Aerial fiber optic system including a sub-distribution system and related methods
First Claim
1. An aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
- a distribution fiber optic cable extending along an aerial route;
at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the aerial route; and
a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and comprising a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of said plurality of fiber optic taps, at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the aerial route at at least one of said fiber optic taps.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An aerial fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along an aerial route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the aerial route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.
66 Citations
51 Claims
-
1. An aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
a distribution fiber optic cable extending along an aerial route;
at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the aerial route; and
a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and comprising a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of said plurality of fiber optic taps, at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the aerial route at at least one of said fiber optic taps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a tap housing;
an input fiber optic connector carried by said tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector carried by said tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by said tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
5. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 4 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
6. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 further comprising a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a second direction opposite the first direction.
-
7. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures defining the aerial route and carrying said distribution fiber optic cable and said first sub-distribution fiber optic system.
-
8. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 further comprising a respective optical network unit connected to each drop fiber optic cable.
-
9. An aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
a distribution fiber optic cable extending along an aerial route;
at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the aerial route; and
a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and comprising a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, each tap comprising a tap housing and a plurality of tap fiber optic connectors carried thereby, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of said fiber optic taps, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
12. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 11 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
13. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 9 further comprising a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a second direction opposite the first direction.
-
14. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures defining the aerial route and carrying said distribution fiber optic cable and said first sub-distribution fiber optic system.
-
15. An aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
a distribution fiber optic cable extending along an aerial route;
at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the aerial route;
a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a forward direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and
a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a backward direction;
each of said forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems comprising at least one fiber optic tap along the aerial route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
18. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 17 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
19. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 15 further comprising a plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures defining the aerial route and carrying said distribution fiber optic cable and said forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems.
-
20. An aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
a distribution fiber optic cable extending along an aerial route;
at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the aerial route; and
a lateral sub-distribution fiber optic system extending outwardly from the aerial route in a lateral direction away from said at least one splice enclosure and comprising a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps, each tap comprising a tap housing and a plurality of tap fiber optic connectors carried thereby, a first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between said at least one splice enclosure and a first one of said fiber optic taps, and at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, said first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
23. An aerial fiber optic cable system according to claim 22 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
24. A method for installing an aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
installing a fiber optic distribution cable along an aerial route;
connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to the fiber optic distribution cable along the aerial route; and
installing a first fiber optic sub-distribution system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps, installing at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and installing at least one drop fiber optic cable extending outwardly from the aerial route at at least one of the fiber optic taps. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
a tap housing;
an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
28. A method according to claim 27 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.
-
29. A method according to claim 24 further comprising installing a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a second direction opposite the first direction.
-
30. A method according to claim 24 wherein the distribution fiber optic cable is carried by a plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures;
- and further comprising connecting the first sub-distribution fiber optic system to the plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures.
-
31. A method according to claim 24 further comprising installing a respective optical network unit to each drop fiber optic cable.
-
32. A method for installing an aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
installing a fiber optic distribution cable along an aerial route;
connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to the fiber optic distribution cable along the aerial route;
installing a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a forward direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and
installing a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a backward direction;
wherein installing the forward sub-distribution fiber optic system and installing the backward sub-distribution fiber optic system each comprises installing at least one fiber optic tap along the aerial route, and installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
36. A method according to claim 34 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
37. A method according to claim 32 wherein the distribution fiber optic cable is carried by a plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures defining the aerial route;
- and further comprising connecting the forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems to the plurality of spaced apart vertical support structures.
-
38. A method for installing an aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along an aerial route; and
installing a first fiber optic sub-distribution system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps, installing at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and installing at least one drop fiber optic cable extending outwardly from the aerial route at at least one of the fiber optic taps. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 45)
a tap housing;
an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
42. A method according to claim 41 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.
-
45. A method according to claim 39 wherein the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable comprises a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.
-
43. A method for installing an aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along an aerial route;
installing a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a forward direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and
installing a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a backward direction;
wherein installing the forward sub-distribution fiber optic system and installing the backward sub-distribution fiber optic system each comprises installing at least one fiber optic tap along the aerial route, and installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the aerial route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap. - View Dependent Claims (44, 46, 47)
an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
47. A method according to claim 46 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.
-
48. A method for installing an aerial fiber optic cable system comprising:
-
connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along an aerial route; and
installing a lateral fiber optic sub-distribution system extending outwardly from the aerial route in a lateral direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps, installing a first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps, and installing at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, the first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
a tap housing;
an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable;
an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and
a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.
-
-
51. A method according to claim 50 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.
Specification