Fiber Optic Closure

Abstract

A fiber optic closure is provided, the closure including a base at least partially insertable within the closure. A bracket assembly includes a plurality of hinge assemblies along a short axis. A connector shaft connects the organizer assembly and the base together. The organizer assembly includes a body extending between a front and a rear, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The body includes a base panel extending between the first and second sidewalls and from the front to the rear. An upper retention tab extends from one or more of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or the front wall of the body. A lower retention tab extends from the one or more walls and is positioned closer to the base panel along the short axis than the upper retention tab.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Priority Statement This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 281,583, filed November 19, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to closures, such as for fiber optic cable connections, and more particularly to an improved organizer assembly for butt closures. [Background technology]

[0003] Certain closures, also referred to as "butt" or "dome" closures, are utilized in outdoor environments to facilitate the splicing of transmission cables, such as fiber optic cables. The cables enter the closure through a sealed base, and splicing of the cable elements occurs within the closure. In the case of fiber optic cables, the optical fibers spliced ​​together are held within the closure.

[0004] Many fiber organizer assemblies utilized in known butt closures typically have edges over which the buffer tubes may kink as they are pulled. Additionally, trays of the organizer assembly often must be held in a vertical or upright position while fibers are loaded into other trays and while splices are being made. Still further, splice modules utilized in such trays have limited flexibility regarding the types of splices and / or other components that may be held therein.

[0005] Accordingly, an improved organizer assembly for use with a bat closure would be advantageous. In particular, an organizer assembly that addresses one or more of the shortcomings discussed above would be advantageous. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 223494 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5,790,740 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 018710 [Patent Document 4] WO 95 / 030165 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a fiber optic closure is provided. A base is at least partially insertable within the closure. A basket extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The first end defines an open end such that one or more cables extend within the closure along the longitudinal axis. The second end defines a closed end. A connector shaft extends from the first end along the longitudinal axis. The connector shaft connects together a deep tray and a base. A bracket assembly extends from the basket along a lateral axis. The bracket assembly includes a plurality of hinge assemblies along the lateral axis. The deep tray is rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies. The deep tray extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end and extends along a lateral axis between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The plurality of retention tabs includes an upper retention tab extending along the lateral axis from one or more of the first sidewall or the second sidewall. A lower retention tab extends from either the first side wall or the second side wall closer to the base panel along the transverse axis than the upper retention tab.

[0009] According to another embodiment, there is provided an optical fiber organizing system. The system includes a body extending between a front and a rear, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The body includes a base panel extending between the first and second side walls and from the front to the rear. An upper retention tab extends from one or more of the first side wall, the second side wall, or the front wall of the body. A lower retention tab extends from the one or more walls and is positioned to be closer to the base panel along a transverse axis than the upper retention tab.

[0010] According to yet another embodiment, a fiber optic closure is provided. The closure includes a base at least partially insertable into the interior of the closure. A basket extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The first end defines an open end such that one or more cables extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis. The second end defines a closed end. A connector shaft extends from the first end along the longitudinal axis. The connector shaft connects together an organizer assembly and the base. A bracket assembly extends from the basket along a transverse axis. The bracket assembly includes a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis. An organizer system is rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies. The organizer system includes a body including a plurality of walls spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and along a transverse axis between a front portion and a rear portion. The body includes a base panel connecting the plurality of walls. The adapter module includes an adapter wall extending along a short axis with a slot extending from an upper peripheral edge of the adapter wall along the short axis, and an adapter insert extending along the base panel and positionable in the slot of the adapter wall.

[0011] According to yet another embodiment, a fiber optic closure is provided. The closure includes a base at least partially insertable into the interior of the closure. A basket extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The first end defines an open end such that one or more cables extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis. The second end defines a closed end. A connector shaft extends from the first end along the longitudinal axis. The connector shaft connects together an organizer assembly and the base. A bracket assembly extends from the basket along a transverse axis. The bracket assembly includes a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis. An organizer system is rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies. The organizer system includes a body including a plurality of walls spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and along a transverse axis between a front portion and a rear portion. The body includes a base panel connecting the plurality of walls. A splice module forming one or more modular walls extends along a lateral axis and a transverse axis A plurality of mounting openings are configured to receive and mount the splice module to the base panel.

[0012] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention disclosed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in this specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings.

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bat closure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an organizer assembly with a secondary basket connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of an organizer assembly with a secondary basket connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an organizer assembly provided with a cover plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an organizer assembly with multiple organizer trays connected in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an organizer assembly showing a hinge assembly and organizer trays with multiple organizer trays in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a side view of an organizer assembly with multiple organizer trays connected in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an organizer assembly showing a hinge assembly and an organizer tray with the organizer tray in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a module mounting location according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a splice module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a splice module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view of an organizer tray in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of an organizer tray in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a side view of the organizer trays removed and stacked according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a top view of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a top view of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a top view of a cover for a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of a closure including an embodiment of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of a closure including an embodiment of a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a module mounting location according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a method of installing a module attachment point in a deep tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a top view of an embodiment of a deep tray including module attachment points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter insert according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter insert according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 30] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter insert according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 31] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter insert according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 32] 1 is a perspective view of a method of installing an adapter insert into an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 34] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 35] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adapter module including a fiber optic connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is a top view of a deep tray including an adapter module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 37] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray adapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 38] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deep tray including an adapter module, a tray module, and a splice module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The examples are provided as illustrative aspects of the invention, not limitations of the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with other embodiments to yield still further embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of a butt closure 10 and organizer assembly according to the present disclosure are provided. The closure 10 according to the present disclosure, and in particular its organizer assembly and deep tray organizer assembly, may advantageously provide improved routing capabilities that reduce the risk of kinking and attenuation. Additionally or alternatively, the closure 10, organizer basket 110, 150, and tray 200, 300 according to the present disclosure may advantageously provide improved features for securing and positioning the organizer tray in various locations, thus advantageously allowing efficient and effective fiber loading, splicing, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the closure 10 and organizer basket according to the present disclosure, and in particular the splice and adapter modules that may be utilized with such closure 10 and / or organizer basket and tray, may advantageously provide improved flexibility regarding the types of splices and / or other components that may be held therein.

[0017] 1, a closure 10 according to the present disclosure includes a cover 20. The cover 20 is generally a dome-shaped cover defining an interior 22 and an opening 24 providing access to the interior 22. The cover 20 may include an inner surface 26 that defines the interior 22 and an opposing outer surface 28 that is exposed to the exterior environment.

[0018] The organizer assembly 30 is insertable into (and thus disposed within) the interior 22 of the closure 10, e.g., along a longitudinal axis. The organizer assembly 30 may include one or more organizer trays 200 and / or other suitable components to facilitate connection of transmission components. For example, when used with fiber optic cables, splices between the optical fibers may be housed in various splice trays.

[0019] The base 40 is at least partially insertable into (and thus at least partially disposed within) the interior 22. In some embodiments, the organizer assembly 30 is connected to the base 40, such that insertion of the base 40 causes insertion of the tray assembly 30 into the interior 22. A cable 42 may be inserted into the interior 22 through the base 40, and connections between its transmission elements (e.g., optical fibers) may be made within the interior 22, such as the organizer tray 200 of the organizer assembly 30.

[0020] 2-14 illustrate various embodiments of the organizer assembly 30 and its components according to embodiments of the present disclosure. A mutually orthogonal coordinate system may be defined for the organizer assembly 30 according to the present disclosure and may include mutually orthogonal longitudinal, lateral and transverse axes 102, 104 and 106.

[0021] 2-4, an organizer assembly 30 according to the present disclosure may include a primary basket 110. The primary basket 110 generally forms at least a portion of the base exterior of the organizer assembly 30 and includes an exterior surface 112 and an interior surface 114. The primary basket 110 may extend along a longitudinal axis 102 between a first end 116 and a second end 118. The first end 116 may be open ended as shown, such that the cables 42 or transmission elements thereof oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 may enter and exit the interior 120 of the primary basket 110 through the first end 116. The second end 118 may be closed ended as shown, such that the cables 42 or transmission elements thereof oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 may not enter the interior 120 of the primary basket 110 through the second end 118, but instead encounter a surface of the primary basket 110.

[0022] The primary basket 110 may further extend along the transverse axis 104 between a first side 122 and a second side 124, and both the first side 122 and the second side 124 may be closed (as described above with respect to the second end 118). In an exemplary embodiment, the length between the first end 116 and the second end 118 is greater than the length between the first side 122 and the second side 124. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the transitions between the closed second end 118 portion and the base portion 126, between the closed first side portion 122 and the base portion 126, between the closed second side portion 124 and the base portion 126, between the closed second end 118 portion and the closed first side portion 122, and / or between the closed second end 118 portion and the closed second side portion 124 are curved.

[0023] The basket 110 may generally be utilized to accommodate excess cable 42 and / or its transmission elements as they are routed through the closure 10 and its organizer assembly 30.

[0024] The primary basket 110 may further include an upper peripheral lip 128. The upper peripheral lip 128 may extend between the first end 116 and the second end 118, e.g., over the sides 122, 124, and may also extend between the sides 122, 124, such as along the closed second end 118. For example, the lip 128 may extend along the upper edge of the primary basket 110 (along the short axis 106), such as along the sides 122, 124 and the second end 118.

[0025] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, a cover plate 130 may be provided. The cover plate 130 may be removably disposed on the basket 110, such as on the lip 128 thereof. The cover plate 130 may be removably fastened to the basket 110 using hook-and-loop fasteners or other suitable fastening devices. The cover plate 130 may be disposed on the interior 120 of the basket 110 to protect and help secure the cables 42 and portions of their transmission elements passing therethrough.

[0026] In some embodiments, basket 110 may further include a number of retention tabs 132 each extending from basket 110 to interior 120. Tabs 132 may be connected to basket 110 at an upper edge thereof, e.g., adjacent lip 128. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments, tabs 132 are removable. In some embodiments, for example, tabs 132 may be removed when a secondary basket (described herein) is connected. Tabs 132 may generally assist in routing and retaining cables 42 and transmission elements in interior 120 during assembly, splicing, etc.

[0027] A connector shaft 138 may extend from the first end 116 along the longitudinal axis 102 such that at least a portion of the connector shaft 138 is external to the primary basket 110. The connector shaft 138 may be connected to the base 40, and thus may be connected to the organizer assembly 30 and the base 40 together.

[0028] 2-4 and 6-8 in particular, a bracket assembly 140 may extend from the primary basket 110, for example at the first end 116, along the short axis 106. The bracket assembly 140 may include a body 142 and a plurality of hinge assemblies 144. The hinge assemblies 144 may be spaced apart in a linear array along the short axis 106. In exemplary embodiments, the hinge assemblies 144 are stepped along the short axis 106. In these embodiments, the linear array of hinge assemblies 144 is angled relative to the short axis 106, rather than oriented along or parallel to the short axis 106. At least the portion of the body 142 that includes the hinge assemblies 144 may also be so angled. Such an angle may be between the short axis 106 and the longitudinal axis 102, as shown.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the organizer assembly 30 according to the present disclosure may include a secondary basket 150 rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly 140. Figures 2 and 3 show the secondary basket 150 rotatably connected to the bracket assembly 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary basket 150 may be connected to the bracket assembly 140 below the hinge assemblies 144 along the short axis 106, for example between the hinge assemblies 144 (such as the bottom hinge assembly 144) along the short axis 106 and the inner surface 114 of the primary basket 110. The secondary basket 150 may be rotatable between a first position in which the secondary basket 150 is aligned along the longitudinal axis 102 and a second position in which the secondary basket 150 is aligned along the short axis 106, or at an angle between the longitudinal axis 102 and the short axis 106 (as shown in Figures 2 and 3). In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary basket 150 may be removable, such that the secondary basket 150 may be utilized as needed for routing the cable 42 (and its transmission elements) and may be set aside / discarded when not needed.

[0030] The secondary basket 150 includes an exterior surface 152 and an interior surface 154. The secondary basket 150 may extend (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 102 when in the first position) between a first end 156 and a second end 158. The first end 156 may be open-ended as shown, such that the cables 42 or transmission elements thereof oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 can enter and exit the interior 160 of the secondary basket 150 through the first end 156 when the secondary basket 150 is in the first position. The second end 158 may be closed-ended as shown, such that the cables 42 or transmission elements thereof oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 cannot enter the interior 160 of the secondary basket 150 through the second end 158, but instead encounter a surface of the primary basket 110 when the secondary basket 150 is in the first position.

[0031] The secondary basket 150 may further extend along the lateral axis 104 between a first side portion 162 and a second side portion 164, both of which may be closed (as described above with respect to the second end 118) and extend from a base portion 166. The base portion 166 extends along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis. In the exemplary embodiment, the length between the first end 156 and the second end 158 is greater than the length between the first side 162 and the second side 164. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the secondary basket 150 is curved at the transitions from the base portion 166 to the end walls of the closed second end 158 (second end portion 158), the closed first side portion 162, and the closed second side portion 164, and is curved at the transitions between the closed second end portion 158 and the closed first side portion 162 and / or between the closed second end portion 158 and the closed second side portion 164.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the area of ​​the interior 160 may be smaller than the area of ​​the interior 120, the length between the first end 156 and the second end 158 may be shorter than the length between the first end 116 and the second end 118, and / or the length between the first side 62 and the second side 164 may be shorter than the length between the first side 122 and the second side 124, such that the secondary basket 150 can at least partially fit within the primary basket 110 (e.g., its interior 120).

[0033] The secondary basket 150 may further include an upper peripheral lip 168 that may extend between the first end 156 and the second end 158, e.g., on both sides 162, 164, and may further extend between the sides 162, 164, e.g., along the closed second end 158. For example, the lip 168 may extend along an upper edge of the secondary basket 150 (along the short axis 106), e.g., along the both sides 162, 164 and the second end 158.

[0034] In certain embodiments, basket 150 includes a number of retention tabs 172 each extending from basket 150 into interior 160. Tabs 172 may be connected to basket 150 at an upper edge thereof, such as adjacent lip 168. Tabs 172 may generally assist in routing and retaining cables 42 and transmission elements within interior 160 during assembly, splicing, etc.

[0035] One or more connector arms 174 may extend from the first end 156 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 102 when the secondary basket 150 is in the first position). The connector arms 174 may be removably connected to the bracket assembly 140, which in turn may rotatably connect the secondary basket 150 to the bracket assembly. For example, a protrusion 176 on the arm 174 may be inserted into a recess 178 defined in the body 142 to rotatably connect the secondary basket 150 to the body.

[0036] 2-4 and 6-8, each hinge assembly 144 may include at least one positioning tab 180 and at least one release tab 182. In some embodiments, for example, each hinge assembly 144 may include two positioning tabs 180 and one release tab 182 disposed between the positioning tabs 180 along the transverse axis 104. Each positioning tab 180 may be a generally tapered protrusion extending from the body 142 along the transverse axis 106. Each release tab 182 may extend from the body 142 along the longitudinal axis 102 and thus may protrude farther from the body 142 along the longitudinal axis 102 than the positioning tabs 180.

[0037] Each bracket assembly 140 may further include one or more recesses 184 (which may be, for example, through holes) defined in the body 142 .

[0038] 5-8 and 12-14, an organizer assembly 30 according to the present disclosure can further include one or more organizer trays 200, such as a plurality of organizer trays 200 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] Each organizer tray 200 may be rotatably connected to, and thus rotatably connected to, for example, one bracket assembly 140 of the plurality of hinge assemblies 144. Each organizer tray 200 may be rotatable between, for example, a first position in which the organizer tray 200 is aligned along the longitudinal axis 102 (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 12) and a second position in which the organizer tray 200 is aligned along the short axis 106 (as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 13).

[0040] For example, each organizer tray 200 may include a body 202. The body 202 may include, for example, a base wall 204, a first side wall 206, a second side wall 208, and a front wall 210, and may further define a rear end 212. The first side wall 206 and the second side wall 208 may be spaced apart along the lateral axis 104. The front wall 210 and the rear end 212 may be spaced apart (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 102 when in the first position). The rear end 212 may be open ended, as shown, such that the cables 42 or transmission elements thereof oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 can enter and exit the interior 214 of the organizer tray 200 through the rear end 212 when the organizer tray 200 is in the first position. The front wall 210 and the side walls 206, 208 may define a closed end and closed side.

[0041] In some embodiments, a plurality of apertures 216 may be defined in the base wall 204, for example at the rear end 212. Each aperture 216 may be utilized to secure a cable 42 (or its transmission element) directly to the base wall 204 and to the organizer tray 200, such as by using a suitable zip tie or other suitable fastener. Notably, the organizer tray 200 does not include additional cable / transmission element securing components.

[0042] The organizer tray 200 may further include one or more connector arms 220 that may extend from the body 202. For example, each connector arm 220 may extend from the base wall 204 along the short axis 106, for example, when in the first position. The connector arms 220 may be removably connected to the hinge assembly 144, which in turn rotatably connects the organizer tray 200 to the hinge assembly 144. For example, a protrusion 222 on the arm 220 may be inserted into the recess 184 to rotatably connect the organizer tray 200 to the hinge assembly 144.

[0043] As discussed above, each of the multiple organizer trays 200 may be rotatable between a first position and a second position. Additionally, each organizer tray 200 may advantageously be releasably secured in the second position, thus facilitating efficient loading, splicing, etc. of the cables 42 and their transmission elements to the other organizer trays 200 and the assembly 30 generally. The hinge assembly 144, which rotatably connects the organizer tray 200 to the bracket assembly 140, may releasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the second position.

[0044] For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, one or more positioning tabs 182 of an associated hinge assembly 144 may contact the organizer tray 200 to releasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the second position. In some embodiments, the organizer tray 200 may include one or more contact tabs 224. Each contact tab 224 extends from the rear end 212 of the body 202. As the organizer tray 200 moves to the second position, each contact tab 224 may contact a positioning tab 182 to releasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the second position. For example, each contact tab 224 may raise a tapered front surface of the positioning tab 182 and then rest in contact with a rear surface of the positioning tab 182 as the organizer tray 200 reaches the second position.

[0045] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the organizer tray 200 can be released from the fixation at the second position to move from the second position to the first position. For example, movement of the release tab 182 causes movement of the positioning tab(s) 180 out of contact with the organizer tray 200 (e.g., the contact tab(s) 224). As a result, the organizer tray 200 can move from the second position to the first position. In the exemplary embodiment, a user can apply a force to the release tab 182 to cause such movement. For example, such force can cause the release tab 182 to pivot and can also cause the positioning tab(s) 180 to pivot due to a material connection between the release tab 182 and the positioning tab(s) 180.

[0046] 12-14, each organizer tray 200 may advantageously include features to ensure and ensure proper positioning of the organizer tray 200 relative to one another in the first and second positions. For example, each organizer tray 200 may include one or more positioning slots 230 and one or more positioning tabs 232. The slots 230 may be defined, for example, in an outer surface of the first side wall 206 and / or the second side wall 208, for example, adjacent to or at the base wall 204. The positioning tabs 232 extend from the first side wall 206 and / or the second side wall 208, for example, at a top of the organizer tray 200 opposite the bottom wall 204.

[0047] Advantageously, the positioning tab 232 of the organizer tray 200' may be inserted into a different one of the positioning slots 230 of an adjacent organizer tray 200'' depending on the position of the organizer tray 200. For example, the positioning tab 232 of the organizer tray 200' may be inserted into one of the positioning slots 230' of an adjacent organizer tray 200'' when the trays 200', 200'' (e.g., multiple organizer trays 200) are in a first position (see FIG. 12). The positioning tab 232 of the organizer tray 200' may be inserted into another one of the positioning slots 230'' of an adjacent organizer tray 200'' when the trays 200', 200'' (e.g., multiple organizer trays 200) are in a second position (see FIG. 13).

[0048] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the organizer tray 200 may be removable from the bracket assembly 140 and the organizer assembly 30 generally. In some embodiments, the positioning tab 232 of the organizer tray 200' may further be inserted into an additional one of the positioning slots 230''' of an adjacent organizer tray 200'' when those trays 200', 200'' (e.g., multiple organizer trays 200) are removed from the bracket assembly 140 and stacked together in a vertical array (see FIG. 14). Thus, organization and retention of the organizer trays 200 is advantageously facilitated even when the organizer trays 200 are not generally connected to the bracket assembly 140 and the organizer assembly 30.

[0049] 9-11 , each organizer tray 200 and deep tray 300 may generally accommodate one or more splice modules 250. Each splice module 250 may be removably connected to the organizer tray 200 or deep tray 300, such as to its base wall 204, 304. For example, the base wall 204, 304 may include a plurality of module mounting locations 240. In an exemplary embodiment, the module mounting locations 240 may each include a plurality of leg slots 242 that may be defined through the base wall 204, 304, and one or more positioning slots 244 that may be defined through the base wall 204, 304. The leg slots 242 may define at least a portion of a perimeter of the module mounting location 240, such as at corners of the module mounting location 240. Each of the plurality of locating slots 244 may be defined within a periphery of the module mounting point 240 and may extend, for example, in a linear array. The leg slots 242 and the locating slots 244 may generally facilitate removable connection of the splice module 250 to an organizer tray at the module mounting point 240.

[0050] Each splice module 250 may include, for example, a base 252 and a number of legs 254 extending from the base 252, for example, below the base 252 as shown. The legs 254 may further extend from the base 252 and at least partially define a periphery of the base 252, and may be disposed at a number of corners of the base 252. Each leg 254 may be inserted into one of the leg slots 242 of the module attachment point 240 to removably connect the splice module 250 to the organizer tray 200 at the module attachment point 240. Additionally, the splice module 250 may include one or more cantilever arms 256 extending from the base 252, for example, below the base 252 as shown. Each cantilever arm 256 may include a tab 258 at a distal end thereof. To removably connect the splice module 250 to the organizer tray 200 at the module attachment point 240 , the cantilever arm 256 , for example its tab 258 , can be inserted into one of the positioning slots 244 of the module attachment point 240 .

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the splice module 250 may be removably connected to the organizer tray 200 in a number of different orientations, such as at the module attachment point 240. For example, the number of locating slots 244 may be oriented such that the cantilever arm 256 (e.g., its tab 258) is inserted into a different one of the number of locating slots 244 depending on the orientation of the splice module 250.

[0052] The splice module 250 according to the present disclosure may advantageously be a dual material component. For example, the splice module 250 may further include one or more modular walls or overmolded portions 260 disposed on portions of the base 252 (e.g., on the underside and side walls thereof). The overmolded portions 260 advantageously provide improved structural integrity, rigidity, and protection. The base 252, as well as the legs 254 and their cantilevered arms 256, may be formed from a hard plastic, such as, for example, polycarbonate or nylon. The overmolded portions 260 may be formed from a suitable elastomer, such as a vulcanized elastomer.

[0053] The splice module 250 according to the present disclosure may further include a number of partitions 262 each of which may extend from the base 252. The partitions 262 may be generally parallel to one another, with adjacent partitions 262 defining a channel 264 therebetween. The partitions 262 extending from the modular walls or portions 260 may extend along a direction between a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis, e.g., diagonally. The partitions 262 may be deformable such that a splice sleeve (e.g., splice sleeve 502) may be attached to the splice module between a pair of modular walls or overmolded portions 260. Each channel 264 may define and extend along a longitudinal channel axis 265, as shown. Additionally, one or more arms 266 may extend from one or more of the adjacent partitions 262 into one or more channels 264 defined by such adjacent partitions 262. Such arms 266 may extend into the channel 264 at an angle relative to the longitudinal channel axis 265, as shown. For example, a first partition 262' of the adjacent partitions 262 may include one or more arms 266 that extend into the channel 264 defined by the adjacent partition 262, and a second partition 262'' of the adjacent partitions 262 may include one or more arms 266 that extend into the channel 264 defined by the adjacent partition 262. Furthermore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the one or more arms 266 extending from the first partition 262' into the channel 264 may extend in a direction opposite to the direction of the one or more arms 266 extending from the second partition 262'' into the channel 264.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the partition 262 and the arms 266 of the splice module 250 may be formed from a suitable elastomer, such as a vulcanized elastomer.

[0055] The splice module 250 of the present disclosure, and in particular the configuration of the partition 262 and the arms 266, is particularly advantageous due to its versatility and flexibility in accommodating a variety of components. For example, the channel 264 of the splice module 250 can hold triple stacked single splice transmission elements, double stacked ribbon splice transmission elements, mechanical splices, 1:2 to 1:32 splitter modules, PLCs, and the like.

[0056] The organizer tray 200 may further include one or more retainer tabs 270, each of which may extend from a wall, such as walls 206, 208, or 210, into the interior 214. Such retainer tabs 270 may generally assist in routing and retaining the cables 42 and transmission elements within the interior 214 during assembly, splicing, etc.

[0057] 15-18, an embodiment of a deep organizer tray 300 (hereinafter referred to as "deep tray 300") is provided. The deep tray 300 may be configured substantially similarly as described with respect to the organizer tray 200. The deep tray 300 includes a body 302 having a plurality of walls including a base wall 304, a first side wall 306, a second side wall 308, and a front wall 310. The deep tray 300 may further define an aft end 312. The aft end 312 may include an aft wall 318. The first side wall 306 and the second side wall 308 may be spaced apart along the transverse axis 104. The front wall 310 and the aft end 312 may be spaced apart (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 102 when in the first position). The rear end 312 may be open ended, as shown, so that the cables 42 or their transmission elements, oriented along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102, can pass through the rear end 312 into and out of the interior 314 of the deep tray 300 when the deep tray 300 is in the first position. The front wall 310 and the side walls 306, 308 may define closed ends and sides.

[0058] A plurality of tabs 370 extend from one or more of the first side wall 306, the second side wall 308, the front wall 310, or the aft wall 318. Each of the plurality of tabs 370 extends from a corresponding wall toward the interior 314, such as from the side walls 306, 308 along the transverse axis 104 or from the front wall 310 along the longitudinal axis 102. The plurality of tabs 370 on the deep tray 300 include an upper retention tab 372 extending from one or more of the first side wall 306, the second side wall 308, or the front wall 310. The plurality of tabs 370 further include a lower retention tab 374 extending from one or more of the first side wall 306, the second side wall 308, the front wall 310, or the hinge assembly 344.

[0059] The lower retention tab 374 is positioned closer to the base wall 304 than the upper retention tab 372 along the short axis. The upper retention tab 372 may extend from or approximately from an upper peripheral edge 368 of the deep tray 300 along the short axis 106, among other things. The edge 368 may extend along the side walls 306, 308 and the front wall 310. The deep tray 300 may have any suitable depth from the base wall 304 to the upper edge 368. In certain embodiments, the edge 368 is approximately 1.75 inches (4.45 centimeters) to approximately 2.75 inches (6.99 centimeters) from the base wall 304. The upper retention tab 372 may extend from the walls 306, 308, 310 between approximately 80% and approximately 100% of the wall's distance along the short axis 106. The lower retention tabs 374 may extend from the walls 306 , 308 , 310 between approximately 40% and approximately 60% of the wall distance along the short axis 106 .

[0060] 15-17, the plurality of retention tabs 370 are formed in pairs including an upper retention tab 372 and a lower retention tab 374. In other embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 18, the plurality of retention tabs 370 include a combination of one or more upper retention tabs 372 and one or more lower retention tabs 374. For example, the plurality of retention tabs 370 may be arranged in triplets. A triplet may include a pair of lower retention tabs 374 and a single upper retention tab 372, or a pair of upper retention tabs 372 and a single lower retention tab 374.

[0061] The multiple pairs of retention tabs 370 may include a first pair and a second pair, where the upper retention tabs 372 and lower retention tabs 374 of the first pair extend further along the transverse axis 104 than the upper retention tabs 372 and lower retention tabs 374 of the second pair. The upper retention tabs 372 and lower retention tabs 374 of the second pair may be disposed between two or more of the upper retention tabs 372 and lower retention tabs 374 of the first pair along the longitudinal axis 102.

[0062] In certain embodiments, a plurality of pairs of retention tabs 370 extend from each of the first side wall 306 and the second side wall 308, with the second pair of retention tabs 370 disposed on the first side wall 306 in opposition along the transverse axis 104 to the second pair of retention tabs 370 disposed on the second side wall 308.

[0063] 15-18 , the upper retention tabs 372 may be offset along the longitudinal axis 102 relative to the lower retention tabs 374. In certain embodiments, the upper retention tabs 372 do not overlap along the transverse axis 106 relative to the lower retention tabs 374. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 , the upper retention tabs 372 may be offset along the longitudinal axis 102 such that the upper retention tabs 372 do not overlap the lower retention tabs 374 when viewed along the transverse axis 106. The upper retention tabs 372 may be offset from their respective lower retention tabs 374 by within a distance of five tab widths along the longitudinal axis 102, or by within three tab widths along the longitudinal axis 102. Such a configuration may desirably permit routing and retention of the cables 42 and transmission elements in the interior 314 during assembly, splicing, etc. The upper and lower retention tabs 372, 374 further permit separation of loose storage loops, minimizing the difficulty in storing flat ribbon optical fiber, such as a 12-fiber flat ribbon optical fiber. The two-layer upper and lower retention tabs further provide such benefits while increasing the volume or area over which the fiber can be routed, while still allowing for any known storage method. The reduction in entanglement reduces the difficulty in storing the optical fiber ribbon, while reducing the risk of fiber attenuation.

[0064] The upper and lower retention tabs 372, 374 create a loose storage space for optical fibers, such as flat ribbon optical fibers, allowing a technician to perform a splice without having to pull the fibers out of the enclosure basket, improving accessibility and reducing installation time.

[0065] 19, the deep tray 300 includes one or more connector arms 320 extending from the body 302, as described with respect to the connector arms 220 in the organizer tray 200. The connector arms 320 may include protrusions 322, as described with respect to the protrusions 222 and recesses 178 of the arms 220. The deep tray 300 may define an aft wall 318 extending from the base wall 304 along the transverse axis 104. The aft wall 318 further extends along the transverse axis 106. The aft wall 318 may specifically extend partially along the transverse axis 104. As a result, a plurality of apertures 316 are formed through the base wall 304 between the aft wall 318 and one or both of the side walls 306, 308. Additionally, the aft wall 318 may extend partially along the short axis 106 beyond the extension of the side walls 306, 308 along the short axis 106. The aft wall 318 is disposed at the aft end 312 of the deep tray 300.

[0066] In various embodiments, the aft wall 318 may extend such that an upper edge 328 of the aft wall 318 along the short axis 106 is approximately flush with the lower retention tab 374. Thus, in certain embodiments, the aft wall 318 may extend from approximately 40% to approximately 60% of the distance between the side walls 306, 308 along the short axis 106.

[0067] 19, the deep tray 300 may include one or more fiber retention posts 330 extending along the short axis 106. The posts 330 may be located at one or more ends of the aft wall 318, for example between the aft wall 318 and the plurality of apertures 316 along the transverse axis 104. The posts 330 may extend along the short axis 106 at least the distance of the aft wall 318 along the short axis 106. In some embodiments, the posts 330 extend at least the distance of the side walls 306, 308 or front walls 310 along the short axis 106. The posts 330 allow multiple organizer trays 200 and / or deep trays 300 to be stacked along the short axis 106 with the posts 330 contacting the bottom side of the base walls of adjacent trays. The posts 330 may further position the connector arms 220, 320 of adjacent trays 200, 300 adjacent to every other row of recesses 178 along the short axis 106. The posts 330 may be configured to extend along the short axis 106 based on the location of the recesses 178 along the short axis 106. When the organizer tray and / or deep tray are in the first position, the trays may be oriented substantially flat along the longitudinal axis 102 or may be oriented within approximately 15 degrees more or less than the longitudinal axis 102.

[0068] In certain embodiments, one or more connector arms 320 or a pair of connector arms 320 may extend along the longitudinal axis 102 (along the transverse axis 104) from between a pair of fiber retention posts 330. The posts 330 allow one or more organizer trays 200 to be stacked on top of the deep tray 300 and hinged with the hinge assembly 144, as described herein. Openings 376 formed in the base wall 304 may allow space between the tabs 270, 370 of the organizer tray 200 or deep tray 300 and the base walls 204, 304 of the adjacent trays 200, 300. The geometry of the openings 376 through the base wall 304 may substantially correspond to the respective tabs along the transverse axis 106.

[0069] 20, an exemplary embodiment of a cover 301 for a deep tray 300 is provided. The cover 301 may include a breakaway section 303 at one or both of the first end 116 or the second end 118. In certain embodiments, the breakaway section 303 is positioned to correspond to a fiber retention post 320 when the cover 301 is installed on top of the deep tray 300. The breakaway section 303 may be configured as a selectively removable and attachable portion that is separable from a main portion 305 of the cover 301. The main portion 305 forms a surface that extends along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis to allow the main portion 305 to be coupled to or disposed on an edge 368 of the deep tray 300.

[0070] 21-22, an embodiment of a closure 10 is provided that includes an embodiment of a deep tray 300. The closure 10 is configured substantially similarly to that depicted and described with respect to the closure 10 in FIGS. 1-8. In FIGS. 21-22, the closure 10 includes a plurality of deep trays, depicted as a first deep tray 300a and a second deep tray 300b according to the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 15-20. The first deep tray 300a may be configured substantially as described with respect to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 16. The second deep tray 300b may be configured substantially similarly to that described with respect to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18. The walls 304, 306, 308 of the deep tray 300b may extend along the longitudinal axis 102 shorter than the corresponding walls in the deep tray 300a. The deep tray 300b may form a top tray along the transverse axis 106 disposed above one or more of the deep trays 300a.

[0071] Figures 23-24 provide perspective views of the splice module 250 and the method of insertion into the deep tray 300 as described with respect to Figures 9-11. The splice module 250 can be inserted along the short axis 106 into the mounting location 240 on the deep tray 300 as described with respect to the organize tray 200.

[0072] 25 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a closure 10 including a deep tray 300 and a splice module 250. Multiple cables 42 are routed and organized using lower retention tabs 374 and upper retention tabs 372. Multiple cables 42 are spliced ​​together in splice sleeves held in the splice module 250. The deep tray 300 allows for two-layer separation of loose storage loops of cables 42 as it routes and holds the cables 42 and transmission elements within the interior 314.

[0073] 26-35 depict an adapter module 400 configured to hold or retain a connector on a closure 10, as depicted in FIG. 36. The adapter module 400 includes a base panel 452 and a plurality of legs 454 extending from the base panel 452. The legs 454 may extend from the base panel 452 and at least partially define a perimeter of the base panel 452. The legs 454 may further be disposed at corners of the base panel 452. Each leg 454 may be inserted into one of the plurality of leg slots 242 of the attachment point 240, as described above. The adapter module 400 may include one or more cantilever arms 456 extending from the base panel 452, for example, below the base panel 452 as shown. Each cantilever arm 456 may include a tab 458 at its distal end. To removably connect the adapter module 400 to the deep tray 300 at the module mounting point 440 , one or more cantilever arms 456 , such as a tab 458 , can be inserted into one of a number of locating slots 244 in the module mounting point 240 .

[0074] The adapter module 400 includes a plurality of adapter walls 402 extending along the short axis 106. The adapter walls 402 may extend from a periphery of the base panel 452 between a pair of legs 454, among other things. The adapter walls 402 include slots 404 extending from an upper peripheral edge 406 along the short axis 106. The adapter module 400 may include a pair of adapter walls 402. The adapter walls 402 each have a slot 404 disposed opposite one another along the transverse axis 104, the slots 404 being configured to receive an adapter insert 410 (FIGS. 28-31).

[0075] 28-32, an adapter insert 410 includes a longitudinally extending wall 412 positionable within a slot 404 in an adapter wall 402. In certain embodiments, the wall 412 extends along the longitudinal axis 102 and leads to the longitudinally separated slots 404 of the adapter module 400. The wall 412 may include a groove, hold, or latch 414 configured to allow the wall 412 to directly contact portions of the adapter wall 402 in which the slots 404 are formed. The latch 414 may include a step at each end of the wall 412, which allows, for example, a portion of the wall 412 to extend through the slot 404 and another portion of the wall 412 to extend to the base panel 452, as depicted, for example, in FIGS. 32-35. The perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the adapter module 400 in FIG. 32 illustrates the assembly of the wall 412 along the transverse axis 106 into the slot 404 in the adapter wall 402. The base panel 452 of the adapter module 400 may be inserted substantially along the short axis 106 into the mounting point 240 as depicted and described with respect to FIG.

[0076] The adapter insert 410 may further include a support member 416 extending from the wall 412 to contact the base panel 452. The support member 416 may extend perpendicular or diagonally to the extension of the wall 412. For example, the wall 412 may extend along the longitudinal axis 102, as depicted in FIG. 36. The support member 416 may extend from the wall 412 along the transverse axis 104 or along an angle between the transverse axis 104 and the longitudinal axis 102.

[0077] In various embodiments as depicted in FIGS. 28-31 , the wall 412 forms an opening 418 for receiving the connector 504. The wall 412 may form the opening 418 as a rectangular cross-sectional area through the wall 412. It should be understood that the wall 412 may form the opening 418 in any suitable cross-sectional geometry, including other polygonal cross-sections, circles, ellipses, or variable cross-sectional areas. The opening 418 may be formed as a number of individual openings, each configured to receive a corresponding connector. The opening 418 may be configured to receive an SC connector, an LC connector, a simplex configuration, a duplex configuration, a quad configuration, an SC-SC connector interface, an LC-LC connector interface, or an SC-LC connector interface, or any other suitable type of fiber optic connector, or combinations thereof. The opening 418 may include a major axis extending along the short axis 106 as depicted in FIGS. 28-29 . The minor axis of the opening 418 may extend along the longitudinal axis 102. The opening 418 may include major and minor axes that are tilted or rotated relative to the short axis, as depicted in Figures 30-31.

[0078] 27 and 34, the adapter module 400 may form a double-wide structure. The double-wide adapter module 400 is formed substantially similarly to the single-wide adapter module 400. The double-wide structure may further include a raised channel 420 formed in the base panel 452 to correspond to the channel 246 formed in the base wall 304 of the deep tray 300. A flat portion 422 may extend across the channel 420 to allow the wall 412 to extend flat along the base panel 452, for example, between the slots 404.

[0079] 37, an embodiment of an optical cassette 500 disposed on a tray adapter 510 is provided. The tray adapter 510 may be configured substantially similar to the base 252 or base panel 452 described herein. The tray adapter 510 may include holes, slots, or openings that may be utilized to pass a tie wrap or other retention device to secure or fasten the optical cassette 500 to the tray adapter 510. The tray adapter 510 may be secured or fastened to a deep tray 300, such as those described with respect to the base 252, or base panel 452 described herein.

[0080] 38 provides a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a deep tray 300. The depicted embodiment includes an optical cassette 500 secured to a tray adapter 510, a splice sleeve 502 secured to a splice module 250, and a plurality of fiber optic connectors 504 secured to an adapter module 400. The tray adapter 510, splice module 250, and adapter module 400 are each secured or affixed to the deep tray 300 as described herein. The tray adapter 510 may be secured proximate the closed second end 118 of the deep tray in particular, or secured generally distal to the open first end 116. The cable 42, including any desired cable slack loop, is routed through the open first end 116 and organized via the upper and lower retention tabs 372, 374.

[0081] The deep tray 300 allows the input fiber 42a to enter through the open first end 116 and be routed to the splice module 250. The input fiber 42a is spliced ​​in the splice module 250, for example at a splice sleeve 502. The output fiber is routed to an optical splitter or optical cassette 500 located in a tray adapter 510. A number of output fibers 42b are routed from the cassette 500 to fiber optic connectors 504 on the adapter module 400. The output cables exit the connectors on the adapter module 400 through the open first end 116 of the deep tray 300.

[0082] Further aspects of the invention are provided by one or more of the following embodiments.

[0083] [Clause 1] An optical fiber closure, comprising: a base at least partially insertable into an interior of the closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end such that one or more cables extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis, and the second end forming a closed end; and a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a lateral axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the lateral axis and a bracket assembly rotatably and removably connected to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies. 1. A fiber optic closure comprising: a connectable deep tray; and a connector shaft extending from a first end along a longitudinal axis, the deep tray extending between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis and between the first and second side walls along a transverse axis, a plurality of retention tabs including an upper retention tab extending from one or more of the first or second side walls along the transverse axis and a lower retention tab extending from the first or second side wall along a transverse axis closer to the base panel than the upper retention tab, the connector shaft connecting the organizer system and the base together.

[0084] [Clause 2] A fiber optic closure as defined in any one or more clauses herein, wherein the deep tray includes a fiber optic organizing system as defined in any one or more clauses herein.

[0085] [Clause 3] A fiber optic closure, comprising: a base at least partially insertable into an interior of the closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end for one or more cables to extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a transverse axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis; and an organizer system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies, the organizer system comprising: the organizer system includes a body including a plurality of walls separated along a longitudinal axis between a front and a rear and along a horizontal axis, the body including a base panel connected to the plurality of walls, upper retention tabs extending from one or more of the plurality of walls along the horizontal or longitudinal axis, and lower retention tabs extending from the plurality of walls and positioned closer to the base panel than the upper retention tabs along the short axis; and a connector shaft extending from a first end along the longitudinal axis, the connector shaft connecting the organizer system and the base together.

[0086] [Clause 4] An optical fiber closure comprising: a base at least partially insertable into the closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end such that one or more cables extend into the closure along the longitudinal axis, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a transverse axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis; and an organizer system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies, the organizer system including a body. 1. An optical fiber closure comprising: an organizer system including an adapter module having an adapter wall extending along a short axis, the adapter wall having a slot extending from an upper peripheral edge thereof along the short axis, the adapter insert extending along the base panel and positionable in the slot of the adapter wall; and a connector shaft extending from a first end along the long axis, the connector shaft connecting the organizer system and the base together.

[0087] [Clause 5] An optical fiber closure comprising: a base at least partially insertable into an interior of the closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end such that one or more cables extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a transverse axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis; and an organizer system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies, the organizer system including a body, the body separated along the longitudinal axis between a front and a rear portion and along a transverse axis. and a connector shaft extending from a first end along a longitudinal axis to connect the organizer system to the base.

[0088] [Clause 6] The optical fiber organizing system of any of the clauses herein, wherein the adapter insert extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured to be received in a slot formed in the adapter wall, the adapter insert forming an adapter wall opening through which the optical fiber connector can extend.

[0089] [Clause 7] A fiber optic closure, comprising: a base at least partially insertable into an interior of the closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end such that one or more cables extend into the interior of the closure along the longitudinal axis, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a transverse axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the transverse axis; and an organizer system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the hinge assemblies, the organizer system including a body, the present invention comprising: 1. An optical fiber closure comprising: an organizer system, the body including a plurality of walls separated along a longitudinal axis and along a lateral axis between a front and a rear, the body including a base panel connected to the plurality of walls, the base panel having a plurality of mounting openings formed therein, the organizer system including splice modules forming one or more modular walls extending along a transverse axis and a lateral axis, the plurality of mounting openings configured to receive the splice modules and mount to the base panel; and a connector shaft extending from a first end along the longitudinal axis, the connector shaft connecting the organizer system and the base together.

[0090] [Clause 8] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the splice module includes one or more partitions extending from the module wall along a direction between the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis.

[0091] [Clause 9] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the partition is deformable to allow splice sleeves to be attached to the splice module between multiple pairs of module walls.

[0092] [Clause 10] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the splice module retainer includes legs corresponding to respective mounting openings formed in the base panel.

[0093] [Clause 11] An optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of the clauses herein, wherein the body includes a plurality of walls separated along a longitudinal axis and along a horizontal axis between a front and a rear, the body including a base panel connected to the plurality of walls, upper retention tabs extending from one or more of the plurality of walls along the horizontal or longitudinal axis, and lower retention tabs extending from the plurality of walls and positioned closer to the base panel than the upper retention tabs along the short axis.

[0094] [Clause 13] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the upper retention tab is offset along the longitudinal axis relative to the lower retention tab.

[0095] [Clause 14] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the system includes a plurality of pairs of retention tabs, each pair of retention tabs including an upper retention tab offset relative to a respective lower retention tab along the longitudinal axis.

[0096] [Clause 15] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the plurality of pairs of retention tabs includes a first pair having upper and lower retention tabs that extend further along the horizontal axis than upper and lower retention tabs of a second pair.

[0097] [Clause 16] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein a second pair of upper and lower retention tabs are positioned along the longitudinal axis between two or more of the first pair of upper and lower retention tabs.

[0098] [Clause 17] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the plurality of walls includes a first side wall separated from a second side wall along a horizontal axis, the plurality of pairs of retention tabs extending from each of the first side wall and the second side wall, the first pair of retention tabs disposed on the first side wall opposing along the horizontal axis a first pair of retention tabs disposed on the second side wall.

[0099] [Clause 18] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the pairs of retention tabs extend from each of the first side wall and the second side wall, and the retention tabs of the second pair are disposed on the first side wall so as to be opposed along a horizontal axis of the retention tabs of the second pair disposed on the second side wall.

[0100] [Clause 19] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the upper retention tab does not overlap the lower retention tab along the transverse axis.

[0101] [Clause 20] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the base panel forms openings corresponding to each of the upper retention tabs and the lower retention tabs.

[0102] [Clause 21] The optical fiber organizing system of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the upper retention tab extends from the first side wall from a top edge along a lateral dimension.

[0103] [Clause 22] The fiber optic closure of any one or more of clauses herein, wherein the plurality of hinge assemblies is a linear array inclined relative to the short axis.

[0104] [Clause 23] An optical fiber closure comprising an optical fiber organizing system according to any one or more of the clauses herein.

[0105] [Clause 24] A fiber optic closure comprising an adapter module according to any one or more of the clauses herein.

[0106] [Clause 25] A fiber optic closure comprising a splice module according to any one or more of the clauses herein.

[0107] [Clause 26] An optical fiber closure including an optical fiber organizing system, an adapter module and a splice module of any one or more of the clauses herein.

[0108] [Clause 27] An optical fiber organizing system defining a mutually orthogonal coordinate system having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a transverse axis, the optical fiber organizing system including a body including a plurality of walls separated along a longitudinal axis between a front and a rear and along a transverse axis, the body including a base panel connected to the plurality of walls, upper retention tabs extending from one or more of the plurality of walls along the transverse axis or the longitudinal axis, and lower retention tabs extending from the plurality of walls and positioned such that they are closer to the base panel than the upper retention tabs along the transverse axis.

[0109] [Clause 28] An optical fibre organiser as described in any one or more clauses herein.

[0110] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. An optical fiber closure comprising: a base at least partially insertable within said fiber optic closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end for one or more cables to extend along the longitudinal axis into the interior of the fiber optic closure, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a short axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the short axis; an optical fiber organizing system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the plurality of hinge assemblies, the optical fiber organizing system extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end and extending along a transverse axis between a first side wall and a second side wall, the optical fiber organizing system including a plurality of retention tabs including upper retention tabs extending from one or more of the first side wall or the second side wall along the transverse axis and lower retention tabs extending from the first side wall or the second side wall closer to the base than the upper retention tabs along the transverse axis; a connector shaft extending from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the connector shaft connecting the optical fiber organizing system and the base together; 1. A fiber optic closure comprising:

2. 2. The fiber optic closure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hinge assemblies are in a linear array tilted relative to the short axis.

3. the fiber optic closure includes an adapter module including an adapter wall extending along the short axis; a slot extending from an upper peripheral edge of the adapter wall along the short axis; 3. The fiber optic closure of claim 2, wherein the adapter insert extends along the base panel and is positionable within a slot in the adapter wall.

4. 2. The fiber optic closure of claim 1, wherein the upper retention tab is offset along the longitudinal axis relative to the lower retention tab.

5. the optical fiber organizing system includes a plurality of pairs of retention tabs; 2. The fiber optic closure of claim 1, wherein each pair of retention tabs includes an upper retention tab that is offset relative to a respective lower retention tab along the longitudinal axis.

6. 6. The fiber optic closure of claim 5, wherein the plurality of pairs of retention tabs includes a first pair in which the upper and lower retention tabs extend further along the transverse axis than the upper and lower retention tabs of a second pair.

7. 7. The fiber optic closure of claim 6, wherein the second pair of upper and lower retention tabs are positioned along the longitudinal axis between two or more of the first pair of upper and lower retention tabs.

8. The plurality of walls includes a first side wall separated from a second side wall along the horizontal axis; the plurality of pairs of retention tabs extend from each of the first side wall and the second side wall; 7. The fiber optic closure of claim 6, wherein the first pair of retention tabs are disposed on the first sidewall in opposing relation to the first pair of retention tabs disposed on the second sidewall along a transverse axis.

9. the plurality of pairs of retention tabs extend from each of the first side wall and the second side wall; 7. The fiber optic closure of claim 6, wherein the second pair of retention tabs are disposed on the first sidewall in opposing relation along the transverse axis to the second pair of retention tabs disposed on the second sidewall.

10. 2. The fiber optic closure of claim 1, wherein the upper retention tab does not overlap the lower retention tab along the short axis.

11. 4. The fiber optic closure of claim 3, wherein said base panel defines openings corresponding to each of said upper and lower retention tabs.

12. 2. The fiber optic closure of claim 1, wherein the upper retention tab extends from the first side wall from a top edge along the short dimension.

13. The fiber optic closure of claim 3 , wherein a plurality of mounting openings are formed in said base panel.

14. the optical fiber organizing system includes a splice module forming one or more module walls extending along the short axis and the transverse axis; 14. The fiber optic closure of claim 13, wherein the plurality of mounting openings are configured to receive and mount the splice modules to the base panel.

15. 15. The fiber optic closure of claim 14, wherein the splice module includes one or more partitions extending from the module wall along a direction between the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis.

16. 16. The fiber optic closure of claim 15, wherein the partition is deformable to allow splice sleeves to be attached to the splice module between multiple pairs of module walls.

17. 15. The fiber optic closure of claim 14, wherein the splice module includes legs corresponding to respective mounting openings formed in the base panel.

18. 1. An optical fiber closure comprising: a base at least partially insertable within said fiber optic closure; a basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end forming an open end for one or more cables to extend along the longitudinal axis into the interior of the fiber optic closure, and the second end forming a closed end; a bracket assembly extending from the basket along a short axis, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies along the short axis; an organizing system rotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly between the plurality of hinge assemblies, the organizing system including a body including a plurality of walls separated along the longitudinal axis and along a lateral axis between a front and a rear portion, the body including a base panel connected to the plurality of walls, the organizing system including adapter modules including legs corresponding to respective mounting openings formed in the base panel, the adapter modules receivable by the mounting openings in the base panel, the adapter modules including laterally extending adapter walls defining slots extending along the lateral axis, the slots configured to receive adapter inserts; a connector shaft extending from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the connector shaft connecting the organizing system and the base together; 1. A fiber optic closure comprising:

19. the organizing system includes a splice module forming one or more module walls extending along the short axis and the transverse axis; the mounting opening is configured to receive the splice module and mount it to the base panel; 20. The fiber optic closure of claim 18, wherein the splice module includes one or more partitions extending from the module wall along a direction between the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis.

20. A plurality of retention tabs extend from one or more of the plurality of walls; The plurality of retention tabs an upper retention tab extending along the transverse axis from at least one of the first side wall or the second side wall of the plurality of walls; a lower retention tab extending from the first side wall or the second side wall so as to be closer to the base panel than the upper retention tab along the short axis; 20. The fiber optic closure of claim 18, comprising:

Images