Patent ID: 7769265

Claim:
An apparatus for managing a length of optical fiber between two fixed points, comprising: a spool having an outwardly directed winding track; a length of optical fiber wound on the spool, the fiber extending between two fixed points on the fiber which are spaced outwardly from the wound length of fiber and the spool winding track and not secured to the spool; the winding track having opposite first and second side edges, a first side region extending around the circumference of the track adjacent the first side edge, a second side region extending around the circumference of the track adjacent the second side edge, and a central region between the first and second side regions, the track having a radius greater than the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber to be managed; and the first side region and second side region receiving alternating, successive windings of the length of optical fiber, each winding extending in a circumferential direction about the respective side region, with the optical fiber crossing over from one side region to the other side region between successive windings at a cross over area in the central region of the track, whereby a folded figure eight pattern is formed.