Splitter modules for fiber distribution hubs

• US 7,245,809 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bison Patent Licensing, LLC
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Lu, Yu, Millea, Keith, Gniadek, Jeff, Leblanc, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dupuis; Derek L.
• Application Number:
  US11/321,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20070147765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135
• 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 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub includes a main body with a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module. The splitter module also includes a fin configured to be received in a slot of a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, and a pin configured to engage a hole in the splitter tray. The fin is received in the slot, and the pin is received in the hole of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.

Claims

1. A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub, the splitter module comprising:

a main body extending in a longitudinal direction, the main body defining a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module;

a fin configured to be received in a slot defined in a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, wherein the fin defines a fin body including a first dimension extending in a same direction as the longitudinal direction of the main body, and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension being longer than the second dimension, and the second dimension being sized to fit through the slot; and

a pin configured to engage a hole defined in the splitter tray;

wherein the fin is received in the slot, and the pin is received in the hole of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.

2. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the fin includes a tongue sized to be received in the slot and engage the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

3. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the pin includes a collet sized to be received in the hole defined in a wall of the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

4. The splitter module of claim 3, wherein the pin further includes a handle coupled to the collet, wherein the collet is configured to decrease a diameter of the collet as the handle is moved relative to the collet.

5. The splitter module of claim 4, wherein the collet is configured to be removed from the hole of the wall of the splitter tray when the handle is moved relative to the collet to decrease the diameter of the collet.

6. The splitter module of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief mechanism surrounding the second aperture, wherein the strain relief mechanism includes a boot sized to allow the distribution fibers to extend therethrough, wherein the boot is flexible to maintain a specified bend radius for the distribution fibers.

7. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the second aperture is a plurality of second apertures, one of the second apertures for each of the distribution fibers.

8. A fiber distribution hub, comprising:

an enclosure;

a splitter tray located at least partially within the enclosure, the splitter tray defining a slot and an aperture, the slot extending longitudinally along a surface of the splitter tray; and

a splitter module including a main body extending in a longitudinal direction, the main body defining a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module, and the splitter module including a fin and a pin;

wherein the fin defines a fin body including a first dimension extending in a same direction as the longitudinal direction of the main body, and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension being longer than the second dimension, and the second dimension being sized to fit through the slot; and

wherein the fin of the module is received in the slot of the splitter tray, and the pin is received in the hole of the splitter tray to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.

9. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the fin includes a tongue that is received in the slot and engages the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the splitter tray.

10. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the pin includes a collet sized to be received in the hole defined in a wall of the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub, wherein the pin further includes a handle coupled to the collet, wherein the collet is configured to decrease and increase a diameter of the collet as the handle is moved relative to the collet.

11. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, further comprising a strain relief mechanism surrounding the second aperture of the splitter module, wherein the strain relief mechanism includes a boot sized to allow the distribution fibers to extend therethrough, wherein the boot is flexible to maintain a specified bend radius for the distribution fibers.

12. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the second aperture of the splitter module is a plurality of second apertures, one of the second apertures for each of the distribution fibers.

13. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, further comprising a chassis located in the enclosure, wherein the splitter tray is located on the chassis, and wherein the chassis is coupled to the enclosure so that the chassis pivots into and out of the enclosure.

14. The fiber distribution hub of claim 13, wherein the splitter tray is located on the chassis so that the splitter tray is accessible when the chassis is pivoted out of the enclosure.

15. A method of coupling a splitter module to a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, the splitter module including a main body extending in a longitudinal direction, the main body having a first member and a second member coupled thereto, wherein the first member defines a fin body including a first dimension extending in a same direction as the longitudinal direction of the main body, and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension being longer than the second dimension, the method comprising:

positioning the first member of the splitter module in a slot defined by a planar surface of the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub;

sliding the splitter module along the planar surface of the splitter tray relative to the fiber distribution hub until the second member of the splitter module is received in an aperture defined by the splitter tray; and

actuating the second member to couple the splitter module to the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

actuating the second member to uncouple the splitter module from the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub; and

moving the splitter module relative to the fiber distribution hub until the second member of the splitter module is removed from the aperture defined by the splitter tray.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating the second member further comprises moving a handle of the member relative to a collet of the member to expand the collet.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the splitter module relative to the fiber distribution hub further comprises moving the splitter module until the first member engages the splitter tray.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising pivoting the splitter shelf relative to an enclosure of the fiber distribution hub to access the splitter shelf.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

pivoting the splitter shelf out of an enclosure of the fiber distribution hub to access the splitter shelf to add the splitter module to the splitter shelf; and

pivoting the splitter shelf into the enclosure once the splitter module is added to the splitter shelf.