Cable connector plate and method for interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable

• US 6,250,816 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Hani, Erwin F., Herda, Michael T., Mattei, Michael, Suttie, David W., Johnston, Dare P., Muske, Steven J., Auteri, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parvin, Nasreen
• Application Number:
  US09/408,200
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53, 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/53
• 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

Abstract

A cable connector plate interconnects ends of fiber optic cable. The connector plate includes a base having opposing front and back sides. At least three adapters are carried by the base and have respective axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of the base. The adapters receive and interconnect ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment. The adapters are disposed at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of the base.

Claims

1. A cable connector plate for interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable, comprising:

(a) a base having opposing front and back sides;

(b) at least three adapters carried by said base and having respective axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of said base for receiving and interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment; and

(c) said adapters being disposed at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of said base.

2. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises integrally-formed, angled steps spaced apart along a length of said base, and having respective openings receiving said adapters and mounting said adapters at their respective distinct angles.

3. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, wherein said adapters are arranged in a single column, and are longitudinally spaced-apart from one end of said base to the other.

4. A cable connector plate according to claim 3, wherein an adjacent two of said adapters are disposed at distinct angles between 2 and 10 degrees apart.

5. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said adapters is disposed at an angle generally perpendicular to the notional plane.

6. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said adapters is disposed at an angle at least 20 degrees from an axis perpendicular to the notional plane.

7. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, and comprising at least 6 adapters.

8. A cable connector plate according to claim 1, wherein said base is integrally molded of a plastic material.

9. A cable connector plate for interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable, comprising:

(a) a base having opposing front and back sides;

(b) at least three adapters secured to said base and having respective axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of said base for receiving and interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment, said adapters being arranged in a single column and longitudinally spaced-apart from one end of said base to the other; and

(c) said adapters being disposed at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of said front and back sides of said base, the angles being varied in predetermined increments from a first one of said adapters to a last one of said adapters.

10. A cable connector plate according to claim 9, wherein the first one of said adapters is disposed at an angle at least 20 degrees from an axis perpendicular to the notional plane.

11. A cable connector plate according to claim 10, wherein the last one of said adapters is disposed at an angle generally perpendicular to the notional plane.

12. A cable connector plate according to claim 9, wherein the angle of said adapters is varied from the first adapter to the last adapter in increments of between 2 and 6 degrees.

13. A cable connector plate for interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable, comprising:

(a) a base having opposing front and back sides;

(b) at least three angled steps defined by said base, and comprising respective openings adapted for receiving fiber optic cable adapters, and for mounting the adapters at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of said base, the adapters having respective axially-aligned end portions for extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of said base to interconnect ends of the fiber optic cable in optical alignment.

14. In combination with a fiber optic cable management cabinet, a cable connector plate carried by a support frame mounted inside said cabinet, said connector plate comprising:

(a) a base having opposing front and back sides;

(b) at least three adapters secured to said base and having respective axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of said base for receiving and interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment; and

(c) said adapters being disposed at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of said base.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein said adapters are arranged in a single column, and are longitudinally spaced-apart from one end of said base to the other.

16. A combination according to claim 15, wherein an adjacent two of said adapters are disposed at distinct angles between 2 and 10 degrees apart.

17. A combination according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said adapters is disposed at an angle generally perpendicular to the notional plane.

18. A combination according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said adapters is disposed at an angle at least 20 degrees from an axis perpendicular to the notional plane.

19.A combination according to claim 14, and comprising at least 6 adapters.

19. A method of interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable, comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting a cable connector plate inside a fiber optic cable management cabinet, the connector plate comprising a base having opposing front and back sides and at least three adapters secured to the base, and each of the adapters having axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from the front and back sides of the base for receiving and interconnecting ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment; and

(b) arranging the adapters at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of the base.