Patent US5490229A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5490229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slidably mounted optical fiber distribution tray
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
•
Filing: 1994-09-27
•
Granted: 1996-02-06
•
Expires: 2014-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an optical fiber distribution apparatus with slide-out trays including optical connectors and splice trays mounted thereon. Each tray has a hinged protective cover and a front portion which drops down to provide access to the connectors. The splice tray is mounted on a platform elevated from the tray so that fibers coming into the tray can be stored in the gap formed thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Shahryar Ghandeharizadeh
- 👤 Randy A. Reagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/444; G02B6/4453; G02B6/4455; G02B6/4452; G02B6/44524; G02B6/44528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An optical fiber distribution tray adapted for slidable mounting within a shelf of a distribution frame comprising: a rear portion including a plurality of optical connectors; a front portion including means for distributing optical fibers coupled to said connectors comprising a base member and a front surface perpendicular thereto, the base member being mounted by means of hinges to the rear portion of the distribution tray; and a cover mounted by means of hinges to the front surface of the distributing means so as to be parallel to the base member in a closed position and provide protection for the fibers and connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical fiber distribution tray adapted for slidable mounting within a shelf of a distribution frame comprising: a rear portion including a plurality of optical connectors; a front portion including means for distributing optical fibers coupled to said connectors comprising a base member and a front surface perpendicular thereto, the base member being mounted by means of hinges to the rear portion of the distribution tray; and a cover mounted by means of hinges to the front surface of the distributing means so as to be parallel to the base member in a closed position and provide protection for the fibers and connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tray according to claim 1 wherein the front portion is capable of dropping down at an angle to the rear portion when the tray is slid at least partly out of the shelf and the cover is rotated so as to provide access to the connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tray according to claim 1 wherein the front portion is latched to the rear portion so as to permit the front and rear portion to lie in essentially the same plane when the tray is slid out of the shelf.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tray according to claim 1 wherein the front portion is removably mounted to the rear portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tray according to claim 1 wherein the distributing means further comprises a plurality of posts mounted to the base member to provide strain relief for the fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tray according to claim 1 wherein the rear portion includes a second base member and a platform mounted thereon with a gap therebetween which forms a compartment having a sufficient size to permit optical fibers coming into the tray from the shelf to be stored therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tray according to claim 6 wherein a splice tray is mounted to the top of the platform for splicing said incoming fibers to pigtail fibers also mounted on the platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
An optical fiber distribution tray adapted for slidable mounting within a shelf of a fiber distribution frame comprising: a rear portion including a base member and a platform mounted to the base member with a gap formed therebetween to form a compartment having sufficient size to permit optical fibers coming into the tray to be stored therein and to permit the fibers to slide out of the compartment as the tray is slid out of the shelf.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An optical fiber distribution tray adapted for slidable mounting within a shelf of a fiber distribution frame comprising: a rear portion including a base member and a platform mounted to the base member with a gap formed therebetween to form a compartment having sufficient size to permit optical fibers coming into the tray to be stored therein and to permit the fibers to slide out of the compartment as the tray is slid out of the shelf.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tray according to claim 8 further comprising a splice tray mounted on a top surface of the platform, said splice tray providing splices for the incoming fibers to fiber pigtails also mounted on the top surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tray according to claim 8 wherein the length of each fiber stored in the compartment is within the range 50-70 cm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the gap is within the range 0.5-0.65 cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tray according to claim 9 further comprising drums formed on said top surface to store additional amounts of said incoming fibers and said pigtail fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tray according to claim 8 wherein the base member includes a downwardly extending edge portion to scoop up the fiber as the tray is slid into the shelf.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5115489A
Cited
US4898448A
Cited
US4900123A
Cited
US5071211A
Cited
US5142606A
Cited
US5093887A
Cited
US5129030A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-08-07 | 2000-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | 2004-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-05 | 2007-08-07 | 2008-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |