Pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable

• US 7,006,739 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Luther, James P., Cooke, Terry L., Knecht, Dennis M., Elkins, Robert B. II, Johnson, John B., Nielsen, Lars K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/736,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20050129375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100, 385/101, 385/102, 385/103, 385/104, 385/135, 385/136
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4431 with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping break-out terminations G02B6/4471
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4472 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4475 with provision for lateral branching G02B6/4431 takes precedence

Abstract

A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber. Alternatively, the fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a plurality of cable centralizers, and a protective shell for encapsulating the access location and protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Claims

1. A fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location along the distribution cable for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber, the distribution cable comprising:

at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from the distribution cable at the access location;

a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber; and

a protective shell encapsulating the access location to protect the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

2. The distribution cable of claim 1, wherein the protective shell is formed by an overmolding process.

3. The distribution cable of claim 1, wherein the protective shell comprises a monotube having a crush resistant property that is threaded onto the distribution cable and positioned over the access location.

4. The distribution cable of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the protective shell is less than about 1.5 inches.

5. The distribution cable of claim 1, wherein the protective shell is sufficiently flexible to permit the fiber optic distribution cable to be installed through a conduit having an inner diameter of at least about 1.9 inches.

6. The distribution cable of claim 1, wherein the preterminated optical fiber is spliced to a connectorized optical fiber and the spliced together length of the preterminated optical fiber and the connectorized optical fiber is at least about 20 inches.

7. The distribution cable of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cable clips adapted for attachment to the distribution cable and operable for centering the distribution cable within an overmolding tool.

8. The distribution cable of claim 1, further comprising at least one ripcord disposed underneath the protective shell and operable for removing the protective shell to expose the at least one preconnectorized optical fiber.

9. A fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber, the distribution cable comprising:

a tubular body for containing a plurality of optical fibers;

at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from the tubular body at the access location;

a transition piece adjacent the tubular body and operable for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body and into a protective tube;

a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber;

a plurality of cable centralizers each defining a central opening for receiving the distribution cable and at least one routing slot for receiving an optical fiber; and

a protective shell encapsulating the access location and the cable centralizers to protect the preterminated optical fiber and the connector.

10. The distribution cable of claim 9, further comprising:

an end cap positioned on the distribution cable adjacent each end of the access location; and

a diameter transition piece adjacent each end of the access location extending between the outer diameter of the distribution cable and the outer diameter of the end cap.

11. The distribution cable of claim 9, wherein the protective shell is formed by an overmolding process.

12. The distribution cable of claim 9, wherein the protective shell comprises a monotube having a crush resistant property that is threaded onto the distribution cable and positioned over the access location.

13. The distribution cable of claim 9, wherein the outer diameter of the protective shell is less than about 1.5 inches.

14. The distribution cable of claim 9, wherein the protective shell is sufficiently flexible to permit the fiber optic distribution cable to be installed through a conduit having an inner diameter of at least about 1.9 inches.

15. The distribution cable of claim 9, wherein the preterminated optical fiber is spliced to a connectorized optical fiber and the spliced together length of the preterminated optical fiber and the connectorized optical fiber is at least about 20 inches.

16. The distribution cable of claim 10, further comprising a heat shrinkable material for sealing the diameter transition piece, the end cap and the access location.

17. The distribution cable of claim 9, further comprising at least one ripcord disposed underneath the protective shell and operable for removing the protective shell to expose the at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber.