MULTIPORT OPTICAL FIBER TERMINAL

• US 20140133806A1
• Filed: 11/14/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearfield, Inc
• Original Assignee: John P. Hill, Walter E. Power, II
• Inventors: HILL, John P., POWER, Walter E. II, VAN HORN, Randy
• Granted Patent: US 9,039,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/77
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2804 forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3826 characterised by form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3857 Crimping, i.e. involving plastic deformation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44 Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres where features relating to the optical fibres are not of interest H01B11/22
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4442 Cap coupling boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4446 Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4447 with divided shells G02B6/4448 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4473 Three-way systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/545 Pulling eyes G02B6/475 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A multiport optical fiber connection terminal with a compact footprint has a configuration that allows for easy accessibility and interconnection of cables, while providing several mounting options and including storage space within the terminal. The terminal may include cable connectors that are configured to allow for weather proof installation of pre-terminated fiber optic cables with the terminal ports.

Claims

1. A multi-port connection terminal for optical fibers, the terminal comprising:

a housing comprising a first housing portion, and a second housing portion attachable to the first housing portion to define an interior space within the housing, at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion defining a perimetrical wall disposed about at least a portion of the interior space;

a plurality of connector ports provided in one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion and extending through the housing portion from the interior space to an exterior space outside of the housing; and

a fiber routing and slack storage system disposed radially inwardly adjacent the perimetrical wall around at least a portion of the interior space for routing and storing excess lengths of optical fiber within the internal cavity.

2. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 1, wherein:

the perimetrical wall is an exterior wall having at least one interior surface disposed towards the interior space; and

the fiber routing and slack storage system comprises inwardly disposed arms extending away from the interior surface and configured for routing and storing excess lengths of optical fiber adjacent the interior surface.

3. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 2, wherein the perimetrical wall is cylindrical, and the fiber routing and slack storage system comprises a disc-shaped member having a surface, and a circumferential edge disposed about the surface for being disposed adjacent the interior surface of the perimetrical wall, and the disc-shaped member comprising the radially inwardly disposed arms extending radially inwardly from the circumferential edge, substantially parallel to the surface, and spaced axially away from the surface.

4. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 3, wherein:

the first housing portion comprises;

a base comprising the plurality of connector ports; and

the cylindrical perimetrical wall extending from the base, the cylindrical perimetrical wall having an annular edge disposed away from the base;

the second housing portion comprises a domed cover for being disposed on the annular edge of the cylindrical perimetrical wall to enclose the interior space;

the disc shaped member comprises a bulkhead that fits within the annular edge of the cylindrical perimetrical wall to divide the interior space into a base portion between the base and the bulkhead, and cover portion between the bulkhead and the cover, with the radially inwardly disposed arms disposed in the cover portion; and

the disc-shaped member comprises an opening corresponding and aligned with each connector port in the base for passage of optical fibers therethrough from the fiber routing and slack storage system to corresponding ones of the connector ports.

5. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 4, wherein:

the base is disc-shaped and comprises one connector port in the center thereof and any additional ones of the connector ports disposed concentrically around the center connector port;

the center port comprises a port for entry of a stub cable into the interior space, the stub cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers; and

the concentrically disposed ports being configured for receiving a terminal end of at least one of the optical fibers therein.

6. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 5, wherein the connector ports comprise:

a cylindrical port wall extending externally away from the base, and configured for receiving and retaining thereon at least one of a connector housing and a cap; and

a base portion disposed within the cylindrical port wall and configured for receiving and retaining a connector adapter therein, wherein terminal ends of the optical fibers of a stub cable are terminated by a fiber optic connector, and the adapter is matable with the fiber optic connector.

7. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 6, wherein at least one of the base portion within the cylindrical port wall, and the cylindrical port wall is removable to provide an opening for alternate connector adapters.

8. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 6, further comprising connector housings for mating with the cylindrical port walls, the connector housings comprising:

an internal housing portion configured for receiving a pre-terminated optical fiber cable therethrough, the internal housing portion having an opening for receiving the optical fiber cable therethrough and comprising a mating portion for mating with the cylindrical port wall; and

an external housing portion configured for being disposed about and engaging the internal housing portion to at least form a weather-tight seal about the fiber optic cable.

9. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 8, wherein:

the cylindrical port wall and mating portion of the inner housing portion comprise a first bayonet-type connection for retaining the inner housing portion with the cylindrical port wall; and

the external housing portion and inner housing portion comprise a second bayonet-type connection for retaining the external housing portion with the inner housing portion.

10. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the mating portion of the inner housing portion comprise a cylindrical wall that fits within the cylindrical port wall, and the first bayonet-type connection comprises at least one pin extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical port wall and at least one corresponding slot in the inner housing cylindrical wall; and

the internal housing portion comprises a cylindrical exterior surface, the external housing portion comprises a cylindrical wall that fits around the cylindrical exterior surface of the internal housing portion, and the second bayonet-type connection comprises at least one pin extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical exterior surface and at least one corresponding slot in the cylindrical wall of the external housing portion.

11. The multi-port terminal of claim 8, wherein the mating portion of the inner housing portion comprise a wall portion for engaging the cylindrical port wall, and at least one of the cylindrical port wall and the wall portion comprises a locking feature for locking the inner housing portion to the cylindrical port wall.

12. The multi- port terminal of claim 8, wherein:

the mating portion of the inner housing portion comprises a first internal cylindrical wall that fits internally within the cylindrical port wall, and a second external cylindrical wall disposed about at least a portion of the first internal cylindrical wall that fits externally around the cylindrical port wall;

the cylindrical port wall comprises at least one pin extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical port wall, the internal cylindrical wall comprises at least one corresponding slot for receiving the pin therein, and the at least one pin and corresponding slot comprise a bayonet-type connection requiring an axial and rotational movement of the mating portion with respect to the cylindrical port wall to engage the mating portion with the cylindrical port wall;

the cylindrical port wall has an exterior surface comprising at least one axial ridge extending axially along at least a portion of the cylindrical port wall, the ridge having a first beveled longitudinal edge extending outwardly from the exterior surface in a direction of the rotational movement of the mating portion into engagement with the cylindrical port wall, and a second radially disposed longitudinal edge spaced circumferentially from the first edge; and

the second external cylindrical wall of the inner housing portion comprises a radially displaceable tab having a first position and configured to be displaceable radially outwardly from the first position to move over the axial ridge upon rotational movement of the mating portion into engagement with the cylindrical port wall and returnable radially inwardly to the first position upon moving past the second radially disposed longitudinal edge for engaging with the second radially disposed edge upon rotational movement of the mating portion in an opposite direction to inhibit removal of the inner housing portion from the cylindrical port wall.

13. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 3, wherein the radially inwardly disposed arms have a first end integral with the circumferential edge, and a second end distal from the first end, wherein the second end comprises an axial extension extending towards the disc surface and defining an entry slot between the axial extension and the surface for passage of an optical fiber therethrough.

14. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion comprises a plurality of hanging features disposed spaced apart at locations about the at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for supportively hanging the terminal from a support structure in a plurality of variant hanging positions.

15. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 14, wherein:

the first housing portion comprises;

a base comprising the plurality of connector ports; and

the perimetrical wall extending from the base, the perimetrical wall comprising a cylindrical perimetrical wall having an annular edge disposed away from the base;

the second housing portion comprises a domed cover for being disposed on the annular edge of the cylindrical perimetrical wall to enclose the interior space, the domed cover having an apex; and

at least one of the hanging features comprises a ball and socket mount disposed on the apex of the cover with one of the ball and socket fixedly attached to the cover and the other of the ball and socket being configured for attachment to a support structure, the ball is removable from the socket, and the ball and socket comprise a snap fit connection for retaining the ball within the socket.

16. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 15, wherein at least one other of the hanging features comprises at least one receiving slot in the perimetrical wall, the receiving slot being configured for slidably receiving a hanger therein.

17. A multi-port connection terminal for optical fibers, the terminal comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first housing portion comprising a base and a cylindrical perimetrical wall extending from the base, the cylindrical perimetrical wall having an annular edge disposed away from the base; and

a cover for being attached on the annular edge of the cylindrical perimetrical wall to, together with the first housing portion, define an interior space;

a plurality of connector ports disposed in the base and extending through the base from the interior space to an exterior space outside of the housing; and

at least one hanging features disposed on at least one of the first housing portion and cover for supportively suspending the terminal from a support structure with the base oriented downwardly.

18. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 17, wherein the at least one hanging feature comprises a plurality of hanging features disposed spaced apart at locations about the at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for supportively hanging the terminal from a support structure in a plurality of positions.

19. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 17, wherein the at least one hanging feature comprises a ball and socket mount disposed on the cover with one of the ball and socket fixedly attached to the cover and the other of the ball and socket being configured for attachment to a support structure, the ball is removable from the socket, and the ball and socket comprise a snap fit connection for retaining the ball within the socket.

20. The multi-port connection terminal of claim 17, further comprising connector housings for mating with the connector ports, the connector housings comprising:

an internal housing portion configured for receiving a pre-terminated optical fiber cable therethrough, the internal housing portion having an opening for receiving the optical fiber cable therethrough and comprising a mating portion for mating with the connector port; and

an external housing portion configured for being disposed about and engaging the internal housing portion to at least form a weather-tight seal about the fiber optic cable.