FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
FIBER DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM;
RAYCHEM RPG LTD., A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS INFOCOM SBU, 463, CEAT MAHAL, ANNEXE, DR. ANNIE BESANT ROAD, WORLI, MUMBAI -400 030, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT HAS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a fiber distribution management system.
BACKGROUND
The fiber optic cables are widely used in telecommunication and data transfer systems. Nowadays, the conventional systems utilizing electrically conductive cabling are also being converted to fiber optic cables. Due to frequent utilization of fiber optic cables the problems associated with characteristics of these cables have also increased.
The very common problem associated with fiber optic cable is its characteristic does not allow it to bend beyond a certain minimum radius which is known as bend radius. The over bending of fiber optic cables result in hindered propagation of light within the cable which in turn impairs the data transmission competence of the cable. Due to these in discrepancies associated with fiber cables the organization and management of fiber optic cables are of extreme significance. In view of this various fiber distribution management systems are suggested and available in market.
Another problem associated with fiber optic cable is that it has special splicing requirement for continuous light propagation through the interface area of the two pieces of cable when they are joined together.
A fiber optic splice is defined by the fact that it gives a permanent or relatively permanent connection between two fiber optic cables. That said, some manufacturers do offer fiber optic splices that can be disconnected, but nevertheless they are not intended for repeated connection and disconnection.
The fiber distribution management enclosures in general contain splicing and patching area. These areas of the fiber system enclosure provide an area in which the cable is spliced and an area in which the spliced cables can be interconnected or "patched".
One of the existing arrangements for splice and patch area is such that when the door is opened patch area is exposed which does not allow easy access to splice area.
In another generally known arrangement of fiber distribution management enclosure the splice and patch area are positioned on common shelf which is removably

mounted within the enclosure. This embodiment has a problem of removing the entire shelf even if it is desired to work on any one of the areas.
In yet another known fiber distribution management enclosure, a slide able shelf arrangement is provided comprising of Splice and patch area positioned thereon. The enclosure has mounted on the side thereof locking means which releasably retain the shelf in one of several specified positions. The disadvantage with this shelf arrangement is that to access the splice and patch area at extremely inside of the shelf, the shelf has to be slid to an extreme specified locking position. Further, the locking mechanism is susceptible to failure with continuous sliding movements.
In view of the above cited problems associated with fiber optic cable there is need of a fiber management system which will provide easy access to every section with better space management and utilization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fiber distribution management system including an enclosure, comprising a patching section including a first access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the patching section comprising: a patching area having atleast three bend control drum arranged equidistant from each other, a swing type patch panel adapted with patch plates having apertures, wherein the swing type patch plates are configured to accommodate atleast one adaptor, a splicing section including a second access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the splicing section comprising: a splicing area having atleast one storage basket for buffer storage, splicing fiber organizing trays and foldable plate panel with locking means; and a routing channel accompanying both the patching area and the splicing area for routing the fiber optic cable from one area to the other; wherein the patching section and the splicing section are independently accessible with respect to each other thereby reducing the damage of the enclosure, increasing the security and ease to access. As per one embodiment the fiber distribution management enclosure provides atleast three bend control drum devised in the patching area such that minimum bending radius of the fiber cable is achieved with loop formation for enhanced cable storing and routing.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides storage basket in the splicing area as means for routing loose tube of fiber cables. The basket further retains the said loose tubes of cables to act as the buffer storage.
DRAWINGS
The drawings described herein are for illustration purpose only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fiber management system including an enclosure with splicing and patching areas accommodated with double door arrangement.
Figure 2 shows the patching area of the enclosure containing control drums arrangement for storing excess length of the patch cords, patch panel and patch plates.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the splicing area of the enclosure containing buffer storing area for storing loose tube of fiber cable, cable entry inlet and various types of fiber splicing trays.
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the improved storage technique for splice trays in the splicing area.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the patch panel which rotates about the hinges and contains removable patch plates along with fixing positions for adaptors of different sizes.
Figure 6 shows the patch cords connected in the patching section of the enclosure.
Figure 7 shows the adaptors in the patching section of the enclosure.
Figure 8 shows the pigtails and in-cable in the splicing section of the enclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost effective fiber distribution management system comprising of separate splice and patch area in a double door arrangement which is compact in size, sleek and provides easy access to each segment for maintenance purpose with a unique control drum arrangement for storage of fiber optic cable that allows for controlled operational bend radius of the cable.

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or uses.
A fiber distribution management system including an enclosure, comprising a patching section including a first access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the patching section comprising: a patching area having atleast three bend control drum arranged equidistant from each other , a swing type patch panel adapted with patch plates having apertures, wherein the swing type patch plates are configured to accommodate atleast one adaptor, a splicing section including a second access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the splicing section comprising: a splicing area having atleast one storage basket for buffer storage, splicing fiber organizing trays and foldable plate panel with locking means; and a routing channel accompanying both the patching area and the splicing area for routing the fiber optic cable from one area to the other; wherein the patching section and the splicing section are independently accessible with respect to each other thereby reducing the damage of the enclosure, increasing the security and ease to access.
The various aspects of this fiber distribution management system can be illustrated with the help of drawings.
According to one embodiment of the present invention a fiber distribution management system including an enclosure (10) is described in accordance with the drawings. As shown in the perspective view of the enclosure (10) in Fig.l, the enclosure has a general rack (II) comprising of a splicing area (12) included in the splicing section and a patching area (13) included in the patching section separately partitioned and having a first door (14) for the patching area and a second door (14') for the splicing area. While the enclosure (10) is generally shown to be made of metal rack (11), the enclosure (10) and its components may be configured to any type of material within the scope of the invention. The system enclosure as shown in fig. I is designed for compact size dimension, sleek, easy accessibility for splicing and termination of the fiber cable.
As per another embodiment of the present invention the fiber distribution management system including an enclosure (10) provides separate door access for splicing (12) and patching (13) area to permit the respective technicians to operate independently without affecting the other area. The splicing (12) and patching (13)

areas are partitioned with provisions for cable entry from the partitioned surface (30). The door (14) can be optionally transparent door for patching area (13).
In FIG. 2, as a preferred embodiment the perspective view of the patching area (13) is shown, where the patching area (13) of the fiber distribution system enclosure (10) accommodates for Cable entry/exit (15) from the opening provided at the top and bottom surface of the rack. The cable holding mechanism required to hold the fiber optic cable in position is just below the cable entry/exit (15) opening. Further, there are bend control drums (17) provided to form the loop which creates the space for storing the excess length of the patch cords (19) (as in Fig. 6), Buffer tube routing & holding slots (16) are provided in the enclosure. The control drums (17) are arranged equidistant from each other. It is well known that the fiber optic cable does not bend beyond a minimum specified radius as a result the storing and holding mechanism of fiber cable in the fiber management system is of utmost importance; herein the control drums (17) are so spaced and designed that the fiber optic cable storage capacity is enhanced by utilizing the allowed bending limit of the cable. In an alternate arrangement to the one shown in FIG. 2, the atleast three bend control drum are arranged such that at least one drum is equidistant from the other two drums.
According to the present invention the bend control drums are placed in a specific arrangement such that they are taking care of minimum bend radius of 35mm.
As per another embodiment of the invention and as shown in FIG. 3; in the bottom most area of the fiber distribution management enclosure (10), buffer tube storage baskets (18) are provided for routing and storing of extra length of the loose tubes of fiber cables. The loose tubes of the fiber cables (not shown) will be stored in these baskets (18), thus acting as buffer store area. This additional feature in the fiber management system assists in organizing of fiber cables. The cable entry (20) and optical fiber cable holding (21) termination plate mechanism has been provided in the splicing area (12) from the bottom and also from the patching area from the top.
As shown in FIG. 4, there are splicing fiber organizing trays (22) provided for splicing of the cable with the pigtails (33) and in-cables (34). As per one embodiment of the present invention, minimum ten splicing trays (20) and twenty four fibers per tray can be accommodated.

