High density fiber optic distribution frame

• US 7,006,748 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2004
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Works, Antwan J., Nguyen, Tuy T., Giraud, William J. M., Dagley, Mark R., Segelhorst, Jon P., Davidson, Donald G., Nored, Lee W., Rodolfo, Saul L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/958,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20050058421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/136, 385/137
• US Class Current: 385/134
• 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

Abstract

A high density fiber optic distribution frame includes a frame assembly, one or more left-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly, one or more right-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly and an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU) positioned on the frame assembly medially between the left-hand connector module housings and the right-hand connector module housings. Each connector module housing includes one or more connector modules having one or more adapters for interconnecting optical fibers between connector modules on the distribution frame or on an adjacent distribution frame in a communications network. The distribution frame is compatible with existing fiber optic connector housings, maintains the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers transitioned on the frame between connector modules, and reduces the length of a single length jumper employed on the frame. An alternative embodiment includes an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) for routing and storing additional jumpers.

Claims

1. A distribution frame for interconnecting optical fiber comprising:

a base;

a pair of uprights depending from the base, the uprights spaced apart on the base;

a first fiber connection area adjacent one of the uprights, the first fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter;

a second fiber connection area comprising at least one legacy connector housing mounted on the distribution frame between the uprights, the legacy connector housing comprising at least one fiber optic adapter.

2. A distribution frame according to claim 1 wherein the first fiber connection area further comprises at least one connector module housing mounted on the upright and wherein the at least one connector module is mounted within the connector module housing.

3. A distribution frame according to claim 1 further comprising a fiber management area disposed between the uprights.

4. A distribution frame according to claim 3 further comprising at least one rear trough extending between the uprights for transitioning optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area.

5. A distribution frame according to claim 3 further comprising a front trough adjacent the base for transitioning optical fiber between the distribution frame and an adjacent distribution frame in a communications network.

6. A distribution frame according to claim 3 further comprising at least one vertical routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

7. A distribution frame according to claim 3 further comprising at least one angled routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

8. A distribution frame according to claim 3 further comprising an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU) depending from the base in the fiber management area, the IBU comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IBU hub depending from the vertical member for storing the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

9. A distribution frame according to claim 8 wherein the horizontal IBU hub has a first end attached to the vertical member and a second end opposite the first end comprising a hub cap.

10. A distribution frame according to claim 9 wherein the hub cap is movably attached to the second end to provide access to the optical fiber.

11. A distribution frame according to claim 9 further comprising a pair of retaining fingers extending outward from the hub cap for retaining the optical fiber in the fiber management area.

12. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein each upright comprises a curved inner portion for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

13. A distribution frame according to claim 12 wherein each upright further comprises an outer portion for mounting the at least one connector module to the upright.

14. A distribution frame according to claim 4 further comprising at least one transition radius guide adjacent the rear trough for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

15. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the at least one connector module of the first fiber connection area is movable in the direction of the fiber management area to access the at least one fiber optic adapter.

16. A distribution frame according to claim 3 wherein the at least one connector module of the first fiber connection area is rotatably mounted to the upright and is movable in the direction of the fiber management area between a stowed position wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is accessible.

17. A distribution frame according to claim 1 further comprising an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) adjacent the distribution frame, the IFM comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IFM hub depending from the vertical member for storing the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

18. A distribution frame according to claim 17 further comprising at least one horizontal IFM routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the IFM while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

19. A distribution frame according to claim 17 further comprising at least one angled IFM routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the IFM while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

20. A distribution frame according to claim 4 further comprising an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) adjacent the distribution frame, the IFM comprising at least one rear trough in communication with the at least one rear trough of the distribution frame for transitioning the optical fiber between the distribution frame and the IFM.

21. A distribution frame according to claim 5 further comprising an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) adjacent the distribution frame, the IFM comprising at least one front tough in communication with the at least one front trough of the distribution frame for transitioning the optical fiber between the distribution frame and the IFM.

22. A distribution frame according to claim 1 further comprising a third fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, to connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter.

23. A distribution frame for interconnecting optical fibers comprising:

a base;

a pair of uprights depending from the base and spaced apart;

a first fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter;

a second fiber connection area comprising at least one connector module movably mounted on the distribution frame, the connector module comprising at least one fiber optic adapter, the connector module movable to provide access to the fiber optic adapter;

a third fiber connection area extending between the uprights, the third fiber connection area comprising at least one legacy connector housing mounted on the distribution frame, the legacy connector housing comprising at least one fiber optic adapter; and

a fiber management area medially disposed between the first fiber connection area and the second fiber connection area.

24. A distribution frame according to claim 23 further comprising at least one rear trough extending between the uprights for transitioning optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area.

25. A distribution frame according to claim 23 further comprising a front trough adjacent the base for transitioning optical fiber between the distribution frame and an adjacent distribution frame in a communications network.

26. A distribution frame according to claim 23 further comprising at least one angled routing hub for transitioning the optical fiber between the first fiber connection area and the fiber management area while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

27. A distribution frame according to claim 23 further comprising an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU) depending from the base in the fiber management area, the IBU comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IBU hub depending from the vertical member for storing the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

28. A distribution frame according to claim 23 wherein the at least one connector module of the first fiber connection area is rotatably mounted to one of the uprights and is movable in the direction of the fiber management area between a stowed position wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is not accessible and a deployed position wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is accessible.

29. A distribution frame according to claim 23 further comprising an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) adjacent the distribution frame, the IFM comprising a vertical member and at least one horizontal IFM hub depending from the vertical member for storing the optical fiber while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.