fiber for storing slack fiber and a cover hinged to said rear wall for covering said space between said rear wall and said third wall.

30. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 29 wherein a slack fiber booklet is disposed in said space between said third wall and said rear wall, said booklet comprising a plurality of leaves and binding means for binding said leaves in spaced relationship, said leaves each having an inwardly folded free edge portion opposite said binding means and spaced therefrom at least a distance twice the minimum bending radius of an optical fiber.

31. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 30 wherein said folded edge portion is narrower than the leaves.

32. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 29 wherein each module has a hinged door to cover the fiber connectors.

33. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 29 wherein said wall means supports said fiber connectors with the axis of the same at about 45°

to said front edge, and a door is hingedly connected to said front edge to cover said fiber connectors when said module is placed in said housing.

34. An optical fiber distribution panel according to claim 33 wherein a panel is hinged to said housing along one side wall to cover the modules, and wherein said door on each module in generally L-shaped to form a guide for optical fibers when in the normal position covering said fiber connectors.