Overmolded multi-port optical connection terminal having means for accommodating excess fiber length
First Claim
1. An overmolded optical connection terminal for a fiber optic cable, the terminal comprising;
- a tether cable having a first end adapted to be attached to the fiber optic cable and a second end terminating in one or more optical connectors, the tether cable containing a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to a corresponding plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic cable;
an overmolded housing at the second end of the tether cable and defining at least one connector port for providing access to the one or more optical connectors of the tether cable optically connected to the plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic cable; and
a plenum defining an air space for accommodating excess fiber length (EFL) of the optical fibers of the tether cable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An overmolded multi-port optical connection terminal for a fiber optic distribution cable includes a tether cable containing a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to a corresponding plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic distribution cable at a first end of the tether cable, an overmolded housing a the second end of the tether cable, at least one connector port, and plenum means for accommodating excess fiber length (EFL) caused by shrinkage of the tether cable and/or pistoning of the optical fibers of the tether cable during connector mating. In one embodiment, a centralized plenum means is defined by an internal cavity within the overmolded housing sufficient for accommodating the EFL without micro bending. In another embodiment, a distributed plenum means is defined by an oversized tubular portion of the tether cable having an inner diameter sufficient for accommodating the EFL without micro bending.
189 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An overmolded optical connection terminal for a fiber optic cable, the terminal comprising;
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a tether cable having a first end adapted to be attached to the fiber optic cable and a second end terminating in one or more optical connectors, the tether cable containing a plurality of optical fibers optically connected to a corresponding plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic cable;
an overmolded housing at the second end of the tether cable and defining at least one connector port for providing access to the one or more optical connectors of the tether cable optically connected to the plurality of optical fibers terminated from the fiber optic cable; and
a plenum defining an air space for accommodating excess fiber length (EFL) of the optical fibers of the tether cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An overmolded multi-port optical connection terminal adapted to be attached to a fiber optic distribution cable at a mid-span access location to interconnect at least one optical fiber terminated from the distribution cable at the mid-span access location to at least one optical fiber of a connectorized fiber optic drop cable, the terminal comprising:
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a tether cable containing a plurality of optical fibers and having a first end and a second end;
an overmolded housing at the second end of the tether cable defining a plurality of connector ports, the connector ports receiving at least one optical connector mounted upon the end of at least one of the plurality of optical fibers of the tether cable for mating with an opposing optical connector mounted upon the end of the at least one optical fiber of the connectorized fiber optic drop cable; and
a plenum means for accommodating excess fiber length (EFL) caused by shrinkage of the tether cable and pistoning of the at least one optical fiber of the tether cable when the opposing optical connectors are mated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification