OPTICAL FIBER ROUTING TOOL
An optical fiber routing tool having retaining features that can protect an optical fiber and facilitate routing of the optical fiber during installation. The optical fiber routing tool includes a pen-shaped elongated body that includes a channel configured to receive an optical fiber. The tool can further include one or more rotatable collar mechanisms that can secure the fiber in the channel, preventing movement during handling. Additionally, the tool can include a unique indentation region designed to enable a user to apply finger pressure to secure the fiber in place. The tool may include other optional features, such as a tapered tip, a clip, and/or pick features, for added functionality.
1 . An optical fiber routing tool, comprising:
an elongated body comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a side portion;
a channel extending from the first end to the second end along the side portion and configured for placing an optical fiber therein, the channel defining a bottom surface within the elongated body; and
an indentation region extending from the side portion of the elongated body to the bottom surface of the channel; and
a first rotatable collar configured for partially surrounding the elongated body and retaining the optical fiber in the channel.
2 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the first rotatable collar comprises a gap configured to allow the optical fiber to pass into the channel along the side portion when the first rotatable collar is axially rotated about the elongated body to align the gap with the channel.
3 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 2 , wherein the first rotatable collar is configured to retain the optical fiber in the channel when the first rotatable collar is axially rotated about the elongated body such that the gap does not align with the channel.
4 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second rotatable collar configured to partially surround the elongated body and retain the optical fiber in the channel.
5 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 4 , wherein the first rotatable collar is disposed adjacent to the first end and the second rotatable collar is disposed adjacent to the second end.
6 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 4 , wherein the second rotatable collar is attached to an attachment feature.
7 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is essentially cylindrical in shape.
8 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the channel is aligned with a central axis of the elongated body extending from the first end to the second end.
9 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , further comprising a tapered tip disposed at the first end, the tapered tip comprising a central bore at least partially co-aligned with the channel.
10 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 9 , wherein the tapered tip is configured for surrounding and retaining the optical fiber.
11 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , further comprising a pick feature disposed at the second end and configured to facilitate manipulation of optical components or fibers.
12 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the indentation region comprises a step edge towards the first end, and a tapered portion towards the second end.
13 . A method of routing an optical fiber in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool, the method comprising:
temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool, wherein the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
an elongated body defining:
a first end;
a second end; and
a side portion;
a channel extending from the first end to the second end along the side portion, the channel defining a bottom surface within the elongated body;
an indentation region extending from the side portion of the elongated body to the bottom surface of the channel; and
at least one rotatable collar configured for partially surrounding the elongated body and retaining the optical fiber in the channel;
wherein temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool comprises:
placing an optical fiber in the channel;
rotating the at least one rotatable collar to retain the optical fiber in the channel; and
manipulating the optical fiber routing tool.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one rotatable collar comprises a gap configured to allow the optical fiber to pass into the channel along the side portion when the at least one rotatable collar is rotated about the elongated body to align the gap with the channel, and wherein the at least one rotatable collar is configured to retain the optical fiber in the channel when the at least one rotatable collar is axially rotated about the elongated body such that the gap does not align with the channel.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising securing the optical fiber against the bottom surface by finger pressure.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the optical fiber routing tool further comprises a tapered tip disposed at the first end, the tapered tip comprising a central bore at least partially co-aligned with the channel, and wherein temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool comprises threading a free end of the optical fiber through the central bore.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the optical fiber routing tool further comprises a pick feature disposed at the second end and configured to facilitate manipulation of optical components or fibers.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the indentation region comprises a step edge towards the first end, and a tapered portion towards the second end.
19 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing the optical fiber from the optical fiber routing tool upon completion of the manipulating.
20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising removing the optical fiber from the optical fiber routing tool upon completion of the manipulating, wherein removing the optical fiber from the routing tool comprises rotating the at least one rotatable collar about the elongated body to align the gap with the channel.