Abstract:
A network interface device for providing a demarcation point between a central office of a telecommunications network and the customer&#39;s premise wiring, whether a copper wire cable or a fiber optic cable. The NID includes a base unit having a back wall having a perimeter and a continuous side wall extending from the perimeter of the back wall, the continuous side wall having a first wall portion and an opposing second wall portion wherein the back wall and the continuous side wall define an interior cavity. The NID includes a cable entrance port and a cable exit port in the first wall portion where both the cable entrance port and the cable exit port include a groove in an external surface. The NID includes a first connecting port and a second connecting port within the opposing second wall portion wherein the connecting ports are configured to accept the groove in the cable entrance and exit ports. The NID includes spaced apart first and second torsion reducing elements extending from the first wall portion and spaced apart first and second torsion reducing receiving elements extending from the second wall portion and having a cavity for receiving the first and second torsion reducing elements. The NID includes a connecting device within the base unit for connecting or disconnecting a fiber optic cable or copper wire cable from the central office to the premise.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Disclosed embodiments relate to network interface device (NID) that serves as a demarcation point between a central office of a telecommunications network and a customer&#39;s premise. More particularly the disclosed embodiments relate to a NID that provides flexibility to utilize the NID for both fiber optic cable and copper wire data transmission networks. 
         [0002]    The NID is typically a weatherproof enclosure that is mounted on an exterior surface of a home or a multi-dwelling residence. The NID can be mounted anywhere distribution of a passive optical fiber network or a copper wire network is desired. 
         [0003]    The telecommunications industry typically utilizes either fiber optic networks or copper wire networks to transmit data. Both fiber optic networks and copper wire networks require a separate NID, as a NID for a fiber optic network is not compatible with a copper wire network and vice versa. Therefore, it can be difficult to supply both a fiber optic network and a copper wire network to the same home or multi-dwelling residence. 
         [0004]    Also, the NID includes a limited number of connections, which may not be sufficient for some multi-user applications. Therefore, multiple unconnected NIDs may be required to provide the necessary data network capabilities to a home or multi-dwelling residence. 
         [0005]    While a copper wire network can be cut to a specific length, typically, a feed or drop optical fiber cable is provided to a premises, by an optical fiber service provider, from a larger distribution point or connection (e.g., a pole mounted distribution point). The feed is typically a heavy jacketed or hardened multi-fiber cable that is broken out at the premises into individual fiber connections. This is for example commonly the case at multi-dwelling residential buildings or at buildings that house multiple different businesses. Individual distribution fiber cables from inside each living or workplace unit are connected with adapters to the individual feed fiber optical cable connections from the multi-fiber drop cable. 
         [0006]    Increasingly, optical fiber cables are pre-connectorized—that is they are shipped from a factory with terminating connectors already installed. This can lead to the need for installers to deal with excess optical fiber cable length in many instances. Other factors can also result in excess cable length. Storage of the excess cable length can be problematic, as can organization of the drop optical fiber cable, the multiple individual feed optical fiber cables, and the multiple individual distribution optical fiber cables which are connected to the individual living or workplace units. The fact that the various optical fiber cables are pre-connectorized provides other challenges when attempting to store or organize the cables. Also, there is a need to protect the optical fiber cables from excessive strain, as well as from damage due to bending the cables at too small of a bend radius. 
         [0007]    The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of a network interface device (NID) for providing a demarcation point between a central office of a telecommunications network and the customer&#39;s premise wiring, whether a copper wire cable or a fiber optic cable. The NID includes a base unit having a back wall having a perimeter and a continuous side wall extending from the perimeter of the back wall, the continuous side wall having a first wall portion and an opposing second wall portion wherein the back wall and the continuous side wall define an interior cavity. The NID includes a cable entrance port and a cable exit port in the first wall portion where both the cable entrance port and the cable exit port include a groove in an external surface. The NID includes a first connecting port and a second connecting port within the opposing second wall portion wherein the connecting ports are configured to accept the entrance and exit ports by accepting the groove. The NID includes spaced apart first and second torsion reducing elements extending from the first wall portion and spaced apart first and second torsion reducing receiving elements extending from the second wall portion and having a cavity for receiving the first and second torsion reducing elements. The torsion reducing elements and the torsion reducing receiving elements are configured to cooperate to prevent a torsional force from being placed on the connection of the cable entrance port and the cable exit port with the first and second connecting ports, respectively. A cover is hingedly attached to the base unit to selectively enclose a storage area provided in the base unit. The NID includes a connecting device within the base unit for connecting or disconnecting a fiber optic cable or copper wire cable from the central office to the premise. 
         [0009]    Exemplary embodiments include at least two NIDs for providing a demarcation point between a premise and a central office of a telecommunications network for either a copper wire cable or a fiber optic cable. Each NID comprises a base unit comprising a back wall having a perimeter and a continuous side wall extending from the perimeter of the back wall, the continuous side wall having a first wall portion and an opposing second wall portion wherein the back wall and the continuous side wall define an interior cavity. The NID includes a cable entrance port and a cable exit port in the first wall portion wherein the cable entrance port and the cable exit port both have an outer surface comprising a groove. The NID includes a first connecting port and a second connecting port within the opposing second wall portion wherein the connecting ports are configured to accept the entrance and exit ports by accepting the groove. The NID includes spaced apart first and second torsion reducing elements extending from the first wall portion and spaced apart first and second torsion reducing receiving elements extending from the second wall portion and having a cavity for receiving the first and second torsion reducing elements, wherein the torsion reducing elements and the torsion reducing receiving elements are configured to cooperate to prevent a torsional force from being placed on the connection of the cable entrance port and the cable exit port with the first and second connecting ports, respectively. A cover is hingedly attached to the base unit to selectively enclose a storage area provided in the base unit. The NID includes a connecting device within the base unit for connecting or disconnecting a fiber optic cable or copper wire cable from the central office to the premise. To connect the at least two NIDS together the grooves of the cable entrance port and the cable exit ports of one network interface device are positioned about the first and second connecting ports of a second network interface device and the first and second torsion reducing elements of the first network interface device are positioned within the first and second torsion reducing receiving elements. 
         [0010]    Exemplary embodiments of the NID include providing a demarcation point between a premise and a central office of a telecommunications network a fiber optic cable. The network interface device comprises a base unit comprising a back wall having a perimeter and a continuous side wall extending from the perimeter of the back wall, the continuous side wall having a first wall portion and an opposing second wall portion wherein the back wall and the continuous side wall define an interior cavity. The NID includes a cable entrance port and a cable exit port in the first wall portion. The NID includes a bulkhead connector attached to the back wall. The bulkhead connector comprises a plurality of first receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of first receptacles is configured to accept a connector attached to an end of a fiber optic cable from the central office, and a plurality of second receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of second receptacles with one of the receptacles of the plurality of first receptacles, wherein each of the plurality of second receptacles is configured to accept a connector attached to an end of the fiber optic cable to the premise. The NID includes a carrier having a wall with a first side and a second side and an aperture therethrough where the carrier is slidably attached to the back wall. An adapter is supported by the first side of the back wall, the adapter having first and second ports are configured to accept a prefabricated connector the first and second ports being substantially perpendicular to the bulkhead connector. The NID includes a cover having a hinged connection to the base unit to selectively enclose a storage area provided in the base unit. 
         [0011]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of a network interface device in accordance with disclosed embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is partial exploded view of a network interface device compatible with a fiber optic network. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  a perspective view of a network interface device compatible with a copper wire network. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  a perspective view of a mounting plate for a network interface device compatible with a copper wire network. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of two network interface devices connected together. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a port plate removed from a connector port of a network interface device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of an entrance or exit port of the network interface device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of an entrance or exit port of one network interface device engaging a connector port of another network interface device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the entrance and exit ports of a first network interface device being positioned into connector ports of a second network interface device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the network interface device where the two network interfaces devices are connected together. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the other embodiment of the network interface device where the two network interfaces devices are partially connected together. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of a connecting device for two adjacent NIDs. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a partial perspective view of a connecting device for two adjacent NIDs partially connected together. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of a connecting device for two adjacent NIDs in a disconnected configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of another network interface device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is another partial perspective view of the network interface device. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a partial top view of the network interface device of  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is another partial perspective view of the network interface device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is another partial perspective view of the network interface device where an inner cover is in a closed position that provides a craft separation within the network interface device between the splice side and the installation side of the network interface device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0032]    Disclosed embodiments include a network interface device (NID) which allows for the connection of multiple NIDs together in an arrangement sealed from the weather. The disclosed embodiments also allows for the demarcation of both copper wire networks and fiber optic networks from a central office and a customer&#39;s premise. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a diagrammatic illustration of the NID  100  in accordance with exemplary embodiments. NID  100  mounts at a desired location of a premise, which will typically be a home, multi-dwelling or multi-business type of premises in which multiple individual living spaces or units are included in a single larger building. However, NID  100  is not limited to use in this type of premises. 
         [0034]    NID  100  includes a base unit  110  and a door or cover  112  which has a hinged connection to the base unit  110 . A latch  114  secures cover  112  to base unit  110  in a closed position, and a security screw housing  116  is formed with or in cover  112  and is configured to receive a security screw  118  for denying entry into NID  100  to persons without a proper tool. When in a closed position, base unit  110  and cover  112  form a weather-proof seal that prevents moisture from entering an interior space of NID. 
         [0035]    For further security, a padlock hasp  120  is also included in an exemplary embodiment for receiving a padlock (not shown) to lock cover  112  to base unit  110  in a closed position. In one exemplary embodiment, padlock hasp  120  can be integrally formed with the material of cover  112  and base unit  110 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment cover  112 , base unit  110  and the above-described components (not including security screw  118 ) are formed of a plastic material. In other embodiments, hasp  120  and/or other components are formed of other materials (e.g., metals) which are attached to cover  112  and/or base unit  110 . 
         [0036]    NID  100  includes back wall  122 . Extending from a perimeter of the back wall  122  are a bottom wall  124 , a top wall  126 , a left wall  128  and a right wall  130  where the walls  124 - 130  are connected together to from a continuous perimeter. The bottom wall  124  includes a cable entrance port  132  and a cable exit port  134  where the ports  132  and  134  are capable of receiving either a copper wire cable or a fiber optic cable. When cables are not inserted through the ports  132  and  134 , cable port grommet  136  and  138  are secured within the ports  132  and  134 , respectively, to seal the ports  132  and  134  to prevent moisture, dirt and/or debris from entering the interior cavity of NID. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a NID  200  for a fiber optic cable is illustrated. In this application like features in different embodiments will be given like reference characters. In  FIG. 2 , the NID  200  is illustrated with the cover  112  in an open position relative to the base unit  110  to show the interior of the NID. 
         [0038]    The NID  200  includes the cable entrance port  132  with a cable port grommet  136  secured therein and a cable exit port  134  with a cable port grommet  138  secured therein. The NID  200  includes an adapter  202  positioned proximate the top wall  126  that includes a receptacle configured to accept a prefabricated connector, such as, but not limited to a SC connector. The adapter  202  includes a second receptacle that is configured to accept another connector such as, but not limited to, an SC connector. The adapter  202  thereby allows a fiber optic cable can be connected and/or disconnected therefrom to complete or disconnect the fiber optic service to the premise. 
         [0039]    Extending from the back wall  122  are a plurality of arcuate storage clips  204  that act as a reel for storing excess length of prefabricated cable. As the fiber optic cables are typically prefabricated at a factory and include a selected connector, the storage clips  204  allow the excess length to be stored without harming the relatively rigid fiber optic cable. 
         [0040]    The top wall  126  includes left and right connecting ports  140  and  142  that can optionally accept left and right port plates  144  and  146 , respectively. The port plates  144  and  146  prevent moisture, dirt and debris from entering the interior of the NID  200  when not used in a stackable configuration. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a NID  300  compatible with a copper wire cable is illustrated. The NID  300  performs a similar function as that of the NID  200 , but for a cable wire network by using a NID copper-use insert  310 . 
         [0042]    The NID  300  includes an interior cover  302  hingedly attached to the base unit  110  that is accessible by the network provider. With the interior cover  302  in the open position, the NID copper-use insert  310  is accessible. The NID copper-use insert  310  includes a partition  312  that includes a plurality of V shaped notches  314  that are in a pairs where each pair of wires are inserted into the V shaped notches  314  to allow the wires to pass from one side to the other. 
         [0043]    The NID mounting plate  310  also includes a ground bar  316  that includes ground connections  318  and  320  for the service provider. The ground bar  316  may be molded to the mounting plate  310 , however, the ground bar  316  may also be secured to the mounting plate  310  by other securing mechanisms. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the substantially same NID  100 ,  200 ,  300  can be utilized to provide a demarcation point between a network provider and a premise. The difference being the connecting mechanisms  202  and  204  for the fiber optic cable and the NID copper-use insert  310  for the copper wire cable networks, respectively. 
         [0045]    Besides being able to accept either fiber optic cables or copper wire cables, the NIDs  100 ,  200  and  300  are stackable onto another to provide greater flexibility and provide greater capabilities at a single location. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the NID  200  is illustrated connected to the NID  300 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , the NIDs  200  and  300  are illustrated connected and in the process of being connected along with the connecting mechanisms. To stack the NID  200  to the NID  300 , the port plates  144  and  146  are removed from the connecting ports  140  and  142 . The port plates  144  and  146  are removed by depressing left and right latch tabs  150  and  152  which causes a latching surface  154 , which is substantially flat, to disengage a flat surface  156  on the port plate  144  and  146 . With the flat latching surface  154  disengaged from the flat surface  156 , the port plates  144  and  146  can be removed from the connecting ports  140  and  142  and thereby expose a beveled retaining flange  159  that has a narrower width at the top edge  158  that increases in width toward a bottom edge  159  of the connecting port  140  and  142 . The flange  159  extends along the bottom surface of the port  140  and  142  and upwardly to a top edge of both side surfaces of the connecting port  140  and  142 . 
         [0047]    To connect two NIDs  200  to  300 ,  300  to  300 , or  200  to  200 , with the plates  144  and  146  removed from the connecting ports  140  and  142 , the entrance port  132  and the exit port  134  are positioned above the connecting port  140  and  142 , respectively. Both the entrance port  132  and the exit port  134  include alignment grooves  160  that are the same configuration. The grooves  160  are configured to engage the retaining flange  159  of the respective connecting port  140  and  142 . The entrance port  132  and the exit port  134  are forced downwardly and into the connecting ports  140  and  142 , respectively, such that the flat latching surfaces  154  engage the flat shoulders  162 . 
         [0048]    Therefore, any number of NIDS  100 ,  200 ,  300  can be secured to each other in the same manner where the entrance and exit ports  132  and  134  are secured into the connecting ports  140  and  142  of the adjacent NID and secured thereto utilizing the latches  154  engaging the flat shoulders  162 . The NIDs can be separated by manipulating the latches  154  to disengage the flat shoulders  162  and therefore allow the NID  200  to be disconnected from the adjacent NID  300 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-14 , NIDs  400  and  500  are illustrated. The NID  400  has a similar construction that of NID  200  and the NID  500  has a similar construction to that of NID  300 . Similar features in NID  400  will be given the same reference characters as used with NID  200  and similar features in NID  500  will be given similar reference characters as used with NID  300 . 
         [0050]    The NID  400  includes left and right channels  402  and  404 . Each channel  402  and  404  includes an entrance slot  406  in a top wall  408  that provides access to an internal cavity  410 . The internal cavity is defined by the top wall  408 , left and right side walls  412  and  414 , and a bottom wall  416  that extends substantially along a height of the base unit  110 . 
         [0051]    The NID  500  includes left and right extensions  502  and  504 , each having a substantially vertical member  506  extending from the bottom wall  124 . Substantially horizontal end members  508  extend from the substantially vertical member  506 . The substantially horizontal member  508  and the substantially vertical member  506  have a complementary configuration to that of the internal cavity  410  and the entrance slot, and extend substantially a height of the base unit  110 . As the NID  400  is connected to the NID  500 , the entrance port  132  and the exit port  134  are forced downwardly and into the connecting ports  140  and  142 , respectively, until the flat latching surfaces  154  engage the flat shoulders  162 . 
         [0052]    Also, the substantially horizontal member  508  is positioned with the internal cavity and the substantially vertical member  506  is positioned through the entrance slot  406 . The interaction of the substantially vertical member  506  with the top wall  408  and the interaction with of the substantially horizontal member  508  with the walls  408 ,  412 ,  414  and  416  provide additional rigidity to the connection of the NIDs  400  and  500  and also prevent a torque from disconnecting the ports  132  and  140  and the ports  134  and  142 , all respectively. Therefore, the additional interconnections of the left and right channels  402  and  404  with the extensions  502  and  504 , provides a more robust connection between the NIDs  400  and  500  that is able to withstand forces, such as torque forces. 
         [0053]    While  FIGS. 10 and 11  disclose NIDs  400  and  500  being connected together with the ports  132  and  140  and the ports  134  and  142  and the left and right channels  402  and  404  with the extensions  502  and  504 , two or more NIDs  400  can be connected together utilizing the same interconnection. Similarly two or more NIDs  500  can be connected together utilizing the same interconnection. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 15-18 , another NID  600  is illustrated. The NID includes a base unit  110  with similar exterior elements as discussed with respect to NIDs  400  and  500  includes the interconnecting ports  132  and  140  and the ports  134  and  142  and the left and right channels  402  and  404  with the extensions  502  and  504 . 
         [0055]    The NID  600  includes an adapter  602  and a bulkhead connector  603  for a fiber optic network. The bulkhead connector  603  is attached to the back wall  122  and includes a series of left and right receptacles  614  and  616  respectively. Opposing pairs of the receptacles  614  and  616  are in communication with each other and connect the provider network to the premise network. 
         [0056]    The adapter  602  is attached to a carrier  610 , where the carrier  610  includes left and right ribs  650  and  652  on left and right side walls  609  and  611 . The left and right ribs  650  and  652  slidably engage left and right channels  654  and  656  extending from the back wall  122 . The slidable engagement of the left and right ribs  650  and  652  with the left and right channels  654  and  656  allow the carrier  610  to be moved outwardly from the back wall  122  to provide access to the fiber optic ports  604  and  606  on an adapter and one or more splitters (not shown) located on the carrier  610 . The ability to move the carrier  610  outwardly from the back wall  122  allows the ports  604  and  606  and the splitter ports to be cleaned with a tool in the event that dirt or debris enters the ports  604  and  606  or the splitter ports. 
         [0057]    The ports  604  and  606  are adapted to accept a prefabricated connector, such as, but not limited to, a SC connector and can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the bulkhead connector  603 . A fiber optic cable from the provider is inserted through port  132  and the ends are inserted into ports  604  on the adapter  602 . Ends of additional fiber optic cables, is positioned through aperture  613  of the carrier  610  where the ends are inserted into ports  606  of the adapter  602 . The adapter  602  therefore connects the fiber optic cable from the provider to the cables inserted through the aperture  613 . 
         [0058]    Excessive lengths of the cables are wound about reels  660  and  662  located on a back wall of the carrier  610 . The reels  660  and  662  retain the slack fiber optic cable while providing a bend radius limit that prevents the fiber optic cable from breaking or becoming damaged through excessive bending. It should be noted that the carrier  610  typically includes a back cover, which is not illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18  so that the components in the back of the carrier  610  can be illustrated. 
         [0059]    The ends of the cables on the reels  660  and  662  are then connected to separate splitters, which are not illustrated. The splitters are typically passive optical splitters that split the signal at a predetermined ratio. In this instance the splitters are 1:8 splitters. However, one or more splitters with a selected splitting ratio are also contemplated besides two splitters with a 1:8 ratio. 
         [0060]    The split signal is carried through cables from the splitters, through the aperture  613  and to the ports  614  on the provider side of the bulkhead connector  603 . Dust caps are removed to provide access to the ports  614 , and in this instance sixteen (1 6 ) fiber optic cable connections can be inserted into the ports. However, more or less than sixteen (16) fiber optic ports are also contemplated. 
         [0061]    Fiber optic cables to the premise is positioned through the port  134 . The NID  600  also includes a partial reel  640  that allows lengths of fiber optic cables to the premise to be placed about the reel  640  to manage the length of the cable and to securely retain the cable within the NID  600  such that the prefabricated end of the cable can be utilized. The reel  640  also limits the bend radius of the fiber optic cable to prevent the fiber optic cable from being damaged through excessive bending. The reel  640  can be located on either side of the bulkhead connector  603  or both sides of the bulkhead connector  603  depending upon the application for which the NID  600  is utilized. The reel  640  includes the right most rail of a carrier slide. 
         [0062]    The ends of the premise fiber optic cables are then inserted into the ports  616  and make a connection with the fiber optic cable network from the provider in ports  614 . Through the connection between the ports  614  and  616 , the fiber optic network from the provider is connected to the premise while also provide a demarcation point between the provider network and the premise at the bulkhead connector  603 . 
         [0063]    The bulkhead connector  603  includes a cavity  618  at a midplane that accepts a security screw  620  attached to an interior security cover  622  that is hingedly attached to the base unit  110 . The interior cover  622  is sized to have a distal edge  623  that is positioned along a midplane of the bulkhead connector  603  and the carrier  602  such that one side of the NID  600  can be securely isolated from the other side of the NID  600 . Securely isolating one side from the other side of the NID provides for what is referred to as craft separation, meaning the work done by the craft of the premise can be isolated from the work done by the provider and vice versa. 
         [0064]    The interior cover  622  includes a back wall  624  and left and right side walls  626  and  628  that extend from edges of the back wall  624 . A cover plate  630  spans a perimeter of an upper edge of the back wall  624 , the left side wall  626  and the right side wall  628 . When the cover plate  630  abuts the bulkhead connector  603 , a security screw  620  is manipulated to engage the cavity  618  and thereby isolate the left side of the NID  600  from the right side of the NID  600 . 
         [0065]    The interior cover  622  when secured to the bulkhead connector  603  with the security screw  620  also provides a retention mechanism for retaining the sliding wall portion  610  and therefore the carrier connector  602  in the selected position. Also, securing the bulkhead connector  603  to the interior cover  622  also provides rigidity to the bulkhead connector  603 . 
         [0066]    Once the work has been completed within the NID  600 , the cover  112  is positioned into the closed position and is secured therein as previously discussed. Therefore, the NID  600  provides additional flexibility, ease of installation and security between the crafts. 
         [0067]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. For example, in various embodiments, the NID can be made from materials other than plastic. Further, the various components can be arranged in different ways than those specifically illustrated. Other examples of modifications of the disclosed concepts are also possible, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concepts.