Distributor system and method for optical fibers

Abstract

Certain embodiments of a device for coupling fibre optic cables include at least one module equipped with at least one retaining unit for retaining at least two cassettes. Each cassette, which is configured with at least one coupling element, is pivotally and removeably attached to the retaining unit. Each cassette is configured to receive and store an excess length of the first optical fiber from the receiving structure.

1 . A device comprising:
 a receiving structure defining at least one channel configured to receive a first optical fiber, the receiving structure including a spindle;   a first cassette configured to pivotally couple to the receiving structure, the first cassette defining a groove configured to cooperates with the spindle to form a pivot point about which the first cassette pivots from a first position to a second position, the first cassette also being configured to be separated and removed from the receiving structure by pivoting the first cassette to the second position and sliding the first cassette in a direction transverse to the spindle until the spindle passes through an open end of the groove;   wherein the first cassette is configured to receive and store an excess length of the first optical fiber from the receiving structure.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first cassette includes a first coupling element configured to optically couple the first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first coupling element is formed as a splicing unit. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first coupling element is configured to receive first and second plug-in contacts. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second cassette configured to pivotally couple to the receiving structure, the second cassette having a second coupling element configured to receive and store a wound, excess length of a third optical fiber. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the second cassette is removeably coupled to the receiving structure. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the second optical fiber forms a buffered fiber cable with the first optical fiber. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second optical fibers form separate buffered fiber cables. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving structure includes a housing defining a cavity, wherein the first cassette is positioned within the housing when the first cassette is pivoted to the first position; and wherein the first cassette is positioned at least partially outside the housing when the first cassette is pivoted to the second position. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of cassettes configured to pivotally couple to the receiving structure. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first cassette includes at least a first guide element defining at least one path for receiving at least the first optical fiber, the path defined by the guide element including a minimum radius of curvature greater than a minimum-permissible bend radius of the first optical fiber. 
   
   
       12 . A device comprising:
 a receiving structure defining a channel and including a spindle;   a first cassette pivotally mounted to the spindle of the receiving structure, the first cassette including a splicing unit and at least one guide element, the first cassette defining a groove having an open end and a closed end, the groove being configured to receive the spindle of the receiving structure through the open end to mount the first cassette to the receiving structure, the closed end of the groove cooperating with the spindle to form a pivot point about which the first cassette pivots, the first cassette being configured to pivot about the pivot point from a first position to a second position, the first cassette also being configured to be separated and removed from the receiving structure by pivoting the first cassette to the second position and sliding the first cassette so that the spindle passes through the open end of the groove in a direction transverse to the spindle;   a first optical fiber extending through the channel in the receiving structure to the first cassette, the first optical fiber being routed to the splicing unit by the guide element; and   a second optical fiber extending through the channel in the receiving structure to the first cassette, the second optical fiber being routed to the splicing unit by the guide element, wherein the second optical fiber is spliced to the first optical fiber and secured to the splicing unit of the first cassette.   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the receiving structure includes a housing defining a cavity, wherein the first cassette is positioned within the housing when the first cassette is pivoted to the first position; and wherein the first cassette is positioned at least partially outside the housing when the first cassette is pivoted to the second position. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a second cassette configured to pivotally couple to the receiving structure, the second cassette including a second splicing unit and at least a second guide element, the second cassette being configured to receive and store a wound, excess length of a third optical fiber. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the second cassette is removeably coupled to the receiving structure. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the second optical fiber forms a buffered fiber cable with the first optical fiber. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second optical fibers form separate buffered fiber cables. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of cassettes configured to pivotally couple to the receiving structure. 
   
   
       19 . A method comprising:
 pivoting a cassette for storing excess optical fiber about a spindle of the receiving structure from a first position to a second position;   removing the cassette from the receiving structure by moving the cassette in a direction transverse to the spindle when the cassette is arranged in the second position;   unwinding a length of at least a first optical fiber stored on the cassette; and   transporting the cassette to a workplace.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 coupling a second optical fiber to the first optical fiber when the cassette is at the workplace;   storing the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber on the cassette;   returning the cassette to the receiving structure by moving the cassette transverse to the spindle to arrange the cassette is the second position; and   pivoting the cassette back to the first position.