Modular pedestal distribution hub

A modular pedestal distribution hub includes a pedestal and a cover attaching to and covering a portion of the pedestal. The pedestal includes a first pedestal section and a second pedestal section. Each of the first pedestal section and the second pedestal section are configured to be attached to form the pedestal. The cover includes a front cover and a back panel. The front cover and the back panel are configured to be attached to form the cover.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to optical fiber distribution systems and, more specifically, to fiber distribution hubs (FDH) for optical fiber communication networks.

BACKGROUND

Data, voice, and other communication networks are increasingly using fiber optics to carry information. In a fiber optic network, each individual fiber is generally connected to both a source and a destination device. Additionally, along the fiber optic run between the source and the destination, various connections or couplings may be made on the optical fiber to adjust the length of the fiber or to provide termination connection ports for end users at which one or more fibers may be branched from a feed cable. In instances when the connection may be exposed to weather conditions, an essentially waterproof configuration of components is needed.

To interconnect the cables, various cable connector designs provide for low insertion loss and stability. Some example connectors may include, but are not limited to, SC, Dual LC, LC, ST and 1V1P0 connectors. In most of these designs, ferrules (one in each connector, or one in the connector and one in the apparatus or device), each containing an optical fiber end, are butted together end to end and light travels across the junction.

With the increasing desire for completely optical networks, “fiber to the premises” (FTTP) or “fiber to the home” (FTTH) systems are being developed to provide optical fibers that extend from the source to the site of the end-user. For this purpose, optical fiber distribution hubs (FDH) and connection terminals are needed for interconnection of the feed lines with drop cables that extend to various user locations within a certain distance from the terminals. Further, there is a need for flexible, customizable fiber distribution systems, including fiber distribution hubs that may be easily expanded or reconfigured.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a modular pedestal distribution hub. The modular pedestal distribution hub includes a pedestal and a cover attaching to and covering a portion of the pedestal. The pedestal includes a first pedestal section and a second pedestal section. Each of the first pedestal section and the second pedestal section are configured to be attached to form the pedestal. The cover includes a front cover and a back panel. The front cover and the back panel are configured to be attached to form the cover.

In some embodiments, the first pedestal section and the second pedestal section each comprise a plurality of pedestal walls, and each of the plurality of pedestal walls include a plurality of horizontally extending ledges and a plurality of depressions between two of a plurality of horizontally extending ledges. Further, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of pedestal walls are angled inwardly. Further, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of pedestal side walls, in each of the plurality of depressions, include a fastener aperture to receive a fastener to attach the first pedestal section to the second pedestal section. Further, in some embodiments, one of the plurality of depressions is in a shape of a truncated cone. Further, in some embodiments, the pattern of ledges and depressions on the pedestal front wall is different than the pattern of ledges and depression on the pedestal side walls. Further, n some embodiments, the pedestal front wall includes a top ledge, a first middle ledge, a second middle ledge, a bottom ledge, and a front wall depression between the top ledge, the first middle ledge, the second middle ledge, and the bottom ledge. Further, in some embodiments, the pedestal front wall includes plurality of stake fastener apertures in the front wall depression and a stake fastened to the pedestal front wall. The stake is configured to be driven into a ground to secure the pedestal to the ground.

In some embodiments, back panel comprises an interior back wall comprising a mounting wall grid. Further, in some embodiments, the mounting wall grid includes a first plurality of horizontally extending protrusions forming squares and angled lines connecting vertices of the squares. Further, in some embodiments, a component is mounted to the mounting wall grid. Further, in some embodiments, the component is a passive optical networking (“PON”) insert. Further, in some embodiments, the component includes a splitter connected to a top face of the PON insert.

In some embodiments, the front cover includes an interior front wall comprising a front cover grid having a plurality of horizontally extending protrusions, including a circular protrusion, a plurality of angled linear protrusions extending out from the circular protrusion, a plurality of horizontal linear protrusions, and a plurality of vertical linear protrusions.

In some embodiments, the back panel includes a plurality of back panel side walls, each including a horizontally extending installation ledge, and each of the first pedestal section and the second pedestal section include a plurality of pedestal side walls including a receiving channel configured to receive a corresponding extending installation ledge.

In some embodiments, the front cover includes a plurality of front cover side walls that partially overlap the back panel side walls. Further, in some embodiments, the back panel side walls include a tab along a height of a respective back panel side wall. The tab is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of front cover side walls.

In some embodiments, a grounding is attached to the pedestal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure provide modular pedestal distribution hubs that can be assembled without tools.

The present disclosure is not limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular pedestal distribution hub. The modular pedestal distribution hub requires minimal tools for assembly.

FIG.1Ais an isometric view of one embodiment of a modular pedestal distribution hub100according to aspects of the present disclosure. The distribution hub100can include a pedestal and a cover. The pedestal can include two sections that are connected to form the pedestal: a first pedestal section200and a second pedestal section300. In an embodiment, the first pedestal section200and the second pedestal section300may be mirror images of each other such that they may be used interchangeably; in another embodiment, they are not. The pedestal, and by extension the distribution hub100, is secured to the ground by a stake110(shown inFIG.1B) that is connected to the interior of the pedestal and driven into the ground. The cover can be seated on the pedestal and can include two sections that are connected to form the cover: a front cover400and a back panel500. A passive optical networking (“PON”) insert for distribution to customers600can be installed within an interior portion of the cover and pedestal, as shown inFIG.1B.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be used outdoors. Because of that, certain features of the present disclosure provide for effective water drainage. For example, in one embodiment, the walls of the pedestal may be angled inwardly, as shown inFIG.3C. For another example, the walls of the pedestal may contain a pattern of ledges and depressions. In an embodiment, the pattern of ledges and depressions on the pedestal's side walls may be different than the pattern of ledges and depressions on the pedestal's front and side walls.

FIG.2Ais an isometric view of one embodiment of a base front half showing the outside of the first pedestal section200, andFIG.2Bis an isometric view of one embodiment of a first pedestal section showing the inside of the first pedestal section200. An embodiment of a pattern of ledges and depressions on the pedestal's front wall210is shown inFIG.2A. The pattern of ledges and depressions on the pedestal's front wall210can include a top ledge201, a first middle ledge202, a second middle ledge203, and a bottom ledge204. The first middle ledge202and the second middle ledge203may be separated by a distance. In between that distance and in between the top ledge201and bottom ledge204, there can be a depression205. The depression may have a plurality of holes to receive fasteners206to attach the stake110to the pedestal section. The pedestal's back wall310can have the same pattern of ledges and depressions.

FIG.3Ais an isometric view of one embodiment of a second pedestal section300showing the outside of the second pedestal section, andFIG.3Bis an isometric view of one embodiment of a second pedestal section300showing the inside of the second pedestal section300, andFIG.3Cis a side view of one embodiment of the second pedestal section300. An embodiment of a pattern of ledges and depression on the pedestal's side wall320is shown inFIGS.3A and3B. The pattern of ledges and depressions can include a top ledge301, a middle ledge302, and a bottom ledge303. There can be a first depression304between the top ledge301and the middle ledge302, and second depression305between the middle ledge302and the bottom ledge303. Each depression may have the shape of a truncated cone. Each depression may have a hole to receive a fastener306to attach the first pedestal section200to the second pedestal section300.

The modular pedestal distribution hub100described herein may require minimal tools for assembly.FIG.3Cis a side view of one embodiment of the second pedestal section300. Each pedestal section can have an attachment section330and a pedestal section340. The attachment section330may have be configured to receive and attach the back panel500to the pedestal. The attachment section330may be molded on and a part of the pedestal section340. In some embodiments, the first pedestal section200and the second pedestal section300can include receiving channels208a,208band308a,308b, respectively, that are configured to receive and mate with corresponding installation ledges of the back panel500, as discussed in further detail below.

In an embodiment, the pedestal may include a grounding. For example, the first pedestal section200can include a grounding at location209, and the second pedestal section300can include a grounding at location309.

FIG.4Ais an isometric view of one embodiment of the front cover400showing the inside of the front cover, andFIG.4Bis a side view of one embodiment of the front cover400. The front cover400can include side walls401,402, a back wall403, and a top wall404.

FIG.4Cis a back view of one embodiment of the front cover400. The back wall403of the front cover400may include a grid406to provide strength to the front cover400. The grid406can include a pattern of linear and radial protrusions.

FIG.5Ais an isometric view of one embodiment of the back panel500showing the inside of the back panel, andFIG.5Bis a back view of one embodiment of the back panel500showing the inside of the back panel. The back panel500can include side walls501,502, and a back wall,503. Each of the side walls501,502may include a tab504that runs along the length of the side wall. The tab504is configured such that it can receive an end of the front cover's400side wall between the tab504and the back panel's400side wall.FIG.5Cis a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the back panel500, showing the tab504, andFIG.5Dis a detail view of one embodiment of the tab504.

In some embodiments, the back panel500has installation ledges,507a,507b,507c, and507d, on each of its side walls,501and502. The bottom installation ledges,507band507d, may each be configured to interface with a receiving channel;208a,208b,308a,308b; of the first pedestal section200or the second pedestal section300. To connect the back panel500to a pedestal section, the bottom installation ledges507band507dare aligned with the receiving channels (208aand208be or308aand308b), and the back panel500is moved into place with its bottom installation ledges507band507dwithin the pedestal section's receiving channels and its top installation ledges507aand507cabove the top ledge (207or307) of the pedestal section. Although the embodiment just described has four installation ledges, the subject matter disclosed herein is not so limited. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a modular pedestal distribution hub100can include greater or fewer installation ledges and corresponding receiving channels.

FIG.5Bis a back view of one embodiment of the back panel500. The back wall503of the back panel500may include a mounting wall grid505. The mounting wall grid505may provide strength to the back panel500, and it provides mounting options for, e.g., limiters or opticals. The mounting wall grid505can include a pattern of linear protrusions forming squares and angled protrusions connecting vertices of the squares.

In some embodiments, the back panel500has alignment ledges506a-f. Although the embodiment shown inFIG.5Bhas three alignment ledges on each side wall,501and502, the subject matter disclosed herein is not so limited. Instead, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a modular pedestal distribution hub100can include greater or fewer alignment ledges on one or either side wall. The alignment ledges506a-fhorizontally extend from the back panel500side walls501and502, and are configured to interface with the alignment openings of a component (not shown).

To connect a component to the mounting wall grid505, the alignment openings of a component are aligned with the alignment ledges506a-f, and the component is moved into place with the alignment ledges506a-fwithin the alignment openings. As such, the alignment ledges and corresponding alignment openings can facilitate proper positioning of a component on the mounting wall grid505. The component can then be fastened to the mounting wall grid505of the back panel500. Although the above description describes using alignment ledges on each of the back panel's500side walls501and502, the subject matter herein is not so limited. Instead, a component may use one or more alignment ledges on only one side wall.

FIG.6Ais a perspective view of one embodiment of a passive optical networking (“PON”) insert for distribution to customers. In some embodiments, a PON insert is mounted on the mounting grid wall505. Although one embodiment of a PON insert is illustrated inFIGS.6A-6C, many different styles and opticals like splitters may be used.FIG.6Bis an exploded view of one embodiment of a PON insert.FIG.6Cis an detail view of one embodiment of a PON insert. In an embodiment, the PON insert has one or more splitters on its top face, including, for example, an HD splitter601and a rugged splitter602.

While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of the various components and steps,” and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups.