Connectorized inside fiber optic drop

• US 6,539,147 B1
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mahony, Glenn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/746,528
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 385/24, 385/15, 385/31, 385/39, 439/502, 359/124, 359/125
• US Class Current: 385/24
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2804 forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/501 underground installation of connection boxes

Abstract

A connectorized inside fiber optic drop that facilitates the deployment of fiber to the home by connecting a fiber optic interface device to an optical network terminal, the inside fiber optic drop including a sheath, transition fittings, pigtails, fiber optic connectors, and a fiber optic strand. The sheath is positioned over.a middle section of the fiber optic strand. The transition fittings are attached to the fiber optic sheath proximate to both ends of the drop. The pigtails attach to the transition fittings and enclose the fiber optic strand from the transition fittings to the ends of the fiber optic strand, where the fiber optic connectors are attached to the fiber optic strand and the pigtails. If the drop contains more than one fiber optic strand, then one set of pigtails with connectors is provided for each fiber optic strand.

Claims

1. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the sheath provides environmental protection for the at least one fiber optic strand for one of inside-wall, conduit, and plenum installations.

2. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

3. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 1, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

31. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 2, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

32. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 31, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

4. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the sheath complies with GR-409-CORE, Generic Requirements for Premise Fiber Optical Cable, Issue 1, May 1994.

5. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 4, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

6. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 4, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

33. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 5, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

34. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 33, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

7. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the at least one fiber optic strand floats freely within the sheath and the pigtails.

8. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 7, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

9. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 7, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

35. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 8, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

36. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 35, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

10. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the pigtails are attached to the first transition fitting, the second transition fitting, and the fiber optic connectors.

11. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 10, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

12. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 10, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

37. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 11, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

38. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 37, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

13. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the pigtails are color coded to identify an individual fiber optic strand of the at least one fiber optic strand at its first end and its second end.

14. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 13, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

15. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 13, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

39. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 14, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

40. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 39, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

16. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the pigtails are adapted to be coiled within the fiber optic interface device and the optical network terminal to provide length adjustment of the connectorized inside fiber drop.

17. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 16, wherein the pigtails are 18 to 36 inches long.

18. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 16, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

41. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 16, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

42. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 41, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

43. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 42, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

19. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the fiber optic connectors are compatible with the fiber optic interface device and the optical network terminal such that no splicing is required to connect the connectorized inside fiber drop to the fiber optic interface device and the optical network terminal.

20. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 19, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

21. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 19, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

44. The connectionized inside fiber drop of claim 20, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

45. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 44, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

22. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network,

wherein the fiber optic connectors conform to GR-326-CORE, Generic Requirements for Single-Mode Optical Connectors and Jumper Assemblies, Issue 2, December 1996, and wherein the fiber optic connectors meet a reflectance performance of −

55 dB for all conditions.

23. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 22, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

24. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 22, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

46. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 23, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

47. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 46, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

25. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device o f the fiber optic network,

wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop has a single-mode fiber attenuation coefficient of less than 0.4 dB/km between 1270 nm and 1350 nm, and 0.3 dB/km between 1500 nm and 1600 nm,

wherein attenuation is uniformly distributed throughout the connectorized inside fiber drop such that there are no discontinuities greater than 0.1 dB for single-mode fiber at any design wavelength, and

wherein the at least one fiber optic strand does not exhibit point discontinuities with a measured loss greater than 0.10 dB or a reflectance greater than −

45 dB at 1310 nm or 1550 nm.

26. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 25, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

27. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 25, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

48. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 26, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

49. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 48, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

28. A connectorized inside fiber drop comprising:

(a) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(c) a first transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(d) a second transition fitting attached to the sheath proximate to the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand;

(e) on each fiber optic strand, a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end;

(f) on each fiber optic strand, a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end; and

(g) pigtails enclosing each fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, and between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector,

wherein the first end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a local terminal of a fiber optic network and the second end of each fiber optic strand is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the fiber optic network, and

wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop complies with the National Electric Code NFPA 70 and flammability requirements of UL-1581 when tested in accordance with VW-1 Vertical Wire Flame Test—

All Wires Flame Test procedure.

29. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 28, wherein the at least one fiber optic strand comprises two fiber optic strands.

30. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 28, wherein the first transition fitting and the second transition fitting provide strain relief for the connectorized inside fiber drop.

50. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 29, wherein the connectorized inside fiber drop supports two lines of communication.

51. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 50, wherein the two lines of communication are video and data.

52. A connectorized inside fiber optic drop for a fiber to the home (FTTH) network comprising:

(a) a fiber optic strand having a first end and a second end;

(b) a sheath enclosing a section of the fiber optic strand, wherein the sheath has a first end proximate to the first end of the fiber optic strand, and wherein the sheath has a second end proximate to the second end of the fiber optic strand;

(c) a first fiber optic connector attached to the first end of the fiber optic strand, wherein the first fiber optic connector is adapted to connect to a fiber optic interface device of the FTTH network;

(d) a second fiber optic connector attached to the second end of the fiber optic strand, wherein the second fiber optic connector is adapted to connect to an optical network terminal of the FTTH network;

(e) a first transition fitting attached to the first end of the sheath, wherein the first transition fitting is adapted to be secured to a housing of the fiber optic interface device;

(f) a second transition fitting attached to the second end of the sheath, wherein the second transition fitting is adapted to be secured to a housing of the optical network terminal;

(g) a first pigtail attached to the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector, wherein the first pigtail encloses the fiber optic strand between the first transition fitting and the first fiber optic connector; and

(h) a second pigtail attached to the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector, wherein the second pigtail encloses the fiber optic strand between the second transition fitting and the second fiber optic connector.

53. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the first fiber optic connector inserts into a connectorized termination of the fiber optic interface device, and the second fiber optic connector inserts into a connectorized termination of the optical network terminal.

54. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the first transition fitting is clamped inside a female fitting of the housing of the fiber optic interface device.

55. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the first transition fitting is secured to the housing of the fiber optic interface device using a cable tie.

56. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the first pigtail and the second pigtail bend at a smaller radius than the sheath.

57. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the first pigtail is coiled within the fiber optic interface device to manage slack of the first pigtail.

58. The connectorized inside fiber drop of claim 52, wherein the second pigtail is coiled within the optical network terminal to manage slack of the second pigtail.

59. A method for connecting a fiber optic interface device to an optical network terminal in a fiber to the home network, the method comprising the steps of:

connectorizing a first end and a second end of a fiber optic strand;

inserting the first end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the fiber optic interface device, wherein the fiber optic interface device is mounted on the outside of a subscriber premises;

routing the fiber optic strand into the subscriber premises and to the optical network device;

inserting the second end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the optical network terminal,

wherein a first portion of the fiber optic strand is inside the fiber optic interface device,

wherein a second portion of the fiber optic strand is between the fiber optic interface device and the optical network terminal, and

wherein a third portion of the fiber optic strand is inside the optical network terminal;

enclosing the second portion of the fiber optic strand in a sheath;

enclosing the first portion of the fiber optic strand in a first pigtail; and

enclosing the second portion of the fiber optic strand in a second pigtail.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the first pigtail and the second pigtail are more flexible than the sheath.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the step of inserting the first end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the fiber optic interface device comprises storing an extra length of the first pigtail inside the fiber optic interface device, and

wherein the step of inserting the second end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the optical network terminal comprises storing an extra length of the second pigtail inside the optical network terminal.

62. The method of claim 59, further comprising the step of providing a first transition fitting attached to the sheath and the first pigtail proximate to the first end and a second transition fitting attached to the sheath and the second pigtail proximate to the second end,

wherein the step of inserting the first end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the fiber optic interface device comprises securing the first transition fitting inside the fiber optic interface device, and

wherein the step of inserting the second end of the fiber optic strand into a connectorized termination of the optical network terminal comprises securing the second transition fitting inside the optical network terminal.