Splitter modules for fiber distribution hubs

• US 7,822,312 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2009
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bison Patent Licensing, LLC
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: LeBlanc, Tom, Reagan, Randy, Lu, Yu, Millea, Keith, Gniadek, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US12/419,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20100046905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 385/135
• 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 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

A splitter module for a fiber distribution hub includes a main body with a first aperture configured to receive an input fiber entering the splitter module, and a second aperture configured for a plurality of distribution fibers exiting the splitter module. The splitter module also includes a fin configured to be received in a slot of a splitter tray of a fiber distribution hub, and a pin configured to engage a hole in the splitter tray. The fin is received in the slot, and the pin is received in the hole of the fiber distribution hub to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution module.

Claims

1. A fiber distribution network, comprising:

a central office;

a plurality of end user premises connected to the central office; and

one or more fiber distribution hubs connected between the central office and the end user premises, each of the one or more fiber distribution hubs comprising;

an enclosure;

a splitter tray located at an uppermost portion within the enclosure, the splitter tray including a planar surface defining at least one slot extending longitudinally along the planar surface of the splitter tray, and the splitter tray including an upright surface extending at an angle from the planar surface, the upright surface defining an aperture; and

a splitter module including;

a main body including a first side, an opposite second side, third and fourth sides extending in a longitudinal direction from the first side to the second side and having a longitudinal dimension, and upper and lower sides, an optical splitter being positioned within the main body, and the first side of the main body defining at least one opening configured to allow a plurality of distribution fibers to exit the main body;

at least one fin coupled to the main body, the fin defining a fin body including a first dimension extending in the longitudinal direction, the first dimension of the fin body being less than the longitudinal dimension of the main body; and

at least one aperture located at the second side of the main body and sized to receive a fastener to couple the splitter module to the fiber distribution hub;

wherein the fin is received in the slot in the planar surface of the splitter tray, and the fastener is received in the aperture of the upright surface of the splitter tray to couple the splitter module to the splitter tray of the fiber distribution module.

2. The fiber distribution network of claim 1, wherein the first dimension of the fin body is 0.71 inches, and the longitudinal dimension of the main body is 4.75 inches.

3. The fiber distribution network of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the dimension of the fin body to the longitudinal dimension of the main body is 0.15.

4. The fiber distribution network of claim 1, wherein the aperture is located in a top extension of the main body of the splitter module.

5. The fiber distribution network of claim 4, wherein the aperture is located at 0.38 inches above the upper side of the main body of the splitter module.