Outside plant fiber distribution apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An optical fiber distribution frame apparatus comprising:
- a frame member having upper and lower module mounting brackets, the upper module mounting bracket spaced from the lower module mounting bracket, the frame member defining an interior;
a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member, each module including a front and two mounting flanges, each mounting flange mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets;
wherein one of the modules defines a connection module and further including a rear spaced from the front, a spaced apart top and bottom positioned adjacent to the flanges, and opposed spaced apart sides, the connection module configured and arranged for housing a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings along the front, wherein the bottom, the rear, and the opposed sides defining a cable notch region, wherein the cable notch region defines an opening for a first cable;
a cable clamp mounted to the rear of the connection module;
wherein another one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools positioned on the front.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An outside plant fiber distribution apparatus includes a frame member and a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member. The frame member includes upper and lower module mounting brackets. Each module includes a front and two mounting flanges, each mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets. At least one of the modules is configured as a connection module including a plurality of connection locations disposed along the front of the module. A rear of the module includes a cable notch region for receipt of a cable. At least one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools. In an interconnect system, the storage module includes a cable clamp for holding a second cable, the cables are connected through the connection locations of the connection module. In a cross-connect system, two connection modules are provided, and patch cords are used to connect the fronts of the connection modules. The modules may also house splices, and/or optical couplers, such as splitters and wave division multiplexers.
374 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical fiber distribution frame apparatus comprising:
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a frame member having upper and lower module mounting brackets, the upper module mounting bracket spaced from the lower module mounting bracket, the frame member defining an interior; a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member, each module including a front and two mounting flanges, each mounting flange mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets; wherein one of the modules defines a connection module and further including a rear spaced from the front, a spaced apart top and bottom positioned adjacent to the flanges, and opposed spaced apart sides, the connection module configured and arranged for housing a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings along the front, wherein the bottom, the rear, and the opposed sides defining a cable notch region, wherein the cable notch region defines an opening for a first cable; a cable clamp mounted to the rear of the connection module; wherein another one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools positioned on the front. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of assembling an optical fiber distribution frame comprising the steps of:
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providing a frame member having upper and lower mounting locations; mounting the frame member to an enclosure extending from the ground over at least two fiber optic cables; selecting a plurality of fiber optic modules for mounting to the frame member selected so as to fill the frame member with desired functions, at least one of the modules including a connection module for mounting to a cable in the rear, and providing a plurality of connection locations on the front, a further module including a storage module including at least one spool on the front; mounting each of the selected modules to the upper and lower mounting locations of the frame member so that the fronts face the same direction; and connecting the two cables through the connection modules. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of assembling an optical fiber distribution frame comprising the steps of:
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providing an enclosure extending from the ground over at least two fiber optic cables, the enclosure including a frame member having upper and lower mounting locations; selecting a plurality of fiber optic modules for mounting to the frame member selected so as to fill the frame member with desired functions, at least one of the modules including a connection module for mounting to a cable in the rear, and providing a plurality of connection locations on the front, a further module including a storage module including at least one spool on the front; mounting each of the selected modules to the upper and lower mounting locations of the frame member so that the fronts face the same direction; and connecting the two cables through the connection modules. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification