EP4710153A1

EP4710153A1 - Optical fiber terminal assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4710153A1
Application number: EP24871249.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nitin JOSHI; Shantha KUMAR; Ajayakumar GOPI
Original assignee: Sterlite Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Sterlite Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-29
Filing date: 2024-09-27
Publication date: 2026-03-18
Also published as: AU2024348619A1; WO2025069088A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an optical fiber terminal assembly (100) with an enclosure (102) having a closed region (102a) and an open region (102b), a bottom assembly (104) removably engaged with the enclosure (102) at an interface defined by the open region (102b) and has one or more inlet ports (120) and one or more outlet ports (122). In particular, the one or more inlet ports (120) is adapted to accommodate one or more non-circular inlet cables (116) or one or more circular inlet cables. Further, the one or more outlet ports (122) is adapted to accommodate the one or more circular outlet cables (118) corresponding to the circular shape of the one or more outlet ports (122).

Description

Title: OPTICAL FIBER TERMINAL ASSEMBLY

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Application No. “IN202311065684” titled “OPTICAL FIBER TERMINAL ASSEMBLY” filed by the applicant on 29-09-2023 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of optical fiber cables, and more particularly, relate to an optical fiber terminal assembly.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Modern optical devices and optical communications systems widely use fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cables are often used to transmit light signals for high speed data transmission. A fiber optic cable typically includes an optical fiber or optical fibers, a buffer or buffers that surround the fiber or fibers, a strength layer that surrounds the buffer or buffers, and an outer jacket. The optical fibers function to carry optical signals. [0004] Optical fiber refers to the technology and the medium for the transmission of data as light pulses along an ultrapure strand of glass, which is as thin as a human hair. For many years, optical fibers have been extensively used in high-performance and longdistance data and networking.

[0005] Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for distributing all manner of data across vast networks. The majority of cables are electrically conductive cables (typically copper), although the use of optical fiber cable is growing rapidly in telecommunication systems as larger and larger amounts of data are transmitted. Additionally, as data transmissions increase, the fiber optic network is being extended closer to the end user which can be a premise, business, or a private residence.

[0006] Service providers are looking for simpler, more efficient equipment and installation methods for the last mile of the fiber to the home (FTTH) networks which is necessitated by the sheer volume of connections that need to be made. Current plug and play solutions today are limited.

[0007] Engineered drop cables are factory prepared and come in standard cable lengths with hardened optical fiber connectors installed on at least one end of the drop cable. When utilizing these systems, the service provider need to know exactly which product will be used in which location in their networks so that they can purchase the correct length of drop cable. This can make sourcing and logistics difficult due to the complexities and variability from job site to job site.

[0008] The existing multiport splitter includes a multi-fiber connector which is an additional component that increases the cost associated with the multiport splitters. Moreover, the existing multiport splitters do not have better sealing which is required as the multiport splitters are generally used for underground fiber distribution and places having high moisture in the environment. Further, for different types of cables (J.e., round, flat, ribbon), different types of optical fiber terminals are required due to the shape of input cable.

[0009] Prior art reference US20160041356A1 disclosed a multi-port splitter with one muti- fiber input cable with multi-fiber connector and plurality of single fiber drop cables with plurality of single fiber connector for each of the drop cable. [0010] Another prior art reference US20200088964A1 discloses a fiber enclosure with a cable entry port. The enclosure is mounted on a fiber terminal having plurality of cable drop ports by using snap-fit mechanism. The cable entry port is sealed by a sealing body. [0011] Yet another prior art reference US20210333498A1 discloses a fan-out distribution box having an input cable at one and plurality of output drop cables having connectors. The housing is divided into two halves to create a housing. However, none of the prior arts as discussed above discloses a multi-port splitter that can be used for different types of optical fiber cables (/.e., round, flat, ribbon).

[0012] More recently, field installed connectivity solutions are emerging that provide increased flexibility in addressing issues in the final drop to the customer premises. Field installing optical fiber connectors provides the flexibility of cutting the fiber drop and distribution cables to length at the job site which can save material costs for the cables, but which can require the use of more highly skilled craft to install the network.

[0013] While fiber terminals and enclosures can be custom configured for a given application in the factory, they do not always provide the flexibility/versatility in the field required by the rapid deployment of today's fiber to the home network expansion. Therefore, there is a need to develop an optical fiber terminal assembly that overcomes one or more limitations associated with the available traditional optical fiber terminal assembly by addressing aforementioned technical disadvantages.

[0014] Thus, the present invention proposes a technical solution that overcomes the above-stated limitations in the prior arts by providing an optical fiber terminal assembly which is compatible with any kind of optical fiber cables. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention relates to an optical fiber terminal assembly for use in an optical fiber network with an enclosure having a closed region and an open region. The closed region has a closed region surface area and the open region has an open region surface area such that the closed region surface area (A1 ) is greater than the open region surface area (A2). Further, the open region surface area is defined by a planar region.

[0016] The optical fiber terminal assembly further has a bottom assembly removably engaged with the enclosure at an interface defined by the open region. In particular, the bottom assembly has one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports. The one or more inlet ports and the one or more outlet ports are coplanar. Moteove, the one or more inlet ports are adapted to accommodate one or more non-circular inlet cables or one or more circular inlet cables. Further, the one or more outlet ports are adapted to accommodate one or more circular outlet cables corresponding to the circular shape of the one or more outlet ports .

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more inlet ports has one of, a non-circular shape and a circular shape. Moreover, the one or more outlet ports has a circular shape.

[0018] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber terminal assembly further comprises a mechanical connection such that the one or more inlet ports are adapted to accommodate the one or more non-circular inlet cables by way of the mechanical connection. In particular, the mechanical connection is a bracket that has at least two plates such that at least one plate is planar and at least one plate has non-planar curvature. Further, the one or more inlet cables is sandwiched between the at least two plates of the bracket by way of one or more fasteners.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber terminal assembly further comprises a flexible sealing mechanism disposed between the bottom assembly and the enclosure.

[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a numerical count of the one or more outlet ports is more than a numerical count of the one or more inlet ports.

[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a ratio of the number of the one or more outlet ports to the number of the one or more inlet ports is greater than or equal to 4. The one or more inlet ports have the non-circular shape defined by an oblong shape such that the oblong shape includes two longer opposing edges and two shorter opposing curved sides.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom assembly further comprising

(i) a cable holder that is adapted to be removably engaged with the enclosure (104) and

(ii) an end cap that is mechanically engaged with the cable holder.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom assembly further comprises a flexible sealing component that is sandwiched between the cable holder and the end cap. [0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the end cap further comprising an epoxy filled around one or more passages of the one or more inlet cables and the one or more outlet cables.

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom assembly further comprises an integrated boot which is a single molded component that has one or more passages. The number of the one or more passages is equal to the sum of the number of the one or more inlet ports and number of the one or more outlet ports. The cross sectional shape of the one or more passages is defined by exactly two shapes.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber terminal assembly comprising at least one splice tray such that the at least one splice tray is removably engaged with the bottom assembly .

[0027] The foregoing objectives of the present invention are attained by providing an optical fiber terminal assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention is understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0002] The invention herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: [0003] Fig. 1 A is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an optical fiber terminal assembly for use in an optical fiber network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0004] Fig. 1 B is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an exploded view of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0005] Fig. 2A is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a front view of an end cap of a bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] Fig. 2B is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another front view of the end cap of the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Fig. 3 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a perspective view of a mechanical connection of the optical fiber terminal assembly for a non-circular cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Fig. 4 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an assembled configuration of a first tube with a first threaded sleeve of the optical fiber terminal assembly for a circular cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[oooo] Fig. 5 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a side perspective view of an assembled configuration of a splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 6 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another side perspective view of an assembled configuration of the splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [oon] Fig. 7 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another side perspective view of an assembled configuration of the splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 8 is a pictorial snapshot illustratinga cross-sectional view of the optical fiber terminal assembly in an assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Fig. 9 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating various dimensional details of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The optical fiber terminal assembly in the accompanying drawings, which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. It should be noted that the accompanying figure is intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This figure is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that the accompanying figure is not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment of the invention as illustrative or exemplary embodiments of the invention, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practised are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practised with or without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the invention.

[0016] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. References within the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” or “one or more embodiments” are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another and do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[0018] The conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps.

[0019] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

[0020] The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the present invention:

[0021] The term “optical fiber” as used herein refers to a light guide that provides highspeed data transmission. The optical fiber has one or more glass core regions and a glass cladding region. The light moving through the glass core regions of the optical fiber relies upon the principle of total internal reflection, where the glass core regions have a higher refractive index (n1 ) than the refractive index (n2) of the glass cladding region of the optical fiber.

[0022] The term “optical fiber cable” as used herein refers to a cable that encloses one or more optical fibers.

[0023]

[0024] Fig. 1 A is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an optical fiber terminal assembly for use in an optical fiber network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may be designed in a way such that the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 divides one input optical fiber cable into a plurality of output drop cables. In particular, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may be adapted to divide one input optical fiber cable into eight output drop cables. Further, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have an enclosure 102, a bottom assembly 104, and at least one splice tray 106 (as shown later in FIG. 1 B).

[0025] Fig. 1 B is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an exploded view of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have the enclosure 102, the bottom assembly 104, and the at least one splice tray 106 (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the splice tray 106”). The enclosure 102 may have a closed region 102a and an open region 102b. Particularly, the closed region 102a has a closed region surface area A1 and the open region 102b has an open region surface area A2 such that the closed region surface area A1 is greater than the open region surface area A2. Moreover, the open region surface area A2 is defined by a planar region. The enclosure 102 and the bottom assembly 104 may be engaged with one another to form the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. Further, the bottom assembly 104 may be removably engaged with the enclosure 102 at an interface defined by the open region 102b to form the optical fiber terminal assembly 100.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom assembly 104 may have a cable holder 108, an end cap 1 10, and an integrated boot 112. In particular, the cable holder 108 may be adapted to be removably engaged with the enclosure 102 when the bottom assembly 104 is engaged with the enclosure 102 to form the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. Moreover, the end cap 1 10 may be adapted to be mechanically engaged with the cable holder 108. Further, the integrated boot 112 may be a single molded component made up of a rubber material such that the integrated boot 112 and the cable holder 108 sandwiches the end cap 1 10 when the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 are aligned with each other and fastened by way of a plurality of fasteners 114a-114d to form the bottom assembly 104. [0027] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 may be aligned with each other to accommodate one or more non-circular inlet cables 116 (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the non-circular inlet cables 116”) and/or one or more circular outlet cables 118 of which first through eighth circular outlet cables 1 18a-118h are shown. Although FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B illustrate that the one or more non-circular inlet cables 116 has one non-circular inlet cable (/.e., the non-circular inlet cable 116) and the one or more circular outlet cables 118 has eight circular outlet cables (/.e., the first through eighth circular outlet cables 118a-118h), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the one or more non-circular inlet cables 116 and the one or more circular outlet cables 118 may have any number of non-circular inlet cables and circular outlet cables, respectively, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 1A and 1 B, the bottom assembly 104 formed by fastening of the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 may have one or more inlet ports 120 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the inlet port 120) and one or more outlet ports 122 of which first through eighth outlet ports 122a- 122h are shown. In particular, the inlet port 120 may have a non-circular shape defined by an oblong shape such that the oblong shape has two longer opposing edges and two shorter opposing curved sides. Moreover, the inlet port 120 may have a circular shape. The inlet port 120 may be adapted to accommodate, one of, the non-circular inlet cable 116 and one or more circular inlet cables (not shown). Further, when the inlet port 120 has the non-circular shape, the inlet port 120 accommodates the non-circular inlet cable 116 by way of a mechanical connection 214 (as shown in FIG. 3). Furthermore, when the inlet port 120 has the circular shape, the inlet port 120 accommodates a circular inlet cable by way of a tube and a threaded sleeve of a set of tubes 208 and a set of threaded sleeves 210, respectively (as shown later in FIG. 4). The first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h may have a circular shape. The first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h may be adapted to accommodate one or more circular outlet cables 118 corresponding to the circular shape of the one or more outlet ports 122. Specifically, the inlet port 120 and the first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h may be coplanar ports i.e., the inlet port 120 and the first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h may be disposed of in the same plane.

[0029] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a number of the one or more outlet ports 122 may be more than a number of the one or more inlet ports 120. In particular a ratio of the number of the one or more outlet ports 122 to the number of the one or more inlet ports 120 is greater than equal to 4. For example, as illustrated, the one or more outlet ports 122 has the eight outlet ports (i.e., the first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h) and the one or more inlet ports 120 has a single inlet port (i.e., the inlet port 120), thus, the ratio of the number of the one or more outlet ports 122 to the number of the one or more inlet ports 120 is 8 (i.e., greater than equal to 4). [0030] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cable holder 108, the end cap 1 10, and the integrated boot 112 may have first through third sets of one or more passages 124, 126, 128, respectively. Particularly, a number of passages in the first through third set of one or more passages 124, 126, 128 may be equal to a sum of

(i) the number of the one or more inlet ports 120 and

(ii) the number of the one or more outlet ports 122. Further, a cross-sectional shape of the first through third set of one or more passages 124, 126, 128 may be defined by exactly two shapes.

[0031] For example, the cross-sectional shape of the first through third set of one or more passages 124, 126, 128 may be defined by a circular shape, and a non-circular shape. The cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 may be aligned with each other such that the first through third set of one or more passages 124, 126, 128 of the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112, respectively, may be aligned with each other to form the one or more inlet ports 120 and the one or more outlet ports 122 of the bottom assembly 104.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom assembly 104 may have the inlet port 120 and the first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h that are through holes running through the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the one or more inlet ports 120 has one inlet port (/.e., the inlet port 120) and the one or more outlet ports 122 has eight outlet ports (/.e., the first through eighth outlet ports 122a-122h), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the one or more inlet ports 120 and the one or more outlet ports 122 may have any number of inlet ports and outlet ports, respectively, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, a rubber, and the like. Aspects of the present invention are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the cable holder 108, the end cap 1 10, and the integrated boot 112, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 2A is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a front view of an end cap of a bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The end cap 110 may have a substantially rectangular shape with curved edges and may further have a central portion 200 and a peripheral portion 202 that surrounds the central portion 200. As illustrated, the central portion 200 may have the second set of one or more passages 126 of which first through ninth passages 126a- 126i are shown. As illustrated, the number of passages in the second set of one or more passages 126 (/.e., the first through ninth passages 126a-126i) may be equal to a sum of (i) the number of the one or more inlet ports 120 (as shown in FIG. 1A) and (ii) the number of the one or more outlet ports 122 (as shown in FIG. 1A).

[0035] In particular, the cross-sectional shape of each passage of the second set of one or more passages 126 may be defined by exactly two shapes. For example, the first through eighth passages 126a-126h may have a circular cross-sectional shape and the ninth passage 126i may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape (/.e., a stadium shape). The peripheral portion 202 may have a plurality of through holes 204 of which first through fourth through holes 204a-204d are shown. Moreover, the first through fourth through holes 204a-204d may be provided near the curved edges of the end cap 110. The first through fourth through holes 204a-204d may be adapted to accept the plurality of fasteners 114a-114d (as shown in FIG. 1 A). Although FIG. 2A illustrates that the plurality of through holes 204 has four through holes (/.e., the first through fourth through holes 204a-204d), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the plurality of through holes 204 may have any number of through holes, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0036] Further, the cable holder 108 and the integrated boot 112 may have the first and third set of one or more passages 124 and 128 that may be substantially similar to the first set of one or more passages 126 such that when the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 are aligned with each other, the first through third set of one or more passages 124, 126, 128 (as shown in FIG. 1 B) of the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112, respectively, are aligned with each other to form the one or more inlet ports 120 and the one or more outlet ports 122 of the bottom assembly 104.

[0037] Fig. 2B is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another front view of the end cap of the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the end cap 110 may have a plurality of walls 206 of which first and second walls 206a and 206b are shown. The plurality of walls 206 may be disposed on at least one side of the end cap 110 such that plurality of walls 206 extends from a circumference of the end cap 1 10. In particular, the first and second walls 206a and 206b may have first and second cavities 206aa and 206ba such that the first and second walls 206aa and 206ba by way of the first and second cavities 206aa and 206ba may enable a user to tie one or more cables to mount the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. Moreover, the second set of one or more passages 126 (/.e., 126a-126h) may be adapted to accept a set of tubes 208 of which first through eighth tubes 208a-208h are shown such that each tube of the first through eighth tubes 208a- 208h are adapted to receive at least one optical fiber cable (not shown). Further, the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h may be adapted to receive a set of threaded sleeves 210 of which first through eighth threaded sleeves 210a-210h. Further, a number of threaded sleeves may depend on a number of tubes, thus, the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h has the first through eighth threaded sleeves 210a-210h. The first through eighth threaded sleeves 210a-210h may be adapted to enclose the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h such that the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h are engaged within the end cap 110. Furthermore, the second set of one or more passages 126 (specifically, the ninth passage 126i) may be configured to accept a flat drop cable (/.e., the input cable 120).

[0038] To hold the flat drop cable (/.e., the input cable 120) within the end cap 110, the mechanical connection 214 may be utilized. The end cap 110 may be filled with an epoxy 216. Particularly, the epoxy 216 may be filled around the one or more passages of the one or more inlet cables 116 and the one or more circular outlet cables 1 18 such that the epoxy 216 facilitate in sealing and holding the one or more non-circular inlet cables 116 and the one or more circular outlet cables 118 and the plurality of tubes 208. [0039] Fig. 3 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a perspective view of a mechanical connection of the optical fiber terminal assembly for a non-circular cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical connection 214 may have a bracket 300 that has at least two plates 300a and 300b such that at least one plate 300a (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the first plate 300a”) is planar and at least one plate 300b (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the second plate 300b”) has non-planar curvature. In particular, the one or more inlet cables 120 (/.e., the flat drop cable) is sandwiched between the at least two plates 300a and 300b of the bracket 300 by way of one or more fasteners 302 of which first and second fasteners 302a and 302b are shown. Moreover, the bracket 300 may have the first plate 300a having first and second through holes (not shown) and the second plate 300b having first and second through holes (not shown) such that the second plate 300b has a shape that resembles a shape of the flat drop cable (/.e., the input cable 120). Further, when the second plate 300b and the first plate part 300a encloses the flat drop cable (/.e., the input cable 120), the first and second fasteners 302a and 302b can be utilized to tighten the first and second plates 300a and 300b through the first and second through holes of the first plate 300a and the first and second through holes of the second plate 300b, respectively, to hold the flat drop cable (/.e., the input cable 120). In some aspects of the present invention, the bracket 300 and the plurality of fasteners 302 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal, a hardened plastic, and the like. Aspects of the present invention are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the bracket 300 and the plurality of fasteners 302, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating an assembled configuration of a first tube with a first threaded sleeve of the optical fiber terminal assembly for a circular cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled configuration of 400 the first tube 208a of the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h with the first threaded sleeve 210a of the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that each tube of the first through eighth tubes 208a-208h may be structurally and functionally similar, therefore, Only the first tube 208a (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the tube 208”) to make the illustrations concise and clear and should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. The tube 208 may be adapted to receive at least one optical fiber cable (not shown) and receive the first threaded sleeve 210a. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that each tube of the first through eighth threaded sleeves 210a-210h may be structurally and functionally similar, therefore, FIG. 4 illustrates only the first threaded sleeve 210a (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the threaded sleeve 210”) to make the illustrations concise and clear and should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Specifically, the threaded sleeve 210 may be adapted to enclose the tube 208 such that the tube 208 is engaged within the end cap 110 (as shown in FIG. 2B).

[0041] In some aspects of the present invention, the tube 208 and the threaded sleeve 210 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal, a hardened plastic, and the like. Aspects of the present invention are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the tube 208 and the threaded sleeve 210, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a side perspective view of an assembled configuration of a splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 112 are aligned with each other and fastened by way of the plurality of fasteners 114a-1 14d (shown in FIG. 1 B) to form the bottom assembly 104. The cable holder 108 may have a plurality of tabs 501 of which first and second tabs 501 a and 501 b are shown. Particularly, the first and second tabs 501 a and 501 b project outward from a side of the cable holder 108 and may have first and second tab-holes 502a and 502b to facilitate attachment of the splice tray 106 with the bottom assembly 104. Moreover, the splice tray 106 may have a vertical wall 504 that forms three sides of the splice tray 106 and a plurality of splice sleeve holders 506 to hold one or more optical fibers residing in the splice tray 106. Further, the plurality of splice sleeve holders 506 may be disposed along an internal periphery of the splice tray 106. Furthermore, a multi fiber input cable (such as 8 fiber) is used in the splice tray 106, and no splitter is required.

[0043] Each of the 8 fibers comes out of the splice tray 106 as a single optical fiber cable. The vertical wall 504 may have first and second ends 508 and 510 such that the bottom assembly 104 is coupled to the splice tray 106 by way of, but not limited to, a snap lock mechanism. When the bottom assembly 104 is pulled out of the enclosure 102, the splice tray 106 comes out of the enclosure 102 as the splice tray 106 is coupled with the bottom assembly 104. In some aspects of the present invention, the splice tray 106 may be made up of material such as, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, a metal, and the like. Aspects of the present invention are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the splice tray 106, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another side perspective view of an assembled configuration of the splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly. The splice tray 106 has a splitter 602. In particular, a single optical fiber input cable may be present that runs through the splitter 602 (/.e., a 1x8 splitter) and provides 8 outputs. Moreover, when the input cable 116 is a multi-fiber cable, no splitter may be required. For example, when the input cable 116 is a multi-fiber cable, the input cable 116 has 8 fibers inside and hence, the 8 fibers may be separated out to provide 8 output drop cables (i.e., the one or more circular output cables 118). Further, the splice tray 106 does not have any connector at input optical fiber cable. Therefore, the input optical fiber cable is directly spliced with a fiber data source unit such as a splice closure (not shown).

[0045] Fig. 7 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating another side perspective view of an assembled configuration of the splice tray with the bottom assembly of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The splice tray 106 may have one or more splice sleeves 700 that are held within the plurality of splice sleeve holders 506 (as shown in FIG. 6). In particular, the plurality of splice sleeve holders 506 may facilitate in protecting the spliced fibers inside the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. Moreover, the one or more splice sleeves 700 may have 8 splice sleeves. Further, each splice sleeve of the one or more splice sleeve 700 may have a diameter of 1x45 mm.

[0046] Fig. 8 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber terminal assembly in an assembled configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The optical fiber terminal assembly 100 has a flexible sealing mechanism 800 that may be disposed between the bottom assembly 104 and the enclosure 102. Particularly, the flexible sealing mechanism 800 may have an O-ring that may facilitate the efficient seal of the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 in the assembled configuration. Moreover, the bottom assembly 104 may have a flexible sealing component 802. The flexible sealing component 802 may be sandwiched between the end cap 110 and the cable holder 108. Further, the flexible sealing component 802 may be a gasket that may be pressed between the end cap 110 and the cable holder 108 to provide sealing when the cable holder 108, the end cap 110, and the integrated boot 1 12 are aligned with each other and fastened to form the bottom assembly 104. Furthermore, the O-ring and the gasket may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, and the like. Aspects of the present invention are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the O-ring and the gasket, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Fig. 9 is a pictorial snapshot illustrating various dimensional details of the optical fiber terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have a total length (TL) of 162 millimetres (mm). In some aspects of the present invention, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have first and second handles 900a and 900b are shown. Particularly, the first and second handles 900a and 900b may extend outward from a side of the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 and may facilitate in holding the optical fiber terminal assembly 100.

[0048] The optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have a total width (TW) (that includes a width of the first and second handles 900a and 900b) of 60.8 mm. Moreover, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have a width (W1 ) (that excludes the width of the plurality of handles 900) of 57 mm. Similarly, the end cap 110 may have a width (W2) that may be equal to the width (Wl) of the optical fiber terminal assembly 100. Further, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have a total height (TH) (that includes a height of the plurality of walls 206 that extends from the circumference of the end cap 110) of 40.5 mm. The optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may have a height (H) (that excludes the height of the plurality of walls 206 that extends from the circumference of the end cap 1 10) of 35 mm. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the dimensional details as mentioned in FIG. 9 are to make the illustrations concise and clear and should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. In various other aspects of the present invention, the dimensional details of the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 may vary, without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

[0049] Thus, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 of the present invention facilitates to accommodate round cable as well as flat cable and hence, no additional component to hold the flat cable is required that significantly reduces cost and handling complexity. Further, the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 provides enhanced sealing arrangement that makes the optical fiber terminal assembly 100 compatible for underground utilization as well. [ooso] In a case that no conflict occurs, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be mutually combined. The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

Title: OPTICAL FIBER TERMINAL ASSEMBLY Claims We Claim:

1. An optical fiber terminal assembly (100) for use in an optical fiber network, the optical fiber terminal assembly (100) comprising: an enclosure (102) having a closed region (102a) and an open region (102b), wherein the closed region (102a) has a closed region surface area (A1 ) and the open region (102b) has an open region surface area (A2) such that the closed region surface area (A1 ) is greater than the open region surface area (A2), wherein the open region surface area (102b) is defined by a planer region; and a bottom assembly (104) removably engaged with the enclosure (102) at an interface defined by the open region (102b), wherein the bottom assembly (104) has one or more inlet ports (120) and one or more outlet ports (122), wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) and the one or more outlet ports (122) are coplanar, wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) is adapted to accommodate one or more non-circular inlet cables (116) or one or more circular inlet cables, wherein the one or more outlet ports (122) is adapted to accommodate one or more circular outlet cables (118) corresponding to the circular shape of the one or more outlet ports (122).

2. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) has one of, a non-circular shape and a circular shape.

3. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein the one or more outlet ports (122) has a circular shape.

4. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical connection (214) such that the one or more inlet ports (120) are adapted to accommodate the one or more non-circular inlet cables (116) by way of the mechanical connection (214).

5. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein the mechanical connection (214) is a bracket (300) that has at least two plates (300a and 300b) such that at least one plate (300a) is planar and at least one plate (300b) has non-planar curvature, where the one or more inlet cables (120) is sandwiched between the at least two plates (300a and 300b) of the bracket (300) by way of one or more fasteners (302).

6. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible sealing mechanism (800) disposed between the bottom assembly (104) and the enclosure (102).

7. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein a numerical count of the one or more outlet ports (122) is more than a numerical count of the one or more inlet ports (120).

8. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the number of the one or more outlet ports (122) to the number of the one or more inlet ports (120) is greater than or equal to 4.

. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) have the non-circular shape defined by an oblong shape such that the oblong shape includes two longer opposing edges and two shorter opposing curved sides.

10. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein the bottom assembly (104) further comprising (i) a cable holder (108) that is adapted to be removably engaged with the enclosure (104) and (ii) an end cap (110) that is mechanically engaged with the cable holder (108).

11. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 10, wherein the bottom assembly (104) further comprising a flexible sealing component (802) that is sandwiched between the cable holder (108) and the end cap (110).

12. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 10, wherein the end cap (110) further comprising an epoxy (216) filled around one or more passages of the one or more inlet cables and the one or more outlet cables.

13. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , wherein the bottom assembly (104) further comprising an integrated boot (112) that is a single moulded component that has the one or more passages (128), wherein a number of the one or more passages (128) is equal to sum of number of the one or more inlet ports (120) and number of the one or more outlet ports (122), wherein a cross sectional shape of the one or more passages (128) is defined by exactly two shapes.

14. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 1 , further comprising at least one splice tray (106) such that the at least one splice tray (106) is removably engaged with the bottom assembly (104).

15. An optical fiber terminal assembly (100) for use in an optical fiber network, the optical fiber terminal assembly (100) comprising: an enclosure (102) having a closed region (102a) and an open region (102b), wherein the closed region (102a) has a closed region surface area (A1 ) and the open region (102b) has an open region surface area (A2) such that the closed region surface area (A1 ) is greater than the open region surface area (A2), wherein the open region surface area (102b) is defined by a planer region; and a bottom assembly (104) removably engaged with the enclosure (102) at an interface defined by the open region (102b), where the bottom assembly (104) has one or more inlet ports (120) and one or more outlet ports (122), wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) is adapted to accommodate one or more non-circular inlet cables (116), wherein the one or more outlet ports (122) is adapted to accommodate one or more circular outlet cables (118) corresponding to the circular shape of the one or more outlet ports (122).

16. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 15, wherein the one or more inlet ports (120) have the non-circular shape defined by an oblong shape such that the oblong shape includes two longer opposing edges and two shorter opposing curved sides.

17. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 15, further comprising a mechanical connection (214) such that the one or more inlet ports (120) are adapted to accommodate the one or more non-circular inlet cables (116) by way of the mechanical connection (214), wherein the mechanical connection (214) is a bracket (300) that has at least two plates (300a and 300b) such that at least one plate (300a) is planar and at least one plate (300b) has non-planar curvature, wherein the one or more inlet cables (120) is sandwiched between the at least two plates (300a and 300b) of the bracket (300) by way of one or more fasteners (302).

18. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 15, wherein the bottom assembly (104) further comprising an integrated boot (112), wherein the integrated boot (112) is a single moulded component that has the one or more passages (128), wherein a number of the one or more passages (128) is equal to sum of number of the one or more inlet ports (120) and number of the one or more outlet ports (122), where a cross sectional shape of the one or more passages (128) is defined by exactly two shapes.

19. An optical fiber terminal assembly (100) for use in an optical fiber network, the optical fiber terminal assembly (100) comprising: an enclosure (102) having a closed region (102a) and an open region (102b), where the closed region (102a) has a closed region surface area (A1 ) and the open region (102b) has an open region surface area (A2) such that the closed region surface area (A1 ) is greater than the open region surface area (A2), where the open region surface area (102b) is defined by a planer region; and a bottom assembly (104) removably engaged with the enclosure (102) at an interface defined by the open region (102b), where the bottom assembly (104) has one or more inlet ports (120) and one or more outlet ports (122), where the bottom assembly (104) further comprising an integrated boot (1 12), where the integrated boot (112) is a single moulded component that has the one or more passages (128), where a number of the one or more passages (128) is equal to sum of number of the one or more inlet ports (120) and number of the one or more outlet ports (122), where a cross sectional shape of the one or more passages (128) is defined by exactly two shapes.

20. The optical fiber terminal assembly (100) of claim 15, further comprising a mechanical connection (214) such that the one or more inlet ports (120) are adapted to accommodate the one or more non-circular inlet cables (116) by way of the mechanical connection (214), where the mechanical connection (214) is a bracket (300) that has at least two plates (300a and 300b) such that at least one plate (300a) is planar and at least one plate (300b) has non-planar curvature, where the one or more inlet cables (120) is sandwiched between the at least two plates (300a and 300b) of the bracket (300) by way of one or more fasteners (302).