Stackable optical fiber splice tray and mounting shelves
View Patent ↗An optical fiber routing apparatus includes at least one optical fiber splice tray for retaining optical fibers therein, and at least one rack. Each rack includes at least one shelf extending from a rear wall for respectively supporting the at least one optical fiber splice tray. At least one retaining flange is respectively coupled to a front edge of each shelf, and a retaining means is respectively coupled to the rear wall proximate a rear edge of each shelf for retaining an optical fiber tray between the rear wall of the rack and the at least one retaining flange on the front edge of a shelf.
1. An optical fiber routing apparatus, comprising:
at least one optical fiber splice tray having an upper surface having a front wall and a rear wall extending substantially orthogonal from an edge of said upper surface and a first pair of tapered recesses formed on an outer surface of said front wall of said tray and adapted for interlocking with a pair of retaining flanges; and
at least one rack, wherein each rack comprises:
at least one shelf extending from a rear wall for respectively supporting said at least one optical fiber splice tray;
a pair of retaining flanges, each extending upward on opposing ends of said front edge of said at least one shelf; and
a retaining means coupled to the rear wall for retaining said optical fiber tray between said rear wall and said pair of retaining flanges.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
at least one spring extending outward from said rear wall of said rack towards said front edge.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said at least one spring comprises at least one of a leaf spring and a coil spring.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said at least one spring compresses backwards towards said rear wall when said tray is inserted over said shelf, and expands towards said front edge of said shelf upon release of said tray to force said tray against said at least one retaining flange.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said rack further comprises a plurality of adjacent shelves extending from said rear wall, said adjacent shelves spaced apart a distance to accommodate a respective plurality of trays.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a pair of rails, each rail extending vertically along opposing edges of said rear wall.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a backstop extending outward from said rear wall between said pair of rails and towards said front edge a distance less than said at least one spring.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said at least one spring comprises a pair of leaf springs, each said leaf spring respectively extending proximate one of said pair of rails towards said front edge of said shelf.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a second pair of tapered recesses formed on an outer surface of said rear wall of said tray.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a width of said at least one shelf is less that a width of said tray.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a length of said at least one shelf is substantially equal to a length of said tray.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said at least one tray further comprises:
at least one spool disposed over an upper surface and a distance from said edge, wherein said at least one spool has a radius greater than a critical bend radius of said optical fibers, wherein said optical fibers are routed around said at least one spool;
a splice holder disposed over said upper surface; and
a plurality of retention tabs positioned proximate said edge and adapted to retain and route a respective plurality of buffered optical fiber strands to said splice holder.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said tray is substantially rectangular in shape and further comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially orthogonal from said edge of said upper surface respectively between said front and rear walls.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said at least one spool comprises a pair of spools positioned proximate said respective pair of opposing walls.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein each said opposing sidewall comprises a curved interior surface conforming to said respective pair of spools.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of retention flanges coupled to each said sidewall, said plurality of flanges extending inward and substantially parallel over said upper surface.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a tray lid having an edge respectively conforming in shape to said edge of said tray and disposed over said upper surface of said tray.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said plurality of retention tabs comprise a plurality of channels, each channel comprising:
a pair sidewalls extending substantially orthogonal from said upper surface; and
a dual sided flange formed on an upper portion of each of the sidewalls, said dual sided flanges extending inwardly over each channel, where two opposing inwardly extending flanges form a gap therebetween to allow insertion of optical fiber strands into said channel.
19. An optical fiber routing apparatus, comprising:
at least one optical fiber splice tray for retaining optical fibers therein; and
at least one rack, wherein each rack comprises:
at least one shelf extending from a rear wall for respectively supporting said at least one optical fiber splice tray;
at least one retaining flange coupled to a front edge of said at least one shelf; and
a retaining means coupled to the rear wall for retaining said optical fiber tray between said rear wall and said at least one retaining flange;
a base formed below a lower shelf of said at least one shelf; and
a rack top extending from said rear wall of said rack and disposed over an upper shelf of said at least one shelf and having a pair of U-shaped flanges extending inward and parallel to said at least one shelf, along opposing sides of said rack top and substantially orthogonal to said rear wall of said rack, each said U-shaped flange sized to receive a respective base flange from a second rack; and
an aperture formed in said rack top, said aperture sized to receive a respective tab of base from the second rack.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said base further comprises:
a pair of base flanges extending outward and parallel to said at least one shelf, along opposing sides of said base and substantially orthogonal to said rear wall of said rack; and
a tab formed on a bottom surface of the base.
21. An optical fiber routing apparatus, comprising:
at least one rack, wherein each rack comprises:
at least one shelf extending from a rear wall for respectively supporting said at least one optical fiber splice tray;
a pair of retaining flanges, each extending upward on opposing ends of a front edge of said at least one shelf; and
a retaining means coupled to the rear wall, wherein each shelf is adapted to receive a respective optical fiber splice tray between said retaining means and said pair of retaining flanges; said tray having an upper surface having a front wall and a rear wall extending substantially orthogonal from an edge of said upper surface and a first pair of tapered recesses formed on an outer surface of said front wall of said tray and adapted for interlocking with said pair of retaining flanges.