Abstract:
The cable enclosure assembly of the present invention includes a cable enclosure base, a faceplate mount, a removable full-width bezel and a cover. The cable enclosure base attaches to a wall at a location where an optical fiber cable protrudes through the wall. The cable fiber passes through a cable enclosure base cutout formed in the cable enclosure base. Next, a faceplate is attached to the faceplate mount. The faceplate mount is then attached to the cable enclosure base via a pivot-and-mount configuration. The removable full-width bezel can be connected with the cable enclosure base at two positions, thereby enabling the positioning of the bezel within the cable enclosure base to be adjusted. Lastly, the cover is removably secured to the cable enclosure base.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to cable enclosure assemblies and, more particularly, to a wall-mounted cable enclosure assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An increasing demand for higher capacity local area networks, coupled with lower costs, and availability of fiber networking cards for personal computers, has generated a need for wall-mounted housings that can accommodate multiple fiber ports and multiple copper outlets. Further, cable slack, a meter or more, must be stored in the wall-mounted housing in a configuration that maintains a minimum fiber bend radius. The wall-mounted housing should not be too large and cumbersome, but should still provide adequate protection and accessibility to the cable. 
     Flexible configurations are required for general-purpose wall-mounted housings because a variety of circumstances can arise in which the housings can be used. However, many housing configurations are not flexible and are unable to be adapted to specific applications because they contain one or more of the following drawbacks: density limitations (e.g., up to 6 fibers/6 copper wires); large size (height, width, and depth); lack of fiber slack storage/management; difficulty in loading fiber slack so as to maintain good fiber management; lack of space to properly manage the fiber coils in proximity to the connectors/adapters; inability to maintain minimum bend radius requirements needed to ensure cable integrity; connections that are unprotected from impact or from tampering; lack of fiber port identification areas or unsightly labeling; and high cost. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a cable enclosure assembly that overcomes many of the aforementioned disadvantages and drawbacks associated with current cable enclosure assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cable enclosure assembly of the present invention comprises a cable enclosure base, a faceplate mount, a cover and a bezel. The cable enclosure base attaches to a wall at a location where an optical fiber cable protrudes through the wall. The cable passes through a cutout formed in the cable enclosure base. Next, a faceplate is attached to the faceplate mount. The faceplate mount is then attached to the cable enclosure base. Once the faceplate mount has been attached, a bezel is attached to the cable enclosure base. The cover is then removably secured to the cable enclosure base. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bezel is a removable full-width bezel. In accordance with this embodiment, the cable enclosure base and the faceplate mount are connected together via a snap-and-pivot mounting configuration. The removable full-width bezel can be removably secured to the cable enclosure base at two locations, thereby enabling the positioning of the bezel within the cable enclosure base to be adjusted. The first location is at an inboard-position interconnect, while the second location is at an outboard-position interconnect. A slack drum that has a minimum fiber bend radius of 3/4 inch is provided in the cable enclosure base. The snap-and-pivot mounting component of the cable enclosure base is comprised of at least one pivot-point hinge and at least one snap-point latch. The snap-and-pivot-point mounting component of the faceplate mount is comprised of at least one pivot-point hook and at least one snap-point hook. When the faceplate mount is attached to the cable enclosure base, the snap-and-pivot mounting component of the cable enclosure base couples with the snap-and-pivot mounting component of the faceplate mount, thereby securing them together. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings, detailed description, and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     FIGS. 1A-1C provide three views of the cover of the cable enclosure assembly. FIG. 1A is a front view of the cover. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the cover. FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the cover. 
     FIGS. 2A-2C provide three views of the faceplate mount of the cable enclosure assembly. FIG. 2A is a front view of the faceplate mount. FIG. 2B is a side view of the faceplate mount. FIG. 2C is a rear view of the faceplate mount. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B provide two views of the cable enclosure assembly base. FIG. 3A is a front view of the cable enclosure base. FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the cable enclosure base. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B provide two views of the faceplate mount engaging with the cable enclosure base at the snap-and-pivot mount. FIG. 4A is a view of the open position of the snap-and-pivot mount. FIG. 4B is a view of the closed position of the snap-and-pivot mount. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a LC full-width bezel. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a SC full-width bezel. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modular full-width bezel. 
     FIG. 8 is perspective view of a telephone-type modular full-width bezel. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B provide two views of the cable enclosure base. FIG. 9A is a view of the cable enclosure base with fiber coiled around the slack drum and interfaced with a full-width modular bezel in the inboard-position interconnect. FIG. 9B is a view of the cable enclosure base with fiber coiled around the slack drum and interfaced with a full-width modular bezel in the outboard-position interconnect. 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the cover, faceplate mount, removable full-width bezel, and cable enclosure base simulating how each would fit relative to one another. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following describes the various features of the cable enclosure assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that many of the features (e.g., fastening devices, etc.) can be varied without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 1A-1C provide three views of the cover  100  of the cable enclosure assembly; FIG. 1A is a front view of the cover  100 , FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the cover  100 ; FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the cover  100 . FIG. 1A shows a cover cutout  115  in the cover  100  where a faceplate (not shown) and faceplate mount  200  (FIGS. 2A-2C) would be positioned. An existing, cabled, modular faceplate (not shown) can pass-through the cover  100 , faceplate mount  200  (FIGS.  2 A- 2 C), and cable enclosure base  300  (FIGS.  3 A and  3 B). The cover  100  has one or more holes  120  formed therein that can be used to secure the cover  100  to the cable enclosure base  300 . The holes  120  preferably are placed within a label mounting recess  125 . Thus, if a label (not shown) is positioned in the label mounting recess  125 , the holes  120  are hidden. Plastic icons (not shown) can be positioned in the plastic icon mounting recess  130 , as an additional or alternative labeling device. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, one or more nodules  135  and hooks  145  are formed in the cover  100  and are used to engage the cover  100  with the cable enclosure base  300 . The label mounting recess  125  is slanted to improve viewing from above the cable enclosure assembly when it is mounted on a wall. One or more cable entry point knock-outs  140  are provided in the sides of the cover  100  to enable cables to enter from the side of the cable enclosure assembly and/or from the rear. 
     FIGS. 2A-2C provide three views of the faceplate mount  200 : FIG. 2A is a front view of the faceplate mount  200 ; FIG. 2B is a side view of the faceplate mount  200 ; FIG. 2C is a rear view of the faceplate mount  200 . The faceplate mount  200  has a faceplate mount cutout  210  for a faceplate (not shown). The faceplate mount  200  has one or more faceplate mount bosses  220  that can be used to secure a faceplate (not shown) to the faceplate mount  200 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2B, one or more pivot-point hooks  230  and snap-point hooks  240  can be used to engage the faceplate mount  200  to the cable enclosure base  300 . The faceplate mount flange  222  is recessed from the front of the faceplate mount  200 . The faceplate mount flange  222  enables the cover  100 , the faceplate mount  200 , and the cable enclosure base  300  to interlock with one another, thereby providing a positive attachment action that limits shifting and movement of the cable enclosure assembly components. With reference to FIG. 2C, a faceplate mount boss  220  may be located between the pivot-point hooks  230 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B provide rear and front perspective views, respectively, of the cable enclosure base  300 . The cable enclosure base  300  can be mounted to a wall (not shown) via one or more mounting holes  305 . A cable from the wall (not shown) can enter the cable enclosure assembly through the cable enclosure base cutout  310  and through one or more cable enclosure base side cable entry points  312 . The cable enclosure base side cable entry points  312  align with the cable entry point knock-outs  140  formed in the sides of the cover  100 . If the knock-outs are removed, then the cable can enter the cable enclosure assembly from the side. A cable entering from the cable enclosure base cutout  310  is secured to the cable enclosure base  300  by one or more rear cable-tie-off-points  320  located on or near the slack drum  315 . If the cable enters the cable enclosure base  300  from the cable enclosure base side cable entry points  312 , the cable can be secured at one or more cable enclosure base side entry cable-tie-off-points  327  proximately located next to the cable enclosure base side cable entry points  312 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, providing the ability for the cable to enter from the side and/or rear entry points provides the cable enclosure assembly with great flexibility in implementation. 
     The slack drum  315  preferably is a broken-oval that encircles the cable enclosure base cutout  310 . The slack drum  315  preferably is made of four sections that do not form a continuous oval. An alternative number of sections can form the slack drum  315 . The cable enters the cable enclosure base cutout  310  and is secured to the cable enclosure base  300  at a rear cable-tie-off-point  320  and then enters the slack drum  315  at one of the discontinuities of the oval of the slack drum  315 . The fiber from the cable is wrapped around the slack drum  315  and retained by one or more fiber retaining tabs  325 . Fiber retaining tabs  325  are positioned at multiple points proximately located around the slack drum  315  and limit the movement of the fiber. The curvature and dimensions of the slack drum  315  prevent the fiber from being reduced to less than a ¾ inch bend radius, even when the fiber is pulled tight. In accordance with the preferred design, a minimum of twelve meters of buffered cable can be stored within the cable enclosure assembly. 
     The inboard-position interconnect  360  and the outboard-position interconnect  365  preferably use a tongue-and-groove construction with a snap-fit to hold a removable full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  in the cable enclosure base  300  (FIGS.  5 - 8 ). FIGS. 5-8 illustrate five different designs of the full-width bezels that can be attached to the cable enclosure base  300 . Each of these designs are discussed below in detail. The groove  362 / 367  is formed by two parallel flanges, each which has a clip  361 / 366  that fits into an indention  510 / 610 / 710 / 810  on the removable full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800 . As the full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  slides into place, the clip  361 / 366  snaps into the indention  510 / 610 / 710 / 810 . When an attempt is made to remove the full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800 , the clip  361 / 366  meets the indention  510 / 610 / 710 / 810  edge and resists being removed. However, applying minimal force will remove or unsnap the full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  from this secure position. 
     The inboard-position interconnect  360  provides additional protection and tamper resistance for the fiber connections, while the outboard-position interconnect  365  allows easy access to fiber connections for simple changes or moves. This is an advantage over previous cable enclosure assemblies because a separate extended cover is not needed to provide additional protection. Here, simply moving the bezel from the outboard-position interconnect  365  to the inboard-position interconnect fulfills that need. 
     With reference again to FIGS. 1A-1C and  3 A- 3 C, the cable enclosure base  300  is attached to the cover  100  at two points. One or more hooks  145  on the cover  100  attach to one or more of the slots  380  on the cable enclosure base  300 . One or more nodules  135  on the cover  100  attach to one or more of the openings  385  on the cable enclosure base  300 . Preferably, two sets of hooks  145  and slots  380  are used in conjunction with two sets of nodules  135  and openings  385 . In addition, the faceplate mount flange  222  interlocks with the cover  100  to provide a positive attachment action of the cover  100  with the faceplate mount  200  and cable enclosure base  300 . Furthermore, the cover  100  can be attached to the cable enclosure base  300  by one or more security screws that would be positioned through one or more holes  120  of the cover  100  and secured to one or more of the cable enclosure base bosses  390 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate attachment of the faceplate mount  200  to the cable enclosure base  300  with the aforementioned snap-and-pivot mount configuration. Preferably, the snap-and-pivot mount is made up of four elements, which provide two securing mechanisms. The two first elements are located on the faceplate mount  200  and are the pivot-point hook  230  and the snap-point hook  240 . The other two elements are located on the cable enclosure base  300  and include the pivot-point hinge  370  and the snap-point latch  375 . The two securing mechanisms of the snap-and-pivot mount are made when the pivot-point hook  230  and the snap-point hook  240  are engaged with the pivot-point hinge  370  and snap-point latch  375 , respectively. One or more elements on the cable enclosure base  300  and faceplate mount  200  can be used if necessary. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B show the open and closed position of the snap-and-pivot mount, respectively. The open position shown in FIG. 4A occurs when the pivot-point hinge  370  is engaged with the pivot-point hook  230 . In the open position, the faceplate mount  200  is at an oblique angle relative to the cable enclosure base  300 . The closed position shown in FIG. 4B occurs when the faceplate mount  200  is pivoted at the pivot-point hook  230  such that the snap-point hook  240  engages with the snap-point latch  375 . In the closed position, the pivot-point hook  230  and the snap-point hook  240  are engaged with the pivot-point hinge  370  and snap-point latch  375 , respectively. The snap-and-pivot mount permits toolless, independent access to either the copper or fiber terminations. The snap may be released with the use of a fingertip or a screwdriver. After the snap has been released, the faceplate mount  200  can be pivoted back at the pivot point to gain access to the cable. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a LC full-width bezel  500 . In the following discussion, reference is made to several different types of optical connectors, each bearing its own unique letter designations commonly used by those skilled in the art and which has become standard nomenclature in the art. As a general rule, these letters describe one or more characteristics of the connector, thus, “SC” indicates “subscriber channel,” “ST” indicates “straight tip” ferrule, “SC/ST” is a hybrid connector, “LC” indicates a “Lambert connector” or “Lucent connector.” These designations are well known and in common usage. The LC full-width bezel  500  has four LC duplex cutouts  520  for LC duplex couplers. The LC full-width bezel  500  fits into the groove  362 / 367  of the inboard-position interconnect  360  or the outboard-position interconnect  365 . As the LC full-width bezel  500  slides into place, it becomes secured by a clip  361 / 366  that fits into the indention  510  on the LC full-width bezel  500 . For easier access to the fiber connection, the LC full-width bezel  500  can be positioned in the outboard-position interconnect  365  as generally shown in FIG.  9 B. If more protection is needed or desired, then the LC full-width bezel  500  can be positioned in the inboard-position interconnect  360 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 A. The LC full-width bezel  500  may be inserted into either groove  362 / 367 , thereby simplifying assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a SC full-width bezel  600 . The SC full-width bezel  600  has two SC duplex cutouts  620  for SC duplex couplers. The SC full-width bezel  600  fits into the groove  362 / 367  of the inboard-position interconnect  360  or the outboard-position interconnect  365 . As the SC full-width bezel  600  slides into place, it becomes secured by a clip  361 / 366  that fits into the indention  610  on the SC full-width bezel  600 . For easier access to the fiber connection, the SC full-width bezel  600  can be positioned in the outboard-position interconnect  365 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 B. If more protection is needed or desired, then the SC full-width bezel  600  can be positioned in the inboard-position interconnect  360 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 A. The SC full-width bezel  600  may be inserted into either groove  362 / 367 , thereby simplifying assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modular full-width bezel  700 . The modular full-width bezel  700  can accommodate high density ST, SC, and LC coupling strips forms. The modular full-width bezel  700  fits into the groove  362 / 367  of the inboard-position interconnect  360  or the outboard-position interconnect  365 . As the modular full-width bezel  700  slides into place, it becomes secured by a clip  361 / 366  that fits into the indention  710  on the modular full-width bezel  700 . For easier access to the fiber connection, the modular full-width bezel  700  can be positioned in the outboard-position interconnect  365 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 B. If more protection is needed or desired, then the modular full-width bezel  700  can be positioned in the inboard position interconnect  360 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 A. The modular full-width bezel  700  may be inserted into either groove  362 / 367 , thereby simplifying assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a telephone-type modular full-width bezel  800 . The telephone-type modular bezel  800  has five copper duplex cutouts  820  for copper telephone-type modular jacks, or “M” series modular adapters. The five cutouts  820  have a larger dimension than the LC duplex cutouts  520  enabling the telephone-type modular bezel  800  to accept the modular jacks or adapters. The telephone-type modular bezel  800  fits into the groove  362 / 367  of the inboard-position interconnect  360  or the outboard-position interconnect  365 . As the telephone-type modular bezel  800  slides into place, it becomes secured by a clip  361 / 366  that fits into the indention  810  on the telephone-type modular bezel  800 . For easier access to the fiber connection, the telephone-type modular bezel  800  can be positioned in the outboard-position interconnect  365 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 B. If more protection is needed or desired, then the telephone-type modular bezel  800  can be positioned in the inboard position interconnect  360 , as generally shown in FIG.  9 A. The telephone-type modular bezel  800  may be inserted into either groove  362 / 367 , thereby simplifying assembly. 
     Additionally, the telephone-type modular bezel  800  accepts an “M” series adapter (not shown) that can snap-fit into the cutouts  820 . The “M” series adapter is available for ST simplex, F- 81  coax cable, BNC coax cable, and LC duplex couplers. This adds additional flexibility when compared to other cable enclosure assemblies. 
     The full-width bezels  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  enable the cable enclosure assembly of the present invention to be quite flexible with up to twelve fiber ports and six modular copper outlets or up to eleven modular copper outlets. It is compatible with single gang modular faceplates with one, two, three, four or six ports. It supports ST, SC, and LC fiber connectors. The full-width bezels can accommodate ST/SC hybrid, SC/SC duplex, LC duplex, or high density ST, SC, LC coupling strips and telephone-type modular connectors. An advantage of using the modular full-width bezel  700  with the high density coupling strips is that it less expensive to manufacture high density coupling strips than to manufacture duplex couplers of equivalent connection density. Furthermore, the high density coupling strips provides more connections in a narrower space when compared to other cable enclosure assemblies. Additionally, a modular copper full-width bezel can be used to add five modular copper outlets to the six modular copper outlets located on the gang modular faceplate. Also, using the telephone-type modular bezel  800  with an “M” series adapter allows even greater flexibility. ST simplex, F- 81  coax cable, BNC coax cable, and LC duplex adapters can be inserted into the modular copper full-width bezel so that those types of connections can be made. 
     Numerous configurations can be made by using the telephone-type modular bezel  800  with any combination of “M” series adapters. For example, up to six modular copper outlets can be used on the faceplate while up to five BNC coax cable connections can be made using the telephone-type modular bezel  800  with five BNC coax cable “M” series adapters. Alternatively, two BNC coax cable and two F- 81  coax cable connections can be used in conjunction with up to six modular copper outlets. Thus, this flexibility allows this invention to be used for many diverse applications. 
     FIGS. 9A-9B provide two views of the cable enclosure base  300  with a fiber cable  910  secured thereto. FIG. 9A is a view of the cable enclosure base  300  with a fiber cable  910  secured to the cable enclosure base  300  at a rear cable-tie-off-point  320 . The fiber of the fiber cable  910  is coiled around the slack drum  315  and positioned under the fiber retainer tabs  325 . The fiber connectors attached to the ends of the fibers are interfaced with a full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  in the inboard-position interconnect  360  for greater protection without the need for the addition of a separate longer cover, which is typically used in other housings. 
     FIG. 9B is a view of the cable enclosure base  300  with a fiber cable  910  secured to the cable enclosure base at a rear cable-tie-off-point  320 . The fiber of the fiber cable  910  is coiled around the slack drum  315  and positioned under the fiber retainer tabs  325 . The fiber connectors attached to the ends of the fibers are interfaced with a full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  in the outboard-position interconnect  365  for ease of accessibility. The dual-position interconnect feature provides two positions for the full-width bezel  500 / 600 / 700 / 800 . This is advantageous because no separate parts are necessary. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cover  100 , faceplate mount  200 , modular full-width bezel  700 , and the cable enclosure base  300 . This perspective shows how the four parts fit together. First, the cable enclosure base  300  is attached to a wall with the fiber cables properly protruding through the cable enclosure base cutout  310 . The fiber cables  910  (not shown) are then properly terminated and plugged into the fiber couplers, which are snapped into a modular full-width bezel  700 . However, any one of the full-width bezels  500 / 600 / 700 / 800  can be used. Second, the modular full-width bezel  700  is placed in the inboard-position interconnect  360  or the outboard-position interconnect  365 . Third, the copper cordage is stripped and terminated in the conventional manner, attached to the faceplate, and the faceplate is positioned in the cutout  115  of the faceplate mount  200 . Fourth, the faceplate mount  200  is attached to the cable enclosure base using the aforementioned snap-and-pivot mounting configuration. Once this is complete, the faceplate is attached to the faceplate mount  200 . Finally, the cover  100  is attached to the cable enclosure base  300  using the hooks  145  and nodules  135  on the cover  100 , as described above. 
     The cover  100 , faceplate mount  200 , and cable enclosure base  300  interlock with one another, thereby providing a positive attachment action that limits shifting and movement of the cable enclosure assembly components. If further securing in needed, securing screws (or other securing mechanism) can be used to attach the cover  100  to the cable enclosure base  300  via the holes  120  in the cover  100 . The screw will go through the hole  120  and into the cable enclosure base boss  390 . The unit mounts to standard wall outlet boxes, MUD frames, or may be surface mounted. 
     It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of preferred implementations, and are used to set forth for a clear understanding of the principles and concepts of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention and covered by the following claims.