US-12619044-B1 - Optical fiber routing tool

US12619044B1US 12619044 B1US12619044 B1US 12619044B1US-12619044-B1

Abstract

An optical fiber routing tool that can protect optical fiber and facilitate routing of the optical fiber during installation. The optical fiber routing tool includes a pen-shaped elongated body that includes a body bore therethrough configured to receive one or more optical fiber. The tool can further include a removable tip for single fiber routing, the removable tip comprises a tip bore having a reduced diameter tip bore therethrough and configured to receive an optical fiber. Additionally, the tool can include other optional features, such as a tapered tip, an attachment feature such as clip for storing the removable tip when not in use, and/or pick features, for added functionality.

Inventors

John P. Hill
William J. Cruzen

Assignees

CLEARFIELD, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20250226

Claims (18)

1 . An optical fiber routing tool, comprising: an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more optical fibers therethrough for routing; a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing an optical fiber therethrough for routing; and an attachment feature connected to the elongated body, the attachment feature configured to engage with and store the removable tip outside of the elongated body when decoupled and not in use.
2 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein in a coupled configuration in which the removable tip is coupled with the elongated body, the optical fiber routing tool is configured for placing a single optical fiber through the tip bore and the body bore.
3 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein in a decoupled configuration in which the removable tip is decoupled from the elongated body, the optical fiber routing tool is configured for placing a plurality of optical fibers through the body bore for routing.
4 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the attachment feature comprises a tapered member configured to couple with at least a portion of the tip bore of the removable tip.
5 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is essentially cylindrical in shape.
6 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the removable tip comprises a tapered portion disposed at the first end of the removable tip.
7 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the removable tip comprises a stop feature positioned between the first end and second end of the removable tip, the stop feature configured to limit a length of insertion of the removable tip within the body bore.
8 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 7 , wherein the removable tip comprises one or more gasket features disposed between the stop feature and the second end of the removable tip, the one or more gasket features configured to removably secure the removable tip within the body bore of the elongated body.
9 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , further comprising a pick feature disposed at the second end and configured to facilitate manipulation of optical components or fibers.
10 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the removable tip comprises an elastically deformable portion configured to pinch and retain the optical fiber.
11 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the first diameter of the body bore is in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 inches.
12 . The optical fiber routing tool of claim 1 , wherein the second diameter of the tip bore is in the range of 0.04 to 0.08 inches.
13 . A method of routing a plurality of optical fibers in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool, the method comprising: temporarily securing the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber routing tool, wherein the optical fiber routing tool comprises: an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more optical fibers therethrough; a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing an optical fiber therethrough; and an attachment feature configured to couple with at least a portion of the tip bore of the removable tip when the removable tip is detached from the elongated body, and wherein the removable tip is configured for being secured to the attachment feature outside of the elongated body when the removable tip is removed from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool; wherein temporarily securing the plurality of fibers in the optical fiber routing tool comprises: removing the removable tip from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool; threading the plurality of optical fibers through the body bore; and manipulating the optical fiber routing tool.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first diameter of the body bore is in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 inches.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing the plurality of optical fibers from the optical fiber routing tool upon completion of the manipulating.
16 . A method of routing an optical fiber in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool, the method comprising: temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool, wherein the optical fiber routing tool comprises: an elongated body comprising a body bore having a first diameter and extending from a first end of the elongated body to a second end of the elongated body, the body bore configured for placing one or more fibers therethrough; a removable tip comprising a tip bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the body bore and extending from a first end of the removable tip to a second end of the removable tip, wherein the second end of the removable tip is configured to removably couple with the body bore at the first end of the elongated body, wherein the tip bore of the removable tip is configured for placing a fiber therethrough; and an attachment feature configured to couple with at least a portion of the tip bore of the removable tip when the removable tip is detached from the elongated body, and wherein the removable tip is configured for being secured to the attachment feature outside of the elongated body when the removable tip is removed from the body bore of the optical fiber routing tool; wherein temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool comprises: inserting the second end of the removable tip into the body bore of the elongated body at the first end; and threading the optical fiber through the combined tip bore of the removable tip and the body bore of the elongated body; and manipulating the optical fiber routing tool.