Universal fiber optic module system

• US 5,975,769 A
• Filed: 07/08/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Network Solutions, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Telect Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Larson, Glen M., Mayberry, Terry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kang, Juliana K.
• Application Number:
  US08/889,783
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53-56, 385/76, 385/77, 385/134-139
• US Class Current: 385/53
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4441 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

Disclosed is a universal and versatile fiber optic cable module system which can be used in combination with any one of a plurality of different front plates. The system also discloses module housings which can be combined with one another and attached to a front plate. Also disclosed is a method for providing such a universal and versatile fiber optic cable module system.

Claims

1. A combined universal fiber optic connector module comprising:

a. a first module housing;

b. a second module housing which is substantially the same as the first module housing, and which is attached to the first module housing, thereby forming a combined module housing; and

c. a front plate mounted to the combined module housing, said front plate including a plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures.

2. A combined universal fiber optic connector module as recited in claim 1, and further comprised of:

a. a longitudinal wall positioned between the first module housing and the second module housing, the longitudinal wall including a breakout wall section aperture.

3. A method for providing a universal fiber optic connector module, comprising the following steps:

a. providing a module housing which is comprised of;

i. a side wall;

ii. at least one longitudinal wall;

iii. a rear fiber passageway through which fiber optic cable may be routed;

b. providing a plurality of front plates, each with a plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures;

c. mounting one of the plurality of front plates to the module housing;

d. providing a second front plate, the second front plate including a plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures different than the plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures for the front plate; and

e. dismounting the front plate from the module housing; and

f. mounting the second front plate to the module housing.

4. A method for combining two universal fiber optic connector modules, comprising the following steps:

a. providing a first module housing and a second module housing which is substantially the same as the first module housing;

b. attaching the first module housing to the second module housing, thereby forming a combined module housing;

c. providing a front plate which includes a plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures; and

d. mounting the front plate to the combined module housing.

5. A method for combining two universal fiber optic connector modules as recited in claim 4, and further comprising the following steps:

a. providing a longitudinal wall positioned between the first module housing and the second module housing, the longitudinal wall including a breakout wall section aperture; and

b. removing the breakout wall section from the longitudinal wall to facilitate the routing of fiber optic cable through the resulting aperture.

6. A method for combining two universal fiber optic connector modules, comprising the following steps:

a. providing a first module housing and a second module housing which is substantially the same as the first module housing, each of which is comprised of;

i. a side wall;

ii. at least one longitudinal wall;

iii. a rear fiber passageway through which fiber optic cable may be routed;

b. attaching the first module housing to the second module housing, thereby forming a combined module housing;

c. providing a front plate which includes a plurality of fiber optic adapter apertures; and

d. mounting the front plate to the combined module housing.

7. A method for combining two universal fiber optic connector modules as recited in claim 6, and further comprising the following steps:

a. providing a longitudinal wall positioned between the first module housing and the second module housing, the longitudinal wall including a breakout wall section aperture; and

b. removing the breakout wall section from the longitudinal wall to facilitate the routing of fiber optic cable through the resulting aperture.