Optical splitter module

• US 7,103,255 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fiber Optic Network Solutions Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Noonan, Michael, Gniadek, Jeff, Parsons, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US11/225,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20060008232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137, 385/138, 385/139, 385/53
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/14 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/804 in optical transmission systems

Abstract

A method for configuring an enclosure used in a communications network is described. The method may include providing a group of pigtails. The method may further include routing the group of pigtails circumferentially around a subscriber termination field, where the group of pigtails is associated with an optical splitter module used to convey optical signals to a destination, and where the routing is performed in a manner that does not substantially obstruct access to at least one of a group of subscriber terminations that are associated with the subscriber termination field.

Claims

1. An optical splitter module for use in an optical communications network, the optical splitter module comprising:

an optical splitter configured to split an incoming optical signal into a plurality of outgoing optical signals; and

a faceplate from which a plurality of pigtails extend outwardly, each of the plurality of pigtails being configured to couple a respective one of the plurality of outgoing optical signals to one of a plurality of subscriber terminations, and the faceplate further configured to retain one or more of the plurality of pigtails when the pigtails are not coupling the plurality of outgoing optical signals to the plurality of subscriber terminations.

2. The optical splitter module of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is further configured to support a plurality of storage receptacles adapted to receive those of the plurality of piglails that are not coupled to the subscriber termination field.

3. The optical splitter module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pigtails comprises:

a ribbon harness portion;

an individual pigtail portion; and

a transition portion between the ribbon harness portion and the individual pigtail portion.

4. The optical splitter module of claim 3, wherein the transition portion is configured to:

mount in an enclosure at a determined location, the determined location to facilitate routing the ribbon harness portion and individual pigtail portion around the subscriber termination field.

5. The optical splitter module of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pigtails are circumferentially routed in an enclosure to produce slack in each of the plurality of pigtails when coupled to a respective one of the plurality of storage receptacles.

6. The optical splitter module of claim 5, wherein the slack in each of the plurality of pigtails is substantially the same.

7. The optical splitter module of claim 5, wherein the slack associated with one of the pigtails changes from a first length of slack to a second length of slack when the one of the pigtails is coupled to one of the plurality of subscriber terminations.