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:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2001
Bradley Davidson, Joppa, MD (US);
Reginald Bames, Jefferson, MD (US);
Ciena Corporation, Lithicum, MD (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for managing and measuring fiber optic cable includes a mounting base for receiving and retaining a variety of fiber cassettes capable of holding optical components having fiber optic cables emanating therefrom. The apparatus includes a pair of interchangeable marking mandrels spaced from the fiber cassette and having circumferences that exceed the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables. Each marking mandrel has marking grooves formed on its periphery so that the fiber optic cable may be marked at a predetermined location for future splicing of the cable. The apparatus further includes fiber take up mandrels connected to the mounting base, each fiber take up mandrel having a circumference that exceeds the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cables. The marked fiber optic cables may be temporarily wound around the circumference of the fiber take up mandrels to prevent entanglement and keep the fiber out of the operator's way while another cable is being marked. The apparatus also includes a pair of fiber retainer rails interposed between the fiber cassette and the fiber take up mandrels for guiding the fiber optic cable from the fiber cassette to the fiber take up mandrels. Each of the fiber retainer rails has a resilient rail portion that protects the fiber optic cables from damage.