阅读说明：本技术 分度电缆装置和与其一起使用的外壳 (Indexing cable assembly and housing for use therewith ) 是由 P·J·A·迪普施特拉滕 D·R·佩蒂格鲁 P·D·哈巴德 S·J·迪克 D·拉迪安萨里 于 2019-08-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：分度电缆装置可安装在可重新进入的壳体中。电缆的光纤在第一加固多光纤连接器与第二多光纤连接器之间分度。第二多光纤连接器可以是非加固的且设置在壳体内(例如,在适配器处),或加固的且设置在壳体外部(例如,终止短线电缆)。一个或多个分接线由设置在壳体内的相应的非加固单光纤连接器终止。在某些实例中,分接线可以分束成多个连接器化单光纤输出。(The indexing cable arrangement may be mounted in a re-enterable housing. The optical fibers of the cable are indexed between the first ruggedized multi-fiber connector and the second multi-fiber connector. The second multi-fiber connector may be non-ruggedized and disposed within the housing (e.g., at the adapter), or ruggedized and disposed outside of the housing (e.g., terminating the stub cable). One or more patch cords are terminated by respective non-ruggedized single fiber connectors disposed within the housing. In some instances, the tap line may be split into multiple connectorized single fiber outputs.)

1. A cable assembly, comprising:

a cable comprising a plurality of optical lines extending between a first end and a second end;

a ruggedized multi-fiber connector disposed at a first end of the optical line;

a non-ruggedized single fiber connector disposed at a second end of a first of the optical lines of the cable; and

an un-ruggedized multi-fiber connector disposed at a second end of other of the optical lines of the cable, the other of the optical lines being indexed between the ruggedized multi-fiber connector and the un-ruggedized multi-fiber connector.

2. The cable device of claim 1, wherein other of the optical lines include a first optical fiber extending from the ruggedized multi-fiber connector and a second optical fiber extending from the non-ruggedized multi-fiber connector, the first optical fiber being spliced to the second optical fiber.

3. The cable device of claim 2, wherein the first optical fiber is spliced to the second optical fiber at a mass fusion splice.

4. The cable device of claim 1, wherein the first optical line includes a first optical fiber that terminates at the ruggedized multi-fiber connector and extends from the ruggedized multi-fiber connector to an optical splice.

5. The cable arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first optical line further comprises a second optical fiber terminating at the non-ruggedized single fiber connector and extending from the non-ruggedized single fiber connector to the optical splice, the second optical fiber being spliced to the first optical fiber at the optical splice.

6. The cable arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first optical line further includes an optical splitter and an output fiber extending away from the optical splitter, the output fiber being terminated by the non-ruggedized single fiber connector, the optical splitter receiving an optical signal from the first fiber.

7. The cable arrangement as recited in claim 6, wherein the non-ruggedized single fiber connector is one of a plurality of non-ruggedized single fiber connectors; and wherein the output fiber is one of a plurality of output fibers extending from the optical splitter that splits the optical signal received from the first fiber onto the plurality of output fibers, each of the output fibers being terminated by one of the non-ruggedized single fiber connectors.

8. The cable device of claim 7, wherein the first optical line further comprises an input optical fiber to the optical splitter, the input optical fiber being optically spliced to the first optical fiber.

9. The cable arrangement of claim 7, wherein the output fibers extend together from the optical splitter to an optical fanout where the output fibers diverge.

10. The cable arrangement of claim 6, wherein the optical splitter is an optical power splitter.

11. A housing arrangement comprising:

a re-enterable housing defining an interior and a first sealed port leading to the interior;

a cable arrangement including a plurality of optical lines extending between first and second ends, the optical lines extending through the first sealed port such that the first end is outside of the enclosure and a second end of at least one of the optical lines is disposed within the enclosure;

a first multi-fiber connector disposed at a first end of the optical line of cable, the first multi-fiber connector being ruggedized;

a single fiber connector disposed at a second end of the at least one of the optical lines, the single fiber connector being non-ruggedized; and

a second multi-fiber connector disposed at a second end of other of the optical lines of the cable, the other of the optical lines being indexed between the first multi-fiber connector and the second multi-fiber connector.

12. The housing arrangement of claim 11, wherein the second multi-fiber connector is untempered.

13. The enclosure device of claim 12, further comprising an optical adapter carried by the housing, the optical adapter having a non-ruggedized port accessible from an interior of the housing; and wherein the second multi-fiber connector is plugged into the non-ruggedized port of the optical adapter.

14. The enclosure device of claim 13, wherein the optical adapter has a reinforced port accessible from an exterior of the housing.

15. The enclosure device of claim 13, wherein the optical adapter has a non-ruggedized port accessible from an interior of the housing.

16. The enclosure device of claim 11, wherein the second multi-fiber connector is ruggedized and disposed outside of the housing.

17. The enclosure device of claim 11, wherein the single fiber connector is one of a plurality of single fiber connectors, each of the plurality of single fiber connectors terminating an optical fiber optically coupled to the first multi-fiber connector.

18. The enclosure device of claim 17, wherein the optical fibers terminated by the single fiber connectors include output optical fibers extending from an optical splitter.

19. The enclosure apparatus of claim 17 wherein the non-ruggedized single fiber connector is disposed on a panel that is movable relative to the housing.

20. The enclosure device of claim 19, wherein the panel pivots relative to the housing.

21. The enclosure device of any of claims 11-20, wherein the housing further comprises a sealed cable access area where a subscriber line can enter the housing and be routed to the single fiber connector.

22. The enclosure device of any one of claims 11-21, wherein other of the optical lines include a first optical fiber extending from the first multi-fiber connector and a second optical fiber extending from the second multi-fiber connector, the first optical fiber being spliced to the second optical fiber at a quality fusion splice.

23. The cable device of any one of claims 11-22, wherein the at least one optical line includes a first optical fiber extending from the first multi-fiber connector to an optical splice.

24. The cable arrangement of claim 23, wherein a splitter arrangement is spliced to the first optical fiber.

25. The cable arrangement of claim 23, wherein a second optical fiber is spliced to the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber being terminated by the single fiber connector.

Background

As the demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks are extending into more and more regions. In facilities such as multiple residential units, suites, apartments, businesses, etc., fiber optic enclosures are used to provide subscriber access points to fiber optic networks. These fiber optic enclosures are connected to the fiber optic network by subscriber cables connected to the network backbone. However, the length of subscriber cable required between the fiber optic enclosure and the network backbone varies depending on the location of the fiber optic enclosure relative to the network backbone. Accordingly, there is a need for a fiber optic enclosure that can efficiently manage subscriber cables of different lengths.

Disclosure of Invention

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cable arrangement that includes an optical line indexed between two multi-fiber connectors. At least one optical line is tapped from one of the multi-fiber connectors. A first of the multi-fiber connectors is ruggedized. The connectorized ends of the tap optical lines are non-ruggedized.

In some examples, the second multi-fiber connector is ruggedized. In other examples, the second multi-fiber connector is non-ruggedized.

In certain implementations, the tapped optical line is optically coupled to a splitter apparatus that includes a plurality of connectorized splitter outputs.

In some embodiments, each light ray is formed by two or more optical fibers. For example, two optical fibers may be spliced together to form an optical line. In one example, the indexed optical line may be formed by a quality fusion splice between the first set of optical fibers and the second set of optical fibers. In another example, the splitter device may be optically spliced to a tap optical line.

Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a re-enterable housing to which the indexing cable may be mounted. In some embodiments, the second multi-fiber connector of the index cable is disposed outside of the housing. For example, the second multi-fiber connector may terminate a stub cable extending from the housing. In other embodiments, the second multi-fiber connector is sealed within the housing. In an example, the second multi-fiber connector is optically accessible from an exterior of the housing via a ruggedized optical adapter or other connection interface location. In another example, the second multi-fiber connector is not optically accessible from outside of the housing prior to entering (i.e., opening) the housing.

Various additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description which follows. The inventive aspects may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. The brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary housing in which an exemplary indexing cable assembly is mounted;

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary mating male and female HMFOC connectors;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary non-ruggedized multi-fiber connector;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connector;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connector;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary index cable device that includes an optical splitter device coupled to a tapped optical line;

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary enclosure including a housing in which the indexing cable assembly of FIG. 6 is mounted, the housing including reinforced multi-fiber connection interface locations;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary housing including a housing in which the indexing cable assembly of FIG. 6 is mounted with two multi-fiber connectors extending therefrom; and

fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the housing of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present disclosure relates to a cable arrangement for an indexing architecture. As used herein, "indexing" refers to shifting an optical line along a continuous fiber position between two optical connectors when at least one of the optical lines is tapped between the two optical connectors. Bi-directional indexing refers to such shifting when at least one optical line is tapped from each of two optical connectors.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary housing 310 in which the indexing cable assembly 300 is mounted. The indexing cable arrangement 300 includes optical lines 303 extending between respective first and second ends 301, 302. A first multi-fiber connector 304 is disposed at a first end 301 of an optical line 303. A single fiber connector 306 is disposed in optical line 303 at the second end 302 of the first optical line 303 a. A second multi-fiber connector 305 is disposed at a second end 302 of the other optical line 303b in optical line 303.

Each of the multi-fiber connectors 304, 305 defines a plurality of fiber positions P₁-P₃. While three fiber positions are shown in fig. 1 for ease of viewing, it is to be understood that each multi-fiber connector may include more or fewer fiber positions (e.g., 4 positions, 6 positions, 8 positions, 10 positions, 12 positions, 16 positions, 18 positions, 24 positions, 36 positions, 48 positions, 96 positions, 144 positions, etc.).

First optical line303a (i.e., "tap" the line) from a first continuous position P of the first multi-fiber connector 304₁Extending to a single fiber connector 306. A second optical line 303b (i.e., an "index" line) is from a second consecutive position P of the first multi-fiber connector 304₂A first continuous position P extending to a second multi-fiber connector 305₁. Subsequent optical lines of the cable are from subsequent fiber positions [ P ] at the first multi-fiber connector 304_2+N]Subsequent fiber position [ P ] extending to the second multi-fiber connector 305_1+N]. For example, a third optical line from a third consecutive position P of the first multi-fiber connector 304₃A second continuous position P extending to a second multi-fiber connector 305₂. As described above, this shifting of optical line 303b along successive fiber positions causes optical line 303b to "index" between the two connectors 304, 305.

In the example shown, the final continuous fiber position (position P) at the second multi-fiber connector 305₃) Where no receiving optical line is present. Alternatively, in a bi-directional indexing architecture, the tap line may extend from the final continuous fiber position of the second multi-fiber connector 305.

Additional information regarding fiber indexing and bi-directional fiber indexing may be found in U.S. publication US2014/0254986, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the first multi-fiber connector 304 is a hardened/ruggedized multi-fiber connector (HMFOC). As the term is used herein, a "ruggedized" optical connector and a "ruggedized" optical adapter are configured to mate together to form an environmental seal. Some non-limiting examples of ruggedized optical connector interfaces suitable for use with index terminals are disclosed in U.S. patent nos. 7,744,288, 7,762,726, 7,744,286, 7,942,590, and 7,959,361, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In certain examples, the HMFOC may include an environmental seal for sealing the connector in an external environment. The HMFOC may include fasteners, such as threads or bayonet-type fasteners, for providing a secure connector-to-connector mechanical connection. The HMFOC may include male connectors on the cable, female connectors on the cable, ports/adapters on the housing, and other structures. The HMFOC can include a multi-fiber ferrule including a fiber receiving device defining a plurality of fiber receiving locations. In some instances, the fiber-receiving locations may be arranged in one or more rows of fiber-receiving locations.

Fig. 2 shows exemplary mating male and female HMFOC connectors 600a, 600 b. The male connector 600a and the female connector 600b comprise a staggerable mechanical coupling interface. For example, the male connector 600a includes an internally threaded nut 602a that threads onto a threaded portion 602b of the female connector 600 b. In addition, the male connector 600a includes a plug portion 604 having openings 606, 608 that mate with projections 610, 611 of the female connector 600b to provide alignment during coupling. The connectors 600a, 600b include ferrules 614a, 614b with fiber receiving devices that include consecutive fiber positions 616 (e.g., a row of twelve fiber receiving positions) that align when the connectors 600a, 600b mate to provide an optical connection between fibers supported by the ferrules 614a, 614 b. Further details of an exemplary HMFOC connector are disclosed by U.S. patent No. 7,264,402, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the second multi-fiber connector 305 is a hardened/ruggedized multi-fiber connector (HMFOC). In other embodiments, the second multi-fiber connector 305 is a non-hardened/ruggedized multi-fiber connector. An untempered multi-fiber connector refers to a connector that is not configured to environmentally seal to an adapter or other such component. One exemplary non-ruggedized multi-fiber connector is an MPO connector.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary untempered multi-fiber connector 20. The non-ruggedized multi-fiber connector 20 can include a dust cap 22, a connector body 23, a release sleeve 24, a spring pusher 28, and a connector ferrule 26. Release sleeve 24 is mounted on connector body 23 and is slidable in a limited range of movement in a distal-proximal orientation relative to connector body 23. The release sleeve 24 may be spring biased in a distal direction and may be retracted from a distal position to release the connector 20 from a mating fiber optic adapter (not shown). Connector sleeve 26 is mounted over the proximal end of spring pusher 28.

In certain implementations, the non-ruggedized multi-fiber connector 20 includes a ferrule assembly 33 mounted within the ferrule passage 25 of the connector body 23. The ferrule assembly 33 includes a multi-fiber ferrule 36 defining at least one row of fiber openings 37 extending through a distal end 36a of the ferrule 36 in a distal-proximal direction. Each opening 37 defines one of the continuous fiber positions. The fiber openings 37 are adapted to support the ends of the optical fibers 39 (e.g., to break away from the matrix material 43 of the optical fiber ribbon 41). When ferrule 36 is assembled within connector body 23, distal end 36a of ferrule 36 is accessible at distal end 23a of connector body 23 to facilitate optical connection with another multi-fiber optic connector.

Ferrule assembly 33 further includes a ferrule sleeve 34 mounted at a proximal end 36b of ferrule 36. The ferrule sleeve 34 is adapted to receive and guide the optical fiber ribbon 41 into the ferrule 36. Ferrule assembly 33 further includes an alignment pin assembly 35. In some examples, alignment pin assembly 35 includes alignment pin 32 having a base end supported within pin base 59. The alignment pins fit within longitudinal pin openings 51 defined by the ferrule 36. In other examples, the ferrule 36 defines alignment holes to receive alignment pins of a mating connector.

The strength members of the cable terminated by the non-ruggedized connector 20 can be coupled (e.g., crimped) to the proximal end of the spring pusher 28 of the fiber optic connector 20. The spring 30 of the multi-fiber connector 20 serves to bias the ferrule 36 in a distal direction relative to the connector body 23. When connector 20 is assembled, spring 30 may be captured between proximal end 36b of ferrule 36 and spring seat 73 of spring pusher 28. Distal end 30a of spring 30 may engage pin base 59 of the ferrule assembly and proximal end 30b of spring 30 may engage spring seat 73 of spring pusher 28. Further details of exemplary non-ruggedized multi-fiber connectors are disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9,810,851, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the single fiber connector 306 may be untempered. The exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connector 306 includes an LC connector (see FIG. 4) and an SC connector (see FIG. 5).

Fig. 4 illustrates a first exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connector 11. The first exemplary connector 111 includes a housing member 112 that defines a channel 115. Ferrule 113 and barrel member 114 are disposed within channel 115. The barrel member 114 has an enlarged portion or flange 116 which forms a shoulder against which one end of a coiled spring 117 surrounding the barrel bears. The other end of the spring 117 bears against a shoulder formed in a bore 115 in the housing 112. The ferrule and cartridge assembly has a forward bias relative to the housing 112 that enhances face-to-face contact of the ferrule end face 118 with the ferrule end face of a mating connector or device (not shown). A cable comprising optical fibres 119, a jacket 121 and a strength member enters the connector 111 through a strain relief sleeve 122 and a base member 123 having a latch 124 for mounting to the housing 112 at its rear. The rear of the base member 123 has a groove portion 126 extending axially therefrom, onto which the collet 121 or strength member is clamped.

A cantilevered latch arm or member 128 extends between an end 129 attached to the housing 112 and a free distal end 131. The latch member 128 has a first lobe or shoulder 132 and a second lobe or shoulder 133 adapted to engage latch shoulders in a connector receptacle or adapter (not shown). When the first exemplary connector 112 is inserted into an adapter or receptacle, the latch arms 128 are depressed as the connector moves forward until a clearance within the adapter allows the lobes 132 and 133 to snap-latch engage with a shoulder formed within the adapter. When it is desired to remove the connector from the adapter, depression of the free end 131 of the latch arm 128 disengages the lobe from the shoulder and the connector can be pulled out. When a user wishes to remove a connector from its associated adapter or receptacle, he or she can depress latch arm 128 by depressing free end 137 of trigger member 134.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connector 200. The fiber optic cable 215 enters the non-ruggedized single fiber connector 200 through the guide 230. The guide 230 has an input opening 231 at one end to receive the fiber optic cable 215 and a hub opening 232 at the other end. The input opening 231 of the guide 230 shares its diameter with a first portion of the guide 230, while the hub opening 232 shares its diameter with the remainder of the guide 230. Located within the guide 230 is a tube 290 that surrounds the outer diameter of the fiber optic cable 215. The tube 290 helps guide the fiber optic cable 215 into the ferrule 250. Within the guide 230 is a coil spring 260, the coil spring 260 surrounding the tube 290, the spring 260 being operable when stretched to allow a small amount of travel of the fiber optic cable 215.

Hub 240 is designed to connect to ferrule holder 220. The hub 240 may have projections or keys 245 spaced 290 degrees apart from each other. The hub 240 fits within the guide 230 through its input opening 231. Hub 240 operates to retain spring 260 in guide 230. The ferrule 250 fits within the hub 240 and securely holds the fiber optic cable 215 in place.

The key 235 is located on an outer surface of the guide 230. The key is designed to fit into a slot 225 located on the ferrule holder 220. Once the key 235 is in place, the guide 230 is securely locked into the ferrule holder 220.

Ferrule holder 220 rigidly holds ferrule 250 in its axial bore. On opposite sides of the exterior of the ferrule holder 220 are two sets of parallel ridges 226 and 227 that are generally perpendicular to the axial bore of the ferrule holder 220. These ridges are designed to releasably lock to the retaining clips of a corresponding adapter (not shown) through cutouts 264 and 266, respectively. Ferrule holder 220 is located within an external connector or grip housing 260.

The grip housing 260 generally has four sides and an opening 262 that receives the guide 230 and an opening 263 that delivers the ferrule 250 to the split sleeve 250. When the ferrule holder 220 is placed within the grip housing 260, each pair of raised ridges 226 and 227 are exposed through cutouts 264 and 266, respectively. The key 268 is designed to fit into a slot defined by a corresponding adapter.

Further details of exemplary non-ruggedized single fiber connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. nos. 5,317,663 and 6,017,154, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Referring back to fig. 1, the housing 300 includes a shell 311 defining an interior 312. In some embodiments, the housing 311 is re-enterable. As the term is used herein, a "re-enterable" housing includes a housing that is openable so that interior 312 can be accessed by a user without breaking housing 311. For example, the housing 311 may include a cover or door that selectively covers an access opening defined by the housing 311. In one example, the cover may be removed from the access opening to open the housing 311. In another example, the door pivots relative to the housing 311 between an open position and a closed position to expose and cover the access opening.

The second multi-fiber connector 305 and the single fiber connector 306 are disposed within the interior 312 of the housing 311. When the housing 311 is open, the second multi-fiber connector 305 and the single fiber connector 306 may be accessed by a user. When the housing 311 is closed, the single fiber connector 306 is at least inaccessible to the user. In some embodiments, the second multi-fiber connector 305 is inaccessible to a user when the housing 311 is closed.

The housing 311 defines a cable port 313 extending between an exterior of the housing and an interior 312 of the housing 311. A sealing device 314 is provided at the cable port 313 to environmentally seal the interior 312 of the housing 311. In an example, the sealing device 314 includes a gasket (e.g., an O-ring, a gel sealing member, a foam block, etc.) through which the cable 300 passes. In some embodiments, cable 300 is movable (e.g., slidable) through cable port 313 and sealing device 314. In other embodiments, cable 300 is secured at cable port 313.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the tap line 303a of the cable arrangement 300 is optically coupled to an optical splitter arrangement 307 to split an optical signal carried by the tap line 303a onto a plurality of splitter outputs. Each splitter output is terminated by a single fiber connector (e.g., non-ruggedized single fiber connector 306). Thus, the cable arrangement 300 may have multiple single fiber connectors 306, although only one optical line 303a is tapped.

In alternative embodiments, multiple optical lines may be tapped. In some such embodiments, the number of sequential fiber positions along which the optical lines are indexed corresponds to the number of optical lines being tapped. For example, if two optical lines are tapped, the optical lines are indexed by two fiber positions.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary cable arrangement 300' suitable for use with the housing 310 of fig. 1 or other housings disclosed herein. The cable device 300' includes an optical splitter device 307 coupled to the tapped optical line. The optical splitter arrangement 307 includes an optical splitter 307a and a plurality of splitter output lines 307 b. In some examples, the optical splitter device 307 also includes a splitter input line 307c optically coupled to the tap optical line. In other examples, optical splitter 307a is configured to receive tap optical line 303a directly.

In some embodiments, optical splitter 307a is a passive optical power splitter. In other embodiments, optical beam splitter 307a is a wavelength division multiplexer. In still other embodiments, optical splitter 307a may split the optical signal in other ways.

In some embodiments, splitter output lines 307b are separate from each other. In other embodiments, the splitter output line 307b is colored (i.e., embedded within an adhesive) or held within a jacket between the splitter 307a and the fanout 307 d. The splitter output lines 307b are separated from each other at the fan-out 307 d.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical line 303 is formed of two or more optical fibers optically spliced (e.g., fusion spliced) together. In some embodiments, the first multi-fiber connector 304 terminates a first end of a first optical fiber 321 and the second multi-fiber connector 305 terminates a second end of a second optical fiber 322. The second ends of at least some of the first optical fibers 321 are optically coupled to the first ends of the second optical fibers 322 at one or more optical splices. In the example shown, the second ends of at least some of the first optical fibers 321 are optically coupled to the first ends of the second optical fibers 322 at the mass fusion splice 308.

In some embodiments, the first fibers 321 of the index optical line 303b may be colored together. The second fibers 322 of the indexed optical line 303b may be colored together to facilitate splicing to the first fibers 321 (e.g., at the quality fusion splice 308).

In some embodiments, the tap optical line is formed in part by one of the first optical fibers 321. In some examples, the second end of the first optical fiber 321 of the tap optical line 303a may be spliced to the first end of the third optical fiber at an optical splice 309. The second end of the third optical fiber may be terminated by an untensioned single fiber connector 306. In other examples, the second end of the first optical fiber 321 of the tap optical line 303a may be spliced to the splitter device 307. For example, the second end of the first optical fiber 321 may be spliced to the splitter input line 307c at the optical splice 309.

Fig. 7 illustrates another exemplary housing 330 including a shell 331 defining an interior 332. In some embodiments, the housing 331 is re-enterable. The housing 331 is suitable for use with the cable arrangements 300, 300' disclosed herein. In fig. 7a cable arrangement 300' is shown.

The housing 331 defines a cable port 333 extending between an exterior of the housing and an interior 332 of the housing 331. A sealing device 334 is provided at the cable port 333 to environmentally seal the interior 332 of the housing 331. In an example, the sealing device 334 includes a gasket (e.g., an O-ring, a gel sealing member, a foam block, etc.) through which the cables 300, 300' pass. In some embodiments, cables 300, 300' are movable (e.g., slidable) through cable port 333 and sealing device 334. In other embodiments, cables 300, 300' are secured at cable port 333.

The optical line 303 enters the housing 331 through the cable port 333 such that the first multi-fiber connector 304 is disposed outside of the housing 331 and the second multi-fiber connector 305 is disposed within the interior 332 of the housing 331. The single fiber connector 306 is also disposed within the interior 332 of the housing 331.

The housing 331 defines an optical connection interface location 335. In some embodiments, the connection interface location 335 includes an optical adapter having an internal port 336 accessible from the interior 332 of the housing 331 and an external port 337 accessible from the exterior of the housing 331. The second multi-fiber connector 305 plugs into the internal port 336 of the optical adapter 335. In certain embodiments, the optical connection interface location 335 is ruggedized such that the interior 332 of the housing 331 remains environmentally sealed regardless of whether a plug connector is received at the external port 337.

In some embodiments, the housing 331 also defines a cable access area 338 where optical fibers (e.g., subscriber lines) may enter the housing 331 to connect to the single fiber connectors 306. In some embodiments, one or more optical adapters corresponding to the single fiber connectors 306 are disposed within the interior 332 of the housing 331.

In some embodiments, the cable port 333, the connection interface location 335, and the cable access region 338 are defined on the same side of the housing. In other embodiments, one or more of the cable ports 333, the connection interface locations 335, and the cable access regions 338 may be defined on different sides of the housing 331.

In certain embodiments, a movable base 350 (e.g., a shelf, tray, drawer, or other such load-bearing structure) is disposed within the housing 331. In the example, the base 350 pivots relative to the housing 331. In another example, the base 350 slides relative to the housing 331. In another example, the base 350 is removable with respect to the housing 331. The single fiber connector 306 is mounted to the base 350.

In some implementations, the beam splitter device 307 is mounted to the base 350. In some implementations, the splice 309 between the splitter device 307 and the tapped optical line 303a is mounted to the base 350. In certain embodiments, the splice 308 between the first fiber 321 and the second fiber 322 of the indexed optical line 303b is mounted to the base 350.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example embodiment 330A of the housing 330 of fig. 7. Cable assembly 300' is shown mounted at housing 330A. Alternatively, in other examples, the cable device 300 may be mounted at the housing 330A.

The housing 330A includes a housing 331A defining an access opening 361 that is selectively closable by a cover (or door) 360. In some embodiments, in the closed position, the cover 360 can be releasably locked to the housing 331A. For example, fasteners or locks may be inserted through lock retention members 363, 364 defined by housing 331 and cover 360. In other examples, the cover 360 may be latched or otherwise secured to the housing 331.

When the lid 360 is closed, a gasket 362 or other sealing member forms an environmental seal between the lid 360 and the housing 331. For example, the gasket 362 may extend around the perimeter of the access opening 361. A ruggedized optical adapter 335A, a sealed cable port 333A, and another sealed cable port 338A are disposed in the bottom wall of the housing 331.

One or more cable anchors 365 may be disposed within the housing 331 to secure the cables 300, 300'. For example, a cable anchor 365 may be provided at the sealed cable port 333A to axially retain the cable 300, 300' in a fixed position relative to the housing 331.

A pivot panel or tray 350A is disposed within the housing 331. The panel 350A pivots between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the faceplate 350A is disposed within the housing 331. When in the second position, the panel 350A extends outwardly through the access opening 361.

Panel 350A has a splice area. In the example shown, the panel 350A has a first splice region 351 for storing splices (e.g., quality fusion splices) 308 between the optical fibers 321, 322 forming the indexed optical line 303 b. The panel 350A also includes a second splice area 352 for storing splices 309 between fibers of the drop optical line 303 a.

In some embodiments, panel 350A has a storage area. In the example shown, the panel 350A has a first storage area 353 for storing excess length of the index optical line 303 b. The panel 350A also has a second storage area 354 for storing excess length of the tapped optical line 303 a. The second storage area 354 also stores the excess length of the splitter output line 307 b.

In some embodiments, the panel 350A holds a single fiber connector 306. For example, the single fiber connectors 306 may be mounted to opposite sides of the panel 350A from the splice area. In some instances, the single fiber connectors 306 may be mounted to opposite sides of the panel 350A from the storage area. In some examples, the tap optical line 303a and/or splitter output line 307b is routed along a hinge axis between two sides of the panel 350A.

Fig. 9 illustrates another example housing 340 including a shell 341 defining an interior 342. In some embodiments, housing 341 is re-enterable. Housing 341 is suitable for use with cable assemblies 300, 300' disclosed herein. In fig. 9 a cable arrangement 300' is shown.

Housing 341 defines a cable port 343 extending between an exterior of the housing and an interior 342 of housing 341. A sealing device 344 is provided at the cable port 343 to environmentally seal the interior 342 of the housing 341. In an example, the sealing device 344 includes a gasket (e.g., an O-ring, a gel sealing member, a foam block, etc.) through which the cable 300, 300' passes. In some embodiments, the cable 300, 300' is movable (e.g., slidable) through the cable port 343 and the sealing device 344. In other embodiments, the cables 300, 300' are secured at the cable port 343.

The optical line 303 of the cables 300, 300' passes through the housing 341 such that both the first multi-fiber connector 304 and the second multi-fiber connector 305 are disposed outside of the housing 341. The single fiber connector 306 is disposed within the interior 342 of the housing 341. In certain embodiments, the beam splitter device 307 is disposed within the interior 342 of the housing 341.

In certain embodiments, housing 341 defines a first sealed cable port 333, a second sealed cable port 345, and a third sealed cable port 348. A portion of the cable 300, 300 'leading to the first multi-fiber connector 304 extends outwardly from the housing 341 at a first sealed cable port 333, and another portion of the cable 300, 300' leading to the second multi-fiber connector 305 extends outwardly from the housing 341 at a second sealed cable port 345. One or more optical fibers (e.g., subscriber lines) may enter the housing 341 through the third sealed cable port 348 to connect to the single fiber connector 306 within the housing 341. In other embodiments, housing 341 defines a greater or lesser number of sealed cable ports. For example, each optical fiber coupled to a single fiber connector 306 may be accessed through a separate sealed cable port.

In some embodiments, the first sealed cable port 343, the second sealed cable port 345, and the third sealed cable port 348 are defined on the same side of the housing 341. In other embodiments, one or more of the sealed cable ports 343, 345, 348 may be defined on different sides of the housing 341.

In certain embodiments, a movable base 350 (e.g., a partition, tray, drawer, or other such load bearing structure) is disposed within the housing 341. In an example, base 350 pivots relative to housing 341. In another example, base 350 slides relative to housing 341. In another example, base 350 is removable with respect to housing 341. The single fiber connector 306 is mounted to the base 350.

In some implementations, the beam splitter device 307 is mounted to the base 350. In some implementations, the splice 309 between the splitter device 307 and the tapped optical line 303a is mounted to the base 350. In certain embodiments, the splice 308 between the first fiber 321 and the second fiber 322 of the indexed optical line 303b is mounted to the base 350.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example embodiment 340A of the enclosure 340 of fig. 9. Cable assembly 300' is shown mounted at housing 340A. Alternatively, in other examples, cable arrangement 300 may be mounted at housing 340A.

The housing 340A includes a housing 341A defining an access opening 371 that may be selectively closed by a cover (or door) 370. In some embodiments, in the closed position, cover 370 may be releasably lockable to housing 341A. For example, the latch 373 on the housing 331A may be snap-fit onto the cover 370.

When the cover 370 is closed, a gasket 372 or other sealing member forms an environmental seal between the cover 370 and the housing 341A. For example, the gasket 372 may extend around the perimeter of the access opening 371. The sealed cable access area is provided at the bottom wall of the housing 331. The sealed cable access area includes one or more sealing members 349 (e.g., gel blocks, foam blocks, rubber gaskets, etc.) that environmentally seal around one or more cables entering enclosure 340A. In the example shown, all cables pass through the same cable access area 348A between opposing gel blocks. In other examples, each cable may enter enclosure 340A through a respective sealed cable port.

The pivot tray 350B is disposed within the housing 341A. The panel 350B pivots between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the faceplate 350B is disposed within the housing 341A. When in the second position, the panel 350B extends outwardly through the access opening 371.

The panel 350B holds the single fiber connectors 306. In some implementations, the panel 350B includes a termination region 355 at which one or more optical adapters are mounted. A single fiber connector 306 may be held at the first port of the optical adapter. The second port of the optical adapter faces the cable access area 348A. Optical fibers (e.g., subscriber lines) may enter the housing 340A through the sealed cable access region 348 and plug into the second port to optically couple to the drop optical line 303 a.

In some embodiments, panel 350B also has a splice area. For example, the panel 350B may have a first splice region for storing splices (e.g., quality fusion splices) 308 between the optical fibers 321, 322 forming the indexed optical line 303B. Panel 350B may also include a second splice area for storing splices 309 between fibers of drop optical line 303 a. For example, the splice area may be mounted to the opposite side of the panel 350A from the single fiber connector 306.

In some embodiments, panel 350B has a storage area. In the example shown, panel 350B may have a first storage area for storing excess length of the index optical line 303B. The panel 350B may also have a second storage area for storing excess length of the tapped optical line 303 a. The second storage area may also store excess length of the splitter output line 307 b. In some instances, the storage areas may be mounted to opposite sides of the panel 350B from the single fiber connectors 306.

Having described preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.