Connector port for network interface device

• US 7,748,911 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Keenum, John A., Grunwald, Brad N., Bloodworth, Stephen G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PENG, CHARLIE YU
• Application Number:
  US11/975,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20080056645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 385/76, 385/89, 385/92, 385/135
• US Class Current: 385/76
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• 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 6/4477 with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element

Abstract

A connector port is adapted for a (NID) to receive a connectorized optical fiber from inside the NID and a pre-connectorized drop cable from outside the NID. An exterior connector port includes a base positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a mount on the base and a connector receptacle secured to the mount adjacent the external wall. An interior connector port includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by an external wall of the NID, a bracket mounted inside the NID and a connector receptacle secured to the bracket. A connector port also includes an insert positioned within an opening defined by a wall of the NID and a connector port secured to the insert. The connector port permits a field technician to readily connect, disconnect and reconfigure optical connections between the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in the field.

Claims

1. A network interface device adapted to optically connect a connectorized optical fiber from inside the network interface device to a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable from outside the network interface device, the network interface device comprising:

an enclosure having an external wall defining an interior cavity and with a drop cable opening located within the external wall;

and

an exterior connector port connected to the drop cable opening, wherein the exterior connector port comprises a base and a cover moveably mounted to the base and a connector receptacle removably secured within the connector port, the connector receptacle comprising a first end for receiving the connectorized optical fiber and a second end for receiving the pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable, and further comprising a connector adapter sleeve disposed within the connector receptacle for aligning the connectorized optical fiber with an optical fiber of the pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable.

2. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the connectorized optical fiber optically connects to optical hardware and equipment mounted within the interior cavity.

3. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the connector receptacle provides an environmental seal.

4. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the connector port is adapted to be covered by a removable seal and plug when the connector receptacle is removed from the connector port.

5. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the connector adapter sleeve includes a bias member adapted to floatingly align the connectorized optical fiber with art optical fiber of the pro-connectorized fiber optic drop cable.