Abstract:
The present invention relates to an optical fiber organizer ( 1 ) comprising at least one fiber storage means ( 4, 10, 19 ), a first support ( 3 ) for supporting the storage means, whereby the storage means ( 4, 10, 19 ) are rotatable connected to the first support ( 3 ), a second support ( 2 ) with at least one cable termination retention means for securing an incoming or outgoing cable having at least one optical fiber, characterized by the first support ( 3 ) being rotatably connected to the second support ( 2 ).

Description:
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2012/052405, filed 13 Feb. 2012, which claims benefit of Ser. No. 11/154,906.9, filed 17 Feb. 2011 in Europe and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to the management of optical fiber connections and in particular concerns an optical fiber organizer and splice holder. 
     A known type of optical fiber organizer is described in PCT application WO 97/32231 A1 and in the PCT application WO 2009/106874 A1. The optical fiber organizer comprises an optical fiber storage means which is fixed to a support. The support comprises a cable termination retention means for securing incoming/outgoing cables having at least one optical fiber. The support is fixed to a casing of the optical fiber organizer. For each optical fiber storage means, one cable termination retention means is provided. The optical fiber storage means is rotatably connected to the support. The cable is guided in an area between the fiber storage means and the support. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object of the invention is to provide an improved optical fiber organizer. The object of the invention is achieved by the optical fiber organizer. The optical fiber organizer has the advantage that the proposed organizer provides a higher flexibility. This advantage is attained by a first support which is rotatably connected to a further element. 
     An embodiment of the optical fiber organizer has the advantage that the area between the first support of the fiber storage means and a second support can easily be accessed. This advantage is achieved by rotatably connecting the first support to a second support. For this reason, it is possible to rotate the first support away from the second support. Thus, it is possible to more easily access elements such as the cable, splitters, optical fiber etc. which may be arranged between the first and the second support. 
     In one embodiment, the storage means and the first support comprise clip means which clip the storage means in an open position relative to an adjacent storage means. For this reason, it is possible to fix the position of the storage means and, if it is advantageous, to loosen the clip means and to rotate the storage means in a further position. 
     In a further embodiment the first support comprises a first and a second section, which are rotatably connected. Therefore, it is possible to use the first support in different application, for example for a multi fiber circuit structure application or a single fiber circuit structure application. It is not necessary to produce different first supports. Furthermore, the application can be changed without having the need to use different first supports. Preferably, there is a second locking means which allows the locking of the first section in an inclined position referred to the second section. Furthermore, the first and/or second section may be fixed to a second support. 
     In a further embodiment, the first and the second support comprise second clip means which allow clipping the first support in a closed position relative to the second support. This means that, if it is not necessary to access the space between the first and the second support, the second clip means fix the first support closely to the second support. This provides a fiber organizer with a small constructed space. If it is necessary to access the space between the first and the second support, the second clip means can be loosened and the first support can be moved into an open position which means that through the larger space available between the first and the second support elements such as the cable, the fiber, optical components and/or splitters can easily be accessed. 
     In a further embodiment, several storage means are fixed to a first support and/or to a first and second section of the first support. 
     In a further embodiment, the optical fiber organizer comprises several first supports which are adjacently arranged and which are rotatably connected to the second support. As a result, it is possible to access all sections of the second support for accessing the elements. 
     In a further embodiment, the storage means is embodied as a plate with a guiding means for an optical fiber and/or a fixing means for a splice of optical fibers. 
     In a further embodiment, the optical fiber organizer comprises two first supports with a first and at least one second section, whereby the first supports are adjacently arranged and the respective first sections are rotatably connected to the respective second section in opposite directions. 
     Depending on the used embodiment, the fiber storing means are arranged in parallel to the second support or with a predetermined angle. 
     In a further embodiment, the first support is embodied as a groove plate, e.g. as a T-groove plate. The T-groove plate allows bending and straight routing of the fiber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a part of an optical fiber organizer with fiber storage means, a first support and a second support and a fiber cable; 
         FIG. 2  shows the optical fiber organizer of  FIG. 1  whereby a storage means is in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  shows the optical fiber organizer of  FIG. 1  whereby all fiber storage means are arranged in the open position; 
         FIG. 4  shows the optical fiber organizer with a first support being in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic drawing of a first support with two sections; 
         FIG. 6  shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer with two first supports with fiber storage means which are arranged in parallel to the second support; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of the optical fiber organizer of  FIG. 6  with the first supports being in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer; 
         FIG. 9  is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer; 
         FIG. 10  is a further embodiment with an optical fiber organizer; 
         FIG. 11  shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer; 
         FIG. 12  is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer; and 
         FIG. 13  shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer. 
         FIG. 14  shows a cross sectional view of a housing of the optical fiber organizer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the main parts of the optical fiber organizer  1  with a second support  2  with a first support  3  and several storage means  4 . The second support  2  is embodied as a base plate  8 , e.g. as a grooved plate which comprises first means  5  for receiving, storing and guiding optical cables and optical fibers. The second support  2  may be part of a housing for the organizer. The first means  5  may be embodied as walls, openings or pins. The second support  2  furthermore provides a receiving area  6  for receiving a cable  7  which may comprise several optical fibers. The cable  7  may end in the receiving area  6  or may be guided through the receiving area  6 . The receiving area  6  is disposed in an edge region defined by the base plate  8  of the second support  2  and a sidewall  9  of the second support  2 . The cable  7  may be fixed to the second support  2  by cable-fixing elements (not shown). 
     Above the base plate  8 , several storage means  4  which are embodied as organizer trays  10  are disposed. The organizer trays  10  have a basic shape of a plate and are arranged in parallel to each other and in parallel to the base plate  8 . The organizer trays  10  may be constructed identically. Each organizer tray  10  may comprise fiber guiding means  11  and splice fixing means  12 . Each of the organizer trays  10  is rotatably connected to the first support  3  by hinge means  13 . The hinge means  13  allows for a rotation of the organizer tray  10  around a predetermined rotational axis. In this embodiment, the rotational axis is arranged in parallel to the direction of the cable  7  in the receiving area  6  and to a plane of the first support  3 . 
     The first support  3  may be embodied in the shape of a plate which is also rotatably fixed to the second support  2  by means of a second hinge means  15 . The second hinge means  15  is arranged at a first rim of the first support  3  which is dedicated to the base plate  8 . At an opposite rim, second clip means  16  are disposed which fix the first support  3  in the shown closed position. The second clip means  16  comprise a nose and a recess which are arranged on the first support  3  and on the sidewall  9 . In the shown embodiment, the sidewall  9  has two bars  17 ,  18 . At free ends of the first and second bar  17 ,  18 , a part of the second clip means  16  are disposed. 
     The trays  10  constitute individual optical fiber storage means for storing lengths of fiber, commonly referred to as “pig tails” for connecting to other optical fibers or components located on or in the individual trays. The trays comprise fiber guide elements and holders  12  which are designed to hold optical fiber splices. The first support  3  comprises a molded structure having a plurality of pairs of mounting means in the form of integrally molded protrusions containing apertures for receiving hinge pins formed on the respective optical fiber storage trays  10 . The protrusions and the respective hinge pins define a hinge axis around which the respective trays  10  rotate relative to the first support  3 . 
     The second support  2  has a second sidewall  44  which is arranged in parallel to the first sidewall  9 . The second sidewall  44  has a recess  50  in an area adjacent to rims of the trays  10 . 
     Each of the trays comprises a slit  52  which is arranged in the middle of the tray  10  and in parallel to a moving direction of the trays from an open to a closed position. Therefore, it is possible to fix the trays  10  with one bolt which is screwed in a thread  53  on the bottom of the base plate  8  ( FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows the upper organizer tray  10  which is rotated from the close position of  FIG. 1  into an open position. In the open position, a second organizer tray  19  is accessible. This is necessary for mounting the fiber and/or the splices in the second organizer tray  19 . There are first clip means  20  disposed on the first support  3  and the trays  10 ,  19  for fixing the tray  10  in the closed and/or open position. 
     The first clip means  20  are constructed for example as a nose and a recess which are configured to fix the trays  10 ,  19  in the closed position ( FIG. 1 ) relative to the first support  3  and in the open position ( FIG. 2 ) relative to the first support  3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the situation in which all the trays  10 ,  19  are rotated in the open position. In this situation, the second hinge means  15  can be seen, which rotatably connect the first support  3  to the second support  2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the situation that the first clip means  20  are loosened and the first support  3  is rotated in an open position. In the open position, the first support  3  is arranged vertically to the base plate  8 . The first support  3  comprises two snap arms  21 ,  22  at a side which is dedicated to the sidewall  9 . The snap arms  21 ,  22  engage with recesses  23 ,  24  of the first and second bars  17 ,  18  to fix the first support  3  in the closed position. The snap arms  21 ,  22  and the recesses  23 ,  24  constitute the second clip means  16 . 
     Furthermore, a locking means  26  is arranged which locks the first support  3  in the open position. The locking means  26  is embodied as a pin which is stuck into the second opening  27  of the base plate  8 . If the first support  3  is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 4 , the area  28  between the first support  3  and the second support  2  can easily be accessed. In the area  28 , the optical fiber cable  7  is broken out to separate the individual mini-tubes, each of which may contain a dozen or so optical fibers that are to be arranged and spliced within the optical fiber organizer. Thus, it is possible to easily access a cable  7 , optical components, splitters or other elements which may be disposed in the area  28 . In the open position of the first support  3 , rims of the trays  10 ,  11  protrude in the recess  50  of the second sidewall  44 . 
     Due to this new construction, it is possible to provide an optical fiber organizer with a small constructed size which allows large free access to the cable  7  and other components which are arranged in the area  28  between the first and the second support  2 ,  3 . 
     As becomes obvious when comparing the situation of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the height of the staple of the trays  10 ,  19  of the optical fiber organizer  1  in  FIG. 4  is higher than in the position of  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, free space is available for accessing the cable  7  in the area  28  between the first support  3  and the second support  2  in the position of the first support of  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a cover is not shown which is fixed to the base plate in order to enclose the optical fiber organizer. 
       FIG. 5  shows a basic embodiment of the optical fiber organizer with a first support  3  comprising a first and a second section  31 ,  32 . The first and the second section are connected by third hinge means  33 , which allows a rotation of the first section  31  relative to the second section  32  as shown in  FIG. 5  and as depicted by the arrow. Furthermore, there are second locking means  51  disposed which lock the two sections  31 ,  32  in a straight and/or in an inclined position as shown. The locking means  51  may be embodied as a pair of a latch and a recess. This basic idea of using a first support  3  with several sections can be applied to different types of optical fiber organizers, e.g. the type of a single fiber circuit structure application, and to the type of a multi fibre circuit structure application, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The main difference between the single fiber circuit structure organizer and the multi fibre circuit structure organizer is that in the single fiber circuit structure organizer, the storage means are arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the plane of the first support  3 . The multi fiber circuit structure organizer uses storage means  4  which are basically arranged in parallel to the plane of the first support  3 . For the multi fiber circuit structure application the first section  31  is locked in the inclined position. For the single fiber circuit structure application the first section  31  is locked in the straight position. The first and second section may be embodied identical, especially have fixing means for fixing storage means  4 , especially storage trays. In the shown embodiment, the first support comprises a third and a fourth section  34 ,  35 . Each section may be rotatably connected by third hinge means may be arranged between adjacent sections. The embodiment of the optical fiber organizer shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4  relates to a single fiber circuit structure application. 
       FIG. 6  shows a schematic drawing of a multi fiber circuit structure application, whereby on a second support  2  two first supports  3  are disposed. Between the two first supports  3 , the cable  7  and/or further elements are arranged. Each first support  3  comprises several sections  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35  which are connected to the second support  2 . The first section  31  of the first support  3  is detachably connected to the second support  2  by first clip means  20 . The two first sections  31  of the two adjacently arranged first supports  3  are disposed at a predetermined angle of about 45° with regard to the plane of the second support  2 . The two first sections  31  of the first supports  3 , which are arranged in an inclined manner, cover the area  28  in which the cable  7  and/or other optical components is disposed. Instead of the first chip means  20 , there might be a second locking means  51  which locks the first section in the inclined position as explained referring to  FIG. 5  with third hinge means  33  and second locking means  51  between two adjacent sections of a first support  3 . In a further embodiment, two first supports  3  may be designed as explained referring to  FIG. 5 . 
     The storage means  4  are rotatably connected to the first section  31  by a hinge means  13 , as explained in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     If a free space for accessing the area  28  or the cable  7  is required, the first clip means  20  of the first sections  31  of the two first supports  3  are removed and the first sections  31  are rotated away from the area  28 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position, it is possible to have an enlarged free space in order to access the area  28  or the cable  7 . Furthermore, in the area  28 , several elements, e.g. optical components, splitters etc. may be disposed. If there are second locking means between the first and the second section  31 ,  32 , the first chip means  20  is not required. 
     The first section  31  of each first support  3  is rotatably connected to the second section  32  of the respective first support  3  by third hinge means  33 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a further embodiment of a multi optical fiber circuit structure organizer  1  with a first support  3  with a first, second, third and fourth section  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 . The second, third and/or the fourth section  32 ,  34 ,  35  are fixed to the second support  2 . The first section  31  is arranged with a predetermined angle relative to the other sections  32 ,  34 ,  35  being disposed above the other sections  32 ,  34 ,  35 . The first section  31  covers the area  28  in which the cable  7  or further elements, e.g. splitters, optical components etc., are arranged. The first section  31  is rotatably connected to the second support  2  by second clip means  16 . The storage means  4  which are disposed as trays  10 ,  19  are rotatably connected to the first section  31  by hinge means  13 . The first section  31  is rotatably connected to the second section  32  by third hinge means  33 . The first section  31  of the first support  3  may be connected to a sidewall  9  of the second support  2  by the second clip means  16 . If the area  28  is to be accessed, the second clip means  16  are loosened and the first section  31  can be rotated via the rotational axis of third hinge means  33  away from the sidewall  9  as depicted by the arrow shown in  FIG. 8 . Thus, it is possible to access the area  28 . The first support  3  may be embodied in the same design as the first support  3  of  FIG. 5 , whereby each section is rotatably connected to one adjacent section and second locking means are arranged between two adjacent sections. 
       FIG. 9  shows a further embodiment of a single fiber circuit structure organizer  1  with a second support  2  and a first support  3 . The first support  3  is made of a first, a second, a third and a fourth section  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 . At least the fourth section  35  is detachable fixed to the base plate  8 . The first section  31  is connected to the second support  2  by a second clip means  16 , e.g. to the sidewall  9 . In the shown embodiment, each section  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35  is rotatably connected to the adjacent section by a third hinge means  33 . However, in this embodiment storage means  4  are also rotatably connected to the first, the second and the third section  31 ,  32  and  34 . The storage means  4  are embodied as trays  10 ,  19  which are connected by hinge means (not shown), as shown in detail in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . For this reason, second locking means  51  are arranged between the first and the second section  31 ,  32  and between the second and the third section  32 ,  34 . The locking means  51  hold the first, second and third section  31 ,  32 ,  34  in one plane in a stable manner. If the area between the base plate  8  of the second support  2  and the first support  3  in which e.g. the cable  7  or further elements are disposed is to be accessed, the second clip means  16  is removed and the first, the second and the third section  31 ,  32 ,  34  are rotated around the rotational axis of the third hinge means  33  which is disposed between the third and the fourth section  34 ,  35 . Depending on the used embodiment, the second clip means  16  is not provided. The first support  3  is designed as explained referring to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a combination of a single and a multi optical fiber circuit structure organizers  1  with a first support  3  and a further first support  43 . The further first support  43  comprises a first and a second section  31 ,  32 , the first and the second section  31 ,  32  being fixed to one another and to the second support  2 . The second section  32  is rotatably connected to the second support  2  by second hinge means  15 . Furthermore, the first and/or the second section  31 ,  32  are connected to the second support  2  by detachable second clip means  16 . If the area  26  between the first and the second support  3 ,  2  is to be accessed, the second clip means  16  is released and the first support  3  is rotated in the direction of the adjacent sidewall  9  of the second support  2 , as depicted by the arrow. Adjacent and in one plane to the first support  3 , a further first support  43  is disposed. The further first support  43  comprises a T-groove plate  45 . Two storage means  4  embodied e.g. as trays  10 ,  19  are rotatably connected to the T-groove plate  45  by hinge means. The storage means  4  are arranged in parallel to the plane of the further sections  32 ,  31  of the further first support  43 . The T-groove plate  45  is fixed to the second support  2  by a further clip means  46 . Furthermore, the T-grooved plate  45  is rotatably connected to a second section  32  of the first support  3  by a third hinge means  33 . If the area  28  between the T-grooved plate  45  and the base plate  8  of the second support  2  is to be accessed, the further clip means  46  is removed and the T-groove plate  45  is rotated around the rotational axis of the third hinge means  33  in the direction of a second sidewall  4 , as depicted by the arrow. 
       FIG. 11  shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer  1  with a first support  3  with a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth section  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 . The first and the second section  31 ,  32  are fixed to each other by second locking means  51  and several storage means  4  are fixed to the first and second section  31 ,  32  by hinge means (not shown). The third section  34  is fixed to the second support  2 . The third, the fourth and the fifth section  34 ,  35 ,  36  are fixed to one another. The sixth section  37  is rotatably connected to the fifth section  36  by a third hinge means  33 . Furthermore, there are second locking means  51  arranged between the fifth and sixth section  36 ,  37 . The sixths section  37  is fixed in the inclined position as shown. Moreover, the second section  32  is rotatably connected to the third section  34  by a third hinge means  33 . The sixth section  37  is bent away from the base plate  8  of the second support  2 . Storage means  4  are rotatably connected to the sixth section  37  by hinge means  13 . The storage means  4  of the sixth section  37  are arranged as plate-shaped trays which are disposed in parallel to the base plate  8 . Depending on the embodiment, the first section  31  and the fifth section  36  may be connected to the second support  2  by means of second clip means  16 . Between the first section  31  and the base plate  8  or between the sixth section  37  and the base plate  8 , the cable or other optical components such as splitters may be disposed. If the area  28  between the first section  31  and the base plate  8  or the area  28  between the sixth section  37  and the base plate  8  are to be accessed, the respective second clip means  16  and/or the second locking means  51  is loosened. The first and the second section  31 ,  32  can then be rotated in the direction of the sixth section  37  around the axis disposed by the third hinge means  33 . Furthermore, if a person would like to access the area  28  beneath the sixth section  37 , the respective second clip means  16  and/or the second locking means  51  is loosened and the sixth section  37  is rotated around the rotational axis which is disposed by the third hinge means  33 , as depicted by an arrow in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer  1  with a first support  3  comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and a sixth section  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 . The first and the second section  31 ,  32  are connected to the second support  2 . The third section  34  is rotatably connected by a third hinge means  33  to the second section  32 . The third section  34  is e.g. embodied as a T-groove plate. A part of the third section  34  is inclined in a direction away from the base plate  8 . At the inclined section, storage means  4  are rotatably connected to the third section  34  by hinge means  13 . The third section  34  is connected to the base plate  8  by second clip means  16 . The fourth and fifth section  35 ,  36  are connected to the base plate  8  of the second support  2 . The sixth section  37  is rotatably connected to the fifth section  36  by a hinge means  33 . An end part of the sixth section  37  is inclined in a direction away from the base plate  8 . At the inclined section, two storage means  4  are rotatably connected to the sixth section  37  by hinge means  13 . The sixth section  37  is connected to a sidewall  9  of the second support  2  by further clip means  46 . If the area  28  between the third section  34  or the sixth section  37  is to be accessed, the second clip means  16  or the further clip means  46  have to be released. The third section  34  can then be rotated around the rotational axis of the third hinge means  33  in direction of a second sidewall  44  of the second support  2 , as it is depicted by an arrow. Furthermore, the sixth section  37  can be rotated around the axis of the third hinge means  33  in the direction of the second sidewall  4 , as it is depicted by the arrow. In the area  28 , the cable  7  or other components, e.g. optical components of splitters may be disposed. Depending on the used embodiment each section may be connected with an adjacent section rotatably by a third hinge means and by a second locking means  51  as explained referring to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an embodiment with two first sections  3  as explained in  FIG. 5 . The first sections  31  are detachably fixed by a second clip means  16  to the second support  2 . At least one of the fourth, third or second section  35 ,  34 ,  32  is detachable fixed to the second support  2 . The second support  2  may be part of a housing. Depending on the use embodiment, one of the first support  3  may be proposed as shown in  FIG. 9  in a straight position with trays arranged in an inclined manner relative to the plane of the second support  2 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view of a housing for the embodiment of the  FIGS. 1 to 4  The second support  2  is covered by a cover  55 . A bolt  54  is guided from the cover  55  via the slits  52  of the trays  10  to the thread  53  fixing the cover  55  to the second support  2 . 
     Depending on the used embodiment, there is a guidance  56  from the cover  55  to the thread  53 , whereby the bolt  54  is arranged in the guidance  56 .