Virginia M Hale

US Patent:

20020118944, Aug 29, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/795212

Inventors:

Jennifer Burns - Ft. Worth TX, US
Carrie Gordon - Saginaw TX, US
Virginia Hale - Granbury TX, US

Assignee:

CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC - HICKORY NC

International Classification:

G02B006/00

US Classification:

385/135000

Abstract:

An optical fiber storage reel includes an outer surface and an inner surface. A channel on the outer surface receives optical fiber and terminates in an exit port. The fiber is positioned within the channel and first routed to the exit port and then to the inner surface. The channel is S-shaped or teardrop-shaped so that the ends of the fiber transition from the exit port to the inner surface in the same direction. The storage reel may further include a wall between the outer surface and the inner surface that defines a hub. A splice holder may be provided on the outer surface. The storage reel may further include means for securing storage reels together in side-by-side relationship. The storage reel provides convenient, compact storage while maintaining the minimum bend radius of the optical fiber and access so that the stored fiber does not have to be manually routed.