Abstract:
A fiber optic cable restraint for holding wires in relation to an optical cabinet has a first portion coupled to an end of a base portion. A second portion is coupled to an opposing end of the base portion, such that the first portion, base portion, and second portion define an interior space. An end of the top portion and an end of the bottom portion define an open area that communicates with the interior space. A first pin extends downward from the first portion and is axially offset from a second pin extends upwardly from the second portion. The first portion, base portion, and second portion each have a curved surface that guides the fiber optic cable through the interior space in a manner that minimizes the possibility of damaging the fiber optic cable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to organizing one or multiple cables, and more particularly to cable restraints for securing one or multiple fiber optic cables in relation to a stationary object.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    An optical networking device usually has multiple fiber optic cables attached thereto that feed data into and out of the device. For matters of convenience and space efficiency, several optical networking devices are installed together in close relation in a vertically stacked component rack. The fiber optic cables approach the devices from all directions and are individually routed to different ones of the optical networking devices. The close arrangement of networking devices and the large number of optical cables impose significant space limitations on routing the cables to and from the devices. Accordingly, a fair amount of effort is taken to organize the cable routing.  
           [0003]    Various devices have been developed to organize the fiber optic cables in relation to the housing of the optical networking device. In general, such devices (i.e. cable restraints) mount to the housing of the networking device, the component rack, or other convenient structure and capture one or multiple cables to hold the cables in relation to the device. It is desirable for cable restraints to be inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. Restraints that incorporate moving parts will eventually wear out, and are more prone to breaking than restraints with no moving parts. Finally, it is desirable that the cable restrain not induce tight bends in the fiber optic cables, as such bends may damage the cables.  
           [0004]    There is a need for a cable restraint that is simple to use, inexpensive to manufacture and incorporates all the features discussed above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The invention is drawn to a cable restraint device for fiber optic cable management that is simple, incorporates no moving parts, and protects the fiber optic cable from damaging tight bends.  
           [0006]    An embodiment of the invention is a cable restraint device that includes a base portion having a first end and a second end. A first portion of the device has an open end and a closed end, and the closed end is in communication with the second end of the base portion. A second portion of the device has an open end and a closed end, and the closed end is in communication with the first end of the base portion. The base portion, the first portion and the second portion define an interior space. The open end of the first portion and the open end of the second portion define an open area that communicates with the interior space. A first pin extends downwardly from the open end of the first portion, and a second pin extends upwardly from the open end of the second portion. The second pin is axially offset from the first pin, and an end of the first pin is closer to the open end of the second portion than an end of the second pin.  
           [0007]    In another embodiment, an optical networking system includes a cabinet for housing an optical networking device having a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. A first cable restraint is affixed to the first side wall, and a second cable restraint affixed to the second side wall. The first cable restraint defines an interior space, and has a downwardly extending pin axially offset from an upwardly extending pin. An end of the downwardly extending pin is lower than and end of the upwardly extending pin. The second cable restraint also defines an interior space, and has a downwardly extending pin axially offset from an upwardly extending pin. An end of the downwardly extending pin of the second cable restraint is lower than and end of the upwardly extending pin of the second cable restraint. At least one optical fiber extends through the interior space of one of the first cable restraint and the second cable restraint, and is retained within the interior space by the downwardly extending pin and the upwardly extending pin.  
           [0008]    The features and advantages of the device according to embodiments of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a cable restraint for fiber optic cable management;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cable restraint of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the cable restraint of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of cable restraints as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, mounted on an optical cabinet; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a top view of the pair of cable restraints and the optical cabinet of FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.  
         [0016]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, a bracket or cable restraint  10  for fiber optic cable management is shown. As used herein, the term “fiber optic cable” can mean a single fiber optic fiber or multiple fiber optic fibers bundled together. The cable restraint  10  has a base piece  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, base piece  12  can have a height of 3.470 inches. Base piece  12  has a curved surface  14 , a flat side surface  16 , and a flat back surface  18 . Curved surface  14  can be located on a cable receiving side  20  of cable restraint  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, curved surface  14  can have a radius of curvature of 0.5 inches. The flat side surface  16  is provided for engaging a side wall  22  of an optical cabinet  24  (FIGS. 5 and 6), and can be recessed relative to other portions of the cable restraint  10 . The flat side surface  16  can optionally include an alignment edge  17  running the length of the base piece  12  and adapted to abut an edge of the optical cabinet  24 . The alignment edge  17  serves to position and retain the cable restraint  10  in alignment with the edge of the cabinet  24 , for example, in perpendicular relation as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0017]    Cable restraint  10  also has a first portion or top piece  26 . In an exemplary embodiment, top piece  26  can have a length of 3.24 inches. Top piece  26  also has a curved surface  28 , a flat upper surface  30 , and a flat front surface  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the curved surface  28  can have a radius of curvature of 0.5 inches. Open end  36  may include the front surface  32 . Top piece  26  has a closed end  34  and an open end  36 . Closed end  34  communicates with base piece  12 . Top piece  26  may be integral with base piece  12  or attached thereto. Although “top”, “bottom”, “front” and “back” are used to refer to various elements within the specification and claims, it should be understood that the cable restraint  10  of the invention may be utilized in any orientation.  
         [0018]    Cable restraint  10  additionally has a second portion or bottom piece  38 . In a exemplary embodiment, bottom piece  38  can have a length of 3.24 inches. Bottom piece  38  has a curved surface  40 , a flat side surface  42 , and flat front surface  44 . In an exemplary embodiment, curved surface  40  can have a radius of curvature of 0.50 inches. Bottom piece  38  has a closed end  46  and an open end  48 . Closed end  46  of bottom piece  38  communicates with base piece  12 . Open end  48  can include front surface  44 . Bottom piece  26  may be integral with base piece  12  or attached thereto.  
         [0019]    The curved surface  14  of base piece  12 , the curved surface  28  of top piece  26  and the curved surface  40  of bottom piece  38  define an approximately rectangular C-shaped interior space  50 . Although interior space  50  is shown and described as being approximately rectangular in shape, it should be understood that other shapes may be used, including circular, oval, octagonal, triangular or other shapes. Interior space  50  is further defined by corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  which are formed at the intersections of surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40 . Corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  25   58  each have a curved surface having a radius of curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40  of adjoining pieces such that a smooth (i.e. without sharp corners) perimeter  60  of the interior space  50  is defined. Further, while exemplary dimensions for the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40  have been provided above, the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40  (and corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58 ) can be chosen as a function of the minimum bend radius that a fiber optic cable can achieve without damage. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment the radius of curvature of curved surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40  and corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  can be greater than the minimum bend radius, such that as a fiber optic cable curves around the curved surfaces  14 ,  28 , and  40  and corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58 , the cable restraint  10  will not induce a point curvature in the cable that would be smaller than the minimum bend radius and potentially damage the fiber optic cable.  
         [0020]    Referring now primarily to FIG. 3, open end  36  of top piece  26  has an interior facing surface or downwardly facing surface  62 . Downwardly facing surface  62  has an inside edge  64  and an outside edge  66 . In an exemplary embodiment, the downwardly facing surface  62  can have a first hole  68  positioned proximate the inside edge  64  of downwardly facing surface  62 . Additionally, first hole  68  is positioned proximate curved surface  28  of top piece  26 , such that first hole  68  is located proximate a corner of the downwardly facing surface  62  rather than being centered on downwardly facing surface  62 .  
         [0021]    Still referring to FIG. 3, open end  48  of bottom piece  38  has an interior facing surface or upwardly facing surface  70 , having an inside edge  72  and an outside edge  74 . The upwardly facing surface  70  is positioned substantially directly below the downwardly facing surface  62 . Additionally, the upwardly facing surface  70  faces the downwardly facing surface  62 . Upwardly facing surface  70  has a second hole  76  positioned proximate the outside edge  74  and proximate the flat side surface  44  of the bottom piece  38 . Therefore, second hole  76  is located proximate a corner of the upwardly facing surface  70 . Additionally, first hole  68  and second hole  76  are axially offset from one another, rather than being in vertical alignment with one another.  
         [0022]    Still referring to FIG. 3, downwardly facing surface  62  of the top piece  26  and the upwardly facing surface  70  of the bottom piece  38  define an open area  78  that communicates with interior space  50 . In an exemplary embodiment, open area  78  has a height of 1.57 inches. Top piece  26  and bottom piece  38  may each be shaped to extend inward toward one another near their respective open ends  36  and  48  such that a distance between downward facing surface  62  and upward facing surface  70  (i.e. the height dimension of the open area  78 ) is less than a distance between the curved surface  28  and the curved surface  40  (i.e. the height dimension of the interior space  50 ).  
         [0023]    A first pin  80  is located within first hole  68 . Alternately, first pin  80  is integral to the top piece  26  (such that no first hole  68  is needed). First pin  80  has a bottom surface  82 . First pin  80  extends downwardly from downwardly facing surface  62 . In an exemplary embodiment, first pin  80  extends a distance of 0.9 inches downwardly from downwardly facing surface  62 . The first pin  80  can be cylindrical as show in the Figures, or may be of another shape, for example, having a rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal or curved cross-section. A cross-sectional dimension of the first pin  80  can be less than the thickness (i.e. the width of upper flat surface  30 ) of the top portion  26 .  
         [0024]    A second pin  84  is located in second hole  76 . Alternately, the second pin  84  is integral to the bottom piece  38  (such that no second hole  76  is needed). The second pin  84  has a top surface  86 . Second pin  84  extends upwardly from upwardly facing surface  70 . In an exemplary embodiment, second pin  84  extends upwardly a distance of 0.9 inches. The second pin  84  can also be cylindrical as show in the Figures, or may be of another shape, for example, having a rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal or curved cross-section. A cross-sectional dimension of the second pin  80  can be less than the thickness (i.e. the width of lower flat surface  42 ) of the bottom portion  38 . The first pin  80  and the second pin  84  can be supported in rigid relation, so that the pins cannot easily be moved relative to one another or relative to top piece  26  and bottom piece  38 . Alternately, the first pin  80  and the second pin  84  can be supported such that the top and bottom pieces  26  and  38  are flexible, or the mounting of pins  80  and  84  are flexible, and allow relative movement of the pins  80  and  84 .  
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface  82  of the first pin  80  is lower than the top surface  86  of the second pin  84 . In other words, the bottom surface  82  of the first pin  80  is closer to the upward facing surface  40  than the top surface  86  of the second pin  84 , and the top surface  86  of second pin  84  is closer to the downward facing surface  62  of the top piece  26 . Consequently, the open area  78  is partially obstructed by the offset pins  80  and  84 . The axis of pins  80  and  84  is substantially parallel. In an exemplary embodiment, a closest distance D (FIG. 3) between the first pin  80  and the second pin  84  measured perpendicular to the pins is slightly larger than a diameter of the fiber optic cable for which the cable restraint  10  is constructed to receive.  
         [0026]    Cable restraint  10  can be provided with a first mounting hole  88  and a second mounting hole  90  defined laterally through base piece  12 . One use of cable restraint  10  is with a cabinet  24  of an optical communications device (FIGS. 5 and 6). A typical optical cabinet  24  has a back wall  94 , a first side wall  96  and a second side wall  98 . Cabinet  24  is capable of housing an optical communications device that has one or more cable jacks disposed on a surface of the cabinet  24  for receiving one or more optical cables. Mounting holes  88  and  90  in the cable restraint  10  are used to secure the cable restraint  10  to side walls  96  and  98  of optical cabinet  24 . Mounting holes  88  and  90  can thus be spaced to correspond to existing holes on the optical cabinet  24 , or can be spaced as otherwise is convenient. One or more mounting holes  88  and  90  can be provided with female threads for threading engagement of a screw, bolt, or other fastener (not specifically shown), or the mounting holes  88  and  90  can be smooth for easy passage of a fastener therethough. Further, mounting holes  88  and  90  can be countersunk to receive the head of a fastener flush with or below the surface of the cable restraint  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting holes  88  and  90  are provided in the base piece  12  opposite the open area  78 ; however the mounting holes  88  and  90  may be provided in other areas of the cable restraint  10  dependent on the particular application. More or fewer mounting holes can also be provided.  
         [0027]    In practice, the cable restraint  10  is used to contain one or multiple of fiber optic cables  92  that connect with the cabinet  24  or pass in proximity to the cabinet  24 . One or more cable restraints  10  can be mounted to the cabinet  24  with their respective curved surfaces  14 ,  28 ,  40  facing outwardly away from other cable restraints  10 . The first pin  80  extends from first hole  68  downwardly to partially obstruct open area  78  between the top piece  26  and bottom piece  38 . Similarly, the second pin  84  extends upwardly from second hole  76  to partially obstruct open area  78 . Therefore, to secure fiber optic cables within the interior space  50  of the cable restraint  10 , the cables must be manipulated such that a length of the cable passes above the top surface  86  of second pin  84  and manipulated to pass beneath bottom surface  82  of the first pin  80 . By requiring that a length of cable be moved in a path around bottom surface  82  and top surface  86  of pins  80  and  84 , respectively, to enter or exit the interior space  50 , the likelihood that a fiber optic cable will inadvertently escape from interior space  50  of cable restraint  10  is reduced. Nevertheless, the simple downward and upward movement required to locate the cable within the interior space  50  of the cable restraint  10  is easily accomplished and is not unduly burdensome to a user. Additionally, the distance between the pins  80  and  84  further reduces the likelihood that a fiber optic cable will escape from interior space  50  of the cable restraint  10 . Additionally, the curved surfaces  14 ,  28 ,  40 , and curved corners  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  minimize the likelihood that the fiber optic cables will be damaged from excessive bending.  
         [0028]    It is therefore believed that the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. It should be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made from to the devices described and shown herein without depicting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For example, the cable restraint of the invention can be used with other types of cables than fiber optic cables. Additionally, the cable restraint of the invention can be mounted to other stationary objects than the optical device cabinet described herein.