In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in perspective view of the splicing area (12) in FIG. 5, a patch cord routing channel (24) towards bend control drums (17) is provided in order to guide the patch cords (19) (as in fig 7) in specific path. The patch cord routing channel (24) is provided in both the partitioned patching area (13) and splicing area (12). The splice trays (22) are placed on a hinged plate panel (23) so it can be completely open while working and the plate can be closed by screwing the plate with a locking hinge (29) fixed at the splicing area (12) of the rack (11) after the work is finished. The foldable splicing plate panel (23) feature of the invention enables cost effectiveness by better utilization of storing space as the plate panel (23) is folded and fixed parallel to the rack (11) when not in operational utilization.
As a relevant feature the enclosure allocates for connection of patch cord (19) (as in fig 7) from electronic equipment (36) to patch plate (23).
As per another embodiment of the present invention and illustration in perspective view of FIG. 6, there is a removable patch panel (25) which is fixed with the hinges (26) in the patching area (13). The patch panel (25) rotates about the hinges (26) and thus makes the access easy for the purpose of installation and maintenance. In a related aspect, the patching panel (25) is of swing type wherein to access the pigtails (33) the patch panel is rotated to right and to access the patch cords (19) (as in Fig. 7) the panel is rotated to left side. This distinct feature of the present invention provides for enhanced storing capability in reduced storage space and thereby providing cost effective fiber system.
In a still further related aspect, the patch panel (25) is equipped with removable patch plates (27) with apertures (28) in which adaptors (35) (as in FIG 8) are getting fixed. The patch plates (27) may be of SC/FC/LC/E2000/ST and may comprise of any kind of adaptors (35) to be fixed within the apertures (28). These patch plates (27) are interchangeable and can be removed during adaptor (35) (as in FIG. 8) fixing.
In a progressive embodiment of the present invention relating to patch panel segment; the removable aspect of the patch plates (27) makes it apposite for the patch panel (25) to accommodate any type of the adapter (35) (as in FIG. 8) as required. Strength Member holding mechanism (3.1) is provided to hold the strength member of the incoming Optical Fiber Cable. Additionally, buffer tube routing and holding slots (32) are also provided in the enclosure.

The fiber distribution management system (10) provides easy maintenance of fiber cables in both the areas. The fiber distribution management system including an enclosure (10) is light in weight and has mounting options like stand alone, on floor and wall mounting. The enclosure finds application in main exchange, Main switching centre, basic switching centre, and base transceiver station or customer premises or at higher fiber connecting locations. The easy access to splicing (12) and patching (13) area makes it easier for fault finding in the system. Further, the space consumption is very less compared to the conventional rack due to the sleek design of the cabinet which makes the system cost effective with different storage technique.
As a notable advantage, the mini rack with fiber management described in the invention is independent of the 19721" type standards.
Although several aspects of the present invention have been described above with reference to fiber distribution enclosure, it should be understood that various aspects of the present invention are not limited to fiber distribution and can be applied to a variety of other telecommunication distribution systems.
By implementing any or all the teachings described above, a number of benefits and advantages can be attained including improved system reliability, more space for storing, easy accessibility, reduced utility down time, reduction of redundant components or systems, and a reduction in overall system and operating costs.

WE CLAIM
1. A fiber distribution management system including an enclosure, comprising:
a patching section including a first access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the patching section comprising:
a patching area having atleast three bend control drum arranged equidistant from each other,
a swing type patch panel adapted with patch plates having apertures, wherein the swing type patch plates are configured to accommodate atleast one adaptor,
a splicing section including a second Access door pivotably attached to the enclosure, wherein the splicing section comprising:
a splicing area having atleast one storage basket for buffer storage, splicing fiber organizing trays and foldable plate panel with locking means;
and
a routing channel accompanying both the patching area and the splicing area for routing the fiber optic cable from one area to the other;
wherein the patching section and the splicing section are independently accessible with respect to each other thereby reducing the damage of the enclosure, increasing the security and ease to access.
2. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the patching area and splicing area of the enclosure are positioned optionally at the upper section and lower section of the enclosure respectively.
3. A fiber distribution management system awarding to claim 1 wherein the bend control drum of the patching section is devised such that minimum bending radius of the fiber cable is achieved with loop formation for enhanced cable storing and routing.
4. A fiber distribution management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the atleast one storage basket of the splicing area provides means for routing loose tube of fiber cables and the basket further retains the said loose tubes of cables to act as the buffer storage.

5. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the foldable plate panel of the splicing area retains the splicing fiber organizing trays such that when the foldable pJate panel is in working open position the trays are stacked one over the other in parallel position.
6. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the foldable plate panel of the splicing area retains the splicing fiber organizing trays such that when the said foldable plate panel is folded and locked the arrangement occupies less storage space.
7. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the patching section and the splicing section are having cable entry and exit openings.
8. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the plate panel has atleast one pair of locking means with one protuberance on the plate panel and a receiving aperture formed on the splicing section of the enclosure.
9. A fiber distribution management system according to claim 1 wherein the plate panel aperture are devised in accordance with the adaptor.
10. A fiber distribution management system as herein described with reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings.