Patent Publication Number: US-2023152547-A1

Title: Fiber optic cassette with cable manager and system

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/263,314 filed on Oct. 29, 2021 which is incorporated herein in its entirely by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fiber optic cassette with cable manager and system. In particular, the present invention relates to a reversible fiber optic cassette with over-molded cable manager. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     The prior art discloses modular cassettes. One drawback of such cassettes is that the optic fibers are placed freely within the cassette body and susceptible to damage and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present addresses the above and other drawbacks by providing a fiber optic cassette arrangeable on a tray comprising a plurality of cassette engaging features. The cassette comprises a cassette body comprising a plurality of optic fiber receptacles arranged along a front end, a multifiber receptacle along a back end and a pair of opposed side edges connecting the front end and the back end, a plurality of optic fibers, each of the optic fibers terminated at a first end by a respective one of the receptacles and all of the plurality of optic fibers terminated at a second end by the multifiber receptacle, and a reversible securing member. The front, back and the opposed side edges together define a cable assembly receiving region. The second ends are encased in a cable jacket. A casing is lower pressure molded over a free end of the cable jacket and a middle portion of each of the plurality of optic fibers. The first ends stand free of and are equally spaced along a first casing end and the second ends stand free of a second casing end opposite the first casing end. A pair of parallel slot-like apertures are molded in the casing towards a center thereof. A main part of the reversible securing member is configured to fit sideways across the cassette body towards a center thereof, the main part comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A plurality of pairs of opposed flexible fingers extend away from the first surface and are configured for releasable engagement in respective slots in the side edges of the cassette body, one of each of the pairs of fingers positioned along each outer side edge of the main part. A pair of opposed casing engaging fingers are positioned towards a center of the main part extending at right angles away from the first surface and are configured for insertion into a corresponding one of the pair of parallel slot-like apertures molded in the casing. A tray engaging feature extending from the second surface is positioned off center of the main part and configured for engaging with one of the cassette engaging features. An actuator extends from a flexible end of the tray engaging feature through one of a pair of like apertures in the casing, one of the like apertures on either side of the pair of parallel slot-like apertures, the actuator for selectively disengaging the tray engaging feature from an engaged one of the cassette engaging features. The reversible securing element is secureable on either side of the cassette body by inserting the flexible fingers in respective ones of the outward facing slots while the casing engaging fingers are inserted into respective ones of the slot-like apertures and such that a free end of each of the fingers engages an outer surface of the casing holding the casing against the first surface and the actuator through an aligned one of the pair of like apertures. When the reversible securing member is mounted on a first side of the cassette body, the actuator is actuatable from a second side of the cassette body. 
     There is also provided a fiber optic cassette arrangeable on a tray comprising a plurality of cassette engaging features. The cassette comprises a cassette body comprising a plurality of optic fiber receptacles arranged along a front thereof and a multifiber receptacle along a back thereof opposite the front and a pair of opposed side edges connecting the front and the back, and a plurality of optic fibers, each of the optic fibers terminated at a first end by one of the receptacles and all of the plurality of optic fibers terminated at a second end the multifiber receptacle. The front, back and the opposed side edges together define a cable assembly receiving region. A tray engaging feature configured for engaging with one of the cassette engaging features extends away from the cable assembly receiving region. A casing is molded over a middle portion of each of the plurality of optic fibers. The first ends stand free of and are equally spaced along a first end of the casing and the second ends stand free of a second end of the casing opposite the first casing end. A casing engagement extends into the cable assembly receiving region for retaining the casing within the cable assembly receiving region. 
     Also, there is provided a fiber optic cassette comprising a cassette body comprising a plurality of optic fiber receptacles arranged along a front thereof and a multifiber receptacle along a back thereof opposite the front, the front and back defining a cable assembly receiving region there between, and a plurality of optic fibers. Each of the optic fibers terminated at a first end by one of the receptacles and all of the plurality of optic fibers terminated at a second end the multifiber receptacle. A middle portion of each of said plurality of optic fibers is within a casing and received within the cable assembly receiving region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    provides raised right perspective view of a reversible fiber optic cassette with cable manager and tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 A  provides a raised right front exploded perspective view of a reversible fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 B  provides a lowered left rear exploded perspective view of a reversible fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2 C  provides a raised right front partially exploded perspective view of a reversible fiber optic cassette with cable manager detailing installation of a reversible securing element and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 A  comprises a raised right front exploded perspective view of a fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 B  comprises a raised right front perspective view of a fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 C  comprises a lowered left rear perspective view of a fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  3 D  comprises a raised left rear perspective view of a fiber optic cassette with cable manager in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a fiber optic cassette with cable manager, generally referred to using the reference numeral  10 , will now be described. The cassette and system  10  comprises one or more cassettes  12  which are releasably mounted to a tray  14  comprising a plurality of cassette engaging features  16 . The tray  14  is typically slideably mounted with other trays in a case which is dimensioned for securing in a  19 ″ inch rack or the like (both not shown). The cassette engaging features  16  are illustratively molded as a strip  18  from a rigid material such as plastic and mounted on a forward edge  20  of the tray  14 . The strip  18  is assembled to the forward edge  20  of the tray  14  by inserting the forward edge  20  in the rearward edge  22  of the strip  18  until the strip  18  is engaged by the tabs or the like (not shown) thereby securing the strip  18  to the tray  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , each cassette  12  comprises a cassette body  24  comprising a plurality of optic fiber receptacles  26  arranged along a front  28  of the cassette body  24  and a multifiber receptacle  30  arranged along a back  32  of the cassette body  24  opposite the front end. In an embodiment the optic fiber receptacles  26  are configured for receiving a standard LC type plug for example terminating a single fiber optic cable or the like (both not shown). Additionally, in an embodiment the spacing between the optic fiber receptacles  26  is such that any two optic fiber receptacles  26  can receive two plugs (also not shown) in a duplex configuration. In an embodiment the multifiber receptacle  30  is a back-to-back receptacle configured for receiving on an outside a standard MPO type plug  34  terminating a  12 X multi-fiber cable  36  or the like. 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the cassette body  24  further comprises a pair of opposed outer side edges  38 ,  40  interconnecting the front  28  and the back  32  of the cassette body  24 . Referring to  FIG.  2 C , each of the side edges  38 ,  40  comprises a pair of outward facing slots  42  therein. Together, the front  28 , back  32  and side edges  38 ,  40  define a cable assembly receiving region  44  there between. 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the cassette  12  further comprises an over-molded cable assembly  46  which is dimensioned to fit within the cable assembly receiving region  44 . The cable assembly  46  comprises a plurality of optic fibers  48  each terminated at a first end  50  by a plug  52 . In an embodiment the plug  52  is an LC type plug and dimensioned to fit into a standard LC type receptacle. The optic fibers  48  are each additionally terminated at a second end  54  by a multifiber plug  56  such as a standard MPO type plug which is dimensioned to fit into a standard MPO type receptacle. The second ends  54  are illustratively encased in a cable jacket  58 . A casing  60  is molded over an open end of the cable jacket  58  and middle portions (not shown) of each of the optic fibers  48 . In this regard, the middle portions of the optic fibers  48  are placed in a mold (not shown) comprising the desired outer shape of the casing  60  and the mold filled with a suitable plastic, for example using Low Pressure Molding (LPM) techniques or an epoxy, plastine, mastic or the like. The over-molding is such that the first ends  50  and their respective plugs  52  stand free of and are equally spaced along a first end  64  of the molded casing  60  and the second ends  54  stand free of a second end  66  of the casing  60  opposite the first housing end  64 . Additionally, a pair of parallel slot-like apertures  68 ,  70  are molded in the casing  60  towards a center thereof and a pair of like oval apertures  72 ,  74  are molded in the casing  60 , one of the like apertures  72 ,  74  on