Break-out device

• US 6,687,450 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem NV
• Inventors: von Noten, Lodewijk, Vandepoel, Jos, Kalmes, Philippe, Mendez, Luiz Neves, Kempeneers, Dirk, Leeman, Sam, Legrand, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US10/009,666
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/135
• 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 6/4472 Manifolds

Abstract

Break-out devices are provided for longitudinally extending elements. The break-out devices include a base member and a pair of ribs extending from the base member that define a longitudinally extending channel configured to receive the longitudinally extending elements therebetween. The inner sides of each of the pair of the ribs may include one or more longitudinally extending slots defining pairs of slots. A removable partition is inserted into the channel to provide a through-hole dimensioned to receive one or more of the longitudinally extending elements. The removable partition may be inserted in one of the pairs of slots. The partition may include a locking mechanism that retains the partition in the channel. Methods for organizing optical fiber elements using such break-out devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A break-out device for optical fibre elements, the device comprising a plurality of ribs protruding from a base plate, each pair of the ribs defining a channel for accommodating the optical fibre elements, the device further comprising one or more partitions insertable in a longitudinal direction of each channel so as to define through-holes having a substantially closed circumference, wherein sides of the ribs facing the channels are provided with slots for guiding the partitions and wherein a locking mechanism is provided for locking the partitions in their inserted positions.

2. A break-out device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is releasable.

3. A break-out device according to claim 2, wherein each partition is provided with at least one protrusion and each channel is provided with a recess or opening for accepting the protrusion in the inserted position.

4. A break-out device according to claim 3, wherein each partition is provided with a slit in a side near the at least one protrusion, the slit extending in the direction of the through-hole defined by the partition.

5. A break-out device according to claim 3, wherein the opening divides each channel into a slotted part and a non-slotted part.

6. A break-out device according to claim 1, wherein the channels, prior to the insertion of a partition, are open to one side.

7. A break-out device according to claim 6, wherein at least one channel is arranged for the insertion of at least two partitions so as to define at least two parallel through-holes.

8. A break-out device according to claim 1 further comprising mounting hooks for mounting the device on a support.

9. The break-out device of claim 1 wherein the one or more partitions are inserted in each channel longitudinally through an opening of the slots in an end face of the ribs.

10. break-out device of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the partitions.

11. A break-out device for longitudinally extending elements comprising:

a base member;

a pair of ribs extending from the base member that define a longitudinally extending channel configured to receive the longitudinally extending elements therebetween, wherein inner sides of each of the pair of the ribs include at least one longitudinally extending slot; and

a removable partition inserted in the at least one slot of each of the pair of the ribs and extending longitudinally therein to provide a through-hole dimensioned to receive at least one of the longitudinally extending elements.

12. The break-out device of claim 11 wherein the removable partition further comprises a locking mechanism that retains the removable partition in the channel.

13. The break-out device of claim 12 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a releasable locking mechanism.

14. The break-out device of claim 11 wherein the ribs are substantially parallel and extend substantially transversly from the base member.

15. The break-out device of claim 11 further comprising mounting hooks coupled to the base member and configured to mount the break-out device on a support.

16. The break-out device of claim 11 further comprising at least one additional rib defining at least one additional longitudinally extending channel.

17. The break-out device of claim 11 wherein the inner face of one of the ribs includes a plurality of slots aligned with respective ones of a plurality of slots in the inner face of the other of the ribs to define a plurality of pairs of slots for receiving the removable partition to provide different through-hole dimensions.

18. The break-out device of claim 17 wherein the partition member further comprises a locking means for retaining the removable partition in the channel.

19. The break-out device of claim 11 wherein the removable partition is inserted in the channel longitudinally through an opening of the at least one slot of each of the pair of ribs in an end face of the ribs.

20. The break-out device of claim 12 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the partitions.

21. A break-out device for longitudinally extending elements comprising:

a base member;

a pair of ribs extending from the base member that define a longitudinally extending channel configured to receive the longitudinally extending elements therebetween,; and

a removable partition inserted in the channel and extending longitudinally therein to provide a through-hole dimensioned to receive at least one of the longitudinally extending elements, the partition including a locking mechanism that retains the removable partition in the channel.

22. The break-out device of claim 21 wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one protrusion on the removable partition configured to be received in at least one opening, groove and/or recess in at least on of the ribs.

23. The break-out device of claim 22 wherein the at least one opening, groove and/or recess in at least on of the ribs comprises a serrated front surface on the ribs that defines teeth that receive the at least one protrusion on the removable partition.

24. The break-out device of claim 23 wherein teeth are shaped to enable downward movement toward the base member and resist upward movement away from the base member.

25. The break-out device of claim 23 wherein the removable partition further comprises a resilient middle part having a stretched state in which the at least one protrusion is disengage from the teeth and a relaxed stated in which the at least one protrusion engages the teeth.

26. The break-out device of claim 21 wherein the longitudinally extending elements comprise optical fibre cables.

27. A method for organizing optical fibre elements comprising:

providing a break-out device having a base member and a pair of ribs extending from the base member that define a longitudinally extending channel configured to receive the optical fibre elements therebetween, wherein the inner face of one of the ribs includes a plurality of slots aligned with respective ones of a plurality of slots in the inner face of the other of the ribs to define a plurality of pairs of slots;

determining a desired through-hole dimension for receiving a selected one of the optical fibre elements;

selecting one of the plurality of pairs of slots based on the desired through-hole dimension;

inserting a removable partition in the selected one of the plurality of pairs of slots to provide a through-hole in the channel having the desired through-hole dimension; and

inserting the selected one of the optical fibre elements into the through hole.