Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
  • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
  • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
  • G02B6/44528—Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
  • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
  • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
  • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
  • G02B6/3897—Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
  • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
  • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
  • G02B6/4441—Boxes
  • G02B6/445—Boxes with lateral pivoting cover
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
  • H02G15/08—Cable junctions
  • H02G15/10—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes
  • H02G15/117—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes for multiconductor cables
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H10D—INORGANIC ELECTRIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
  • H10D64/00—Electrodes of devices having potential barriers
  • H10D64/60—Electrodes characterised by their materials
  • H10D64/66—Electrodes having a conductor capacitively coupled to a semiconductor by an insulator, e.g. MIS electrodes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H10D—INORGANIC ELECTRIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
  • H10D64/00—Electrodes of devices having potential barriers
  • H10D64/60—Electrodes characterised by their materials
  • H10D64/66—Electrodes having a conductor capacitively coupled to a semiconductor by an insulator, e.g. MIS electrodes
  • H10D64/68—Electrodes having a conductor capacitively coupled to a semiconductor by an insulator, e.g. MIS electrodes characterised by the insulator, e.g. by the gate insulator

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to enclosures for telecommunication cables. More particularly, the present invention relates to telecommunication enclosures configured to allow extraction of a connection device through a wall of the enclosure from the exterior of the enclosure.
• Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for distributing all manner of data across vast networks.
• the majority of telecommunication cables are electrically conductive cables (typically copper), although the use of optical fiber cables is growing rapidly as larger and larger amounts of data are transmitted.
• As telecommunication cables are routed across networks it is necessary to periodically open the cable and splice or tap into the cable so that data may be distributed to "branches" of the network. The branches may be further distributed until the network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and so on.
• the distributed lines are often referred to as drop lines or distribution lines.
• the enclosure allows easy and repeated access to the cable, such that technicians may easily access the cable to provide any necessary services.
• Enclosures for both electrical and optical telecommunication cables are generally known.
• enclosures that receive one or more cables and contain some form of cable connection (whether a splice, a connector, or other connection device) and surplus lengths of the cable are known.
• Such enclosures often also contain storage means for storing unused conductive wires or optical fibers waiting for subsequent use.
• splices in the cable and connection devices intended for subsequent connection to drop wires or the like are maintained in separate areas of the enclosure, so as to reduce the possibility of damaging or disrupting cable splices during re-entry into the enclosure when connecting drop lines or the like.
• all of the drop line connections and their associated optical fibers or conductive wires are exposed when the enclosure is opened to connect new drop lines.
• optical fibers used in fiber optic cables are susceptible to decreased performance or even breakage if they are bent beyond their minimum bend radius.
• optical fibers and their connections are more sensitive to their physical handling and the presence of debris such as dust, moisture, and the like. This sensitivity of optical fibers and their connection devices increases the likelihood of damaging the fibers or the connection devices, such as during reentry into the enclosure when connecting a drop line or the like.
• a telecommunications cable enclosure that allows the option to access one or a limited number of optical fiber connection devices in the enclosure during reentry, and does not require exposure of all optical fibers and connection devices in the enclosure, is highly desirable.
• the enclosure for use with a telecommunications cable.
• the enclosure comprises a housing for retaining spliced telecommunication lines of a telecommunication cable therein. At least one of a plurality of connection devices is connected to one of the spliced telecommunication lines within the housing and configured for connection to a mating connection device terminating a telecommunication line extending outside of the housing.
• a primary entrance in the housing allowing simultaneous access to each of the plurality of connection devices in the housing, and an adaptor integrally formed in a wall of the housing allows access and extraction of one of the plurality of connection devices through the wall of the housing from an exterior of the housing.
• the enclosure comprises a splice compartment for retaining splices in telecommunication lines and a terminal compartment for retaining telecommunication line connection devices apart from splices retained in the splice compartment.
• At least one port extends through a wall of the enclosure adjacent the terminal compartment. The at least one port is configured to receive a connection device and allow extraction of the connection device through the wall from outside the enclosure.
• a terminal for a telecommunication cable comprises a splice closure for retaining spliced telecommunication lines of a telecommunication cable and a terminal closure joined to the splice closure.
• the terminal closure is configured to retain a plurality of connection devices connected to corresponding telecommunication lines in the splice closure.
• At least one closable port extends through an external wall of the terminal closure, the port configured for allowing a connection device to be withdrawn from the terminal closure through the port from an exterior of the terminal closure.
• Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of a telecommunications cable enclosure according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a side view of the enclosure of Figure 1 showing the splice closure in an open position.
• Figure 3 is a side view of the enclosure of Figure 1 showing the terminal closure in an open position.
• Figure 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the enclosure of Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is an end view of the enclosure in Figure 2, showing the splice closure in an open position and the terminal closure in an open position.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a splice closure frame illustrating its use with a fiber optic cable and splice tray.
• Figures 7 A and 7B are exploded perspective views of one embodiment of an adaptor for use with the enclosure of Figures 1-5, using a connection device coupler in Figure 7 A and using a sealing member in Figure 7B.
• Figures 8 A and 8B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of an adaptor for use with the enclosure of Figures 1-5, using a connection device coupler in Figure 8 A and using a sealing member in Figure 8B.
• Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an adaptor for use with a telecommunications enclosure according to the invention.
• Figure 1 OA is a perspective exterior view of an enclosure according to the invention.
• Figure 1OB is a perspective interior view of the enclosure of Figure 1OA. Description of the Preferred Embodiments
• Figures 1 -5 and the associated detailed description illustrate a terminal 10 for use with an optical fiber cable.
• the terminal 10 of Figures 1-5 is only one exemplary embodiment of a telecommunication cable enclosure according to the invention, and is not intended to be exhaustive of all telecommunication cable enclosure embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
• terminal 10 comprises an integral splice closure 12 and a terminal closure 14.
• terminal 10 is an above-grade (i.e., above- ground) enclosure, and is further adapted to be suspended from a support cable (not shown) by means of a pair of hangers 16.
• terminal 10 may be a below-grade (i.e., below-ground) enclosure.
• Splice closure 12 comprises a casing 20 which may be opened along an edge or opening seam 21, having mating ridges and grooves to form a labyrinth-type seal for restricting the ingress of dirt, water, bugs, and the like, into casing 20.
• casing 20 comprises first and second casing sections 22, 24 that are rotatably connected to one another along a hinge line 26.
• hinge line 26 is defined by a compression molded hinge 28. That is, hinge 28 is integral with casing sections 22, 24.
• casing 20 is molded from a suitable polymer material, such as polyethylene or the like. In this manner, hinge 28 may be integrally formed with casing sections 22, 24 when casing 20 is molded.
• Casing 20 may be made by any conventional molding technique, such as blow molding, injection molding, and the like.
• Each section 22, 24 is approximately one half of casing 20. That is, each of sections 22, 24 is substantially semi-cylindrical in configuration.
• casing 20 has an elongated, substantially cylindrical shape with first and second opposite ends 30, 32. End seals 34 (best seen in Figure 2) are disposed at first and second ends 30, 32 for receiving and sealing around cables (not shown) entering casing 20 at first and second ends 30, 32.
• the cylindrical casing 20 is maintained and secured in a closed condition by latch or fastening device 40.
• Fastening device 40 may be any of a variety of conventional arrangements whereby section 22 may be selectively secured to section 24 along seam 21.
• fastening device 40 includes an actuator handle and securing latch forming a toggle latch.
• Fastening device 40 is supported on section 22 of casing 20 such that the latch portion of fastening device 40 may engage a boss 56 on section 24.
• casing 20 may be readily closed and opened, as desired, to provide access to an interior of casing 20.
• access to the enclosed splice area within casing 20 is facilitated by the rotational position of first casing section 22 (in the upper position) relative to second casing section 24 (in the lower position).
• first and second sections 22, 24 of casing 20 are oriented such that when casing 20 is opened, a substantially unobstructed view is provided into the splice area inside casing 20 (see Figure T). This is accomplished by preferred positioning of hinge line 26 relative to the location of hangers 16. In one embodiment, hinge line 26 is positioned between about 125° to 145°, and preferably about 135°, from attachment points of hangers 16 for mounting the terminal 10 to a support cable (not shown).
• splice closure 12 is depicted with casing 20 in the open position.
• End seals 34 which may be formed according U.S. Patent No. 4,857,672, assigned to assignee of this application and incorporated by reference herein, are supported in recesses in first and second ends 30, 32 of section 22 such that end seals 34, upon receiving a cable therethrough, are retained adjacent first and second ends 30, 32, respectively.
• End seals 34 are engaged and sealed by cooperating recessed areas at the first and second ends 30, 32 of section 24 when the sections 22, 24 are in the closed position.
• Section 24 of casing 20 optionally includes openings 42 which form drains in the lower portion of casing 20.
• Openings 42 may be screen covered and include filtering means to limit the ingress of dirt, water, bugs, and the like, into casing 20. In embodiments where terminal 10 is a below-grade enclosure, openings 42 are preferably omitted .
• section 24 of casing 20 also includes a support surface 50 for joining to and supporting thereon terminal closure 14.
• Support surface 50 is generally flat, inside and outside of casing 20.
• Support surface 50 is formed with at least one opening 52 through which telecommunication lines, such as optical fibers or copper wires may pass from splice closure 12 into terminal closure 14.
• Support surface 50 is positioned on a side of casing 20 below opening seam 21, such that the terminal closure 14 supported thereon is readily accessible from the side or front of terminal 10.
• Section 24 optionally supports on its outer surfaces a plurality of drop wire strain relief brackets 60 which support drop wires (not shown) entering terminal closure 14.
• Terminal closure 14 is joined to casing 20 at the support surface 50 by any suitable means to make splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 a unitary structure. If splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 are first formed as separate units, suitable means for making splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 a unitary structure include, for example, joining splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 using pop rivets, machine screws, bolts, heat welding, sonic welding, and the like. Splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 may alternately be joined to form a unitary structure by molding the closures 12, 14 together as a single structure, rather than first forming them as separate units.
• the support surface 50 is positioned to place terminal closure 14 on a side of casing 20 when terminal 10 is suspended from a support cable (not shown).
• Terminal closure 14 comprises a top wall 70, a bottom wall 72, end walls 74, 75, back wall 76 and a lid 78.
• Lid 78 is hinged to top wall 70 of terminal closure 14 and is preferably hinged by a compression molded hinge 80. That is, hinge 80 is integral with top wall 70 and lid 78 of terminal closure 14.
• the terminal closure 14 may be molded from a suitable polymer material, such as polyethylene or the like. In this manner, hinge 80 can be readily formed integrally with the walls and lid of terminal closure 14 when molded.
• Terminal closure 14 may be formed by any conventional molding technique, such as by blow molding, injection molding, and the like.
• lid 78 is provided with detents 81 on its outer surface adjacent hinge 80, and the outer wall of casing 20 is provided with projections 62 having concave portions defining recesses 64.
• Detents 81 cooperate with recesses 64 in casing 20 to maintain lid 78 in an open and raised position when lid 78 is raised sufficiently by, for example, a service technician working on the contents of terminal closure 14.
• the flexibility of the polymer material forming splice closure 12 and terminal closure 14 is sufficient to permit detent 81 to enter recesses 64 and thereby secure lid 78 in the raised open position.
• Lid 78 and bottom wall 72 have cooperating latches 82, 84 to hold lid 78 in a closed position.
• terminal 10 is used to enclose a telecommunication cable at points where the cable is "spliced into” for distribution of a signal to one or more locations.
• the phrase "spliced into” as used herein is understood and intended to include any way in which a signal in a telecommunication cable is routed away from the cable for distribution to one or more locations.
• the telecommunication cable may be spliced, split, tapped, coupled, and the like.
• a telecommunication cable may contain a plurality of data lines. At a predetermined point, the cable is spliced into and signals from one or more of the plurality of data lines are routed from the main cable.
• a telephone network in which a primary or "trunk” telecommunication cable is routed through an area, and periodically one or more individual data lines are distributed to "branches" of the network.
• the branches may be further distributed until the network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and so on.
• the distributed lines are often referred to as drop lines or distribution lines.
• the cable may contain a plurality of buffer tubes, with each buffer tube containing a plurality of individual optical fibers. At various points along the cable, it may be desired to branch off optical fibers of one or more buffer tubes, but not all of the optical fibers in the cable.
• the individual optical fibers of a buffer tube may be spliced directly to a corresponding drop line, or the individual optical fibers may be split, such as by using a splitter or coupler, so that the signals in a single fiber are distributed to more than one drop line.
• terminal 10 is described herein primarily as used with fiber optic telecommunication cables, terminal 10 may be used with telecommunication cables in general, including electrically conductive (i.e., copper) cables, and terminal 10 is not limited to use with fiber optic cables.
• Each type of telecommunication cable has corresponding devices and methods for routing a signal away from the cable to a drop line, and each of those devices and methods are understood and intended to be included in references to "splices" and "splicing into.”
• a frame 90 is mounted within splice closure 12.
• Frame 90 is secured within splice enclosure 12 using suitable fastening device such as, for example, pop rivets, machine screws, bolts, and the like.
• frame 90 may be over-molded by splice closure 12, such that other fastening devices are not required to secure frame 90 within splice closure 12.
• Mounting brackets 92 are provided adjacent first and second ends 30, 32 of splice closure 12 for attachment to a telecommunication cable 116 (shown in Figure 6).
• mounting brackets 92 include strain relief features 94 for attachment to a strength member of the telecommunication cable.
• strain relief features 94 include recessed areas 96 for engaging, for example, a cable clamp or tie securing the telecommunication cable and its strength member.
• Frame 90 includes a retention member 100 for retaining non- spliced data lines of a telecommunication cable away from spliced data lines of a telecommunication cable within the splice closure 12.
• retention member 100 maintains spliced lines adjacent a first side 102 of the frame 90 and non-spliced lines adjacent a second side 104 of frame 90 opposite first side 102.
• frame 90 includes isolation ports 110 for directing the spliced lines to first side 102 of frame 90 and non- spliced lines to second side 104.
• one or more buffer tubes having therein optical fibers to be spliced or tapped into may be routed through isolation port 110 to first side 102 of frame 90, while other buffer tubes of the cable remain adjacent to the second side 104 of frame 90.
• Openings 114 are provided in frame 90 adjacent isolation port 110 so that data lines routed through isolation port 110 may be secured to frame 90, such as by cable clamps, cable ties or the like.
• a telecommunication cable 116 is secured to frame 90 using cable clamps 118 (splice closure 12 is not shown).
• Frame 90 is provided on its first side 102 with a splice tray 120 having communication lines 122 for connection to separated data lines 123 of the telecommunication cable 116.
• the communication lines 122 may be, for example, a preterminated pigtail ready at a first end 124 for splicing with the separated data lines 123 of telecommunication cable 1 16 at splice tray 120, and ready at a second end 126 for connection with one or more drop lines (not shown) through openings or cutouts 182 in terminal closure 14.
• the splice tray 120 may be secured to frame 90 in any suitable manner.
• the splice tray 120 advantageously also provides storage areas 152, 154 for retaining excess lengths of communication lines 122 or data lines 123.
• communication lines 122 may be omitted, and the separated data lines 123 may be terminated for direct connection with one or more drop lines in terminal closure 14.
• the communication lines 122 (or alternately data lines 123) are routed through one or more opening 52 into terminal closure 14 (see Figures 2 and 3).
• the communication lines 122 and data lines 123 within terminal closure 14 will be referred to generally as data lines 123, although it is to be understood that either communication lines 122 or data lines 123, or both, may be present in terminal closure 14.
• connection device 140 for establishing connection with one or more drop lines (not shown) extending outside of the terminal closure 14.
• a connection device 140 may terminate an individual optical fiber of the cable
• connection device 140 may be any of a variety of suitable devices, whether a splice, a connector, or other type of connection device. Further, the connection device 140 may be used in combination with couplers, receptacles and other alignment devices used with a splice, connector, or other type of connection device.
• connection device 140 may be a connector such as a SC, DC, SC-DC 5 ST, FC, LC, MTP, or MTRJ connector, to name a few, and may be, for example, either a positive contact (PC) or an angled polished connector (APC) type of connector.
• PC positive contact
• API angled polished connector
• Connection device 140 may be a splice such as a FibrlokTM splice available from 3 M Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. Further, connection device 140 may be used in combination with a coupling device such as the OptiTapTM fiber optic receptacle available from Corning Cable Systems of Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.A. In some embodiments, more than one type of connection device 140 may be used within a single terminal closure 14.
• connection devices 140 in terminal closure 14 may be accessed at the same time by opening the primary opening of terminal closure 14 (i.e., Hd 78).
• connection devices 140 Accessing all of the connection devices 140 at the same time may be desired or necessary, for example, during the installation of terminal 10 and the initial splicing of data lines 123 in cable 116.
• optical fibers and their connection devices are sensitive to their physical handling and the presence of debris such as dust, moisture, and the like. Accordingly, the likelihood of damaging the fibers or the connection devices 140 during reentry into the terminal closure 14 is increased when all of the connection devices 140 and fibers are exposed when the terminal closure 14 is opened. Therefore, the ability to access one or a limited number of optical fiber connection devices 140 in the terminal enclosure 14 without exposing all optical fibers and connection devices 140 in the terminal enclosure 14 is highly desirable.
• the adaptor 200 for allowing a connection device 140 to be withdrawn or extracted from the terminal closure 14 from an exterior of the terminal closure 14 is illustrated.
• the adaptor 200 includes a body portion 202 having a passageway or port 204 extending therethrough from a first end 206 to a second end 208.
• the port 204 is sized to receive a connection device 140 therein, and to permit the connection device 140 to pass freely through the length of the port 204.
• a flange 210 extends laterally outward from the body portion 202.
• first end 206 and flange 210 of the body portion 202 are sized such that first end 206 passes through a cutout 182 in wall 72 of terminal housing 14 ( Figure 4), while flange 210 is prevented from passing through the cutout 182.
• a retainer nut 212 positioned inside the terminal closure 14 (not shown) engages first end 206 and secures body portion 202 within the cutout 182.
• body portion 202 is integrally formed with the wall 72 of terminal closure 14, such that flange 210 and retainer nut 212 are unnecessary.
• the adaptor 200 further includes a connection device receptacle 220 configured for engaging the connection device 140.
• the receptacle 220 may be configured to engage a range of connection device types, or may alternately be configured to engage only one connection device type.
• the connection device receptacle 220 includes a flange 221 for preventing the receptacle 220 from passing completely into port 204 and allowing the receptacle to be removed from the port 204 only from the exterior of terminal closure 14.
• the receptacle 220 is removably retained within the port 204 by a retainer nut 222 that traps flange 221 against second end 208 of body portion 202.
• the retainer nuts 212, 222 are threadably engaged with the first and second ends 206, 208, respectively, and include gripping portions 224, such as ridges, recesses or flats, on their circumferential surfaces to facilitate the turning of retainer nuts 212, 222 with a tool or by hand.
• gripping portions 224 such as ridges, recesses or flats, on their circumferential surfaces to facilitate the turning of retainer nuts 212, 222 with a tool or by hand.
• other engagement means may also be used, such as snap fitting, retainer rings, retainer pins, and the like.
• connection device receptacle 220 is a coupler 230 for facilitating the connection of connection device 140 with a mating connection device (not shown) terminating a telecommunication line extending outside of the housing, such as a drop line.
• Port 204 and coupler 230 are optionally provided with keying means, such as mating flats 232a, 232b, respectively, to ensure the proper orientation of coupler 230 within port 204, or to allow only a predetermined type of coupler 230 to be inserted into port 204. If connection device 140 is not to be immediately connected to a mating connection device, connection device 140 may be parked in the coupler 230 until such time as a mating connection device is provided.
• a cap 234 is provided to close the coupler 230 when a mating connector is not present, thereby preventing the ingress of moisture, dust, and other contaminants into the adaptor 200 and terminal housing 14.
• Cap 234 is preferably provided with a circumferential ridge 236 or other gripping means to aid a user in extracting the coupler 230 and (and parked connection device 140) from port 204.
• connection device receptacle 220 is a sealing member 240 for preventing the ingress of moisture, dust, and other contaminants into the adaptor 200 and terminal housing 14.
• Sealing member 240 is provided with a dummy receptacle 242 for parking a connection device 140, if so desired.
• a tab 246 or other gripping means is provided to aid a user in extracting the sealing member 240 (and parked connection device 140) from port 204.
• Sealing member 240 is made of any suitable flexible and resilient material, such as rubber or polymer materials including thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanate (TPV) types of materials.
• TPE thermoplastic elastomer
• TPV thermoplastic vulcanate
• sealing member 240 is made of a material which is UV stable, chemically inert, flexible, tear resistant and moderately compression-set resistant.
• the sealing member 240 may be sized to fit directly in a cutout 182 and remain secured therein by the resilient nature of the sealing member material .
• connection device 140 parked in connection device receptacle 220 When a connection device 140 parked in connection device receptacle 220 is to be connected to a mating connection device (not shown) outside of the housing, it is not necessary to open lid 78 (i.e., the primary opening) of terminal housing 14 to complete the connection. If receptacle 220 is a coupler 230, cap 234 is simply removed and the mating connection device is inserted into the coupler 230 to complete the connection. If it is necessary or desirable to clean or otherwise prepare connection device 140 before completing the connection, retainer nut 222 is removed and coupler 230 is extracted from the port 204 together with the parked connection device 140. Again, it is not necessary that lid 78 of terminal housing 14 to be opened.
• Coupler 230 is again inserted into port 204, retainer nut 222 is reinstalled to secure coupler 230, and then cap 234 is removed to allow insertion of the mating connection device.
• connection device 140 When a connection device 140 is parked in a sealing member 240 and is to be connected to a mating connection device outside of the housing, again it is not necessary to open lid 78 of terminal housing 14 to complete the connection. First, retainer nut 222 is removed and sealing member 240 is extracted from the port 204 together with the parked connection device 140. The parked connection device 140 is disengaged from the sealing member 240 for cleaning or other preparation. The prepared connection device 140 may then be inserted into a coupler 230, and connection to a mating connection device proceeds as described above.
• connection device 140 may be connected to a mating connection device in some other manner (such as by splicing) and then reinstalled in the port 204 of adaptor 200 with appropriate sealing means preventing the ingress of moisture, dust and insects into the terminal closure 14 through port 204.
• the body portion 202 of adaptor 200 may have embodiments other than those shown in Figures 7A-8B.
• an adaptor 300 includes a body portion 302 having a passageway or port 304 extending therethrough from a first end 306 to a second end 308.
• the port 304 is sized to receive a connection device 140 therein, and to permit the connection device 140 to pass freely through the length of the port 304.
• First end 306 of body portion 302 is shaped to engage opening 310 in telecommunications enclosure 312 in a snap-fitting manner.
• a resilient o-ring 314 provides a moisture seal between first end 306 of body portion 302 and enclosure 312.
• First end 306 is optionally provided with a strain relief feature 316 to which data lines 123 may be secured.
• Adaptor 300 is used with a coupler 230 (not shown) or a sealing member 240 and retainer nut 222, as described above with respect to Figures 7A-8B.
• Figures 1OA and 1OB illustrate a portion of terminal closure 14 having all of the cutouts 182 populated with adaptors 200.
• a portion of the adaptors 200 are filled with couplers 230, and another portion of the adaptors 200 are filled with sealing members 240.
• each of the couplers 230 and sealing members 240 may be used to park a connection device 140 adjacent the wall of the terminal closure 14, such that the connection device 140 may be extracted through the wall without entering the closure 14 via its primary opening.
• the connection devices 140 may all be of a single connection device type, or may alternately comprise two or more different connection device types. If the connection devices 140 are of different types, the couplers and sealing members may be configured to engage only one of the different connection device types.
• connection device receptacles 220 engage a single connection device 140.
• connection device receptacles 220 may also be configured to engage more than one connection device 140, while otherwise continuing to operate in the manner described.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
• Cable Accessories (AREA)
• Structure Of Telephone Exchanges (AREA)

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• 2004
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• 2005
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  • 2005-06-23 ES ES05764354T patent/ES2797477T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-06-23 JP JP2007525612A patent/JP2008510179A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-06-23 EP EP05764354.6A patent/EP1787153B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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  • 2005-07-07 TW TW094123046A patent/TW200628867A/zh unknown
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• 2007
  • 2007-07-17 US US11/778,967 patent/US7598457B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

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