Preterminated fiber optic distribution cable
First Claim
1. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber, comprising:
- at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber;
a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube;
a molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber; and
a protective means operable for protecting the at least one buffer tube, the buffer tube transition piece and the molded member during installation of the preterminated fiber optic distribution cable.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A factory-manufactured, preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube, a C-shaped molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber and a protective means. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective tubing.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber, comprising:
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at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber;
a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube;
a molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber; and
a protective means operable for protecting the at least one buffer tube, the buffer tube transition piece and the molded member during installation of the preterminated fiber optic distribution cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable, comprising:
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removing a predetermined length of a cable sheath to expose a predetermined length of at least one buffer tube;
cutting at least one longitudinally extending slit on the cable sheath on a downstream end from the exposed predetermined length of the at least one buffer tube;
flaring the cut cable sheath to expose an additional length of the at least one buffer tube;
cutting at least two access points on an appropriate buffer tube along the buffer tube length;
severing at least one optical fiber at a first one of the access points to produce at least one preterminated optical fiber; and
fishing the at least one preterminated optical fiber out of a second one of the access points to withdraw a first preterminated optical fiber length. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective optical fiber tubing, comprising:
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an optical fiber opening for receiving the preterminated optical fibers exiting from a pre-selected buffer tube;
a cavity for routing the preterminated optical fibers into at least one optical fiber slot; and
a C-shaped channel for receiving the pre-selected buffer tube; and
wherein the optical fiber slot is operable for maintaining the preterminated optical fibers and securing the protective optical fiber tubing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A fiber optic communications network comprising:
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a preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one of the optical fibers;
a splice closure comprising a splice tray for splicing the at least one optical fiber of the preterminated fiber optic distribution cable to a respective optical fiber of a drop cable; and
an outside plant closure for receiving the drop cable;
wherein the fiber optic distribution cable further comprises a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber into a molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one optical fiber.
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Specification