Rotating vertical fiber tray and methods

• US 6,819,857 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Douglas, Joel B., Hannah, Lonnie E., Van Scoy, John T., Giesen, Wayne John, Smith, Trevor D., Puetz, Curtis Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lavarias, Arnel C.
• Application Number:
  US09/977,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20030072551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135, 385/134, 385/136, 385/137, 385/147
• 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 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

A storage tray arrangement for storing cable slack in fiber optic systems includes a vertically oriented frame and at least one tray mounted to the frame in a vertical plane parallel to the frame. There is a mounting construction that permits the tray to be pivotally secured to the frame. The mounting construction permits the tray to be selectively pivoted relative to the frame within the vertical plane. In preferred arrangements, the trays are mounted as tray sets having at least two trays mounted to a common pivot post. Particular preferred trays include trays having scalloped side walls. Methods for storing cable slack utilize trays and mounting arrangements as described herein.

Claims

1. A storage tray arrangement for storing cable slack;

the tray arrangement comprising;

(a) a frame;

the frame being oriented in a vertical first plane;

(b) a first tray mounted to said frame in a vertical second plane parallel to the first plane;

(i) said first tray including a cable entry region;

a base; and

a spool projecting from said base; and

(c) a mounting construction pivotably securing said first tray to said frame;

(i) said mounting construction permitting said first tray to be selectively pivoted relative to said frame within the second plane, and including;

(A) a post secured to said frame, said first tray being pivotably mounted on said post; and

(B) a detent-recess arrangement configured to permit said first tray to be selectively pivotably mounted relative to said post in a plurality of discrete positions, said detent-recess arrangement including at least one of said first tray and said post having a detent and the other of said first tray and said post having a plurality of recesses.

2. A tray arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said first tray further includes a sidewall extending from said base;

(i) said sidewall extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of said base.

3. A tray arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said sidewall of said first tray includes a plurality of scallops.

4. A tray arrangement according to claim 3 wherein:

(a) said first tray further includes a first plurality of tabs projecting from said spool toward said sidewall.

5. A tray arrangement according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said cable entry region of said first tray includes a curved trough adjacent to said sidewall.

6. A tray arrangement according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said first tray further includes a second plurality of tabs projecting from said sidewall and over said curved trough of said cable entry region.

7. A tray arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said post has a cylindrical wall defining said plurality of recesses;

(b) said sidewall of said first tray includes first and second curved arms to define an arched opening;

(i) said detent protruding from said sidewall in said arched opening between said first and second curved arms; and

(ii) said first and second curved arms extending around and slidably engaging said cylindrical wall.

8. A tray arrangement according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) said first and second curved arms includes a projecting lip along said arched opening; and

(b) said cylindrical wall defines a receiving groove slidably receiving said projecting lip.

9. A tray arrangement according to claim 1 further including:

(a) a second tray mounted to said frame in a third plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane;

(i) said second tray including a second tray cable entry region;

a second tray base; and

a second tray spool projecting from said second tray base.

10. A tray arrangement according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) said mounting construction permits said second tray to be selectively pivoted relative to said frame within the third plane.

11. A tray arrangement according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) said second tray is pivotably mounted on said post.

12. A tray arrangement according to claim 11 wherein:

(a) said first tray is pivotable up to 180 degrees relative to a first position; and

(b) said second tray is pivotable no greater than 90 degrees relative to said first position.

13. A tray arrangement according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said post has a cylindrical wall defining a plurality of recesses;

(b) said first tray includes a first arched opening and a first detent protruding in said first arched opening;

(i) said cylindrical wall being slidably received within said first arched opening;

(ii) said first detent being selectively engageable in said plurality of recesses; and

(c) said second tray includes a second arched opening and a second detent protruding in said second arched opening;

(i) said cylindrical wall being slidably received within said second arched opening;

(ii) said second detent being selectively engageable in said plurality of recesses.

14. A tray arrangement according to claim 13 wherein:

(a) said first tray further includes a sidewall extending from said base;

a first plurality of tabs projecting from said spool toward said sidewall;

a curved trough adjacent to said sidewall in said cable entry region; and

a second plurality of tabs projecting from said sidewall and over said curved trough of said cable entry region;

(i) said sidewall extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of said base;

(ii) said sidewall of said first tray including a plurality of scallops; and

(b) said second tray further includes a second tray sidewall extending from said second tray base;

a first plurality of second tray tabs projecting from said second tray spool toward said second tray sidewall;

a second tray curved trough adjacent to said second tray sidewall in said second tray cable entry region; and

a second plurality of second tray tabs projecting from said second tray sidewall and over said second tray curved trough of said second tray cable entry region;

(i) said second tray sidewall extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of said second tray base;

(ii) said second tray sidewall including a plurality of second tray scallops.

15. A tray arrangement according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said frame is vertically oriented; and

the tray arrangement further includes;

(b) a first cable extending along said frame, extending through said cable entry region of said first tray, and being coiled around said spool of said first tray; and

(c) a second cable extending along said frame, extending through said second tray cable entry region, and being coiled around said second tray spool.

16. A tray arrangement according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) said first cable further extends from said spool of said first tray and through an opening defined by said frame; and

(b) said second cable further extends from said second tray spool and through said opening defined by said frame.

17. A storage tray for storing cable slack;

the tray comprising;

(a) a base;

said base defining a storage region and a cable entry region;

(i) said storage region defining a first width;

(ii) said cable entry region defining a second width;

(A) said second width being no more than 50% of said first width;

(b) a sidewall projecting from said base and extending along a perimeter of said base;

(i) said sidewall and said base defining a neck having a flared entrance, the neck including a curved trough extending from the storage region toward the flared entrance through said cable entry region, said flared entrance including opposing convex sidewall portions;

(ii) said sidewall defining a plurality of scallops;

(iii) said sidewall includes first and second curved arms to define an arched opening;

(c) a spool in said storage region projecting from said base;

(d) a first plurality of tabs extending from said spool toward said sidewall in said storage region;

(e) a second plurality of tabs extending from said sidewall and over said trough in said cable entry region;

(f) a detent protruding from said sidewall in said arched opening between said first and second curved arms; and

(g) a projecting lip along said sidewall of said arched opening.

18. A storage tray according to claim 17 wherein:

(a) said first and second arms are oriented in said cable entry region.

19. A storage tray for storing cable slack;

the tray comprising;

(a) a base;

said base defining a storage region and a cable entry region;

(b) a sidewall projecting from said base and extending along a perimeter of said base;

(i) said sidewall and said base defining a curved trough through said cable entry region;

(ii) said sidewall including first and second curved arms to define an arched opening sized to engage a mounting post;

(c) a detent protruding from said sidewall in said arched opening between said first and second curved arms;

(d) a spool in said storage region projecting from said base;

(e) a first plurality of tabs extending from said spool toward said sidewall in said storage region; and

(f) a second plurality of tabs extending from said sidewall and over said trough in said cable entry region.

20. A storage tray according to claim 19 wherein:

(a) said sidewall includes a plurality of peaks and valleys; and

(b) at least some of said first plurality of tabs extend from said spool toward said sidewall and in alignment with respective valleys.

21. A method for storing cable slack;

the method comprising;

(a) providing a frame oriented in a vertical first plane;

(b) providing a first tray mounted to the frame in a vertical second plane parallel to the first plane, the first tray including a mounting construction having a mounting post defining a pivot axis, the mounting post including positioning structure, the positioning structure being configured to selectively and pivotably mount the first tray relative to the frame in a plurality of positions;

(c) pivoting the first tray about the pivot axis of the mounting construction relative to the frame within the second plane and positioning the first tray in a selected one of the plurality of positions; and

(d) directing a first cable into the first tray.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein:

(a) said step of providing a first tray includes providing a first tray having a cable entry region;

a base; and

a spool projecting from the base; and

(b) said step of directing a first cable into the first tray includes directing a first cable into the cable entry region and around the spool of the first tray.

23. A method according to claim 21 further including:

(a) providing a second tray mounted to the frame in a vertical third plane parallel to the first plane and second plane; and

(b) pivoting the second tray relative to the frame within the third plane.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein:

(a) said step of pivoting the second tray relative to the frame within the third plane includes pivoting the second tray about the pivot axis of the mounting construction.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein:

(a) said step of pivoting the first tray relative to the frame within the second plane includes pivoting the first tray 100-180 degrees relative to a first position; and

(b) said step of pivoting the second tray relative to the frame within the third plane includes pivoting the second tray no more than 90 degrees relative to the first position.

26. A method according to claim 24 further including:

(a) directing a second cable into the second tray.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein:

(a) said step of directing a first cable into the first tray includes directing the first cable vertically along the frame and into the first tray; and

(b) said step of directing a second cable into the second tray includes directing the second cable vertically along the frame and into the second tray.

28. A fiber management system comprising:

(a) a vertically oriented wall;

(b) a first tray set including;

(i) a first tray mounted on said wall;

said first tray being pivotable in a first plane parallel to said wall about a first pivot axis;

(ii) a second tray mounted on said wall;

said second tray being pivotable in a second plane parallel to said wall about said first pivot axis;

(iii) a mounting construction having a mounting post defining a pivot axis, the mounting post including positioning structure, each of the first and second trays being coupled to the mounting construction;

(iv) wherein the first and second trays are configured to selectively engage the positioning structure of the mounting post to pivotably mount the first and second trays relative to the wall at a selected position.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein:

(a) said wall defines a least one aperture; and

the system further includes;

(b) a fiber cable extending vertically along a portion of said wall, in said first tray, and through said aperture.

30. A system according to claim 28 further including:

(a) a plurality of tray sets;

each of said tray sets including two trays pivotably mounted on said wall about a common pivot axis;

each of the two trays of each tray set being pivotable in a vertical plane parallel to said wall.