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`US011435542B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Pilon
`
`US 11,435,542 B2
`(IO) Patent No.:
`Sep.6,2022
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) MODULAR FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE,
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`(71) Applicant: BELDEN CANADA ULC,
`Saint-Laurent (CA)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Vincent Pilon, Lachine (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: BELDEN CANADA ULC
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 17/010,113
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 2, 2020
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2020/0400908 Al
`
`Dec. 24, 2020
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 16/143,831, filed on
`Sep. 27, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,795,107.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 62/567,339, filed on Oct.
`3, 2017.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G02B 6144
`G02B 6146
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. G02B 614455 (2013.01); G02B 6146
`(2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`24
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,792,203 A
`12/1988 Nelson et al.
`7,331,722 B2
`2/2008 Tan
`7,509,015 B2
`512009 Murano
`8,913,866 B2
`12/2014 Cote et al.
`9,008,485 B2
`412015 Ramirez et al.
`9,075,216 B2
`7/2015 Cote et al.
`9,690,064 B2 * 612017 Sauter .
`10,215,944 B2
`2/2019 Sedor et al.
`10,281,672 Bl
`5/2019 Mullsteff
`10,359,595 B2 * 7/2019 Aramayo
`10,514,518 Bl
`12/2019 Livingston et al.
`10,598,884 B2 * 3/2020 Fontaine .
`10,656,359 B2 *
`512020 Fontaine .
`10,768,387 B2 * 912020 Pilon.
`10,795,107 B2 * 10/2020 Pilon.
`11,187,864 B2 * 11/2021 Crawford.
`2002/0131730 Al*
`912002 Keeble .
`
`G02B 6/4455
`
`G02B 6/4455
`
`G02B 6/4455
`G02B 6/3825
`G02B 6/4455
`G02B 6/46
`G02B 6/447
`G02B 6/4246
`385/88
`
`2007/0131628 Al
`
`6/2007 Mimlitch
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner - Rhonda S Peace
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Lavery, De Billy, LLP;
`Hugh Mansfield
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A fiber optic cassette system is disclosed comprising a case
`defining a tray receiving space and an opening to a space, a
`tray received within the case for movement between a stored
`position wherein the tray is inside the case and an accessible
`position wherein a front end of the tray is in front of the
`opening and outside of the case, fiber optic cassettes
`arrangeable side by side along the tray front end, a first of
`the cassettes comprising a width of one of one, two, three,
`four or six standard width units and a second of the cassettes
`comprising a width different from the first cassette width and
`one of one, two, three, four or six standard width units, and
`a fastener for removeably the cassettes to the tray. When
`arranged on the tray each of said selected cassettes is directly
`adjacent at least one other selected cassette.
`13 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`26
`
`

`

`US 11,435,542 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`11/2009 Bran de Leon et al.
`2009/0290842 Al
`2/2016 Giraud et al.
`2016/0033732 Al
`3/2016 Giraud et al.
`2016/0062050 Al
`2016/0062068 Al * 3/2016 Giraud .
`
`2018/0003912 Al *
`2019/0004268 Al
`2019/0101717 Al
`2019/0107682 Al
`2019/0162924 Al
`2019/0187394 Al
`2020/0131730 Al
`* cited by examiner
`
`1/2018 Sedor .
`1/2019 Vogel
`412019 Pilon
`412019 Ararnayo et al.
`512019 Fontaine et al.
`612019 Fontaine et al.
`412020 Spiro
`
`G02B 6/3885
`385/135
`G02B 6/4452
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.6,2022
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.6,2022
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`Sep.6,2022
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 11 of 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.6,2022
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`Sheet 13 of 13
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`US 11,435,542 B2
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`2
`divisible by the standard width unit, selecting a plurality of
`cassettes for installation on the tray from a set of cassettes
`having a plurality of different widths, wherein each of the
`different widths is evenly divisible by the standard width
`unit, and releasably securing the selected cassettes along the
`front edge of the tray. When arranged on the tray each of said
`selected cassettes is directly adjacent at least one other
`selected cassette.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`1
`MODULAR FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE,
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation application of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 16/143,831 filed on Sep. 27, 2018
`and claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provi(cid:173)
`sional application Ser. No. 62/567,339 filed on Oct. 3, 2017 10
`which is incorporated herein in its entirely by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a modular fiber optic
`cassette, system and method. In particular, the present
`invention relates to a fiber optic cassette comprising a width
`of one or more standard width units and such that fiber optic
`cassettes of different widths can be arranged on the same
`tray while optimizing the use of tray space.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`FIG. 1 provides a right front perspective view of a
`modular fiber optic cassette and system mounted in a rack
`and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
`15 present invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B provide respectively a raised right front
`perspective view and a lowered right front perspective view
`of a modular fiber optic cassette in accordance with an
`illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 provides a front plan view of a modular fiber optic
`cassette system mounted in a rack in accordance with an
`illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 4A through 4D provide raised right front perspec(cid:173)
`tive views of a tray populated with respectively six ( 6), four
`25 (4), three (3) and two (2) cassettes of different widths;
`FIGS. SA, SB and SC provide front plan views of a
`modular fiber optic cassette and system mounted in a rack
`respectively in accordance with first, second and third alter(cid:173)
`native embodiments of the present invention;
`FIGS. 6A and 6B provide respectively a raised right front
`perspective view and a lowered right front perspective view
`of a modular fiber optic cassette in accordance with an
`alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
`and
`FIGS. 7 A and 7B provide respectively a raised right front
`perspective view of a tray comprising a plurality modular
`fiber optic cassettes and a pair of cable management brackets
`and lowered right front perspective view of a cable man(cid:173)
`agement bracket in accordance with a second alternative
`40 illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`
`The prior art discloses fiber optic cassettes or splice boxes
`for use in terminating fiber optic trunk cables and splitting
`them out to patch cables which are removeably arranged on
`tray systems within a rack mounted case. One drawback of
`these cassettes and tray systems is that they are typically
`preconfigured to terminate fiber optic cables comprising a
`single predetermined number of optic fibers. Another draw- 30
`back is that cassettes which are used to terminate fiber optic
`cables comprising different numbers of optic fibers are
`generally incompatible with one another and additionally
`require trays with different spacing, securing mechanisms
`and the like.
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In order to address the above and other drawbacks there
`is provided a modular fiber optic cassette system. The
`system comprises a case comprising a top and a bottom wall
`and two opposed side walls, each of the sidewalls attached
`between respective side edges of the top and bottom wall,
`the walls together defining a tray receiving space there
`between and a forward edge of each the wall together 45
`defining an opening to the tray receiving space, at least one
`tray slideably received within the tray receiving space for
`movement between a stored position wherein the tray is
`completely inside the tray receiving space and an accessible
`position wherein a front end of the tray is in front of the 50
`opening and outside of the tray receiving space, a set of fiber
`optic cassettes, a selected plurality of the cassettes arrange(cid:173)
`able side by side along the tray front end wherein each of the
`cassettes comprises a plurality of optic plug receiving recep(cid:173)
`tacles arranged side by side in a row along a front thereof, 55
`a first of the set of cassettes comprising a first cassette width
`of one of one, two, three, four and six standard width units
`and a second of the cassettes comprising a second cassette
`width different from the first cassette width and one of one,
`two, three, four and six standard width units, and a fastener 60
`for removeably securing each of the cassettes to the tray.
`When arranged on the tray each of said selected cassettes is
`directly adjacent at least one other selected cassette.
`Additionally, there is provided a method for organising a
`tray comprising a front edge in a fiber optic interconnect 65
`system. The method comprises defining a standard width
`unit wherein a width of the front edge is substantially evenly
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a modular cassette system,
`generally referred to using the reference numeral 10, will
`now be described. The modular cassette comprises a slide(cid:173)
`able tray 12 illustratively mounted within a case 14. The case
`14 comprises a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18 and a pair of
`opposed side walls 20 defining a tray receiving space 22
`therebetween. The case 14 is illustratively mounted to the
`rails 24 of a rack via a pair of mounting brackets 26 wherein
`one of the brackets 26 is attached to an outer surface 28 of
`a respective one of the sidewalls 20. The front edges 30 of
`the walls 16, 18, 20 define an opening via which the tray
`receiving space 22 can be accessed. In a particular illustrated
`embodiment the system 10 is shown for mounting in a 19"
`rack, however in a particular embodiment the system 10,
`with suitable modifications, may be mounted equally in a
`cross connect system, fiber bay or wall mount or the like.
`Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B in addition to FIG. 1, the
`tray 12 receives a plurality of removable fiber optic module
`or cassettes 32 arranged side by side on an upper surface 34
`thereof. In a first embodiment each fiber optic cassette 32 is
`secured to the tray 12 using a fastener comprising tabs 36 of
`inverted "T" cross section which engage with respective
`slots 38 machined or otherwise formed in the tray 12. A
`
`

`

`US 11,435,542 B2
`
`3
`flexible tab 40 is also provided which comprises a boss 42
`that engages a respective aperture 44 machined or otherwise
`formed in the tray 12 when the tabs 36 are engaged within
`their respective slots 38, thereby releasably securing the
`cassette 32 to the tray 12. In order to better orient the cassette 5
`36 on the tray during installation, the tray 12 comprises a
`raised shoulder 46 which is received within a channel 48
`moulded or otherwise formed in an underside SO of the
`cassette 32.
`Still referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each cassette 32
`illustratively comprises a plurality of receptacle modules S2
`each comprising a plurality of receptacles S4, illustratively
`LC Quad type receptacles, arranged in a row and exposed
`along a forward edge S6 of the cassette 32. The cassette 32
`also illustratively terminates a fiber optic cable S8, such as
`a trunk cable or the like, comprising a plurality of optic
`fibers at a multi-fiber connector receiving receptacle 60 on
`a rearward edge. Each optic fiber of the fiber optic cable S8
`is interconnected with a respective one of the receptacles S4
`using an optic fiber segment 62 comprising a receptacle end
`which is terminated by a plug 64. The segments 62, which
`are typically longer than the distance between the forward
`edge and the rearward edge, are typically looped several
`times within the cassette 32, for example in a serpentine or
`the like. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand
`that an optic fiber terminated with a plug (not shown)
`inserted into a selected one of the receptacles S4 will
`interconnect the optic fiber with a selected optic fiber
`segment 62.
`Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4A through 4D, as
`discussed above, each cassette 32 illustratively comprises a
`plurality ofreceptacle modules S2 each comprising four (4)
`receptacles S4. It is foreseen to provide a set of four (4)
`different cassette sizes to accommodate terminating fiber
`optic cables comprising different number of optic fibers.
`Each of the different cassette sizes of the set is based on an
`integer multiple of a standardised pitch or width unit W
`wherein one standardized width unit accommodates a single
`receptacle module S2 comprising four ( 4) receptacles S4.
`Illustratively, a 2W cassette 32 comprising two (2) modules
`S2 accommodating eight (8) optic fibers (FIG. 4A) is pro(cid:173)
`vided, a 3W cassette 32 comprising three (3) modules S2
`accommodating twelve (12) optic fibers (FIG. 4B) is pro(cid:173)
`vided, a 4W cassette 32 comprising four (4) modules S2
`accommodating sixteen (16) optic fibers (FIG. 4C) is pro(cid:173)
`vided and a 6W cassette 32 comprising six (6) modules S2
`accommodating twenty-four (24) optic fibers (FIG. 4D) is
`provided for. The 2W, 3W, 4W and 6W cassettes 32 are
`typically used only with like cassettes 32 as illustrated and
`such that respectively six (6), four (4), three (3) and two (2)
`cassettes fit snuggly side by side on the 12W tray, although
`in a particular embodiment cassettes 32 of different widths
`could be used together.
`Although the present illustrative embodiment In a par(cid:173)
`ticular embodiment the pitch/width W is based on a LC
`Quad (SC Duplex) technology footprint comprising four (4)
`connectors, in an alternative embodiment the pitch/width W
`could be based on a different technology footprint, including
`SC Duplex comprising two (2) connectors and MPO type
`connectors comprising inter alia multiple optic fibers such as
`MP0-12, MP0-16 and MP0-24.
`Still referring to FIGS. 3, 4A through 4D in addition to
`FIG. 1, a person of ordinary skill in the art will now
`understand that the disclosed system of cassettes 32 can be
`used to accommodate optic fiber cables S8 comprising
`
`4
`different numbers of optic fibers 62 while ensuring that the
`same number of optic fibers 62 are accessible via the
`exposed receptacles S4.
