Strain relief system

Abstract

Provided is a strain relief system including a plurality of slots which guide a plurality of cables within a working surface, such that each of the plurality of cables in a position remain substantially parallel along an axial direction of the plurality of cables to the remaining plurality of cables in another position; wherein a cushioning material is used to support the plurality of cables and hold the plurality of cables firmly in position within the slots as the plurality of cables are routed within a cabinet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 838,895 filed on Aug. 21, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate to an apparatus for housing optical splitters that link feeder cables to consumer distribution cables. Specifically, the cabinet design may house splitters, but may also be used in a patch panel application, etc.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Current fiber distribution hubs feature a cabinet having a single door that is hinged from a side of the front of the cabinet. The placement of the hinge at a side of the front of the cabinet helps to minimize the necessary size of the cabinet. However, the same design also minimizes the working area inside the cabinet. In most cases, the working area for a worker is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a cabinet with multiple doors that form a corner when closed, allowing for continuous access to multiple working surfaces. The invention also provides a rack with connected arms that can be fixed in different positions, and a strain relief organization system for guiding and supporting optical fibers within a cabinet. Additionally, the invention includes a gravity fed latch for securely holding a rack in a position outside and inside a cabinet, and a removable piece for easy removal of the outer shell without disturbing the connections points. The invention also includes a cabinet with doors that provide structural support for the outer shell.

Problems solved by technology

However, the same design also minimizes the working area inside the cabinet.

In most cases, the working area for a worker is limited to the size of the opening of the door.

Because the workspace is cramped, a worker may inadvertently contact existing working components.

Thus, the risk of accidental fiber breakage causing a service outage significantly increases.

Additionally, the cramped and confining workspace contributes to longer installation times as more caution is needed when working with the existing cabinet.

Further, most existing hubs have distribution rack components with an inner working space that is concave in nature.

Unfortunately, this concave shape also results in limited working space within the cabinet of the hub.

It is extremely difficult to perform the necessary work with the existing designs.

Thus, the cabinets of the hubs are exposed to a number of environmental factors, both human and weather related.

These factors can result in the cabinet needing to be replaced due to damage.

Current hubs do not provide an adequate way of removing the cabinet without interrupting service to customers.

However, as the pigtails enter and exit these locations, the rings and guides tend to cause the pigtails to become kinked and / or crossed.

Further, as more pigtails are installed, the weight of the pigtails increases, and the rings and guides offer limited strain relief.

Thus, the lateral and tensile stresses on the pigtails are increased, which leads to increased attenuation or fiber breakage.

The increase in sag results in difficulty in accessing previously installed connectors, pigtails and cables.

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