Optical switching apparatus and method for use in the construction mode testing of a modular fiber administration system
First Claim
1. In an optical fiber administration system having a frame structure and at least one fiber distribution shelf disposed within said frame structure, wherein said at least one fiber distribution shelf contains a plurality of optical connectors that are accessible through an open end of said shelf, an optical switch device comprising:
- a support plate having a first side and a second side, wherein said support plate is sized to cover said open end of said fiber distribution shelf;
attachment mechanisms disposed between said support plate and said fiber distribution shelf, wherein said attachment mechanisms enable said support plate to be selectively positioned between a closed condition, where said support plate covers said open end, and an open condition, where said open end remains substantially unobstructed; and
an optical switch affixed to said first side of said support plate, said optical switch having a plurality of leads extending therefrom that are capable of optically coupling to said plurality of optical connectors contained within the fiber distribution shelf.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for connecting an optical switch to the optical fibers that terminate on a fiber distribution shelf within a fiber administration system. The optical switch device contains a support plate that is shaped essentially the same as the protective cover of fiber distribution shelf. As such, the support plate of the optical switch device can be joined to a specific fiber distribution shelf by substituting the support plate for the protective cover. An optical switch is affixed to the support plate, wherein the optical switch is sized not to extend beyond the peripheral boundaries of the support plate. As a result, when the support plate is placed over a fiber distribution shelf, the optical switch joined to the support plate does not obscure any other fiber distribution shelf in the fiber administration system.
201 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In an optical fiber administration system having a frame structure and at least one fiber distribution shelf disposed within said frame structure, wherein said at least one fiber distribution shelf contains a plurality of optical connectors that are accessible through an open end of said shelf, an optical switch device comprising:
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a support plate having a first side and a second side, wherein said support plate is sized to cover said open end of said fiber distribution shelf; attachment mechanisms disposed between said support plate and said fiber distribution shelf, wherein said attachment mechanisms enable said support plate to be selectively positioned between a closed condition, where said support plate covers said open end, and an open condition, where said open end remains substantially unobstructed; and an optical switch affixed to said first side of said support plate, said optical switch having a plurality of leads extending therefrom that are capable of optically coupling to said plurality of optical connectors contained within the fiber distribution shelf. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In an optical fiber administration system having a frame structure and at least one fiber distribution shelf disposed within said frame structure, wherein said at least one fiber distribution shelf contains a plurality of optical connectors that are accessible through an open end of said shelf and said open end of said shelf is covered with a protective panel, a method of connecting an optical switch to said plurality of optical connectors comprising the steps of:
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providing a support plate that is substantially the same size as said protective cover; mounting an optical switch to said support plate, wherein said optical switch contains a plurality of optical leads; removing said protective panel from said fiber distribution shelf; and connecting said support plate to said fiber distribution shelf in place of said protective panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. In an optical fiber administration system having a frame structure and a plurality of fiber distribution shelves disposed within said frame structure, wherein each fiber distribution shelf contains a plurality of optical fiber connectors that are accessible through an open end of said fiber distribution shelf and said open end of said fiber distribution shelf is covered with a protective panel, a method of testing optical fibers that lead to said optical fiber connectors, comprising the steps of:
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mechanically connecting an optical switch assembly directly to said fiber distribution shelf, wherein said fiber distribution shelf supports said optical switch assembly on said frame; optically connecting said optical switch assembly to said plurality of optical fiber connectors; providing a test signal to said optical switch assembly wherein said optical switch assembly selectively directs said test signal to each of said plurality of optical fiber connectors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification