Patent Publication Number: US-2015063773-A1

Title: Optical fiber cable management apparatuses with storage hub components

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application 61/871,941 filed on Aug. 30, 2013, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference it its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates generally to cable management systems, and more particularly, to optical fiber cable management apparatuses with storage hub components. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Optical fiber management systems are commonly used to store slack optical fiber within a cable storage housing. Various cable managing arrangements, such as hanging pegs have been used on which to hang the slack optical fiber. These cable managing arrangements may include hard cable retaining structures that extend in various directions. As the cable housings become more dense with an increasing number of cable managing arrangements to hold more optical fiber, the hard cable retaining structures become increasingly difficult to work around. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a storage hub component for hanging optical fiber cable that includes a mounting base configured to be mounted within a cable storage housing. A hanging projection extends outwardly from the mounting base. The hanging projection is sized to receive loops of optical fiber cable thereon. A cable retaining feature includes a flexible retaining tab extending outwardly from a peripheral surface of the hanging projection. The flexible retaining tab is configured to bend upon contact with the optical fiber cable. 
     In another embodiment, an optical fiber cable management apparatus includes a cable storage housing. A plurality of storage hub components is mounted within the cable storage housing. Each storage hub component includes a mounting base configured to be mounted within the cable storage housing. A hanging projection extends outwardly from the mounting base. The hanging projection is sized to receive loops of optical fiber cable thereon. A cable retaining feature includes a flexible retaining tab extending outwardly from a peripheral surface of the hanging projection. The flexible retaining tab is configured to bend upon contact with the optical fiber cable. 
     In another embodiment, a method of managing optical fiber cable using a cable management apparatus including a cable storage housing and multiple storage hub components mounted within the cable storage housing is provided. The method includes providing a storage hub having a hanging projection with a flexible retaining tab extending outwardly from a peripheral surface of the hanging projection. The flexible retaining tab is bent from an initial, upright position toward the hanging projection providing increased spacing to place the optical fiber cable about the hanging projection. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage hub component according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the storage hub component of  FIG. 1  illustrating storage hub component portions; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view of one of the storage hub component portions of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective, assembled view of the storage hub component portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5-8  illustrate operation of the storage hub component of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an optical fiber cable management apparatus that includes a cable storage housing and multiple ones of the storage hub components of  FIG. 1  mounted therein according to one or more embodiments described herein; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate operation of the optical fiber cable management apparatus of  FIG. 9  according to one or more embodiments described herein; 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate another storage hub component according to one or more embodiments described herein; 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate another storage hub component according to one or more embodiments described herein; and 
         FIGS. 14A-14C  illustrate another storage hub component according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein generally relate to optical fiber cable management apparatuses with storage hub components that can be used in storing optical fiber cables. The storage hub components may be arranged within a cable storage housing in a side-by-side fashion and include flexible cable retaining features that are used in retaining the optical fiber cables. As will be described below, the flexible cable retaining features can bend to facilitate handling of the optical fiber cables within the cable storage housing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a storage hub component  10  can be used in storing optical fiber cable and includes a mounting base  12  and a hanging projection  14  extending outwardly therefrom to a distal end  16  in a cantilevered arrangement. The mounting base  12  has a long axis L 1  that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to a long axis L 2  of the hanging projection  14  and includes a substantially flat side  18  (to facilitate mounting flush to a flat surface) and a somewhat rounded side  20 , opposite the flat side  18  from which the hanging projection  14  extends. In some embodiments, side  20  may also be flat. Hanging features  22  and  24  (e.g., notches or openings) are provided at respective ends  26  and  28  of the mounting base  12 . The hanging features  22  and  24  are sized and arranged to engage mating hanging features, such as fasteners to mount the storage hub component  10  within a cable storage housing. 
     The hanging projection  14  extends outwardly from the rounded side  20  in a perpendicular fashion. While the hanging projection  14  is illustrated as extending outwardly from the mounting base  12  perpendicularly, or in other words, generally at 90 degrees with respect to the long axis L 1 , the hanging projection  14  may extend outwardly from the mounting base  12  at a different angle less than or greater than 90 degrees. The hanging projection  14  is circular in cross-section and has a diameter that is suitable for maintaining a minimum bend radius for any optical fiber cable position thereabout. Cross-sectional shapes other than circular may be used, such as, rectangular and various polygonal shapes. 
     A cable retaining feature  30  is located at the distal end  16  of the hanging projection  14 . As shown, the cable retaining feature  30  may be at least partially spaced proximally from the distal end  16 . In some embodiments, the cable retaining feature  30  is located within  10  percent of the length of the hanging projection  14  from the distal end  16 . The cable retaining feature  30  includes primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  and secondary retaining tabs  36  and  38 . All of the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  extend outwardly from a peripheral surface  40  of the hanging projection  14 . The primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  extend outwardly, away from each other at opposite sides of the hanging projection  14 . As illustrated, the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  extend parallel to the long axis L 1  of the mounting base  12 . The secondary retaining tabs  36  and  38  extend outwardly, away from each other at opposite sides of the hanging projection  14  (e.g., spaced about  90  degrees from the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34 ). The secondary retaining tabs  36  and  38  are illustrated as extending perpendicular to the long axis L 1  and the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34 , however, other angles are possible. Additionally, while four retaining tabs are illustrated, there may be more or less than four retaining tabs. The secondary retaining tabs  36  and  38 , in some embodiments, have one or more width or height dimensions that are less than the width or height dimensions of the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34 . As will be described in greater detail below, the cable retaining feature  30  including the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  is used to retain optical fiber cable on the hanging projection  14 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 2 , storage hub component  10  may be formed of storage hub component portions  41  and  42 . The storage hub component portions  41  and  42  may each form about half of the storage hub component  10  and may be connectable along a part line  44  ( FIG. 1 ) that extends along with the long axis L 2  of the hanging projection  14 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 2 , the storage hub component portion  41  includes a mounting base portion  46  that is formed integrally (e.g., integrally molded) with a hanging projection portion  48 . The mounting base portion  46  includes the hanging feature  22  and the hanging projection portion  48  includes the retaining tabs  32  and  36  extending outwardly therefrom as described above. Similarly, the storage hub component portion  42  includes a mounting base portion  50  that is formed integrally (e.g., integrally molded) with a hanging projection portion  52 . The mounting base portion  50  includes the hanging feature  24  and the hanging projection portion  52  includes the retaining tabs  34  and  38  extending outwardly therefrom as described above. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2  and also to  FIG. 3 , the cable retaining feature  30  may include cable retaining members  60  and  62 . The cable retaining member  60  includes the retaining tabs  32  and  36  and the cable retaining member  62  includes the other retaining tabs  34  and  38 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , only cable retaining member  60  is shown for simplicity. Both cable retaining members  60  and  62  may include the same or similar features. The cable retaining members  60  and  62  may include a body  64  that connects the primary retaining tabs  32 ,  34  to their respective secondary retaining tabs  36  and  38 . The body  64  includes a first portion  66  that is connected to the primary retaining tab  32 ,  34  with a lip  68  that engages a closed edge portion  70 ,  72  located between tab receiving slots  74  and  76  and  78  and  80 . The body  64  includes a second portion  82  that extends outwardly from the first portion  66  at about a  90  degree angle that is connected to the secondary retaining tab  36  and  38 . The second portion  82  may engage an edge  84  ( FIG. 4 ) of the tab receiving slots  83  and  85  to retain the cable retaining members  60  and  62  in the positions illustrated by  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the cable retaining members  60  and  62  including their bodies  64  and retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  may be formed as a single piece and of the same material, for example using a molding process. In some embodiments, the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  may be formed of a different material than the material forming the bodies  64 . For example, the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  may be formed of a rubber, plastic, foamed material, etc. that is more flexible than the material (e.g., a harder plastic, metal, etc.) forming the bodies  64 . In some embodiments, the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  may be overmolded onto the bodies  64  or otherwise formed separately and then attached to the bodies  64 . 
     As can be seen by  FIG. 3 , the cable retaining members  60  and  62  may have stepped out portions  90  and  92  where the retaining tabs  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  meet the bodies  64 . Referring to the cable retaining member  60 , for example, the stepped out portion  90  provides a thickness T 1  of the primary retaining tab  32  that is greater than a thickness T b  of the body  64  adjacent the primary retaining tab  32 . In some embodiments, the thickness of the primary retaining tab  32  may decrease or may otherwise change along a dimension H 1  of the primary retaining tab  32 . For example, the thickness of the primary retaining tab  32  may decrease from the stepped out portion  90  to a tip  96  of the primary retaining tab  32 . Likewise, the stepped out portion  92  provides a thickness T 2  of the secondary retaining tab  36  that is greater than a thickness T b  of the body  64  adjacent the secondary retaining tab  36 . In some embodiments, the thickness of the secondary retaining tab  36  may decrease or may otherwise change along a dimension H 2  of the secondary retaining tab  36 . For example, the thickness of the secondary retaining tab  36  may decrease from the stepped out portion  92  to a tip  98  of the secondary retaining tab  36 . In other embodiments, the thicknesses of one or both the primary retaining tab  32  and the secondary retaining tab  36  may not change and may be substantially the same along the heights H of the retaining tabs  32  and  36 . 
     The thicknesses T 1  of the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  may be narrower at the tips  96  for facilitate their passage through the receiving slots  74  and  78  ( FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, for example, the thicknesses T 1  of the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  at their tips  96  may be less than a width of the receiving slots  74  and  78 . This can facilitate passage of at least the tip portions of the primary retaining tabs  32  and  34 , which can then allow the user to grasp the tips  96  and pull the remaining primary retaining tabs  32  and  34  through the receiving slots  74  and  78 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the primary retaining tab  32  is illustrated as being pulled through the receiving slot  74  such that the stepped out portion  90  engages the peripheral surface  40  around the receiving slot  74  due to the increased thickness T 1  of the primary retaining tab  32  that is greater than the width of the receiving slot  74 . Such an arrangement can inhibit unintended removal of the retaining member  60  back through the retaining slot  74  during assembly or use. Additionally, while the primary retaining tab  32  is pulled through the receiving slot  74 , the second portion  82  of the body  64  may be received within receiving slot  83 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the primary retaining tab  34  of the retaining member  62  may be connected to the hanging projection portion  52  in a fashion similar to that described above by pulling the primary retaining tab  34  through the tab receiving slot  78 . The stepped out portion  90  can engage the peripheral surface  40  around the receiving slot  78  due to the increased thickness T 1  of the primary retaining tab  34  that is greater than the width of the receiving slot  78 . While the primary retaining tab  34  is pulled through the receiving slot  78 , the second portion  82  of the body  64  may be received within receiving slot  85 . As can be seen by  FIG. 2 , the second portions  82  of the bodies  64  may only be partially received within the receiving slots  83  and  85 . The other of the hanging projection portion  48  or  52  may include receiving slots  76  and  80  that receive the second portions  82  that extend outwardly beyond their respective receiving slots  76  and  80  when the storage hub component portions  41  and  42  are assembled together ( FIG. 1 ). 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate operation of the storage hub component  10  and cable retaining feature  30 , once the storage hub component portions  41  and  42  are assembled. In  FIG. 5 , a bent optical fiber cable  110  is illustrated being moved onto the hanging projection  14  of the storage hub component  10 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the storage hub component  10  may be one of an array or multiple storage hub components that are located side-by-side within a cable storage housing and space may be limited. As the optical fiber cable  110  is moved by the cable retaining feature  30  in the direction of arrow  112 , the optical fiber cable  110  may engage or otherwise come into contact with any one of the primary tabs  32 ,  34  or secondary tabs  36 ,  38 . In the illustrated example, the optical fiber cable contacts the primary tab  32 , causing the primary tab  32  to deflect from its initial position to a deflected position in the direction of arrow  114  toward the mounting base  12  and hanging projection  14 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , the bent optical fiber cable  110  is illustrated being moved from the hanging projection  14  of the storage hub component  10 . As the optical fiber cable  110  is moved by the cable retaining feature  30  in the direction of arrow  120 , the optical fiber cable  110  may engage or otherwise come into contact with any one of the primary tabs  32 ,  34  or secondary tabs  36 ,  38 . In the illustrated example, the optical fiber cable contacts the primary tab  32 , causing the primary tab  32  to deflect from its initial position to a deflected position in the direction of arrow  122  away from the mounting base  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the primary tab  32  may be capable of relatively small bend radiuses with a resiliency to return to about the same initial position once the force from the optical fiber cable  110  is removed and also to retain significant amounts of optical fiber cable on the hanging projection  14 . In some embodiments, due to the bending of the primary tab  32 , the primary tab  32  may have an initial height H i  (with height measured perpendicular to the axis A 2 ) and a deflected height H d  that is at least about 10 percent less, such as at least about 20 percent less, such as at least about 25 percent less, such as at least about 35 percent less, such as at least about 50 percent less than the initial vertical height H i . In some embodiments, due to any change in thickness of the primary tab  32  along its height, the flexibility of the primary tab  32  may change along its height, such as increase from the tip  96  to the stepped out portion  90 . While only primary tab  32  is shown bent in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the primary tab  34  (and secondary tabs  36  and  38 ) may bend in the same or similar manners. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the storage hub component  10  being used to store optical fiber cable  110  in multiple loops hung around the hanging projection  14 , while a minimum bend radius is being maintained by the hanging projection  14 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a hand  126  manually removing at least some of the optical fiber cable  110  from the hanging projection  14 . As the optical fiber cable  110  is moved past the primary tab  32 , the primary retaining tab  32  (and any of the other retaining tabs  34 ,  36  and  38 ) resiliently bends, as described above to facilitate removal and to make removal more comfortable for the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an optical fiber cable management apparatus  150  includes a cable storage housing  152  and multiple ones of the storage hub components  10  mounted therein using their mounting bases  12 . As can be seen, the storage hub components  10  are mounted in columns  154  and  156 , with storage hub components  10  in column  154  and column  156  being mounted one over the other in a side-by-side vertical arrangement. Referring briefly to  FIG. 10 , adjacent storage hub components  10   a  and  10   b  are illustrated in a side-by-side arrangement with their primary retaining tabs  32   a,    34   a,    32   b  and  34   b  in their initial, undeflected positions. In these initial positions, a distance D i , measured between tip  90  of primary retaining tab  34   a  and tip  90  of primary retaining tab  32   b  is provided. As shown by  FIG. 11 , deflection of one or both of the primary retaining tabs  34   a  and  32   b  increases the distance to a distance D d  that is at least about 25 percent or more, such as 50 percent or more, such as 100 percent or more than the distance D i . While the primary retaining tabs  32   b  and  34   a  are illustrated aligned and pointing toward one another, the secondary retaining tabs  36   b  and  38   a  may be aligned and point toward one another with the primary retaining tabs  32   b  and  34   a  offset 90 degrees, for example. 
       FIGS. 12A-14C  illustrate other storage hub component embodiments. Referring first to  FIGS. 12A-12C , an array  160  of storage hub components  162  are illustrated mounted to a mounting base  164  (e.g., a flat plate), which can be mounted within a cable storage housing (see  FIG. 10 ). In this embodiment, multiple ones of the storage hub components  162  are mounted to a common mounting base  164 . In other embodiments, one or more of the storage hub components  162  may be mounted to separate mounting bases. 
     Each storage hub component  162  includes a stem portion  166  and an enlarged head portion  168  extending radially from the stem portion  166  such that the head portion  168  overhangs the mounting base  164  at locations adjacent the stem portion  166 . The head portion  168  includes stepped regions  170  and  172 , each extending radially outwardly from the stem portion  166  at varying dimensions. For example, stepped region  170  may extend outwardly from the stem portion  166  to a first width and stepped region  172  may extend outwardly from the stem portion  166  to a second width that is greater than the first width. Such an increasing width arrangement can facilitate retention of the optical fiber cable, which tends to migrate to an end  176  of the storage hub component  162 .  FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate a different embodiment including storage hub components  180  that include stem portions  182  and enlarged head portions  184  having increasing widths. In this embodiment, the head portions  184  have a smooth transition of increasing width forming somewhat frustoconical enlarged head portions  184 . 
     While the stem portions may extend outwardly substantially perpendicular from the mounting base, other arrangements are possible. For example, in  FIGS. 14A-14C , stem portions  192  of storage hub components  190  extend outwardly from mounting base  194  at an angle a of less than  90  degrees. The storage hub components  190  also may include enlarged head portions  196 . The enlarged head portions  196  and the vertically upward slant of the stem portions  192  can facilitate retention of the optical fiber cable located thereon. In some embodiments, any of the enlarged head portions of  FIGS. 12A-14C  may include one or more regions having increased flexibility, as described above. 
     The above-described storage hub components can retain loops of optical fiber cable while facilitating installation and removal thereof by an operator. As storage systems become more and more dense with the storage hub components to retain greater number and lengths of optical fiber cable, flexible retaining tabs are provided to improve access to the stored optical fiber cable and help soften contact between hands and the storage hub components. 
     As used herein, the terms “optical fiber cables” or “optical fibers” include all types of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more optical fibers that may be upcoated, colored, buffered, ribbonized or have other organizing or protective structure in a cable such as one or more tubes, strength members, jackets and the like. Likewise, other types of suitable optical fibers include bend insensitive optical fibers, or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting light signals. An example of a bend insensitive optical fiber is ClearCurve® Multimode fiber, commercially available from Corning Incorporated. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the description and claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.