DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL CABLE INSTALLATION

• US 20130098557A1
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Kenichiro, Lu, Haiguang
• Granted Patent: US 8,839,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/349
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/32 Optical fibres or optical cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/004 simultaneously with a second roll, e.g. masking tape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1795 Implement carried web supply

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for securing an optical cable unit to one or more surfaces. The optical cable unit includes a length of adhesive tape and a length of optical cable. The apparatus includes a housing having an outlet and an adjustable securing portion disposed adjacent the outlet. The adjustable securing portion has first and second surface portions configured to adjust between first and second positions. The surface portions form a first angle therebetween in the first position and a second angle therebetween in the second position. The adjustable securing portion may be selectively attachable to the housing. A system is provided and can include a housing and at least two adjustable securing portions. Also provided is a separate adjustable securing portion adapted for use with an apparatus, and a method of applying an optical cable unit to one or more surfaces.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing an optical cable unit to one or more surfaces, the optical cable unit including a length of adhesive tape and a length of optical cable, the apparatus comprising:

a housing including an outlet at which the adhesive tape can be provided for output from the housing; and

an adjustable securing portion disposed adjacent the outlet for securing the optical cable unit to one or more surfaces, the adjustable securing portion having first and second surface portions configured to adjust between first and second positions, the first and second surface portions forming a first angle therebetween in the first position, and the first and second surface portions forming a second angle therebetween in the second position, the second angle being different than the first angle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first angle is substantially 90 degrees and the adjustable securing portion is in the first position in a resting state.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first angle is substantially 180 degrees and the adjustable securing portion is in the first position in a resting state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable securing portion includes a spring mechanism to bias the first and second surface portions to assume the first position in a resting state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second surface portions are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable securing portion is configured to transition from the first position to the second position when the adjustable securing portion is forced into contact with one or more surfaces.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second angle is substantially equal to an angle between two surfaces upon which the optical cable unit is dispensed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable securing portion is selectively attachable to the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second surface portions are substantially planar pads.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second surface portions are portions of first and second substantially cylindrical rollers, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adjustable securing portion includes first and second axles on which the first and second substantially cylindrical rollers, respectively, are mounted for rotation.

12. A system for securing an optical cable unit to one or more surfaces, the optical cable unit including a length of adhesive tape and a length of optical cable, the system comprising:

a housing including an outlet at which the adhesive tape can be provided for output from the housing; and

at least two adjustable securing portions each being selectively attachable to the housing at a position adjacent the outlet for securing the optical cable unit to one or more surfaces, at least one of the adjustable securing portions having first and second surface portions configured to adjust between first and second positions, the first and second surface portions forming a first angle therebetween in the first position, and the first and second surface portions forming a second angle therebetween in the second position, the second angle being different than the first angle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a first of the adjustable securing portions has first and second surface portions configured to adjust between the first and second positions, and a second of the adjustable securing portions includes first and second surface portions forming a fixed angle therebetween of substantially 180 degrees.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first angle of a first of the adjustable securing portions is substantially 90 degrees and the first adjustable securing portion is in the first position in a resting state, and wherein the first angle of a second of the adjustable securing portions is substantially 180 degrees and the second adjustable securing portion is in the first position in a resting state.

15. An adjustable securing portion adapted for use with an apparatus for securing an optical cable unit to one or more surfaces, the optical cable unit including a length of adhesive tape and a length of optical cable, the adjustable securing portion comprising:

first and second surface portions configured to adjust between first and second positions,

wherein the first and second surface portions form a first angle therebetween in the first position, and the first and second surface portions forming a second angle therebetween in the second position,

wherein the second angle is different than the first angle, and

wherein the adjustable securing portion is selectively attachable to the apparatus for securing the optical cable unit to one or more surfaces.

16. The adjustable securing portion of claim 15, wherein the first and second surface portions are portions of first and second substantially cylindrical rollers, respectively.

17. The adjustable securing portion of claim 16, wherein the adjustable securing portion includes first and second axles on which the first and second substantially cylindrical rollers, respectively, are mounted for rotation.