`Referring back to FIG. 1, the spacing between adjacent
`slots 38 as well as the spacing between adjacent apertures 44
`conforms to the standardised width unit W and such that the
`2W, 3W, 4W and 6W cassettes 32 can be readily accom(cid:173)
`modated on the tray.
`Referring now to FIG. SA, in a first alternative embodi-
`10 ment of the system each receptacle modules S2 comprises a
`duplex type module arranged vertically. Additionally in a
`first cassette size four ( 4) of such duplex modules S2 are
`provided to provide for eight (8) receptacles S4 for termi(cid:173)
`nating a fiber optic cable (not shown) comprised of eight (8)
`15 optic fibers. Similar to the first embodiment discussed
`above, sizes for twelve (12), sixteen (16) and twenty four
`(24) receptacles are also provided. Again, as the width of the
`cassettes is an integer multiple of the same pitch/width,
`cassettes of different widths can be used in the same tray
`20 system or in some cases on the same tray without modifi(cid:173)
`cation or changing the density of the receptacles S4 for
`terminating optic fibres.
`Referring now to FIG. SB, in a second alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the system each receptacle modules S2 comprises a
`25 Quad type module arranged vertically. In a first cassette size
`two (2) of such quad modules S2 are provided to provide for
`eight (8) receptacles S4 for terminating a fiber optic cable
`(not shown) comprised of eight (8) optic fibers. Cassettes
`comprising three (3), four (4) and six (6) quad type modules
`30 S2 are provided to provide respectively twelve (12), sixteen
`(16) and twenty-four (24) receptacles. Again, as the width of
`the cassettes is an integer multiple of the same pitch/width,
`cassettes of different widths can be used in the same tray
`system or in some cases on the same tray without modifi-
`35 cation or changing the density of the receptacles S4 for
`terminating optic fibres.
`Referring now to FIG. SC, in a third alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the system each receptacle modules S2 comprises a
`duplex type module arranged horizontally in two rows. In a
`40 first cassette size four ( 4) of such duplex modules S2 are
`provided to provide for eight (8) receptacles S4 for termi(cid:173)
`nating a fiber optic cable (not shown) comprised of eight (8)
`optic fibers. Cassettes comprising six (6), eight (8) and
`twelve (12) duplex type modules S2 are provided to provide
`45 respectively twelve (12), sixteen (16) and twenty-four (24)
`receptacles. Again, as the width of the cassettes is an integer
`multiple of the same pitch/width, cassettes of different
`widths can be used in the same tray system or in some cases
`on the same tray without modification or changing the
`50 density of the receptacles S4 for terminating optic fibres.
`Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B in addition to FIG. 1,
`in an alternative embodiment of an assembly for securing
`the cassettes 32 to the tray 12 the tray 12 is manufactured
`from a ferrous material such as steel or the like and the
`55 fastener comprises a magnet 66 which is attracted to the tray
`and embedded or otherwise secured within a recess 68
`formed in the underside SO of the cassette 32. The tray 12,
`further comprises a series of spaced slots 70 arranged along
`the raised shoulder 46 which engage bosses 72 to ensure
`60 correct positioning of the cassettes 32 on the tray 12.
`Referring now to FIG. 7A in a second alternative illus(cid:173)
`trative embodiment other equipment, such as a cable man(cid:173)
`agement bracket 74 can be provided with the same width W
`and such that they can be mounted to together with the
`65 cassettes 32 to the tray 12. In this regard, and with reference
`to FIG. 7B in addition to FIG. 7, the cable management
`bracket 74 is provided with tabs 76 comprising an inverted
`
`

`

`US 11,435,542 B2
`
`5
`"T" cross section which engage with engage a slot 38 on the
`tray 12. A flexible tab 78 is provided which comprises a boss
`80 that engages one of the apertures 44 in the tray 12 when
`the tab 76 is engaged within its respective slot 38, thereby
`releasable securing the cable management bracket 74 to the
`tray 12. In order to better orient the cable management
`bracket 74 on the tray during installation, the raised shoulder
`46 of the tray 12 is received within a channel 82 moulded or
`otherwise formed in the underside 84 of the cable manage(cid:173)
`ment bracket 74. Additionally, each cable management 10
`bracket 74 includes a cable management loop 86 for receiv(cid:173)
`ing a plurality of optic fibres (not shown) which are termi(cid:173)
`nated at respective ones of the receptacles 54. A flexible strip
`88 across the mouth of the cable management loop 86 is
`provided to releasably retain the plurality of optic fibers 15
`within the loop 86.
`Although the present invention has been described here(cid:173)
`inabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be
`modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the
`subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A modular fiber optic cassette system, the system
`comprising:
`a case comprising a top and a bottom wall and two
`opposed side walls, each of said sidewalls attached 25
`between respective side edges of said top and bottom
`wall, said walls together defining a tray receiving space
`there between and a forward edge of each said wall
`together defining an opening to said tray receiving
`space;
`at least one tray slideably received within said tray
`receiving space for movement between a stored posi(cid:173)
`tion wherein said tray is completely inside said tray
`receiving space and an accessible position wherein a
`front end of said tray is in front of said opening and 35
`outside of said tray receiving space;
`a set of fiber optic cassettes, a selected plurality of the
`cassettes arrangeable side by side along said tray front
`end wherein each of said cassettes comprises a plurality
`of optic plug receiving receptacles arranged side by 40
`side in a row along a front thereof, a first of said set of
`cassettes comprising a first cassette width as measured
`between outer side edges thereof of one of one two
`three, four and six standard width units and a sec~nd of
`said cassettes comprising a second cassette width as 45
`measured between outer side edges thereof different
`from said first cassette width and one of one two three
`four and six standard width units; and
`'
`'
`'
`a fastener for removeably securing each of said cassettes
`to said tray;
`wherein when arranged on the tray an outer side edge of
`each of said selected cassettes is directly adjacent an
`outer side edge of at least one other selected cassette.
`2. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`wherein said tray has a width dimensioned to receive at least 55
`twelve standard width units side by side.
`3. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`wherein each of said cassettes comprises a multi fiber
`connector receiving receptacle arranged on a rear thereof
`
`6
`and a plurality of optic fibers, one of said optic fibers
`interconnecting a respective one of said optic plug receiving
`receptacles with said multi fiber connector receiving recep(cid:173)
`tacle.
`4. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`wherein each of said cassettes comprises four fiber optic
`plug receiving receptacles arranged side by side in a row
`along a front thereof for each standard width unit.
`5. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`wherein said system is for mounting in a rack and further
`comprising a pair of mounting brackets, one of said brackets
`attached to each of said sidewalls on either side of an outside
`of said case, said mounting brackets for securing said case
`to the rack.
`6. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`wherein said tray is manufactured from a ferrous metal and
`said fastener comprises a magnet.
`7. The modular fiber optic cassette system of claim 1,
`further comprising at least one elongate cable management
`20 bracket comprising a cable management loop and a fastener
`for removeably securing said at least one bracket to said tray,
`said bracket having a bracket width of one of said standard
`width units and further wherein when installed on said tray
`adjacent an installed one of said cassettes, said cable man-
`agement loop is positioned in front of and to a side of said
`plurality of optic plug receiving receptacles of said installed
`cassette.
`8. A method for organising a tray comprising a front edge
`in a fiber optic interconnect system, the method comprising:
`defining a standard width unit wherein a width of the front
`edge is substantially evenly divisible by said standard
`width unit;
`selecting a plurality of cassettes for installation on the tray
`from a set of cassettes having a plurality of different
`widths as measured between respective outer side
`edges thereof, wherein each of said different widths is
`evenly divisible by said standard width unit; and
`releasably securing said selected cassettes along the front
`edge of the tray;
`wherein when arranged on the tray an outer side edge of
`each of said selected cassettes is directly adjacent an
`outer side edge of at least one other selected cassette.
`9. The method for organising a tray of claim 8, wherein
`said set of cassettes comprises cassettes comprising widths
`of one, two, three, four and six standard width units.
`10. The method for organising a tray of claim 8, wherein
`said selected cassettes all comprise the same width.
`11. The method for organising a tray of claim 8, wherein
`said selected cassettes comprise a first cassette having a first
`50 width and a second cassette having a second width different
`from said first width.
`12. The method for organising a tray of claim 11, wherein
`said selected cassettes further comprise a third cassette
`comprising a third width different from said first width and
`said second width.
`13. The method for organising a tray of claim 8, wherein
`the width of the front edge is substantially evenly divisible
`by a maximum of twelve (12) of said standard width units.
`* * * * *
`
`30
`
`