Array of fiber optic splicing cassettes

• US 7,110,654 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Dillat, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasri, Javaid H.
• Application Number:
  US10/682,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20040120680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 385134-147, 385/53, 385 76- 77
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding

Abstract

An array of fiber optic splicing cassettes. The array has first and second side plates connected to one another by first and second axes. The fiber optic splicing cassettes each have a base and first and second curved slots in the base. Each of the first slots is moveably engaged on the first axis, and each of the second slots is moveably engaged on the second axis. In this way each of the cassettes may be moved between an open position and a closed position by simultaneously moving the first and second slots in one of the cassettes relative to the first and second axes.

Claims

1. A fiber optic splicing cassette, comprising:

a base having a width and a length that is larger than the width and a thickness that is smaller than the width; and

first and second curved slots in said base, wherein said first and second slots are adapted to moveably engage simultaneously with two axes on which said cassette is capable of being mounted such that the base is moveable in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cassette and a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the width of the cassette.

2. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 1, wherein said base further includes first and second ends located on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said base, and wherein said first slot is arranged towards said first end of said cassette, and wherein said second slot is arranged further inside said cassette.

3. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 2, wherein said second slot is longer than said first slot.

4. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth slots in said base, wherein said third and fourth slots are adapted to moveably engage simultaneously with two axes on which said cassette is capable of being mounted.

5. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 4, wherein said base further includes first and second ends located on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said base, and where said third slot is arranged towards said first end of said cassette, and wherein said fourth slot is arranged further inside said cassette.

6. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 5, wherein said fourth slot is longer than said third slot.

7. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 4, wherein said second and fourth slots cross each other.

8. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 7, further comprising a removable blocking device provided in one of said second and fourth slots.

9. The fiber optic splicing cassette of claim 1, wherein said second slot comprises a flexible snapping portion at one end thereof.

10. An array of fiber optic splicing cassettes, comprising:

a plurality of fiber optic splicing cassettes according to claim 1;

a first side plate; and

first and second axes extending from said first side plate;

wherein said optical fiber splicing cassettes are mounted on said axes such that said first slot of each of said cassettes is moveably engaged on said first axis and said second slot of each of said cassettes is moveable engaged on said second axis, such that simultaneously moving the first and second slots relative to said engaged first and second axes rotates said cassettes.

11. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 10, wherein said base of each of said cassettes further includes first and second ends located on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said base, and wherein said first slot is arranged towards said first end of said cassette, and wherein said second slot is arranged further inside said cassette.

12. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 11, wherein each of said cassettes is movable between a closed position and an open position.

13. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 12, wherein said cassette rotates in the plane of its base by no more than 90 degrees when moved between said open and closed positions.

14. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 13, wherein said cassette simultaneously rotates and lifts from said may when moved from said closed position to said open position.

15. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 14, wherein each of said cassettes further comprises third and fourth slots in said base, wherein cassettes may be mounted in either a first arrangement in which said first and second slots are moveably engaged with said first and second axes, respectively, or a second arrangement in which said third and fourth slots are moveably engaged with said first and second axes, respectively.

16. An army of fiber optic splicing cassettes, comprising:

first and second side plates, wherein said side plates are connected to one another by first and second axes; and

a plurality of fiber optic splicing cassettes, each of said cassettes including a base and first and second curved slots in said base;

wherein each of said first slots is moveably engaged on said first axis, and each of said second slots is moveably engaged on said second axis;

such that each of said cassettes may be moved between an open position and a closed position by simultaneously moving the first and second slots in one of said cassettes relative to said first and second axes.

17. The array of fiber optic cassettes of claim 16, wherein said slots are configured such that said cassette rotates in the plane of its base no more than 90 degrees when moved between said closed and open positions.

18. The array of fiber optic cassettes of claim 17, wherein said cassette simultaneously rotates and lifts from said array when moved from said closed position to said open position.

19. An array of fiber optic splicing cassettes, comprising:

first and second side plates, wherein said side plates are connected to one another by first and second axes; and

a plurality of fiber optic splicing cassettes mounted in said array, each of said cassettes including a base, wherein each of said bases includes first, second, third, and fourth curved slots;

wherein each of said cassettes is mountable in said array in either

(i) a first arrangement, in which said first slot is moveably engaged with said first axis and said second slot is moveably engaged with said second axis, such that said cassette is moveable in a first direction from a closed position to a first open position;

or

(ii) a second arrangement, in which said third slot is moveably engaged with said first axis and said fourth slot is moveably engaged with said second axis, such that said cassette is moveable in a second direction from said closed position to a second open position.

20. The array of fiber optic splicing cassettes of claim 19, further comprising a blocking device, wherein said blocking device is removably mounted in said fourth slot when said cassette is mounted in said first arrangement, and wherein said blocking device is removably mounted in said second slot when said cassette is mounted in said first arrangement.