EP4792169A1 - Fiber optic wiring harness and system and method for fiber optic routing - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling assembly and method for assembling a fiber optic wiring harness are provided. The coupling assembly includes a coupling body forming a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends. The coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage. An attachment body is selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening. The attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings. The coupling body and attachment body include an attachment interface configured to selectively connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening.

Description

FIBER OPTIC WIRING HARNESS AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FIBER OPTIC ROUTING

PRIORITY STATEMENT

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/589,557, titled “FIBER OPTIC WIRING HARNESS”, filed on October 11, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic wiring harnesses, and structures and methods for routing and distributing fiber optic cables at a datacenter.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Datacenters generally include racks that hold fiber optic equipment. Space for holding fiber optic cables and equipment within the racks, such as at and around trays, and space between multiple racks at a datacenter, is limited. As limited space can correlate to limited fiber optic density and capacity, datacenters are generally in need for solutions for efficient distribution of cables and equipment at and between racks at a datacenter.

[0004] A solution for fiber distribution includes sub-unitized cables having a drop cable extending from one or more access points along the length of a distribution cable. However, such a solution may require design and build for the specific datacenter, which can be cumbersome, expensive, and too limited for application to other datacenters, or other arrangements of racks at a datacenter.

[0005] Another limitation is that drop cable length is limited to the internal cut between access points. Additionally, or alternatively, cables risk fiber breakage when a cable subunit is pulled through an access point. Fiber breakage at an access point is technically difficult to repair, or further, costly and time-consuming.

[0006] A fiber optic wiring harness that addresses one or more of the aforementioned issues would be advantageous and beneficial. Additionally, or alternatively, a system and method for fiber optic routing and distribution that addresses one or more of the aforementioned issues would be advantageous and beneficial.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness. The coupling assembly includes a coupling body forming a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends. The coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage. An attachment body is selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening. The attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings. The coupling body and attachment body include an attachment body attachment interface configured to selectively connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening.

[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a fiber optic wiring harness assembly. The fiber optic wiring harness assembly includes a coupling assembly, a drop cable assembly, and a distribution furcation tube. The coupling assembly includes a coupling body and an attachment body. The coupling body forms a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends. The coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage. The attachment body is selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening. The attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings. The coupling body and attachment body include an attachment body attachment interface configured to selectively connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening. The drop cable assembly includes a drop cable fiber extending through the second fiber passage and into the first fiber passage through the attachment body openings. The drop cable fiber extends through one of the pair of coupling body ends. The distribution furcation tube is attachable to the coupling body at the coupling body ends. The drop cable fiber is extendable into the distribution furcation tube.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0010] An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for assembling a fiber optic wiring harness. The method includes positioning a drop cable fiber of a drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at an attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the attachment body extends; attaching the drop cable assembly to the attachment body; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the attachment body to a fiber passage and through an end opening at a coupling body, wherein the coupling body comprises a pair of end openings between which the fiber passage at the coupling body extends; connecting the attachment body to the coupling body to fluidly connect the fiber passages to one another; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the coupling body through a distribution furcation tube; and attaching the distribution furcation tube onto the end opening at the coupling body.

[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0013] Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary schematic embodiment of fiber optic routing across a plurality of datacenter racks, including an exemplary schematic embodiment of a fiber optic wiring harness, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 2 depicts an exemplary schematic embodiment of fiber optic routing across a plurality of datacenter racks, including an exemplary schematic embodiment of a fiber optic wiring harness, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 3 depicts an exemplary cross sectional embodiment of a fiber optic cable of a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0017] Fig. 5 depicts an exploded view of components of the coupling assembly of Fig. 4 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 6 depicts an embodiment of a coupling body, in a detached state, of the coupling assembly of Fig. 4 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 7A depicts a first perspective view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 4 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 7B depicts a side view of the attachment body of Fig. 7A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 7C depicts a second perspective view of the attachment body of Fig. 7A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 8 depicts a side cross sectional view of an exemplary routing of optical fibers through an exemplary embodiment of a coupling assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 10 depicts an exploded view of components of the coupling assembly of Fig. 9 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig. 11 depicts an embodiment of a coupling body, in a detached state, of the coupling assembly of Fig. 9 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 12A depicts a first perspective view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 9 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 12B depicts a second perspective view of the attachment body of Fig. 12A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig. 12C depicts a third perspective view of the attachment body of Fig. 12A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 13 A depicts a first exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 13B depicts a second exploded perspective view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 13 A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 14A depicts a first side view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 13A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0032] Fig. 14B depicts a second side view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 13A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig. 15 depicts a side cross sectional view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 13A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 16 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling body portion of an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 17 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment body of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig. 18A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0037] Fig. 18B depicts a side cross sectional view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0038] Fig. 19A depicts a first side view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig. 19B depicts a second side view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig. 19C depicts a third side view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig. 19D depicts a perspective view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig. 19E depicts a cross sectional view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig. 20A depicts a first side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig. 20B depicts a second side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 20C depicts a third side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0046] Fig. 20D depicts a perspective view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig. 20E depicts a cross sectional view of a coupling body portion of the coupling assembly of Fig. 18A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig. 21 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupling assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0049] Fig. 22 depicts a side cross sectional view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig. 23 A depicts a first side view of a coupling body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig. 23B depicts a second side view of a coupling body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig. 23C depicts a third side view of a coupling body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] Fig. 23D depicts a perspective view of a coupling body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] Fig. 23E depicts a cross sectional view of a coupling body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0055] Fig. 24A depicts a first side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] Fig. 24B depicts a second side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] Fig. 24C depicts a third side view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0058] Fig. 24D depicts a perspective view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] Fig. 24E depicts a cross sectional view of an attachment body of the coupling assembly of Fig. 21 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] Fig. 25 depicts an exploded embodiment of a first attachment body assembly to a drop cable assembly of a fiber optic wiring harness system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0061] Fig. 26 depicts an assembly step of the attachment body and drop cable assembly of Fig. 25 to an embodiment of a first coupling body of a fiber optic wiring harness system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0062] Fig. 27 depicts an assembly step of a second attachment body and drop cable assembly to an embodiment of a second coupling body of the fiber optic wiring harness system of Fig. 26 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0063] Fig. 28 depicts an assembled embodiment of the fiber optic wiring harness system of Fig. 27 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0064] Fig. 29 provides a flowchart outlining steps of a method for fiber optic routing and fiber optic wiring harness assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0065] Fig. 30 provides a flowchart outlining steps of a method for fiber optic routing and fiber optic wiring harness assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0066] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0068] The accompanying figures and description illustrate embodiments of methods and apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] Embodiments of a fiber optic cable coupling and method for fiber optic wiring harness assembly are provided that address one or more of the aforementioned issues. Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1-30 depict embodiments of a fiber optic wiring harness 10, a coupling assembly 100 for a fiber optic wiring harness, and a method for fiber optic routing and fiber optic wiring harness assembly (hereinafter, “method 1000”).

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0070] The coupling assembly 100 includes a coupling body 110 forming a first fiber passage 101 extending through a pair of coupling body ends 104, 105. The coupling body 110 forms a second fiber passage opening 106 extending from the first fiber passage 101. An attachment body 120 is selectively connectable to the coupling body 110 at the second fiber passage opening 106. The attachment body 120 at least partially forms a second fiber passage 102 extending from the second fiber passage opening 106 through a pair of attachment body openings 108. The coupling body 110 and attachment body 120 include an attachment body attachment interface 130 configured to selectively connect the attachment body 120 to the coupling body 110 to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings 108, 109 adjacent to the second fiber passage opening 106.

[0071] The second fiber passage 102 extends between the pair of attachment body openings 108, 109 from a substantially radial or orthogonal direction relative to an extension of a fiber through the first fiber passage 101, such as depicted schematically at fiber 91 and axis of extension 93. The second fiber passage 102 extends between the pair of attachment body openings 108, 109 to a substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage 101, such as depicted schematically in Figs. 8, 15, and 22 at fiber 92 and axis of extension 94. As such, second fiber passage 102 extends from the first passage 101 and to a co-directi onal axis (e.g., axis 94) offset from an axis of extension of the first fiber passage 101 (e g., axis 93).

[0072] In various embodiments, such as depicted in Figs. 7A-7C and Figs. 12A-12C, the attachment body 120 includes a sidewall 122 extending into the second fiber passage opening 106 at the coupling body 110. The sidewall 122 extends substantially co-directi onal to an extension of the second fiber passage 102. The sidewall 122 may, at least in part, form a channel and shield to guide fibers through the second fiber passage opening 106 and through the second fiber passage 102. The sidewall 122 further, or alternatively, promote transition between the first and second fiber passages 101, 102, such as may provide a radius, curve, contour, or sloped channel at the second fiber passage 102, such as depicted at contour 125 (Fig. 8, Fig. 15) such as may mitigate tight bending, binding, or breakage of the fiber. Additionally, the sidewall 122 may form a radius, curve, or sloped channel of the second fiber passage 102 between along the first axis of extension 93 and the second axis of extension 94, such as to transition along a radial direction from the first fiber passage 101 (e.g., from the first axis of extension 93) into the

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) second fiber passage 102 into a substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage 101 (e.g., to the second axis of extension 94).

[0073] For instance, the attachment body 120 may include a body 220 having a mating wall 222 configured to position adjacent or flush to a corresponding interface at the coupling body 110. The coupling body 110 may include a substantially tubular structure 210 through which the first fiber passage 101 is formed. A mating wall 212 is formed at the tubular structure 210 to receive the mating wall 222 of body 220.

[0074] In various embodiments, the pair of attachment body openings includes an end opening 109 distal along the second fiber passage 102 to the second fiber passage opening 106. The end opening 109 is configured to receive a fiber attachment interface 124, such as a crimp 126, a strain relief boot 128, tube or outer jacket, heat shrink wrap, or other fastening or sealing mechanism, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the attachment body 120 includes a groove 123 at the end opening 109. The groove 123 is configured to receive the fiber attachment interface 124. For instance, the attachment body 120 may include a plurality of grooves 123 forming a crenellation or threads promoting coupling of the fiber attachment interface 124 to the attachment body 120.

[0075] In still various embodiments, the coupling body 110 includes a groove 113 at the pair of coupling body ends 104, 105. The groove 113 is configured to receive a cable attachment interface 114 at the coupling body 110, such as crimp 126, such as described regarding groove 123 and fiber attachment interface 124.

[0076] In some embodiments, the attachment body attachment interface 130 includes a fastener opening 132, 134 at the coupling body 110 and the attachment body 120. The fastener opening 132, 134 is configured to receive a fastener 136 extending through the attachment body 120 into the coupling body 110.

[0077] In various embodiments, the attachment body attachment interface 130 includes a latch member 133 configured to selectively connect to a latch receiver 143. The latch member 133 is positioned at one of the coupling body 110 or the attachment body 120. The latch receiver 143 is positioned at the other of the coupling body 110 or the attachment body 120.

[0078] Referring to Figs. 9-11 and Figs. 12A-12C, in some embodiments, the latch member 133 may include a flexible or compliant member having a finger or tooth extending from the coupling body 110 and configured to releasably attach to the attachment body 120 at the latch

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) receiver 143. The latch receiver 143 at the attachment body 120 may form a groove or indent at which the latch member 133 is receivable. The latch receiver 143 may form an opening at which the finger or distal end of the latch member 133 may extend into, such as to latch and couple the coupling body 110 to the attachment body 120.

[0079] Referring to Figs. 18A-18B, Figs. 19A-19E, and Figs. 20A-20E, in some embodiments, the latch member 133 may include a flexible or compliant member having a finger or tooth extending from the attachment body 120 and configured to releasably attach to the coupling body 110 at the latch receiver 143. The latch receiver 143 at the coupling body 120 may form a groove, indent, or opening at which the latch member 133 is receivable. The latch receiver 143 may form an opening at which the finger or distal end of the latch member 133 may extend into, such as to latch and couple the attachment body 120 to the coupling body 110.

[0080] In various embodiments, the latch member 133 may include a pair of latch members 133 and corresponding latch receivers 143. The latch members 133 may extend from attachment body 120 to corresponding latch receivers 143 positioned across a pair of coupling body portions, such as a first coupling body portion 110A, 111 and a second coupling body portion HOB, 112.

[0081] Embodiments of the attachment body attachment interface 130 may include latch members 133 selectively attachable to latch receivers 143, fastener openings 132, 134 through which fasteners 136 are extendable, or both. In some embodiments, the attachment body 120 may include a post 142 extending toward the coupling body 110. Post 142 is insertable into a post opening 144 at the coupling body 110. For instance, attachment body 120 may include fastener opening 132 formed through mating wall 222. Coupling body 110 may include fastener opening 134 configured to receive fastener 136 through openings 132, 134 and into mating wall 212. Additionally, or alternatively, post 142 may extend from mating wall 222 toward mating wall 212 and configured to be received at post opening 144 at the coupling body 110. In still some embodiments, post 142 may be positioned at coupling body 110 and extending post opening 144 at the attachment body 120.

[0082] Embodiments of the attachment body 120 may include openings 132, 134, latch members 133, latch receivers 143, or combinations thereof, extending from the body 220 and corresponding to portion pairs of the coupling body 110 (e.g., pairs 110A, 110B or pairs 111,

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 112), such that attachment body 120 is attached or fastened directly to separable portions of the coupling body 110.

[0083] Referring to Figs. 4-8 and Figs. 9-11, in various embodiments, the coupling body 110 includes a first coupling body portion 111 selectively attachable to a second coupling body portion 112. The coupling body 110 includes a coupling attachment interface 115 configured to selectively connect the first coupling body portion 111 and the second coupling body portion 112 together.

[0084] The coupling attachment interface 115 includes a coupling latch member 116 and a coupling latch receiver 118. For instance, the first coupling body portion 111 includes the latch member 116 and the second coupling body portion 112 includes the latch receiver 118. Latch member 116 may be configured such as described regarding latch member 133, and latch receiver 118 may be configured such as described regarding latch receiver 143. First coupling body portion 111 may form a male attachment interface configured to receive a corresponding second coupling body portion 112 forming a female attachment interface. Additionally, attachment body attachment interface 130, such as depicted in Fig. 9, may be biased to require orientation of the second fiber passage 102 at the attachment body 120 along a first direction in contrast to an opposing second direction. For instance, the first coupling body portion 111 may form an upstream member configured to receive a fiber or fiber bundle (e.g., fiber 92) from the second fiber passage 102 at the attachment body 120 and into the first fiber passage 101 and through the coupling body end 104 forming an upstream opening. The second coupling body portion 112 may form a downstream member configured to receive a fiber (e.g., fiber 91) through coupling body end 105 forming a downstream opening. Biased orientation of latch members, latch receivers, fastener openings, posts, or combinations thereof, may include nonmirrored positioning across the first and second coupling body portions 111, 112, such as to promote assembly and flow along a desired direction, or mitigate undesired mixing of directions and components.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 5, in various embodiments, the first coupling body portion 111, the second coupling body portion 112, and the attachment body 120 include the fastener opening 132, 134. The attachment body 120 is configured to attach to the first coupling body 111 and the second coupling body 112 at the fastener opening 132. The fastener opening 132 may include a first fastener opening 132A at the attachment body 120 configured to receive a first fastener

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 136A extending through the attachment body 120 into a first fastener opening 134A at the first coupling body portion 111. The fastener opening 132 may include a second fastener opening 132B at the attachment body 120 configured to receive a second fastener 136B extending through the attachment body 120 into a second fastener opening 134B at the second coupling body portion 112.

[0086] Referring to Figs. 4-7 and Figs. 9-11, the second fiber passage opening 106 and the attachment body attachment interface 130 are formed at the first coupling body portion 111 and the second coupling body portion 112. The first coupling body portion 111 and the second coupling body portion 112 may form the second fiber passage opening 106 as a notch positioned distal to a coupling body end 103, such as at an interfacing region 107 at which the coupling body portions mate at the coupling attachment interface 115. The coupling attachment interface 115 is configured to position the notches formed from portions of the second fiber passage opening 106 at the first and second coupling body portions 111, 112 adjacent to one another to form the second fiber passage opening 106.

[0087] Referring now to Figs. 13A-13B, Figs. 14A-14B, Figs. 15-17, Figs. 18A-18B, and Figs. 19A-19E, in various embodiments, the coupling body 110 is formed as a mirror-imaged body attachable to another coupling body 110, such as depicted as a first coupling body portion 110A selectively attachable to a second coupling body portion HOB. The coupling body portions 110A, HOB include a coupling attachment interface 115 configured to selectively connect the first coupling body portion 110A and the second coupling body portion 110B together.

[0088] Coupling body portions 110A, 110B includes embodiments of the coupling attachment interface 115 such as described in regard to coupling body portions 111, 112, such as fastener openings, fasteners, posts, latches, latch members, or combinations thereof, positioned at the coupling body 110 and attachment body 120 (e.g., such as depicted in Figs. 20A-20D) to selectively attach the components together. In various embodiments, coupling body portions 110A, HOB includes the coupling attachment interface 115 including the latch member 116 and the latch receiver 118 at each of the coupling body portions 110A, HOB. Coupling body portions 110A, 110B include the attachment body attachment interface 130 such as described in regard to coupling body portions 111, 112. For instance, second fiber passage opening 106 extends as a notch from the interfacing region 107 toward the coupling body end 103 of each coupling portion 110A, HOB.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0089] Referring to Figs. 18A-18B and Figs. 20A-20E, in some embodiments, attachment body 120 may include an access opening 121 to the second fiber passage 102. Access opening 121 may be utilized to assist and promote guiding a fiber (e.g., fiber 92) through the second fiber passage 102 into the first fiber passage 101. Opening 121 may be closed and sealed via cap 131 (Figs. 18A-18B). In some embodiments, body 220 of the attachment body 120 forms access opening 121 opposite of the attachment body opening 108 and second fiber passage opening 106, such as to permit linear directional access from opening 121 to opening 106, 108. For instance, openings 106, 108, 121 such as arranged may permit a user to insert a tool or digit to promote routing of fiber 92 through the second fiber passage 102 into the first fiber passage 101.

[0090] Referring now to Figs. 21-22, Figs. 23A-23E, and Figs. 24A-24E, embodiments of the coupling body 110 may form a single, unitary, monolithic structure including embodiments of the first fiber passage 101 extending between coupling body openings 104, 105, attachment body attachment interface 130, the second fiber passage opening 106, such as described herein. Coupling body 110 may include an attachment post 145 extending substantially radially from the tubular structure 210 and forming latch receiver 143, such as a groove or opening, at which latch member 133 is selectively attachable. The attachment post 145 is positioned to receive the latch member 132 and position the attachment body opening 108 of the attachment body 120 at the second fiber passage opening 106 to extend the second fiber passage 102 to the first fiber passage 101.

[0091] Referring now to Figs. 25-28, illustrations of exemplary assembly steps of a method for fiber optic routing and fiber optic wiring harness assembly (hereinafter, “method 1000”) are provided. Figs. 29-30 provide a flowchart outlining exemplary steps of the method 1000. Embodiments of method 1000 may include a method for assembling, using, or installing a fiber optic wiring harness, such as at a datacenter, such as may overcome one or more issues described herein. Figs. 25-28 illustrate embodiments of a fiber optic wiring harness system 10 including a drop cable assembly 200 and one or more embodiments of the coupling body assembly 100. Further descriptions and exemplary depictions of method 1000 are provided with reference to Figs. 25-30.

[0092] Method 1000 may include at 1010 building and testing a drop cable assembly (e.g., drop cable assembly 200). Method 1000 may include at 1012 preloading a fiber attachment interface (e.g., fiber attachment interface 124) onto a drop cable (e.g., drop cable 192) of the drop

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) cable assembly. In various embodiments, preloading the fiber attachment interface onto the drop cable includes preloading a drop cable strain relief boot (e.g., strain relief boot 128) and drop cable crimp (e.g., crimp 126) onto the drop cable.

[0093] Method 1000 may include at 1014 cutting the drop cable assembly to an overall drop length corresponding to a length from a connector end of the drop cable assembly to a multi-fiber connector bundle. For instance, referring to Fig. 25, method 1000 at 1014 may include cutting the drop cable assembly to a drop cable length from a connector end 204, such as depicted schematically in Fig. 25 at length 201. Cutting the drop cable assembly to an overall drop length may correspond to a length from connector end 204 of the drop cable assembly 200 to a multifiber connector bundle 300. In still various embodiments, cutting the drop cable assembly to the overall drop length includes unjacketing or unsheathing the cable to obtain fiber 92, such as may correspond to removing one or more layers to obtain fibers within furcation tube 198 depicted in Fig. 3.

[0094] Method 1000 at includes 1016 removing an outer jacket of the drop cable assembly, such as to leave length 202 of the overall length 201 unjacketed or unsheathed. Drop cable length 202 corresponds to a length from the connector end 204 of the drop cable assembly 200 to the end opening through which the drop cable fiber enters the attachment body (e.g., end opening 109 of attachment body 120).

[0095] Method 1000 includes at 1020 threading, routing, or otherwise positioning a drop cable fiber of a drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at an attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the attachment body extends. Method 1000 at 1020 may include routing a drop cable fiber 92 through the second fiber passage 102 at attachment body 120, such through attachment body opening 109 into second fiber passage 102 and through attachment body opening 108, such as depicted in Fig. 25. In some embodiments, positioning the drop cable fiber of the drop cable assembly through the fiber passage at the attachment body includes positioning the drop cale fiber along a sloped channel extending from a first axis of extension (e.g., axis 94) to a second axis of extension (e.g., axis 93) radially offset from the first axis of extension. In various embodiments, such as described herein, attachment body 120 curves, contours, radii, or slopes transition fiber 92 from a first axis (e.g., axis 94) to a second axis (e.g., axis 93) substantially co-directional to the first axis and offset from one

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) another. For instance, sidewall 122 may form, at least in part, the second fiber passage 102 to promote routing of fiber 92 through openings 108, 109.

[0096] Method 1000 may include at 1022 crimping, securing, or otherwise attaching the drop cable assembly onto the attachment body (e.g., attachment body 102), such as via one or more generally understood methods.

[0097] Method 1000 includes at 1040 threading, routing, or otherwise positioning the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the attachment body to a fiber passage and through an end opening at a coupling body. The coupling body includes a pair of end openings between which the fiber passage at the coupling body extends, such as described in various embodiments herein. For instance, method 1000 at 1040 routes the drop cable fiber 92 through second fiber passage opening 106 at the coupling body 110 and into the first fiber passage 101 and through the coupling body end opening 104 (e.g., an upstream end opening), such as depicted at Fig. 26. The coupling body end opening 104 may form an upstream end more proximate to end-of-rack equipment (e.g., rack 14 in Fig. 1) than a rack (e.g., rack 12 in Fig. 1) at which the drop cable assembly 200 is connected.

[0098] Method 1000 includes at 1042 connecting the attachment body to the coupling body, such as described in various embodiments herein regarding attachment body 120 and coupling body 110. For instance, method 1000 at 1042 fluidly connects the fiber passages 101, 102 to one another to promote routing of fiber 92 from the attachment body 120 through upstream end opening 104 at the coupling body 110.

[0099] Method 1000 includes at 1050 cutting a distribution furcation tube (e.g., tube 191) to a furcation tube length between pairs of coupling bodies, such as between a downstream coupling body HOD (Fig. 26) and an upstream coupling body 110U (Fig. 27). The furcation tube length corresponds to a length of to a second coupling body upstream from a first coupling body downstream of the second coupling body, such as depicted in Fig. 28 at a downstream coupling assembly 100D and an upstream coupling assembly 100U.

[00100] Method 1000 may include at 1052 removing an outer jacket of the drop cable assembly. Removing the outer jacket forms an unjacketed drop cable length corresponding to a length from the connector end of the drop cable assembly to an end opening of the attachment body through which the drop cable fiber enters the fiber passage at the attachment body. For instance, referring to an exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic cable 194 in Fig. 3, cable 194

15

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) may include an outer jacket 195, a filler material layer 196 (e.g., an aramid yarn or other appropriate filler material), an outer furcation tube 197, and an inner furcation tube 198, such as may include a fiber or fiber bundle (e.g., fiber 92), such as may generally understood in one or more arrangements. Method 1000 at 1052 may include removing one or more layers, such as outer jacket 195, filler material 196, or more, to access the furcation tube 197.

[00101] Method 1000 includes at 1054 threading, routing, or otherwise positioning the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the coupling body through a distribution furcation tube. For instance, method 1000 at 1054 may include routing the drop cable fiber 92 through the distribution furcation tube 191 attached to the upstream coupling body end 104. Method 1000 at 1054 may include routing the drop cable fiber overall length (e g., length 201) through the distribution furcation tube 191 and the upstream coupling body end 104.

[00102] Method 1000 may include at 1056 crimping, securing, or otherwise attaching the distribution furcation tube (e.g., tube 191) onto the upstream coupling body end (e.g., end 104), such as via one or more generally understood methods. For instance, method 1000 at 1056 may include utilizing crimp 126 to attach tube 191 to coupling body 110 at end 104.

[00103] In some embodiments, method 1000 may include at 1058 capping, sealing, or closing an opposing end (e.g., end opening 105) of the first fiber passage at the first coupling body, such as depicted at cap 117 (Fig. 26). Method 1000 at 1058 may include sealing a downstream end opening (e.g., end opening 105) of the coupling body. As described in various embodiments herein, the pair of end openings 104, 105 between which the fiber passage 101 extends includes the downstream end opening (e.g., end opening 105) and the upstream end opening (e.g., end opening 104).

[00104] Method 1000 may include at 1060 threading, routing, or otherwise positioning the drop cable fiber from the distribution furcation tube through a pair of openings between which a fiber passage extends at an upstream coupling body. Method 1000 at 1060 may include routing a distribution fiber bundle 292 through the first fiber passage 101 at a second coupling body (e.g., an upstream coupling body 110U, depicted in Fig. 27) upstream of the first coupling body (e.g., a downstream coupling body HOD, depicted in Fig. 26). For instance, the distribution fiber bundle 292 includes one or more drop cable fibers 92 from one or more iterations of steps 1020, 1040, 1050 forming downstream fibers relative to the second coupling body. In various embodiments, method 1000 includes iterating steps for routing drop cable fibers through second and first fiber

16

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) passages such as described herein, or furthermore, crimping, attaching, securing, sealing, or connecting tubes and attachment interfaces, to generate the distribution fiber bundle 292.

[00105] Referring to Fig. 27, in various embodiments, iterations of method steps provided herein form distribution fiber bundle 292 provided from a downstream distribution furcation tube 191 A received at a downstream end (e.g., end 105) of an upstream coupling body 110U. Fibers from one or more upstream drop cable assemblies, such as depicted at fiber 92X from drop cable 192X and drop cable assembly 200X, are provided along upstream locations of the distribution fiber bundle 292 and egress from the first fiber passage 101 and enter an upstream distribution furcation tube 19 IB.

[00106] In various embodiments, method 1000 includes at 1024 positioning a drop cable fiber of a second drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at a second attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the second attachment body extends. Referring still to Fig. 27, method 1000 at 1024 may route drop cable fiber 92X of a second drop cable assembly 200X through a second fiber passage 102 at a second attachment body 120 corresponding to an upstream coupling body 110U.

[00107] Method 1000 may include at 1025 attaching the second drop cable assembly to the second attachment body, such as described regarding method 1000 at 1022.

[00108] Method 1000 may include at 1026 routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the second attachment body to a fiber passage and through an upstream end opening at the upstream coupling body, such as described regarding method 1000 at 1040.

[00109] Method 1000 may include at 1027 connecting the second attachment body to the upstream coupling body (e.g., coupling body 110U) to fluidly connect the fiber passages (fiber passages 101, 102) to one another, such as described regarding method 1000 at 1042.

[00110] Method 1000 may include at 1028 routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the upstream coupling body (e.g., coupling body 110U) through an upstream distribution furcation tube (e.g., tube 19 IB), such as depicted and described regarding Fig. 27.

[00111] Method 1000 may include at 1029 attaching the upstream distribution furcation tube onto the upstream end opening of the upstream coupling body. For instance, referring to Fig. 27, method 1000 at 1029 may include crimping, securing, or otherwise attaching upstream distribution furcation tube 19 IB to the upstream end opening 104 of the upstream coupling body 110U.

17

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00112] Method 1000 may include at 1062 crimping, securing, or otherwise attaching the distribution furcation tube onto a downstream coupling body end of the upstream coupling body. For instance, referring to Fig. 27, method 1000 at 1062 may include utilizing crimp 126 to attach downstream furcation tube 191 A to the downstream coupling body end 105 of the upstream coupling body 110U, such as via one or more generally understood methods.

[00113] It should be appreciated that Fig. 26 may depict an initial or ordinally first coupling assembly corresponding to a downstream-most or distal fiber optic equipment rack. Fig. 27 may generally correspond to one or more additional coupling assemblies upstream of the initial coupling assembly depicted in Fig. 26. For instance, furcation tube 191 of Fig. 26 may correspond to downstream furcation tube 191A of Fig. 27. Iterations of method 1000 such as described herein may include embodiments of tube 191B extending from a relatively downstream coupling body to a relatively upstream coupling body as tube 191 A.

[00114] In some embodiments, method 1000 includes at 1030 connecting first and second coupling body portions to one another (e.g., coupling body portions 110A, HOB, or coupling body portions 111, 112).

[00115] Referring to Fig. 28, method 1000 may include at 1070 cutting the upstream furcation tube (e.g., tube 19 IB). Method 1000 may include at 1072 operably coupling the distribution fiber bundle to a multifiber connector bundle. For instance, method 1000 at 1072 may include operably coupling the distribution fiber bundle (e.g., fiber bundle 292 from tube 19 IB) to an end- of-row multifiber connector bundle (e.g., connector bundle 300). The connector bundle 300 may include a fanout cable assembly, such as may include or receive any appropriate type of single- or multi -fiber connectors (e.g., MTP, MPO, MMC, SN-MT, MDC, LC, SN, etc.). Method 1000 may include at 1074 terminating a connector onto the multi -fiber connector bundle.

[00116] Embodiments of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 and coupling assembly 100 may provide solutions for an end-of-rack to distributed rack connectivity (e.g., rack 14 to rack 12 in Fig.l), rack-to-rack connectivity (e.g., across an aisle or adjacent arrangement, such as from rack 12 to rack 12 in Fig. 1), or single-rack connectivity between shelves at a rack (e.g., within rack 12 in Fig. 1). Embodiments of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 may be configured for multiple drop points installed at a cable tray, or installed on a cable hangar, or installed under an elevated floor of a data center, or other installation or arrangement configuration.

18

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00117] Exemplary embodiments of a datacenter and routing arrangement depicted in Figs. 1- 2 may include various configurations, such as, but not limited to, multifiber-to-single fiber drop configuration, or multifiber-to-multifiber drop configuration, or single-fiber to single-fiber drop configuration. Multifiber drop points (e.g., arrangements of coupling assembly 100 along tubes 191) may be along adjacent racks 12, or along racks 12 across aisles. Racks 12 may be substantially uniformly spaced, such that lengths 203 between coupling assemblies 100 may be substantially uniform. However, in various embodiments, lengths 203 may be non-uniform, such that lengths 203 between pairs of coupling assemblies 100 may differ or alter from one another. [00118] Embodiments of the distribution furcation tubing (Fig. 3) may include various configurations of outer jacket 195, filler material 196, outer furcation tube 197, or inner furcation tube 198. For instance, the outer jacket may include a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material. The inner tube may include a thermoplastic elastomer material, such as a thermoplastic polymer or polypropylene material. For instance, the inner tube may include a PVC material lined with a thermoplastic elastomer material. However, it should be appreciated that other materials, additionally, or alternatively, may be utilized.

[00119] Embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 may include any appropriate material, such as, but not limited to, an unfilled or filled plastic material. For instance, embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 may be formed via an injection molding process using an appropriate injection molding material or resin, such as, but not limited to, a high-strength plastic material. For instance, the high-strength plastic material may include, but is not limited to, a poly etherimide material.

[00120] Although screws and snap fingers are shown to join the drop cable attachment block to the two-piece multidrop couplings, these parts may alternately be joined using ultrasonic welds, adhesives, etc.

[00121] Embodiments of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 depicted and described herein may advantageously utilize a distribution cable furcation tube in contrast to a sub-unitized distribution cable or central core distribution. Utilizing the distribution cable furcation tube may beneficially permit pre-assembly, test, or validation of a drop cable assembly (e.g., drop cable assembly 200) prior to integration and assembly into a fiber optic wiring harness with multiple drop points. [00122] The drop cable assembly 200 utilizing a drop cable 192, in contrast to furcation tubing, may permit longer lengths between a multidrop access point and a drop cable assembly

19

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) breakout/fanout point (e.g., longer lengths 201, 202), or furthermore, with reduced manufacturing cost, improved production time, and improved efficiency.

[00123] Utilizing a distribution cable furcation tube, in contrast to a sub-unitized distribution cable, may facilitate customization of size of the cable, such as to permit greater outer diameter sizes and/or increased quantities or densities of fibers. Additionally, or alternatively, new configurations of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 (e.g., alterations to fiber counts, cable diameters, rack-to-rack lengths, or connector to end-of-rack equipment) may be facilitated more quickly, such as by utilizing or re-utilizing substantially common or similar coupling assemblies 100 such as depicted and described herein.

[00124] Adding fiber (e.g., fiber 92) at each multidrop access point (e.g., at each coupling assembly 100) reduces fiber waste and reduces subunit jacket usage, such as by avoiding unused material from downstream multidrop access points.

[00125] Embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 may facilitate packaging or pre-assembly of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 from a manufacturing site, in contrast to a customer site, such as may promote testing and validation, cost reduction, or improved efficiency. Embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 may provide a relatively small geometric profile within a cable tray or conduit. In various embodiments, the coupling assembly 100 is reversible, such as may promote installation flexibility, mitigate misalignment, and improve installation and assembly efficiency.

[00126] Embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 may include latches, snaps, fasteners, or combinations thereof, such as described herein, such as may mitigate or eliminate a need for epoxy, resin, or adhesives, which may remove a curing time and improve efficiency and deployment speed. However, epoxies, resins, adhesives, welds, or other joining processes or joining materials may be utilized.

[00127] Various embodiments of the fiber optic wiring harness 10 provided herein may include one or more embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 depicted and described herein. Various embodiments of the coupling assembly 100 provided herein may include features or components depicted in a first embodiment that may be included at a second embodiment to yield one or more additional embodiments.

[00128] Aspects of the present disclosure are additionally, or alternatively, provided in the following clauses:

20

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00129] 1. A coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness, the coupling assembly including a coupling body forming a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends, wherein the coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage; and an attachment body selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening, wherein the attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings, wherein the coupling body and attachment body includes an attachment body attachment interface configured to selectively connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening.

[00130] 2. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the second fiber passage extends between the pair of attachment body openings from a radial direction to a substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage.

[00131] 3. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body includes a sidewall extending into the second fiber passage opening at the coupling body, the sidewall extending substantially co-directi onal to an extension of the second fiber passage. [00132] 4. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the pair of attachment body openings includes an end opening distal along the second fiber passage to the second fiber passage opening, wherein the end opening is configured to receive a fiber attachment interface.

[00133] 5. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the fiber attachment interface includes a crimp or a strain relief boot.

[00134] 6. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body includes a groove at the end opening, and wherein the groove is configured to receive a fiber attachment interface.

[00135] 7. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body forms the second fiber passage as a sloped channel extending from into the substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage.

[00136] 8. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a latch member configured to selectively connect to a latch receiver, wherein the latch member is positioned at one of the coupling body or the attachment

21

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) body, and wherein the latch receiver is positioned at the other of the coupling body or the attachment body.

[00137] 9. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a pair of latch members extending from the coupling body, and wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a latch receiver positioned at the attachment body.

[00138] 10. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the latch receiver includes a groove configured to receive the pair of latch members.

[00139] 11. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the latch receiver includes an opening configured to receive the pair of latch members.

[00140] 12. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a fastener opening at the coupling body and the attachment body, the fastener opening configured to receive a fastener extending through the attachment body into the coupling body.

[00141] 13. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a pair of latch members extending from the attachment body, and wherein the attachment body attachment interface includes a latch receiver positioned at the coupling body.

[00142] 14. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the coupling body includes a groove at the pair of coupling body ends, wherein the groove is configured to receive a cable attachment interface.

[00143] 15. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the cable attachment interface includes a crimp or a strain relief boot.

[00144] 16. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the coupling body includes a first coupling body portion selectively attachable to a second coupling body portion, wherein the coupling body includes a coupling attachment interface configured to selectively connect the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion together.

[00145] 17. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the coupling attachment interface includes a latch member and a latch receiver.

22

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00146] 18. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the first coupling body portion includes the latch member, and wherein the second coupling body portion includes the latch receiver.

[00147] 19. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the first coupling body portion, the second coupling body portion, and the attachment body include a fastener opening, and wherein the attachment body is configured to attach to the first coupling body and the second coupling body at the fastener opening, wherein a first fastener opening at the attachment body is configured to receive a first fastener extending through the attachment body into the first coupling body portion, and wherein a second fastener opening at the attachment body is configured to receive a second fastener extending through the attachment body into the second coupling body portion.

[00148] 20. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the second fiber passage opening and the attachment body attachment interface are formed at the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion.

[00149] 21. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion include a notch positioned distal to the coupling body end, and wherein the coupling attachment interface is configured to position the notch at the first and second coupling body portions adjacent to one another to form the second fiber passage opening.

[00150] 22. The coupling assembly of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion include the latch member, and wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion include the latch receiver.

[00151] 23. A fiber optic wiring harness assembly, including a coupling assembly including a coupling body and an attachment body, the coupling body forming a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends, wherein the coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage, and wherein the attachment body is selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening, wherein the attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings, and wherein the coupling body and attachment body includes an attachment body attachment interface configured to selectively

23

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening; a drop cable assembly including a drop cable fiber extending through the second fiber passage and into the first fiber passage through the attachment body openings, wherein the drop cable fiber extends through one of the pair of coupling body ends; and a distribution furcation tube attachable to the coupling body at the coupling body ends, wherein the drop cable fiber is extendable into the distribution furcation tube.

[00152] 24. A method for assembling a fiber optic wiring harness, the method including positioning a drop cable fiber of a drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at an attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the attachment body extends; attaching the drop cable assembly to the attachment body; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the attachment body to a fiber passage and through an end opening at a coupling body, wherein the coupling body includes a pair of end openings between which the fiber passage at the coupling body extends; connecting the attachment body to the coupling body to fluidly connect the fiber passages to one another; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the coupling body through a distribution furcation tube; and attaching the distribution furcation tube onto the end opening at the coupling body.

[00153] 25. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including routing the drop cable fiber from the distribution furcation tube through a pair of openings between which a fiber passage extends at an upstream coupling body; and attaching the distribution furcation tube onto a downstream coupling body end of the upstream coupling body.

[00154] 26. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including positioning a drop cable fiber of a second drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at a second attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the second attachment body extends; attaching the second drop cable assembly to the second attachment body; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the second attachment body to a fiber passage and through an upstream end opening at the upstream coupling body; connecting the second attachment body to the upstream coupling body to fluidly connect the fiber passages to one another; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the upstream coupling body through an upstream distribution furcation tube; and attaching the upstream distribution furcation tube onto the upstream end opening of the upstream coupling body.

24

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00155] 27. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including operably coupling a distribution fiber bundle to a multi-fiber connector bundle, wherein the distribution fiber bundle includes a plurality of drop cable fibers.

[00156] 28. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including cutting the distribution furcation tube to a furcation tube length corresponding to a length to the upstream coupling body from the end opening of coupling body forming a downstream coupling body. [00157] 29. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including cutting the drop cable assembly to an overall drop length corresponding to a length from a connector end of the drop cable assembly to a multi-fiber connector bundle.

[00158] 30. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including removing an outer jacket of the drop cable assembly, wherein removing the outer jacket forms an unjacketed drop cable length corresponding to a length from the connector end of the drop cable assembly to an end opening of the attachment body through which the drop cable fiber enters the fiber passage at the attachment body.

[00159] 31. The method of any one or more clauses herein, wherein cutting the drop cable assembly to the overall drop length includes the length from the connector end corresponding to a fiber optic equipment rack.

[00160] 32. The method of any one or more clauses herein, wherein positioning the drop cable fiber of the drop cable assembly through the fiber passage at the attachment body includes positioning the drop cale fiber along a sloped channel extending from a first axis of extension to a second axis of extension radially offset from the first axis of extension.

[00161] 33. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including connecting a first coupling body portion to a second coupling body portion.

[00162] 34. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including routing the drop cable fiber from the distribution furcation tube through a downstream end opening of a downstream coupling body portion of a second coupling body; attaching the distribution furcation tube onto the downstream coupling body end of the second coupling body; routing the drop cable fiber through an upstream end opening of an upstream coupling body portion of the second coupling body; and connecting the upstream coupling body portion of the second coupling body to the downstream coupling body of the second coupling body.

25

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [00163] 35. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including positioning a drop cable fiber of a second drop cable assembly through a fiber passage at a second attachment body having a pair of openings between which the fiber passage at the second attachment body extends; attaching the second drop cable assembly to the second attachment body; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the second attachment body to a fiber passage formed between the upstream and downstream end openings of the second coupling body, and routing the drop cable fiber through the upstream end opening of the second coupling body; connecting the second attachment body to the second coupling body to fluidly connect the fiber passages to one another; routing the drop cable fiber from the fiber passage at the second coupling body through an upstream distribution furcation tube; and attaching the upstream distribution furcation tube onto the upstream end opening of the second coupling body.

[00164] 36. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including cutting the drop cable assembly to an overall drop length corresponding to a length from a connector end of the drop cable assembly to a multi-fiber connector bundle.

[00165] 37. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including removing an outer jacket of the drop cable assembly, wherein removing the outer jacket forms an unjacketed drop cable length corresponding to a length from the connector end of the drop cable assembly to an end opening of the attachment body through which the drop cable fiber enters the fiber passage at the attachment body.

[00166] 38. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including terminating a connector onto the multi -fib er connector bundle.

[00167] 39. The method of any one or more clauses herein, the method including sealing a downstream end opening of the coupling body, wherein the pair of end openings between which the fiber passage at the coupling body extends includes the downstream end opening and the upstream end opening.

[00168] 40. The method of any one or more clauses herein, forming the fiber optic wiring harness of any one or more clauses herein.

[00169] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to

26

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

27

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A coupling assembly for a fiber optic wiring harness, the coupling assembly comprising: a coupling body forming a first fiber passage extending through a pair of coupling body ends, wherein the coupling body forms a second fiber passage opening extending from the first fiber passage; and an attachment body selectively connectable to the coupling body at the second fiber passage opening, wherein the attachment body at least partially forms a second fiber passage extending from the second fiber passage opening through a pair of attachment body openings, wherein the coupling body and attachment body comprises an attachment body attachment interface configured to selectively connect the attachment body to the coupling body to position at least one of the pair of attachment body openings adjacent to the second fiber passage opening.

2. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second fiber passage extends between the pair of attachment body openings from a radial direction to a substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage.

3. The coupling assembly of claim 2, wherein the attachment body comprises a sidewall extending into the second fiber passage opening at the coupling body, the sidewall extending substantially co-directional to an extension of the second fiber passage.

4. The coupling assembly of claim 3, wherein the pair of attachment body openings comprises an end opening distal along the second fiber passage to the second fiber passage opening, wherein the end opening is configured to receive a fiber attachment interface.

5. The coupling assembly of claim 4, wherein the fiber attachment interface comprises a crimp or a strain relief boot.

6. The coupling assembly of claim 4, wherein the attachment body comprises a groove at the end opening, and wherein the groove is configured to receive a fiber attachment interface.

28

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

7. The coupling assembly of claim 3, wherein the attachment body forms the second fiber passage as a sloped channel extending from into the substantially parallel direction to the first fiber passage.

8. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a latch member configured to selectively connect to a latch receiver, wherein the latch member is positioned at one of the coupling body or the attachment body, and wherein the latch receiver is positioned at the other of the coupling body or the attachment body.

9. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a pair of latch members extending from the coupling body, and wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a latch receiver positioned at the attachment body.

10. The coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the latch receiver comprises a groove configured to receive the pair of latch members.

11. The coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the latch receiver comprises an opening configured to receive the pair of latch members.

12. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a fastener opening at the coupling body and the attachment body, the fastener opening configured to receive a fastener extending through the attachment body into the coupling body.

13. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a pair of latch members extending from the attachment body, and wherein the attachment body attachment interface comprises a latch receiver positioned at the coupling body.

14. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling body comprises a groove at the pair of coupling body ends, wherein the groove is configured to receive a cable attachment interface.

29

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

15. The coupling assembly of claim 14, wherein the cable attachment interface comprises a crimp or a strain relief boot.

16. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling body comprises a first coupling body portion selectively attachable to a second coupling body portion, wherein the coupling body comprises a coupling attachment interface configured to selectively connect the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion together.

17. The coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the coupling attachment interface comprises a latch member and a latch receiver.

18. The coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein the first coupling body portion comprises the latch member, and wherein the second coupling body portion comprises the latch receiver.

19. The coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion comprise the latch member, and wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion comprise the latch receiver.

20. The coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the second fiber passage opening and the attachment body attachment interface are formed at the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion, and wherein the first coupling body portion and the second coupling body portion comprise a notch positioned distal to the coupling body end, and wherein the coupling attachment interface is configured to position the notch at the first and second coupling body portions adjacent to one another to form the second fiber passage opening.

30

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)