Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices and methods for organizing fiber optic cables.

Background

Fiber optic cables are used in telecommunications systems and equipment for carrying fiber optic signals. The cables are typically connected to equipment with splices or connectors. There is a need for organizing and maintain fiber optic cables before they are connectorized, spliced, or otherwise connected to another cable or equipment.

Summary

In one aspect of the present invention, a cable holder is provided for holding an end of a fiber optic cable. In one embodiment, the fiber optic cable is a fiber optic cable that will be connectorized, spliced to another cable, or otherwise connected to telecommunications equipment. The fiber or fibers in the cable may or may not be carrying signals during storage. The cable holder can be removed and the cable can be connectorized, spliced, or otherwise connected to telecommunications equipment.

The cable holder of the present invention can be mounted in a holding device for holding the cable holders in an organized manner.

The cable holders can include indicia for identifying the cable holder. The indicia can be visible and identifiable to a technician, such as letter, numbers, colors, or combinations therof. Alternatively, the indicia can be a device readable tag, such as a barcode, or an RFID tag.

The cable holders can include a light blocking element for blocking fiber optic signals being carried by the cable during storage.

The cable holders can include a device which is reactive to fiber optic signals so as to provide an indication to a technician that the fiber optic cable being stored by the cable holder is carrying active signals. The cable holders include a body construction, and a channel for receiving an unconnectorized and otherwise unconnected fiber.

In one embodiment, the body construction includes an end surface in the channel.

In another embodiment, the channel includes an open construction for sliding the fiber optic cable longitudinally into the channel.

In another embodiment, the body includes a two piece construction which is positioned on opposite sides of the cable.

In a further embodiment, adhesive or other fixation structure can be used to affix the fiber optic cable to the cable holder. In such circumstances, the cable holder is removed by cutting the cable.

In another embodiment, the cable is held to the cable holder with friction.

In a still further embodiment, the body includes structure for mounting to a holder device.

In one embodiment, the cable holders are mountable to one another to form an interconnected structure of multiple cable holders.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIB. 1A shows a fiber optic termination panel;

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fourth embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fifth embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIGS. 8-10 show a sixth embodiment of a cable holder system;

FIGS. 11-17 show a seventh embodiment of a cable holder system.

Detailed Description

Referring now FIG. 1, a cable holder 10 is shown for holding a fiber optic cable

12. Cable holder includes a body construction or body 14 and a channel 16 for holding an end 18 of cable 12. Cable 12 is a fiber optic cable without a connector or other device attached to the end 18. End 18 can be removed from cable holder 10 and connectorized with a fiber optic connector, such as an SC connector, LC connector, or MPO connector. Cable 12 can be a single fiber cable, or a multi-fiber cable.

Cable holders 10 can be positioned in a holder device 22 for maintaining cable holders 10 in an organized manner. When a specific cable 12 is desired, the cable holder 10 holding the desired cable 12 is removed from the cable holder, and the cable 12 is separated from the cable holder 10.

Cable holder device 22 can be a termination panel with openings 24 sized to receive cable holders 10. Openings 24 can also have the same size so as to receive a fiber optic adapter once the cable holder 10 is removed and the cable is terminated. SC type and LC type, simplex or duplex, are common sizes of adapters for connecting to fiber optic connectors.

Cable 12 can be attached to cable holder 10 by a friction fit, a mechanical crimp, adhesive, or by other methods, if desired.

As shown, cable holder 10 includes a two piece body 14 having a first piece 30 and a second piece 32 which combine to form channel 16. First piece 30 and second piece 32 are held together by snaps, adhesive or other methods.

Cable holder 10 includes indicia 36 for identifying the specific cable holder relative to other cable holders 10. Indicia 36 can be in the form of a number, a letter, a color, combinations thereof, or other forms identification structures. For example, a one dimensional barcode, a two dimensional barcode, or an RFID tag may be used. Such indicia 36 will help a technician identify a specific cable 12.

Cable holder 10 includes a handle 38 for grasping by the technician.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, multi-piece embodiments of cable holders 210,

310 are shown. Cable holder 210 includes an additional end structure 50. Such end structure 50 protects the end of cable 12. Alternatively, or in addition to, end structure 50 can help align and hold the end of cable 12. End structure 50 can also be in the form of a mirror or other device for blocking light in cable 12. End structure 50 can also be provided with an indicator element that lights up or glows in the presence of light in cable 12 to indicate in a safe manner to the technician that cable 12 is a live cable carrying a signal. Visible light can also be used to cause end structure 50 to glow for fiber tracing. First piece 230 and second piece 232 are held together by snaps, adhesive or other methods, if desired.

In FIG. 3, cable holder 310 is shown with an end structure 50 in the form of a tab 54. In the case of cable holders 210, 310, both have body constructions similar to first and second pieces 30, 32. First piece 330 and second piece 332 are held together by snaps, adhesive or other methods.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment of a cable holder 410 is shown with first and second pieces 430, 432 hinged together in a unitary design. At area 440, a hinge is defined at a bottom of the holder to allow for insertion and removal of cable 12 from cable holder 410. Cable holder 410 includes an end structure 50 for blocking light in cable 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a cable holder 510 is shown with a unitary body different from the unitary body of cable holder 410 but hinged in a similar manner for insertion and removal of cable 12 along the side of the cable holder 510. First and second pieces 530, 532 are hinged together in a unitary design at area 540, where a hinge is defined.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, cable holder 610 includes internal retention elements 620 in channel 16 for retaining cable 12. Retention elements 620 are in the form of barbs. Cable 12 may be removable by merely pulling cable holder 610 away from cable 12. Alternatively, cable holder 610 can be removed by cutting of cable 12 to remove cable holder 610.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-17, a cable holder 710 is shown having a single body construction and a channel 716 which is formed as an open channel on a top 720. Cable holder 710 includes indicia 736 in the form of an RFID tag, or color indicator, or other indicator. Cable holder 710 includes channel 716 with retention ribs 730 to improve retention on end 18 of cable 12. Adhesive can be used in addition to or alternatively to ribs 730 for cable retention. Cable 12 can be removed from channel 716 by pulling or lifting, or by cutting of cable 12.

Cable holder 710 includes attachment devices 750 for mounting to additional cable holders. As shown, the cable attachment devices 750 include side dovetail slots 752 and mating dovetails 754. Further dovetails 760 can be utilized on cable holder 710 for mounting to a framework.

Cable holders 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710 are useful for handling of unconnectorized fibers. One use can be for field termination where the fiber must be handled prior to termination. Another use is for moving the end of the fiber from one location to another prior to termination. Such cable holders may be easier for a technician to handle instead of just a single fiber.

cable holder

fiber optic cable

body construction channel

end

holder device

first piece

second piece

indicia

handle

additional end structure tab

cable holder

first piece

second piece

cable holder

first piece

second piece

0 cable holder

0 first piece

2 second piece

0 area

0 cable holder

0 first piece

2 second piece

0 area

0 cable holder

0 internal retention elements0 cable holder

6 channel

0 retention ribs 736 indicia

750 attachment devices 752 dovetail slots 754 mating dovetails 760 dovetails