The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1994
William R Holland, Ambler, PA (US);
Richard J Pimpinella, Hampton, NJ (US);
Charles M Schroeder, Wrightstown, NJ (US);
AT&T Corp., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
An optical fiber distribution frame includes a plurality of shelf units, a modular array disposed within each shelf unit and having a plurality of modules for optically connecting to optical fiber jumper cables and an optical interconnection backplane mounted within each shelf unit. The optical backplane includes a fiber circuit having a plurality of optical fibers for interconnecting the fibers of an incoming cable to corresponding modules of the modular array. The fiber circuit is supported on a support member which is slidably mounted within the shelf unit to expose a splice storage area where the incoming cable and fiber circuit is connected. The individual optical fibers of the fiber circuit are routed for connection to respective modules by a fiber routing substrate. The fiber routing substrate defines a plurality of tab portions which sort and combine the respective fibers connected to each modular location. The tab portions are sufficiently flexible to permit live withdrawal of the support member, i.e., without disconnection of the modules.