Distribution cable having overmolded mid-span access location with preferential bending
First Claim
1. A fiber optic distribution cable assembly, comprising:
- a distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and having at least one predetermined mid-span access location positioned along the length of the distribution cable, at least one of the plurality of optical fibers accessed and terminated from the distribution cable at the mid-span access location;
a tether comprising a first end attached to the distribution cable at the mid-span access location and at least one optical fiber optically connected to the at least one optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable; and
an overmolded body comprising a flexible material encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location;
wherein the overmolded mid-span access location is provided with a preferential bend.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic distribution cable assembly having at least one factory-prepared mid-span access location for accessing and terminating optical fibers of the distribution cable includes a tether containing at least one optical fiber optically connected to an optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable and an overmolded body encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location. The mid-span access location is provided with a preferential bend along an axis that is common to the distribution cable and the tether by a strength member positioned within the overmolded body and/or the overmolded body having a geometrical configuration that promotes bending along the common axis. The preferential bend reduces any path length differences between terminated optical fibers routed substantially on the common axis and optical fibers remaining within the distribution cable induced by bending, thereby preventing breakage of the terminated optical fibers.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fiber optic distribution cable assembly, comprising:
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a distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and having at least one predetermined mid-span access location positioned along the length of the distribution cable, at least one of the plurality of optical fibers accessed and terminated from the distribution cable at the mid-span access location;
a tether comprising a first end attached to the distribution cable at the mid-span access location and at least one optical fiber optically connected to the at least one optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable; and
an overmolded body comprising a flexible material encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location;
wherein the overmolded mid-span access location is provided with a preferential bend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fiber optic distribution cable assembly, comprising:
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a distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and having at least one predetermined mid-span access location positioned along the length of the distribution cable, at least one of the plurality of optical fibers accessed and terminated from the distribution cable at the mid-span access location;
a tether comprising a first end attached to the distribution cable at the mid-span access location and at least one optical fiber optically connected to the at least one optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable; and
an overmolded body comprising a flexible material encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location;
wherein the overmolded body has a predetermined geometrical configuration that provides the mid-span access location with a preferential bend along an axis that is common to the distribution cable and the tether. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A fiber optic distribution cable assembly, comprising:
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a distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and at least one factory-prepared mid-span access location positioned along the length of the distribution cable, at least one of the plurality of optical fibers accessed and terminated from the distribution cable at the mid-span access location;
a tether comprising a first end attached to the distribution cable at the mid-span access location and at least one optical fiber optically connected to the optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable;
an overmolded body formed from a flexible material encapsulating the distribution cable and a portion of the tether to form the mid-span access location; and
means for providing the mid-span access location with a preferential bend along an axis that is common to the distribution cable and the tether. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification