Fiber optic cable winding assist tool
US6481662B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4457
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fiber optic cable winding assist tool for securing, routing, and storing fiber optic cables in optical communications systems that quickly and simultaneously lifts the retainer fingers of a mandrel, without breaking them, and releases the retainer fingers once the fiber optic cables are safely within the retainer fingers. The winding assist tool is used with a base having at least one mandrel connected thereto, and may have a spacer disk connected to the mandrel. A spider frame is provided on the spacer disk or mandrel and includes a body portion and arm portions extending from the spider frame body portion. Each arm portion engages a corresponding retainer finger of the mandrel. A thumb screw having a head portion and a threaded portion mates with a threaded opening provided through the spider frame body portion and engages a top surface of the spacer disk. An operator need only rotate the thumb screw, and the threaded portion forces the spider frame upwards, which in turn simultaneously lifts the retainer fingers. With the retainer fingers in a raised position, the operator may wind a fiber optic cable around the mandrel. Once the operator ensures that the fiber optic cable is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.