Fiber optic communications network comprising pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable

• US 7,016,592 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• 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:
  US11/104,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20050180705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100, 385/101, 385/102, 385/103, 385/104, 385/135, 385/136, 385/139, 385/105
• US Class Current: 385/136
• 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 The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated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 Alternatively, the fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, a connector attached to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 communications network comprising:

a fiber optic distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber;

a closure comprising a connector port for connecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber of the fiber optic distribution cable to a respective connectorized optical fiber on one end of a drop cable; and

an optical network connection terminal for receiving the other end of the drop cable.

2. The communications network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical fibers is withdrawn from the distribution cable at the access location and direct connectorized to a fiber optic connector to produce the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

3. The communications network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical fibers is withdrawn from the distribution cable at the access location and spliced to a connectorized optical fiber to produce the pre-connectorized optical fiber.