Add-on module and method for optical fiber management at an optical fiber tray

Abstract

Management of optical fibers and optical fiber management trays. An add-on module can be selectively mounted to an optical fiber management tray based on specific fiber management needs. For example, the add-on module can conveniently store overlengths of output fibers from an optical signal splitter module mounted to the optical fiber management tray. The add-on module can be configured so as not to interfere with fiber storage and fiber routing on the optical fiber management tray even when the add-on module is mounted to the optical fiber management tray.

Description

[0001] ADD-ON MODULE AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL FIBER MANAGEMENT AT AN OPTICAL FIBER TRAY

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Application

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 636,393 filed on April 19, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present disclosure relates to optical fiber management at optical fiber trays of telecommunications equipment.

[0006] Background

[0007] Optical fibers of telecommunications networks are managed at telecommunications equipment located at different network distribution locations. Such telecommunications equipment can include closures, cabinets, shelves, panels, drawers and the like. The equipment typically includes management assemblies to organize, store, route and connect optical fibers within the network. For example, optical fibers from provider side cables can be routed and optically connected to optical fibers of subscriber side cables using such assemblies. The assemblies can include features for supporting optical fiber splices, ferrules, connectors, adapters, splitters, wave divisionmultiplexers and so forth. In addition, the assemblies can include features for storing and protecting optical fibers.

[0008] Optical fibers from cables can be stored at telecommunications equipment before active optical connections are made with the optical fibers. To accommodate different possible future fiber routing and connectivity arrangements for given telecommunications equipment, optical fibers are provided with overlength, allowing flexibility in how the fibers may be routed and connected in the future. The overlength is stored at the telecommunications equipment.

[0009] Summary

[0010] In general terms, the present disclosure relates to an add-on module for an optical fiber management tray. In some examples, the add-on module is configured to store overlength of an optical fiber extending from a fiber management component mounted to the optical fiber management tray. In further general terms, the present disclosure relates to an assembly of an optical fiber management tray and an add-on module. In some examples, the add-on module is configured to store overlength of an optical fiber extending from a fiber management component mounted to the optical fiber management tray.

[0011] In further general terms, the present disclosure relates to a method of managing overlength of an optical fiber extending from a fiber management component mounted to an optical fiber management tray by using an add-on module that can be selectively locked to and removed from the optical fiber management tray.

[0012] According to one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a module for managing optical fibers, the module including: a module body, the module body including: a module fiber support surface; a module wall extending from the module fiber support surface; a module fiber retention tab extending from the wall parallel to the fiber support, the module body defining a path for routing an optical fiber above the module fiber support surface and below the module fiber retention tab; and a mounting arrangement configured to lock the module body to a tray fiber retention tab of an optical fiber management tray, the mounting arrangement being configured such that when the mounting arrangement is locked to the tray fiber retention tab, fiber retention surfaces of the tray fiber retention tab and the module fiber retention tab are parallel to each other.

[0013] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to optical fiber tray assembly, the assembly including: an optical fiber management tray, including: a tray fiber support surface; an outer wall extending perpendicularly from the tray fiber support surface at an outer perimeter of the tray fiber support surface; a tray spool structure positioned inward of the outer wall and extending from the tray fiber support surface; tray fiber retention tabs extending parallel to the tray fiber support surface from the tray spool structure and from the outer wall, the optical fiber management tray defining fiber routing paths above the tray fiber support surface and below the tray fiber retention tabs; and a tray coupling arrangement configured to pivotally couple the optical fiber management tray to a tray support structure; and an add-on module including a module body, the module body including: a module fiber support surface; a module wall extending from the fiber support surface; a module fiber retention tab extending from the wall parallel to the fiber support, the module body defining a path for routing an optical fiber above the module fiber support surface and below the module fiber retention tab; and a mounting arrangement, the mounting arrangement including a latch engaging one of the tray fiber retention tabs such that the optical fiber management tray and the add-on module are locked to each other and such that fiber retention surfaces of the one of the tray fiber retention tabs and the module fiber retention tab are parallel to each other.

[0014] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of managing optical fibers, the method including: mounting an optical signal splitter to an optical fiber management tray, the optical signal splitter including an input fiber and a plurality of output fibers; locking an add-on module to the optical fiber management tray; and routing and storing overlengths of the plurality of output fibers on the add-on module.

[0015] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of managing optical fibers, the method including: selecting a first of a plurality of optical fiber management trays arranged in a stack of the optical fiber management trays to lock an add-on module to based on a first type of a first fiber management component positioned on the first of the plurality of optical fiber management trays, the add-on module being configured to store overlength of output optical fiber from the first fiber management component; selecting a second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays to be without any add-on module configured to store fiber overlength based on a second type of a second fiber management component positioned on the second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays, the second type being different from the first type; locking the add-on module to the first of the plurality of optical fiber management trays; and not locking any add-on module configured to store fiber overlength to the second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays.

[0016] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0018] FIG. l is a perspective view of example telecommunications equipment that can support modules and assemblies according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an example fiber management assembly that can be housed in the equipment of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example optical fiber management assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the tray support modules of the assembly of FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the tray support module of FIG. 6.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray and add-on module assembly of the assembly of FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a further perspective view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8 and including an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber, the output optical fiber being terminated with a schematically represented fiber optic connector.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a top view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8, taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a further perspective, cross-sectional view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8, taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8, taken along the line 14-14 in FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the optical fiber management tray and signal splitter arrangement of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the optical fiber management tray of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0033] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the splitter holder of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0034] FIG. 18 is a further perspective view of the splitter holder of FIG. 17.

[0035] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the add-on module of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 8.

[0036] FIG. 20 is a further perspective view of the add-on module of FIG. 19.

[0037] FIG. 21 is a further perspective view of the add-on module of FIG. 19.

[0038] FIG. 22 is a top view of the add-on module of FIG. 19.

[0039] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the add-on module of FIG. 19.

[0040] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a tray and add-on module assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 25 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 24, taken along the line 25-25 in FIG. 24.

[0042] FIG. 26 is a further perspective cross-sectional view of the tray and add-on module assembly of FIG. 24, taken along the line 26-26 in FIG. 24.

[0043] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the add-on module of FIG. 24.

[0044] FIG. 28 is a further perspective view of the add-on module of FIG. 24.

[0045] FIG. 29 is a further perspective view of the add-on module of FIG. 24.

[0046] FIG. 30 is a top view of the add-on module of FIG. 24.

[0047] Detailed Description

[0048] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0049] In telecommunications networks, optical fibers are managed at various types of telecommunications equipment. Such telecommunications equipment can be positioned at nodes of the network. A node is a location where an incoming signal (e.g., from a network provider) is routed to a destination (e.g., a network consumer). Such telecommunications equipment can include, for example, terminals (such as closures), cabinets, panels, drawers, and the like. Depending on the type and location of the node, different telecommunications equipment can be appropriate. For instance, for a node placed outdoors in an aerial location (e.g., attached to a telephone pole or a power line), a sealable and re-enterable closure or other terminal can be the appropriate form of telecommunications equipment. As another example, for a node that services a relatively large neighborhood of different consumers, a cabinet may be an appropriate form of telecommunications equipment.

[0050] Typically, a node is used to support and protect incoming optical fibers that are connected to outgoing optical fibers. In addition, a node can support optical fibers for future connectivity. For instance, telecommunications equipment can support both live and non-live fibers. The non-live fibers are typically stored in loops by the telecommunications equipment until they are needed to be connectorized, e.g., when a new home is built that is to be serviced by the node.

[0051] The telecommunications equipment typically supports one or more types of fiber management components for managing incoming and outing optical fibers and their connections, as well as storage and routing components for routing optical fibers and storing overlength (or slack) of optical fibers. Slack (or overlength) storage can be provided for both live and non-live fibers.

[0052] Connections between incoming and outgoing optical fibers are typically managed via fiber management components such as splices (which may include splice bodies that protect the splices and are supported by the telecommunications equipment), connectors that terminate optical fibers and allow optical connection to other optical fibers via adapters (with the adapters and connectors being supported by the telecommunications equipment, e.g., at a patch panel), wave division multiplexors supported by the telecommunications equipment, and optical signal splitters supported by the telecommunications equipment.

[0053] In some examples, fiber management components and / or fibers can be supported on optical fiber management trays. Each tray can service one or more specific optical fiber circuits or portions of circuits or future optical fiber circuits or portions of circuits. In this manner, circuits can be labeled and physically separated one from another at different trays to enhance fiber routing organization and maintenance. For instance, optical fiber management trays can facilitate a technician finding the optical fibers associated with a particular consumer’s optical connection at a given node.

[0054] In certain applications, optical fiber management trays are arranged in stacks for compactness. In some instances, the trays are pivotal mounted relative to one another to allow access to the fiber management portions of specific trays that otherwise would be inaccessible due to the presence of other trays in the stack.

[0055] Many types of telecommunications equipment, such as cabinets and panels, are made to be as compact as possible so as not to take up unneeded space. Telecommunications equipment that is too large can be unwieldy and expensive to manage, and can be an eyesore. Thus, it can be challenging to find sufficient and appropriate space at or in telecommunications equipment for storing and routing optical fibers in an organized, logical manner. For instance, a cabinet may have a fiber storage arrangement that is not specific to any optical fiber management tray that is supported in the cabinet. The overlengths of all output fibers from optical signal splitters supported on the fiber management trays in the cabinet are all stored at the same fiber storage arrangement, which can make identifying and managing overlength of specific splitter outputs challenging when it comes time to manage circuits or future circuits from such outputs.

[0056] Aspects of the present disclosure can advantageously provide one or more technical solutions that can improve optical fiber routing, storage, and / or management at telecommunications equipment.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 1, example telecommunications equipment 10 is shown. In the depicted example, the equipment 10 includes a sealable and re-enterable closure. In other examples, the equipment can include other components at a distribution location (or node) of an optical fiber network. Such equipment can include, for example, a cabinet, a drawer, a shelf, or a panel for organizing and routing optical fibers.

[0058] The closure 10 includes a first housing piece 12 (in this case, a dome), and a second housing piece 14 configured to cooperate with the first housing piece to define a sealable and re-enterable telecommunications closure for managing optical fibers. The first and second housing pieces 12, 14 define an interior closure volume in which other fiber managing equipment can be housed.

[0059] Clamps 16 can be used to compress a seal element between the housing pieces 12 and 14 and thereby clamp and seal together the housing pieces 12 and 14. An actuator 21 can be used to compress sealing elements around the cables entering the closure and / or to compress a seal element between the housing pieces.

[0060] Cables (such as cables 15 and 17) carrying optical fibers can enter the closure volume via sealable ports 19 defined by the second housing piece 14. Such cables can include trunk cables, feeder cables, branch cables, and distribution cables (also known as drop cables). Likewise, electrical grounding conductors or cables can sealingly enter the closure in the same manner.

[0061] Typically, optical fibers from one cable entering the closure are spliced or otherwise connected to optical fibers of one or more other cables entering the closure to establish an optical signal path at the closure 10 (or other signal distribution equipment) from a provider side cable to one or more customer side cables. In this manner, optical signals can be transmitted from one cable to another cable via the closure 10 (or other telecommunications equipment), e.g., from a feeder cable to a drop cable, from a feeder cable to another feeder cable (that feeds another closure), from a feeder cable to a branch cable (which branches out to multiple other terminals), and the like.

[0062] In addition to splicing, other fiber management activities can be performed with telecommunications equipment housed within the closure volume. Such activities can include, without limitation, indexing fibers, storing fibers (typically in one or more loops) splitting signals of fibers, establishing optical connections with connectorized fibers and adapters, and the like.

[0063] Splices, such as mechanical splices or fusion splices, can be performed at the factory or in the field, e.g., at the closure 10 positioned in the field.

[0064] The cables entering the closure can include fibers of different configurations such as loose fibers and fiber ribbons. The fiber ribbons can be flat ribbons or rollable ribbons. The loose fibers can be individual fibers or bundled loose fibers protected by a common protective sheath or tube. For fiber ribbons, the fibers of the entire ribbon can be spliced to the fibers of a corresponding fiber ribbon at the same time, e.g., using a mass fusion splicing procedure.

[0065] Splice bodies protect the splices both in the case of individual fiber splices and mass fiber splices, such as mass fusion splices. The splice bodies can be held in splice holders also known as splice chips. Fiber management trays can support such splice holders (or chips). The fiber management trays can be stacked in stacks to support modules mounted to a frame all housed within the closure volume. The trays are pivotal relative to the support modules such that a desired tray in the stack can be accessed by pivoting one or more of the trays away from the desired tray.

[0066] As used herein, positioning and orientational terms such as up, down, upper, lower, above, below, front, back, rear, forward, backward, rearward, horizontal, vertical, and so forth, may be used to refer to relative positioning of components in an assembly or portions of a component relative to each other when positioned in an assembly. Such terminology is provided as a descriptive aid and does not limit how components or portions of components may be positioned or oriented in practice.

[0067] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion an example fiber management assembly 600, a portion of which can be housed in the closure of FIG 1.

[0068] The assembly 600 defines a first axis 602, a second axis 604, and a third axis 606. The first axis 602, the second axis 604, and the third axis 606 are mutually perpendicular. The assembly 600 extends from a top 608 to a bottom 610 along the first axis 602. The assembly 600 extends from a first side 612 to a second side 614 along the second axis 604. The assembly 600 extends from a front 616 to a back 618 along the third axis 606.

[0069] The assembly 600 includes a framework (or frame) 620 consisting of a number of frame members.

[0070] The assembly 600 also includes front and back stacks 123 of fiber management tray support modules 122. The stacks 123 are back-to-back mounted to the framework 620. However, in other examples, only one stack of tray support modules is provided on either the front or the back of the framework. In such examples, a fiber loop storage basket can be provided on the other side of the framework. The tray support modules 122 pivotally support stacks of fiber management trays 124, such as splice trays, trays that support signal splitters, and the like.

[0071] In some examples, the frame 620 can be added to along the vertical axis 602 to accommodate additional modules 122.

[0072] The frame 620 attaches to a base 626. The frame 620 includes a top member 628. The frame 620 also includes two side members (also referred to as uprights or module support members) 632 having a first upright configuration, and two side members (also referred to as uprights or module support members) 634 having a second upright configuration.

[0073] When assembled in the framework 620, each stack 123 of modules 122 is mounted to a pair of the uprights. In the assembled framework configuration pairs of the uprights are snappingly connected to each other.

[0074] The framework 620 includes spacer members 640, which help maintain a fixed distance between the uprights to define a loop storage volume between the front uprights and the back uprights.

[0075] Each of the components of the framework 620 just described can be constructed from a suitably strong and rigid material that can readily accommodate snappable couplers. For example, all of the components can be constructed from a polymeric material (e.g., plastic).

[0076] The assembly 600 includes two fiber routing modules which can be covered by covers 613. The fiber routing modules can include routing structures (e.g., curved walls) to guide optical fibers to one side or another side of the frame and then upward to desired tray 124. Optionally, if the assembly includes just one vertical stack of fiber management tray supporting modules, then the assembly can include just one fiber routing module.

[0077] Optionally, each fiber routing module can also include structures for mounting sheath holders. Such sheath holders can hold protective sheaths or tubes containing optical fibers extending from cables passing through the seal blocks supported in pockets of the base 626 and fixed in the interior of the closure.

[0078] Once on a fiber routing module, the fibers can emerge from ends of the sheaths and be routed along pathways defined by the routing module and then up routing channels 615 defined by the uprights 632, 634 and the tray support modules 122 to a specific tray 124 supported by a tray support module 122, on which the fiber is managed as needed (e.g., with a splice to a fiber of another cable entering the closure, with the splice being held on the tray or to signal splitter held on the tray). In addition, some fibers can remain in the protective sheaths and are routed to the interior loop storage volume between the stacks of the tray support modules.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, an example optical fiber management assembly 200 according to the present disclosure will be described. In some examples, the components of the fiber management assembly 200 are constructed of a polymeric material (e.g., plastic). In some examples, the components of the assembly 300 are constructed of a polymeric material (e.g., plastic) and other components of the telecommunications equipment (e.g., a cabinet panel to which the assembly 300 is mounted) are constructed of another material (e.g., metal).

[0080] The assembly 200 includes tray support modules 202 arranged in a stack of the modules 202. The modules 202 can be mounted to the frame 620 (FIG. 2) or to other telecommunications equipment, such as a panel of a cabinet.

[0081] The tray support modules 202 are a non-limiting example of a tray support structure that can pivotally receive and support, at tray receiver arrangements 206, optical fiber management trays 204. The optical fiber management trays 204 are arranged in a stack 208 of the trays 204 all pivotally mounted to the tray support modules 202. In this example, each tray support module 202 includes a body 203 that includes four tray receiver arrangements 206 such that each tray support module 202 can pivotally support up to four trays 204.

[0082] The body 203 of each module 202 also includes projecting fingers 210. The fingers 210 are configured to define portions of routing channels that allow routing of optical fibers to specific trays in the stack of trays.

[0083] At the back of each body 203 of each module 202 is a coupling interface that includes differently configured couplers 212, 214, 216. The coupling interface is configured to securely mount the module 202 to another structure, such as the frame 620 (FIG. 2), panel, a drawer, and the like.

[0084] A tray and add-on module assembly 300 in accordance with the present disclosure is also pivotally coupled to one of the tray support modules 202.

[0085] The assembly 300 includes one of the fiber management trays 204 and an addon module 302 lockingly mounted to the fiber management tray 204. In the example assembly 200, the uppermost tray 204 in the stack 208 is the only tray in the stack that has an add-on module 302 mounted to it. In other examples, one or more of the other trays 204 in the stack can include an add-on module 302 mounted to it. Thus, a given stack of trays could include more than one assembly 300 pivotally supported by a tray support structure.

[0086] In this example, the add-on module 302 occupies approximately the height of one tray 204, such that no tray is coupled to the tray receiver arrangement 206 immediately above the tray receiver arrangement 206 that supports the tray 204 of the assembly 300. That is, the height Hl of the assembly 300 is approximately double the height H2 of the tray 204.

[0087] In examples in which an assembly 300 is mounted to a different location relative to the stack 208 of trays 204, e.g., in the middle of the stack with one or more trays 204 above the assembly 300 and one or more trays 204 below the assembly 300, there is no tray 204 (e.g., a tray can be removed from the tray support structure) mounted to the receiver arrangement 206 immediately above the receiver arrangement 206 that mounts the tray 204 of the assembly 300.

[0088] In the example assembly 200 shown, the tray 204 and the add-on module 302 of the assembly 300 are accessible without pivoting any of the trays in the stack 208. To access the fiber management surface of another of the trays 204 in the stack 208, the trays above the tray (including the assembly 300) for which fiber management access is desired can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 218 and held in place in a pivoted up position by one or more features of the corresponding tray receiver arrangements 206. Once access to that tray is no longer needed the pivoted trays can be pivoted back to their positions as shown in FIG. 3.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 8-23, the tray and add-on module assembly 300 will now be described in greater detail.

[0090] The assembly 300 extends from a top 306 of the assembly 300 to a bottom 308 of the assembly 300 along a first axis. The assembly 300 extends from a proximal end 311 of the assembly 300 to a distal end 313 of the assembly 300 along a second axis. The assembly 300 extends from a left side 315 of the assembly 300 to a right side 317 of the assembly 300 along a third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually perpendicular to one another.

[0091] The assembly 300 includes the tray 204 and the add-on module 302. In this example, the assembly 300 also includes a fiber management component holder 220 mounted to the tray 204, and a fiber management component 222 securely held by the holder 220. In this example, the fiber management component 222 is a signal splitter configured to split optical signals from one input fiber 90 extending into the signal splitter module 222 into 16 output fibers 92 extending out of the signal splitter module 222 at an opposite end of the signal splitter module 222 from where the input fiber 90 enters. As used herein a signal splitter module includes a housing that houses a signal splitter (e.g., the hardware of a signal splitter).

[0092] In other examples, the fiber management component 222 can be something other than a signal splitter module, such as a splice, a splice body, a splice chip, a splice holder, a wave division multiplexor, an adapter configured to optically couple two fiber optic connectors that terminate two optical fibers, a fiber optic connector having a ferrule that terminates an optical fiber, or the like.

[0093] Other configurations of the splitter module 222 are possible. For example, the signal splitter of the signal splitter module can be configured to split optical signals from one input fiber into any desired number of output fibers, such as 2 output fibers, 4 output fibers, 8 output fibers, 24 output fibers, 32 output fibers, and the like.

[0094] The tray 204 includes a fiber management surface 226. The tray 204 includes an outer wall 228 extending from an outer perimeter of the fiber management surface 226. The outer wall 228 extends upward from the fiber management surface 226 in a direction perpendicular to the fiber management surface 226.

[0095] The tray 204 generally defines a fiber routing and storage region 229 and a fiber management component region 236. The two regions 229 and 236 are somewhat separated from each other by a partition wall 237 extending upward from the fiber management surface 226. The fiber management surface 226 in the fiber management component region 236 defines coupling arrangements 238 to mount fiber management components, such as an adapter, a splice holder, a signal splitter arrangement, and the like.

[0096] For example, a splitter arrangement can be mounted to one or more of the coupling arrangements 238. The splitter arrangement can include the fiber management component holder 220 and a signal splitter module 222. The signal splitter module 222 can be glued or otherwise fastened to the holder 220. For instance, the signal splitter module 222 can be held in the holder 220 by latch arms 276 of the holder 220 that catch on sides of the signal splitter module 222. The holder 220 includes a bottom surface 278. Extending downward from the bottom surface 278 are projections 280, 282. The projections 282 are complementary to the structure of the coupling arrangement 238. Flexing the flexible cantilevered tab 286 of the coupling arrangement 238 and sliding the bottom surface 278 along the fiber management surface 226 causes the projections 280, 282 to mate, in dovetail fashion, with the coupling arrangement 238 to securely install the holder 220 to the tray 204. When installed, one of the holes 284 in the bottom surface 278 aligns with the flexible tab 286. A picking tool can be inserted through the hole 284 to press and flex the flexible tab 286 to allow the holder 220 to be released and removed from the coupling arrangement 238.

[0097] At the distal end of the tray 204 is a tray coupling arrangement 230 configured to pivotally couple to a tray receiver arrangement 206 (FIG. 6). The tray coupling arrangement 230 includes a non-round hinge pin and other couplers that are complementary to structural features of the tray receiver arrangement 206 and allow the tray 204 to thereby pivot relative to a tray support structure such as the tray support module 202 and also to hold one or more pivoted positions of the tray relative to the stray support structure.