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the removable tip comprises an elastically deformable portion, and wherein temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool comprises pinching the elastically deformable portion to retain the optical fiber.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing the optical fiber from the optical fiber routing tool upon completion of the manipulating.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/982,135 filed 16 Dec. 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if presented in full. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The disclosed technology generally relates to tools for handling optical fibers and, more particularly, to a tool designed to manipulate and position optical fibers within an enclosure or related environment. BACKGROUND The installation and management of optical fibers often require precise handling to avoid damage to the fibers, which are fragile and sensitive to excessive bending and stress. Even though optical fiber permits higher levels of transmission in the same or smaller footprint compared to traditional copper transmission equipment, demand continues to push for even higher levels of optical fiber density. This has led to the development of high-density fiber handling equipment, such as optical fiber cassettes, modules, rack housings, and related telecommunication enclosures. These enclosures typically include ports, radius limiters, slack fiber storage regions, splice trays, and other optical fiber retaining features, etc., that can help protect and secure optical fiber once it is installed. The routing and placement of optical fibers in telecommunication enclosures typically requires careful manual manipulation to avoid damaging the fiber and minimizing bend losses. Keeping track of an individual fiber and routing it among the other fibers in a high-density enclosure can be very difficult due to the very small diameter of the optical fibers. A need exists for tools that can aid in controlled manipulation and routing of optical fibers. BRIEF SUMMARY Embodiments of the disclosed technology include an optical fiber routing tool having retaining features that can protect an optical fiber and facilitate routing of the optical fiber during installation. The optical fiber routing tool includes a pen-shaped elongated body that includes a channel configured to receive an optical fiber. In certain implementations, the tool may further comprise a rotatable collar mechanism that can secure the fiber in the channel, preventing movement during handling. Certain implementations of the tool can include a unique indentation region designed to enable a user to apply finger pressure to secure the fiber in place. The tool may include other optional features, such as a tapered tip and a pick features, for added functionality. In accordance with certain exemplary implementations of the disclosed technology, the optical fiber routing tool can be characterized as having an elongated body, which can define a first end, a second end, and a side portion. The optical fiber routing tool can include a channel extending from the first end to the second end along the side portion and configured for placing an optical fiber therein. The channel defines a bottom surface within the elongated body. In certain implementations, an indentation region may extend from the side portion of the elongated body to the bottom surface of the channel and may be configured for securing the optical fiber against the bottom surface by finger pressure. The optical fiber routing tool can include one or more rotatable collars configured for partially surrounding the elongated body and retaining the optical fiber in the channel. In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a method is provided for routing an optical fiber in an enclosure using an optical fiber routing tool. The method can include temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool. The optical fiber routing tool includes an elongated body defining a first end, a second end, and a side portion. The optical fiber routing tool includes a channel extending from the first end to the second end along the side portion, the channel defining a bottom surface within the elongated body, an indentation region extending from the side portion of the elongated body to the bottom surface of the channel, and at least one rotatable collar configured for partially surrounding the elongated body and retaining the optical fiber in the channel. Temporarily securing the optical fiber in the optical fiber routing tool can include placing an optical fiber in the channel, rotating the at least one rotatable collar to retain the optical fiber in the channel, securing the optical fiber against the bottom surface by finger pressure, and manipulating the optical fiber routing tool. In accordance with certain exemplary implementations of the disclosed technology, the optical fiber routing tool can be characterized as having an elongated body, which can define a first end, a second end. The optical fiber routing tool can include a central bore extending from the first end to the second and configured for threading an optical fiber therein. The optical fiber routing tool may be utilized to manipulate and/or route the optical fiber. In another