Fiber optic racksaver

Abstract

A series of racksaver components can be used to contain and protect runs of fiber optic cables and/or jumpers. Racksaver components can interconnect with pre-established and dedicated fiber ironwork racking and fiber raceway/fiber guide with no need for additional raceway/fiber guide, eliminating the need for additional supports, bracing, and ironwork infrastructure to support a separate fiber level. Existing copper/power racking and/or cabling can be used for the placement of the racksaver components for fiber optic cable and jumpers. In addition to rigid linear components, racksaver components can include flexible components allowing for bending of the fibers/jumpers and/or non-linear runs, and interoperable components for connecting with other devices.

1 . A system for containing optical fibers elements, comprising: 
 a housing having rigid side walls, rigid flooring, and an angled roof portion, the housing shaped to contain a plurality of optical fibers running from a substantially open first end of the housing to a substantially open second end of the housing; and    an opening in the angled roof portion running from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, the opening allowing for the transfer of an optical fiber between an interior and an exterior of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one latch member moveably operable to extend over the opening in.    
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a securing component for connecting the housing to a housing extension component positioned at an end of the housing.    
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the housing extension component is another housing having rigid side walls, rigid flooring, and an angled roof portion.    
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the housing extension component is a flexible enclosure operable to contain the plurality of optical fibers extending from the housing.    
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the housing extension component is an interoperable enclosure operable to connect the housing to another device.    
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a downspout connected through the opening.    
   
   
       8 . A device for protecting elongated optical fiber elements, said device for use within a rack, said device comprising: 
 an elongated enclosure having an elongated opening through which the optical fiber elements can be loaded in a manner to protect the fibers from damage.    
   
   
       9 . A device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the elongated enclosure is defined by a base, two vertical side walls and a peaked roof and wherein the elongated opening is formed in the roof.  
   
   
       10 . A device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the opening is selectively coverable with a swinging latch.  
   
   
       11 . A device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein enclosure is formed from a flexible material and is strengthened with braces  
   
   
       12 . A system for supporting optical fiber elements and copper wires comprising: 
 a rack for holding copper wires; and    an elongated enclosure positioned within the rack and having an elongated opening through which the optical fiber elements can be loaded in a manner to protect the fibers from damage from the copper wires.    
   
   
       13 . A system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure is formed from a flexible material and is stored on a spool prior to deployment in the rack.  
   
   
       14 . A system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the elongated enclosure is defined by a base, two vertical side walls and a peaked roof and wherein the elongated opening is formed in the roof.  
   
   
       15 . A system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the opening is selectively coverable with a swinging latch.  
   
   
       16 . A system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein enclosure is formed from a flexible material and is strengthened with braces  
   
   
       17 . A system for supporting optical fiber elements and copper wires comprising: 
 a rigid rack for holding copper wires; and    an elongated enclosure positioned within the rack and having an elongated opening through which the optical fiber elements can be loaded in a manner to protect the fibers from damage from the copper wires, said enclosure including at least some rigid regions and some flexible regions and wherein the opening is selectively coverable with a latch.    
   
   
       18 . A system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the elongated enclosure is defined by a base, two vertical side walls and a peaked roof and wherein the elongated opening is formed in the roof.