Splitter modules for fiber distribution hubs

• US 7,526,172 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/762,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20080124039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 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 including a first side, an opposite second side, and third and fourth sides extending in a longitudinal direction from the first side to the second side, an optical splitter being positioned within the main body, and the first side of the main body defining at least one opening configured to allow a plurality of distribution fibers to exit the main body;

at least one fin coupled to the main body, the fin defining a fin body including a first dimension and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension extending in the longitudinal direction and being longer than the second dimension; and

at least one aperture located at the second side of the main body and sized to receive a fastener to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution hub.

2. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a pin.

3. The splitter module of claim 2, wherein the pin includes a collet sized to be received in the hole defined in a wall of a 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, wherein the fin includes a tongue sized to be received in a slot of a splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

7. The splitter module of claim 6, wherein the tongue is a catch portion adapted to slide under a portion of the splitter tray.

8. The splitter module of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief mechanism surrounding the opening in the first side of the main body, 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.

9. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the first side of the main body defines another opening configured to receive an input fiber entering the main body.

10. The splitter module of claim 1, wherein the second dimension of the fin is sized to be received in a slot defined in a splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

11. The splitter module of claim 1, further comprising:

a strain relief mechanism surrounding the opening in the first side of the main body, 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;

wherein the fin is located on the third side of the main body and includes a tongue sized to be received in the slot and engage a splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub, the tongue being a catch portion adapted to slide under a portion of the splitter tray; and

wherein the aperture is defined through the second side of the body.

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

a main body including a first side, an opposite second side, and third and fourth sides extending in a longitudinal direction from the first side to the second side, an optical splitter being positioned within the main body, and the first side of the main body defining at least one opening configured to allow a plurality of distribution fibers to exit the main body;

a first securement location located at the third or fourth side, the first securement location including a fin coupled to the main body to engage the fiber distribution hub, the fin defining a fin body including a first dimension and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension extending in the longitudinal direction and being longer than the second dimension; and

a second securement location located at the second side, the second securement location being configured to engage the fiber distribution hub.

13. The splitter module of claim 12, wherein the second securement location includes at least one aperture located at the second side of the main body and sized to receive a fastener to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution hub.

14. The splitter module of claim 13, wherein the fin is received in a slot of the fiber distribution hub, and the fastener is received in the aperture to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.

15. A fiber distribution hub, comprising:

an enclosure;

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

a splitter module including;

a main body including a first side, an opposite second side, and third and fourth sides extending in a longitudinal direction from the first side to the second side, an optical splitter being positioned within the main body, and the first side of the main body defining at least one opening configured to allow a plurality of distribution fibers to exit the main body;

at least one fin coupled to the main body, the fin defining a fin body including a first dimension and a second dimension extending perpendicularly to the first dimension, the first dimension extending in the longitudinal direction and being longer than the second dimension; and

at least one aperture located at the second side of the main body and sized to receive a fastener to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution hub;

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

16. The fiber distribution hub of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a pin.

17. The fiber distribution hub of claim 15, wherein the fin includes a tongue sized to be received in the slot and engage the splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub.

18. The fiber distribution hub of claim 15, further comprising a strain relief mechanism surrounding the opening in the first side of the main body, 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.

19. The fiber distribution hub of claim 15, wherein the splitter module further comprises:

a strain relief mechanism surrounding the opening in the first side of the main body, 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;

wherein the fin is located on the third side of the main body and includes a tongue sized to be received in the slot and engage a splitter tray of the fiber distribution hub, the tongue being a catch portion adapted to slide under a portion of the splitter tray; and

wherein the aperture is defined through the second side of the body.