[0098] The tray 204 defines fiber entryways 232 at left and right sides, respectively, of the coupling arrangement 230. The entryways 232 allow optical fibers to be routed (e.g., from a patch panel, from an optical fiber cable fixed to the telecommunications equipment, and the like) into the fiber routing and storage region 229 of the tray 204.

[0099] The region 229 includes a spool structure 234. In this example, the spool structure 234 includes a plurality of portions 246, 248, 250 and 252. The spool portions 246, 248, 250, 252 are curved walls extending upward from the fiber management surface 226 that, together, generally form the spool structure 234. Gaps between adjacent ones of the spool portions 246, 248, 250, 252 allow fibers to enter, be routed within, and be stored within (e.g., in one or more fiber loops or partial fiber loops), the inner spool region 260 defined by the spool structure 234. The inner spool region 260 can also be used to change the routing direction (e.g., from counterclockwise to clockwise or vice versa) of an optical fiber on the tray 204.

[0100] Optical fibers can also be routed and stored (e.g., in one or more fiber loops or partial fiber loops) around the spool structure 234 in the outer region 258 of the spool structure 234. The shapes, sizes, and positionings of the spool structure 234, the outer perimeter wall 228, the distal wall 244, and the partition wall 237 can be configured to prevent optical fibers looped and stored on the tray 204 from being bent beyond the fibers’ minimum bend radii. Overbending of optical fibers can damage the optical fibers and / or negatively impact their signal transmission capabilities.

[0101] To keep optical fibers on the tray 204 within the outer region 258, the tray 204 includes fiber retention tabs 240 and 242. The fiber retention tabs 240 generally extend inwardly from the walls 228 and 244 to free ends of the fiber retention tabs 240. The fiber retention tabs 242 generally extend outwardly from the spool portions 246, 248, 250, 252 of the spool structure 234 to free ends of the fiber retention tabs 242. In this manner optical fiber routing paths can be established in the outer region 258 above the fiber management surface 226 and below the fiber retention tabs 240 and 242. In particular, optical fiber routing paths can be established below fiber retention surfaces 262, 264 of the fiber retention tabs 240, 242, respectively, and above the fiber management surface 226. The fiber retention surfaces 262 and 264 are at the bottoms of the fiber retention tabs 240, 242, respectively, and are parallel to the fiber management surface 226.

[0102] To keep optical fibers on the tray 204 within the inner spool region 260, the tray 204 includes fiber retention tabs 254 and 256. The fiber retention tabs 254 and 256 generally extend inwardly from the spool portions 246, 248, 250, 252 of the spool structure 234 to free ends of the fiber retention tabs 254 and 256. In this manner, optical fiber routing paths can be established in the inner spool region 260 above the fiber management surface 226 and below the fiber retention tabs 254 and 256. In particular, optical fiber routing paths can be established below fiber retention surfaces 268, 270 of the fiber retention tabs 254, 256, respectively, and above the fiber management surface 226. The fiber retention surfaces 268 and 270 are at the bottom of the fiber retention tabs 254, 256, respectively, and are parallel to the fiber management surface 226.

[0103] In this example, the fiber retention tabs 254 and, correspondingly, their fiber retention surfaces 268, have approximately L shapes. Each approximate L-shape includes a leg portion 272 that extends from the spool structure 234, and a foot portion 274 that extends at an oblique angle or right angle from the leg portion 272 to a free end of the fiber retention tab 254. The add-on module 302 lockingly mounts to the tray 204 to form the add-on module assembly 300. A non-limiting example fiber routing use case for the add-on module assembly 300 is shown in FIG. 9. An optical fiber 90 enters the tray 204 via one of the entryways 232. The fiber 90 is looped around the spool structure 234 under the fiber retention tabs 240, 242 in the storage region 229 and then routed to the fiber management component region 236 where it enters the splitter module 222. The splitter module 222 splits the input signals from the input fiber into 16 different output fibers including an output fiber 92.

[0104] In some examples, the output fiber 92 is a pigtail terminated by a fiber optic connector 94 having a ferrule 96 that terminates the fiber 92. The fiber optic connector 94 is configured to be installed in a fiber optic adapter with another fiber optic connector to optically connect the fiber 92 with a fiber of the other fiber optic connector installed in the same adapter. For example, the telecommunications equipment can include a patch panel of adapters, one of which can receive the connector 94. In addition, the telecommunications equipment can include a non-live parking panel for storing the connector 94 until a live connection is needed.

[0105] Advantageously, overlength (or slack) of the output fiber 94 is looped and stored on the add-on module 302 instead of directly on the tray 204 or in another location of the telecommunications equipment. The add-on module 302 thus provides a tray-specific storage area and structure for a portion of the output fiber 92 extending from the fiber management component 222. In this manner, organization of, and the ability to identify a specific output fiber overlength corresponding to a specific optical circuit can be improved.

[0106] The overlength portion of the output fiber 94 is routed over the tray fiber retention tabs 240, 242 and under the fiber retention tabs of the add-on module 302, and then guided over the outer wall 228 of the tray 204 and off the assembly 300. The addon module 302 thus advantageously provides structure for gently guiding the output fiber(s) from the fiber management component 222 upward and above the fiber management surface 226, and then over the wall 228 and off the assembly 300.

[0107] The input fiber 90 does not extend above the retention tabs 240, 242 or into the add-on module 302 and, thereby, organization of the input fiber 90 separate from the output fiber(s) can be advantageously improved. That is, no portion of the input fiber 90 is routed or stored on the add-on module 302. The add-on module 302 is configured to lockingly mount to the tray 204 in such a way that, advantageously, routing and storage of the optical fiber 90 on the tray 204 is not interfered with by the add-on module 302 even when the add-on module 302 is secured to the tray 204.

[0108] The add-on module 302 includes a module body 310.

[0109] The module body 310 includes a module fiber support surface 312 and module walls 314, 316, 318, 320 extending perpendicularly upward from the fiber support surface 312. Module fiber retention tabs 322 extend inwardly and parallel to the module fiber support surface 312 to free ends of the tabs 322 from tops of the walls 314, 316, 318, 320.

[0110] The module body 310 includes a module spool structure 324 that extends upward from the inner edges of the module fiber support surface 312 perpendicularly to the module fiber support surface. Fiber retention tabs 326 extend outwardly to free ends of the fiber retention tabs 326 from a top of the module spool structure 324 and toward the walls 314, 316, 318, 320.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, when viewed from the top of the module 302 and from the bottom of the module 302, the module 302 forms a cross shape defined by four fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336 with material voids 338 positioned between adjacent ones of the four fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336. Each of the fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336 extends outwardly from a bottom edge of the module spool structure 324 to free ends of the fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336. The fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336 define portions of the fiber support surface 312. The walls 314, 316, 318, 320 extend upwardly from the free ends of the fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336, respectively.

[0112] The voids 338 can reduce the weight of the module 302 and reduce the material cost of manufacturing the module 302. In addition, the voids 338 can provide convenient access to the fiber management areas of the tray 204 when the module 302 is lockingly mounted to the tray 204.

[0113] The module body 310 defines a path for routing an optical fiber above the module fiber support surface 312, below the module fiber retention tabs 322 and 326, and around the spool structure 324. The spool structure 324 can prevent over-bending of optical fibers beyond their minimum bend radii. The module body 310 includes a mounting arrangement 340. The mounting arrangement 340 is configured to lock the module body to one or more of the tray fiber retention tabs 254, 256 of the optical fiber management tray 204. The mounting arrangement 340 is configured such that when the mounting arrangement is locked to the one or more tray fiber retention tabs 254, 256, the fiber retention surfaces 262, 264, 266, 268 of the tray fiber retention tabs and the bottom-facing fiber retention surfaces 342, 344 of the module fiber retention tabs 322 and 326 are parallel to one another.

[0114] In this example, a portion of the mounting arrangement 340 is positioned inward of the module spool structure 324, a portion of the mounting arrangement 340 is positioned outward of the module spool structure 324, and the fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336 are positioned outward of the module spool structure 324.

[0115] The mounting arrangement 340 includes one or more flexibly resilient latch arms 350 (in this example, four such latch arms 350), each of which includes a catch 352. Each latch arm 350 is structurally supported by, and extends from, a corresponding rib 354 projecting downward from a bottom surface 356 of the module body 310. Each rib 354 is arcuate in shape. The ribs are configured to be received within the inner spool region 260 of the tray 204, and can abut and sit on the portion 290 of the fiber management surface 226 that is within the inner spool region 260.

[0116] To mount the module 302 to the tray 204, the module 302 can be pressed downward until the ribs 354 rest on the portion 290 of the fiber management surface 226 and the catches 352 catch underneath corresponding fiber retention tabs 254 of the tray 204. The act of pressing causes each pair of the latch arms 350 to flex away from each other. Once the catches 352 clear the fiber retention tabs 254 underneath the fiber retention tabs 254, the latch arms 350 resiliently return to their unflexed configuration and lock the module 302 to the tray 204.

[0117] The locking interface created by the catches 352 and the fiber retention tabs 254 can inhibit upward separation of the module 302 from the tray 204. Meanwhile the interface between the ribs 354 and the inner surface of the spool structure 234 of the tray 204 can inhibit side to side movement of the module 302 relative to the tray. Thereby, the module 302 and the tray 204 are locked to each other.

[0118] To remove the module 302 from the tray 204, a picking tool can be inserted into one or more of the openings 370 defined by the surface 312 and the surface 372 within the module spool structure 324 to access and flex the corresponding latch arm(s) 350 such that the module 302 can be released.

[0119] In the example assembly 300, the module 302 and the tray 204 are configured such that the inner regions defined by the spool structures 234 and 324 are offset from each other along the dimension extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the assembly 300. In this example, the spool structure 324 is relatively offset toward the proximal end as compared with the spool structure 234. The offset nature of the spool structures 234 and 324 can enhance fiber storage, routing, and / or organization. In other examples the spools can be offset from each other in either direction along the left to right dimension and / or the proximal to distal dimension of the assembly 300.

[0120] In the example assembly 300, the module 302 and the tray 204 are configured such that, when the module 302 is lockingly mounted to the tray 204, bottom surfaces of one or more portions of the module 302, such as bottom surfaces of one or more of the fiber supports 330, 332, 334 and 336 rest on top surfaces of structures of the tray 204, such as top surfaces of the outer wall 228 and / or fiber retention tabs 240, 242, thereby advantageously providing an assembly 300 that is compact in the top to bottom dimension.

[0121] In the example assembly 300, the module 302 and the tray 204 are configured such that, when the module 302 is lockingly mounted to the tray 204, the module 302 does not extend beyond the tray 204 in the proximal to distal dimension or in the left to right dimension, thereby advantageously providing a compact assembly 300.

[0122] Referring now to FIGS. 24-30, a further embodiment of a tray and add-on module assembly 400 according to the present disclosure will be described. The assembly 400 includes the tray 204 and an add-on module 402.

[0123] In the interest of conciseness, the following description will focus largely on differences between the assembly 400 and the assembly 300. The module 402 is essentially structurally the same as the module 302 except for the mounting arrangement.

[0124] The module 402 includes a mounting arrangement 440. The mounting arrangement 440 is configured to lock the module body 410 to one or more of the tray fiber retention tabs 254, 256 of the optical fiber management tray 204. The mounting arrangement 440 is configured such that when the mounting arrangement is locked to the one or more tray fiber retention tabs 254, 256, the fiber retention surfaces 262, 264, 266, 268 of the tray fiber retention tabs and the bottom-facing fiber retention surfaces 342, 344 of the module fiber retention tabs 322 and 326 are parallel to one another.

[0125] In this example, the mounting arrangement 440 is positioned entirely inward of the module spool structure 324 and the fiber supports 330, 332, 334, 336 are positioned outward of the module spool structure 324.

[0126] The mounting arrangement 440 includes a flexibly resilient latch arm 450, which includes two spaced apart catches 452. The latch arm 450 is recessed downward from, and is also integral with, the surface 470 within the module spool structure 324.

[0127] Projecting downward from the latch arm 450 between the catches is a rib 455. Additional ribs 454 project downward from a bottom surface of the body 310. The ribs 454 are configured to be received within the inner spool region 260 of the tray 204, and can abut and sit on the portion 290 of the fiber management surface 226 that is within the inner spool region 260.

[0128] The mounting arrangement 440 also includes interface tabs 456 recessed downward from a bottom surface 472 of the module 402.

[0129] The mounting arrangement also includes a grip 460 projecting from the latch arm 450. The grip 460 is configured to be pressed downward to flex the latch arm 450. The rib 455 extends from an underside of the grip 460 and can be configured to reinforce the grip 460 and prevent the latch arm 450 from being over-flexed by coming in contact with the fiber management surface 226 of the tray 204.

[0130] To mount the module 402 to the tray 204, the module 402 can be positioned atop the tray 204 with the catches 452 positioned distally of the fiber retention tabs 254 the are configured to latch to. The module 402 can then be slid in the proximal direction until the catches 452 catch underneath corresponding fiber retention tabs 254 of the tray 204. The act of sliding causes each pair of the latch arms 450 to flex downward. Once the catches 452 clear the fiber retention tabs 254 underneath the fiber retention tabs 254, the latch arm 450 resiliently returns to its unflexed configuration. At the same time, the sliding motion causes the interface tabs 456 to slide under and interface with corresponding fiber retention tabs 256 of the tray 204.

[0131] The locking interface created by the catches 452 and the fiber retention tabs 254 can inhibit distal movement of the module 402 relative to the tray 204 as well as upward separation of the module 402 from the tray 204. The engagement interface between the interface tabs 456 and the fiber retention tabs 256 can inhibit both proximal and side to side movement of the module 402 relative to the tray 204, as well as upward separation of the module 402 from the tray 204. Thereby, the module 402 and the tray 204 are locked to each other.

[0132] To remove the module 402 from the tray 204, a finger or tool can engage the grip 460 and press downward on the grip 460 causing the latch arm 450 to flex downward until the catches 452 downwardly clear the fiber retention tabs 254. At this point, the module 402 can be slid distally and then lifted out of engagement with and thereby released from the tray 204.

[0133] In the example assembly 400, the module 402 and the tray 204 are configured such that the inner regions defined by the spool structures 234 and 324 are offset from each other along the dimension extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the assembly 400. In this example, the spool structure 324 is relatively offset toward the proximal end as compared with the spool structure 234. The offset nature of the spool structures 234 and 324 can enhance fiber storage, routing, and / or organization. In other examples the spools can be offset from each other in either direction along the left to right dimension and / or the proximal to distal dimension of the assembly 400.

[0134] In the example assembly 400, the module 402 and the tray 204 are configured such that, when the module 402 is lockingly mounted to the tray 204, bottom surfaces of one or more portions of the module 402, such as bottom surfaces of one or more of the fiber supports 330, 332, 334 and 336 rest on top surfaces of structures of the tray 204, such as top surfaces of the outer wall 228 and / or fiber retention tabs 240, 242, thereby advantageously providing an assembly 400 that is compact in the top to bottom dimension.

[0135] In the example assembly 400, the module 302 and the tray 204 are configured such that, when the module 402 is lockingly mounted to the tray 204, the module 402 does not extend beyond the tray 204 in the proximal to distal dimension or in the left to right dimension, thereby advantageously providing a compact assembly 400.

[0136] The capabilities and advantages for fiber routing and organization for the assembly 400 are the same as those described for the assembly 300.

[0137] The latching of the module 302, 402 to fiber retention tabs of a fiber management tray as shown and described herein advantageously can allow for minimal or no interference by the mounting portion 340, 440 of the module 302, 402 with fiber routing pathways on the tray. Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative examples set forth herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A module for managing optical fibers, comprising: a module body, the module body including: a module fiber support surface; a module wall extending from the module fiber support surface; a module fiber retention tab extending from the module wall parallel to the module fiber support surface, the module body defining a path for routing an optical fiber above the module fiber support surface and below the module fiber retention tab; and a mounting arrangement configured to lock the module body to a tray fiber retention tab of an optical fiber management tray, the mounting arrangement being configured such that when the mounting arrangement is locked to the tray fiber retention tab, fiber retention surfaces of the tray fiber retention tab and the module fiber retention tab are parallel to each other.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the module body includes a spool structure and four fiber supports extending from the spool structure, each of the fiber supports defining a portion of the module fiber support surface.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the module wall extends from a free end of one of the fiber supports.

4. The module of any of claims 2-3, wherein fiber support walls extend perpendicularly to the module fiber support surface from free ends of the fiber supports.

5. The module of claim 4, wherein module fiber retention tabs extend parallel to the module fiber support surface from the fiber support walls to define a fiber path below the module fiber retention tabs and above the module fiber support surface.

6. The module of any of claims 2-5, wherein other fiber retention tabs extend parallel to the module fiber support surface from the spool structure.

7. The module of any of claims 2-6, wherein the mounting arrangement is positioned inward of the spool structure and the fiber supports are positioned outward of the spool structure.

8. The module of any of claims 1-7, wherein the mounting arrangement includes a flexibly resilient latch arm that includes a catch.

9. The module of any of claims 1-8, wherein the mounting arrangement includes four flexibly resilient latch arms that include catches.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein each of the latch arms includes a grip for flexing the latch arm, and a rib extending from the grip and configured to reinforce the grip.

11. The module of any of claims 1-10, further comprising the optical fiber management tray.

12. An optical fiber tray assembly, comprising: an optical fiber management tray, including: a tray fiber support surface; an outer wall extending perpendicularly from the tray fiber support surface at an outer perimeter of the tray fiber support surface; a tray spool structure positioned inward of the outer wall and extending from the tray fiber support surface; tray fiber retention tabs extending parallel to the tray fiber support surface from the tray spool structure and from the outer wall, the optical fiber management tray defining fiber routing paths above the tray fiber support surface and below the tray fiber retention tabs; and a tray coupling arrangement configured to pivotally couple the optical fiber management tray to a tray support structure; and an add-on module including a module body, the module body including: a module fiber support surface; a module wall extending from the module fiber support surface;a module fiber retention tab extending from the module wall parallel to the module fiber support surface, the module body defining a path for routing an optical fiber above the module fiber support surface and below the module fiber retention tab; and a mounting arrangement, the mounting arrangement including a latch engaging one of the tray fiber retention tabs such that the optical fiber management tray and the add-on module are locked to each other and such that fiber retention surfaces of the one of the tray fiber retention tabs and the module fiber retention tab are parallel to each other.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the optical fiber management tray includes a fiber management component mounted to the tray fiber support surface, an input fiber extending into the fiber management component at an input end of the fiber management component, and an output fiber extending from the fiber management component from an output end of the fiber management component, the output end being opposite the input end; wherein a portion of one of the input fiber or the output fiber is routed and stored on the add-on module; and wherein no portion of the other of the input fiber or the output fiber is routed on or stored on the add-on module.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the fiber management component includes an optical signal splitter; and wherein overlengths of output fibers extending from the optical signal splitter are stored on the add-on module.

15. The assembly of any of claims 12-14, further comprising the tray support structure, wherein the optical fiber management tray is pivotally coupled to the tray support structure.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the tray support structure includes a tower of a telecommunications closure, the tower being configured to pivotally support a plurality of optical fiber management trays in a stack of the trays.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the tray support structure includes a portion of a cabinet configured to pivotally support a plurality of optical fiber management trays in a stack of the trays.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the tray support structure includes a tray support module defining coupling arrangements for pivotally coupling a stack of optical fiber management trays, the tray support structure being configured to mount to a frame of a telecommunications closure, or to a panel of other telecommunications equipment.

19. A telecommunications cabinet, comprising: a panel; the assembly of claim 15, wherein the tray support structure is mounted to the panel; and a plurality of optical fiber management trays pivotally coupled to the tray support structure.

20. A telecommunications closure, comprising: one or more housing pieces defining an interior, sealable volume of the closure; the assembly of claim 15 positioned within the interior, sealable volume; and optical fiber cables extending into the interior, sealable volume, wherein optical fibers of the optical fiber cables are stored on the optical fiber management tray and on the add-on module.

21. A method of managing optical fibers, comprising: mounting an optical signal splitter module to an optical fiber management tray, the optical signal splitter module including an input fiber and a plurality of output fibers; locking an add-on module to the optical fiber management tray; androuting and storing overlengths of the plurality of output fibers on the add-on module.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising routing and storing a portion of the input fiber on the optical fiber management tray.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the portion of the input fiber is routed and stored entirely underneath the add-on module.

24. The method of any of claims 21-23, wherein the locking includes engaging a latch of the add-on module with a fiber retention tab of the optical fiber management tray.

25. The method of any of claims 21-24, further comprising unlocking the add-on module from the optical fiber management tray to access the input fiber on the optical fiber management tray.

26. The method of any of claims 21-25, wherein the optical fiber management tray is pivotally coupled to a tray support structure in a stack of a plurality of optical fiber management trays that are pivotally coupled to the tray support structure; and wherein the method includes removing from the stack one of the plurality of optical fiber management trays that is adjacent to the optical fiber management tray before the locking.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the optical fiber management tray is pivotally coupled to a tray support structure in a stack of a plurality of optical fiber management trays that are pivotally coupled to the tray support structure; and wherein the method includes adding to the stack another optical fiber management tray adjacent to the optical fiber management tray after the unlocking.

28. A method of managing optical fibers, comprising:selecting a first of a plurality of optical fiber management trays arranged in a stack of the plurality of optical fiber management trays to lock an add-on module to based on a first type of a first fiber management component positioned on the first of the plurality of optical fiber management trays, the add-on module being configured to store overlength of output optical fiber from the first fiber management component; selecting a second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays to be without any add-on module configured to store fiber overlength based on a second type of a second fiber management component positioned on the second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays, the second type being different from the first type; locking the add-on module to the first of the plurality of optical fiber management trays; and not locking any add-on module configured to store fiber overlength to the second of the plurality of optical fiber management trays.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first fiber management component includes a signal splitter and the second fiber management component does not include any signal splitter.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the second fiber management component includes a splice holder.

31. The method of any of claims 28-30, wherein the plurality of optical fiber management trays are pivotally supported by a tray support structure.

32. The module of any of claims 1-8, wherein the mounting arrangement is configured to lock the module body to the tray fiber retention tab of the optical fiber management tray by pressing the module toward the optical fiber management tray only in a direction perpendicular to the module fiber support surface.

33. The module of any of claims 1-8, wherein the mounting arrangement is configured to lock the module body to the tray fiber retention tab of the optical fiber management tray by sliding the module relative to the optical fiber management tray in a direction parallel to the module fiber support surface.

34. The module of any of claims 1-11, 32, or 33, wherein the module has a cross shape.

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