either side of the pair of parallel slot-like apertures  68 ,  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 C  in addition to  FIGS.  2 A  an  2 B, in an embodiment a removable and reversible securing element  76  is also provided which comprises a main part dimensioned to fit sideways across the cassette body  24 . The securing element  76  comprises pairs of opposed flexible fingers  78  positioned along respective outer edges  80 ,  82  of the securing element  76  and extending away from a first surface  84  thereof. Additionally, there are provided a pair of stabilizing tabs  86  extending away from a second surface  88  of the securing element  76 . The reversible securing element  76  further comprises a tray engaging feature  90  comprising a fixed end  92  and a flexible end  94  extending from the second surface  88  of the reversible securing element  76 . An actuator  96  is further provided which extends from the flexible end  94  through an aperture  98  in the reversible securing element  76 . Additionally, a pair of opposed housing engaging fingers  100 ,  102  are provided positioned towards a center of the reversible securing element  76  and extending at right angles away from the first surface  86 . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1    in addition to  FIG.  2 C , in one embodiment the cassette  12  is assembled by attaching the securing element  76  to a selected side of the cassette body (as will be discussed in more detail below). The cable assembly  46  is then attached to the securing element  76  by inserting the housing engaging fingers  100 ,  102  into respective ones of the pair of parallel slot-like apertures  68 ,  70  in the casing  60 . Hook features  104  on the outer ends of each of the housing engaging fingers  100 ,  102  engage an outer surface of the housing, thereby securing the casing  60  against the first surface  84  of the securing element  76 . Additionally, the actuator  96  is inserted through an aligned one of the oval like apertures  72 ,  74 . As a person of ordinary skill in the art will now understand, once assembled the actuatable surface of the actuator  96  is accessible from the accessible side of the cassette  12  when the cassette  12  is installed on the tray  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 B  in addition to  FIG.  2 C , as the casing  60  is assembled to the securing element  76 , the plugs  52  are inserted into respective ones of a plurality of receptacles  106  illustratively molded inside the front  28  of the cassette body  24 . Each of the receptacles  106  is in a back-to-back relationship with a respective one of the receptacles  26  arranged along the front  28  of the cassette body  24  and such that the optic fiber  48  terminated by one of the plugs  52  and inserted into a receptacle  106  is aligned for optical communication with an optic fiber terminated by a plug (both not shown) inserted into a respective one of the receptacles  26  arranged along the front  28  of the cassette body  24 . Additionally, the multifiber plug  56  is inserted into the multifiber receptacle  30  on an inside thereof. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  2 C , the reversible securing element  76  is mountable to a selected side of the cassette body  24  and such that the cassette  12  is in a configured orientation (both mounting options are shown in  FIG.  2 C , although a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that only one option is useable at a time) by aligning the flexible fingers  78  with respective ones of the outward facing slots  42  and inserting the flexible fingers  78  into the outward facing slots  42 . Hook features  108  on the outer ends of the flexible fingers  78  engage with the opposed outer side edges  38 ,  40  thereby removably securing the reversible securing element  76  to the cassette body  24 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1    in addition to  FIG.  2 C , on insertion of the cassette  12  onto the tray  14  in its configured orientation, the stabilising tabs  86  are engaged by respective ones of a plurality of slots  110  in the strip  18  while the actuator  96  is slid into a slot  112  in the selected cassette engaging feature  16  and a hook  114  on the flexible end  94  of the tray engaging feature  90  moves into an aperture  116  in the cassette engaging feature  16 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that the hook  114  is biased into the aperture  116  by the flexible end  94  and such that the cassette  12  is securely held to the tray  14 . Similarly, in order to release the cassette  12  from the tray  14 , the actuator  96  is depressed thereby forcing the hook  114  out of the aperture  116  in the cassette engaging feature  16  thereby allowing the cassette  12  to be retracted from the tray  14 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , in an embodiment the receptacles  26  are molded together as a block  118 , illustratively a block  118  of twelve (12) LC type receptacles. Similarly, an inside of the front  28  comprises a plurality of receptacles  106  molded or otherwise formed therein. In an embodiment, the receptacles  106  are configured for receiving a standard LC type plug (not shown) for example terminating a single fiber optic cable or the like. The block  118  of receptacles  26  is attached to the front  28  for example by sonic welding, a suitable adhesive or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , in an alternative embodiment, the cassette  12  is not reversible. Each cassette  12  comprises a cassette body  120  comprising a plurality of optic fiber receptacles  122  arranged along a front  124  of the cassette body  120  and a multifiber receptacle  126  arranged along a back  128 . In an embodiment the optic fiber receptacles  122  are configured for receiving a standard LC type plug for example terminating a single fiber optic cable or the like (both not shown). Additionally, in an embodiment the spacing between the optic fiber receptacles  122  is such that any two optic fiber receptacles  122  can receive two plugs (also not shown) in a duplex configuration. In an embodiment the multifiber receptacle  126  is a back-to-back receptacle configured for receiving on an outside a standard MPO type plug  130 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the cassette body  120  further comprises a pair of opposed side edges  132 ,  134  interconnecting the front  124 , back  128  and bottom of the cassette body  120 . Together, the front  124 , back  128 , side edges  132 ,  134  and bottom define a cable assembly receiving region  136 . In one embodiment, tabs  138  are provided within the cable assembly receiving region  136  on a first surface of the bottom for receiving loose fibre optic cables (not shown). 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the cassette  12  further comprises an over-molded cable assembly  140  which is dimensioned to fit within the cable assembly receiving region  136 . The over-molded cable assembly  140  comprises a plurality of optic fibers  142  each terminated at a first end  144  by a plug  146 . In an embodiment the plug  146  is an LC type plug and dimensioned to fit into a standard LC type receptacle. The optic fibers  142  are each additionally terminated at a second end  148  by a multifiber plug  150  such as a standard MPO type plug which is dimensioned to fit into a standard MPO type receptacle. The second ends  148  are illustratively encased in a cable jacket  152 . A housing  154  is molded over an open end of the cable jacket  152  and middle portions (not shown) of each of the optic fibers  142 , as discussed above, for example, using Low Pressure Molding (LPM) techniques. The over-molding is such that the first ends  144  and their respective plugs  146  stand free of and are equally spaced along a first end  156  of the molded housing  154  and the second ends  148  stand free of a second end  158  of the housing  154  opposite the first housing end  156 . Additionally, an oval actuator receiving aperture  158  is molded in the housing  154  as well as a plurality of tab receiving apertures  160  and tab receiving cut-outs  162 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 C  in addition to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , in the alternative embodiment a pair of stabilizing tabs  164  are provided extending away from a second surface  166  of the bottom of the a cassette body  120 . A tray engaging feature  168  comprising a fixed end  170  and a flexible end  172  extending from the second surface  166  of the bottom of the a cassette body  120  is also provided. An actuator  174  is further provided which extends from the flexible end  172  through an aperture  176  in the bottom of the a cassette body  120 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  3 C , in the alternative embodiment the cassette  12  is assembled by placing the over-molded cable assembly  140  in the cable assembly receiving region  136  while the actuator  174  is aligned with and inserted into the oval apertures  158  in the housing  154 . As a person of ordinary skill in the art will now understand, once assembled the actuatable surface of the actuator  174  is accessible from the accessible side of the cassette  12  when the cassette  12  is installed on the tray. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 D  in addition to  FIG.  3 C , as the housing  154  is assembled to into the cable assembly receiving region  136 , the plugs  146  are inserted into respective ones of a plurality of receptacles  178  illustratively molded inside the front  124  of the cassette body  120 . Each of the receptacles  178  is in a back-to-back relationship with a respective one of the receptacles  122  arranged along the front  124  of the cassette body  120  and such that the optic fiber  142  terminated by one of the plugs  146  and inserted into a receptacle  178  is aligned for optical communication with an optic fiber terminated by a plug (both not shown) inserted into a respective one of the receptacles  122  arranged along the front  124  of the cassette body  120 . Additionally, the multifiber plug  150  is inserted into the multifiber receptacle  126  on an inside thereof. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1    in addition to  FIG.  3 C , on insertion of the cassette  12  onto the tray  14  in its configured orientation, the stabilising tabs  164  are engaged by respective ones of a plurality of slots  110  in the strip  18  while the actuator  174  is slid into a slot  112  in the selected cassette engaging feature  16  and a hook  180  on the flexible end  170  of the tray engaging feature  168  moves into an aperture  116  in the cassette engaging feature  16 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that the hook  180  is biased into the aperture  116  by the flexible end  170  and such that the cassette  12  is securely held to the tray  14 . Similarly, in order to release the cassette  12  from the tray  14 , the actuator  174  is depressed thereby forcing the hook  180  out of the aperture  116  in the cassette engaging feature  16  thereby allowing the cassette  12  to be retracted from the tray  14 . 
     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.