Telecommunications terminal

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a telecommunications terminal including fiber optic adapter carriers and/or modules that mount to a main body of the terminal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to optical fiber communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to enclosures used in optical fiber communication systems.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic communication systems are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities (e.g., data and voice) to customers. Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Optical fiber connectors and fiber optic enclosures are an important part of most fiber optic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two optical fibers to be quickly optically connected without requiring a splice. Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect two lengths of optical fiber. Fiber optic connectors can also be used to interconnect lengths of optical fiber to passive and active equipment. Fiber optic enclosures are incorporated into fiber optic networks to facilitate providing access to optical fibers of fiber optic network cables. Fiber optic enclosures often house components such as splice trays, passive optical splitters, fiber optic adapters, fiber optic connectors, connector storage regions, connection fields/panels, connectorized pigtails, wavelength divisional multi-plexers and other components.

A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported at a distal end of a connector housing. A spring is used to bias the ferrule assembly in a distal direction relative to the connector housing. The ferrule functions to support an end portion of at least one optical fiber (in the case of a multi-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). The ferrule has a distal end face at which a polished end of the optical fiber is located. When two fiber optic connectors are interconnected, the distal end faces of the ferrules abut one another and the ferrules are forced proximally relative to their respective connector housings against the bias of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectors connected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned such that the end faces of the optical fibers directly oppose one another. In this way, an optical signal can be transmitted from optical fiber to optical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. For many fiber optic connector styles, alignment between two fiber optic connectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic adapter can include an alignment sleeve for receiving and co-axially aligning the ferrules of the two mated connectors. The alignment sleeve can take the form of a cylindrical split sleeve having a resilient/elastic construction. Example fiber optic connectors are disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 8,837,940.

Many fiber optic enclosures are designed to be installed in outside environments and are environmentally sealed. Example fiber optic enclosures for use in outside environments are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,512,304; 7,558,458; 8,213,760; 7,805,044; 7,539,387; and 7,013,074. A typical fiber optic enclosure of this type includes at least one sealed cable port for routing a fiber optic network cable into the enclosure. This type of enclosure can also include sealed connector ports for interfacing with connectorized drop cables. Optical fibers of the fiber optic network cable routed into the enclosure are often accessed within the enclosure and spliced to another cable such as a drop cable, directly connectorized or spliced to connectorized pigtails. When the fibers are connectorized, the connectorized ends can be plugged into inner ends of fiber optic adapters incorporated into the sealed connector ports. The fiber optic adapters can include alignment sleeves and are installed at the sealed connector ports at the time the enclosure is initially assembled. In the field, outer ends of the fiber optic adapters can be used to receive ruggedized fiber optic connectors corresponding to drop cables to provide optical connections between the drop cables and optical fibers of the fiber optic network cable without having to access an interior of the enclosure.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications terminal including a housing having a first housing piece and a second housing piece that mate together when in a closed position to define an interior of the housing. The first and second housing pieces are also movable relative to one another from the closed configuration to an open configuration to allow the interior of the housing to be accessed. The second housing piece defines at least one opening. The terminal housing also includes an adapter carrying piece to which a plurality of hardened fiber optic adapters are secured. The adapter carrying piece is attached to the second housing piece over the opening of the second housing piece by a permanent, non-unitary connection.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications terminal including a terminal housing. The telecommunications terminal also includes a fiber optic adapter secured to the terminal housing. The fiber optic adapter has a first port accessible from outside the terminal housing and a second port positioned inside the terminal housing. The first port is a hardened port. The telecommunications terminal also includes a first fiber optic cable routed into the terminal housing. The first fiber optic cable is a tether cable having a free end outside the terminal housing. The free end includes a hardened fiber optic connector. The telecommunications terminal also includes a second fiber optic cable routed into the terminal housing. The second fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber connected to the fiber optic adapter and at least one optical fiber connected to the tether cable.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an enclosure including a module holder sealingly mounted to a housing at an aperture so that the module holder extends at least partially into the interior of the housing through the aperture. The housing defines a separate input from the aperture. The module holder defines a pocket having an open end. The module holder carries a connection interface disposed within the pocket and accessible from an exterior of the housing through the open end of the pocket. The connection interface can be one or more adapter ports, one or more plug connectors, or one or more connectorized stub cables. The connection interface may be ruggedized. A module can be installed at the module holder. The module carries output connection interfaces and an input connection interface, which communicatively couples to the connection interface within the pocket. When a module is not installed, a cover may mount to the module holder to seal the pocket and/or block access to the connection interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1depicts a telecommunications terminal20in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal20includes a housing22including a first housing piece24and a second housing piece26. The first and second housing pieces24,26mate together when in a closed configuration (as shown atFIG.1) to define an interior of the housing22. The first and second housing pieces24,26are preferably movable relative to one another from the closed configuration to an open configuration to allow the interior of the housing to be accessed. In certain examples, the first and second housing pieces24,26can be connected by a hinge that allows the first and second housing pieces24,26to be pivoted between the closed configuration and the open configuration. In certain examples, a seal such as a gasket seal or other type of perimeter seal can be provided between the first and second housing pieces24,26to provide environmental sealing when the housing22is in the closed configuration. In certain examples, the housing22can include latches28for retaining the housing22in the closed position. By opening the latches28, the housing22can be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

In the depicted example, the first housing piece24is a base and the second housing piece26is front cover. In certain examples, the first housing piece24defines a back plane adapted to face toward a structure to which the terminal20is intended to be mounted. In certain examples, the second housing piece26can define a front of the terminal20. In certain examples the first housing piece24can include structure for mounting the terminal20to another structure (e.g., a pole, a wall, within a hand-hole, to a frame, or to other locations.) Example mounting structures can include openings for receiving fasteners, mounting tabs defining fastener openings, brackets, structures for receiving brackets, strap receivers, and like structures.

FIG.2depicts the second housing piece26. As depicted atFIG.2, the second housing piece24forms the front cover of the housing24and defines at least one opening such as a front opening30. As depicted, the second housing piece26defines a plurality of front openings30such as four front openings30. The front openings30are each defined by a generally rectangular perimeter32. Mounting channels34are defined within the rectangular perimeters32and preferably extend around each of the front openings30. As depicted, the perimeters32of the front openings30are aligned along a plane that is generally parallel to the back plane of the terminal20when the second housing piece26is mounted on the first housing piece24as shown atFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.1, the terminal20further includes a plurality of adapter carrying pieces36(e.g., adapter mounting pieces, adapter modules, adapter housing pieces, etc.) to which a plurality of hardened fiber optic adapters38are secured. The adapter carrying pieces36are attached to the second housing piece26over the openings of the second housing piece26by permanent, non-unitary connections. Each of the adapter carrying piece36is separately connected to the second housing piece26by a separate permanent, non-unitary connection. Example permanent, non-unitary connections include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding, laser welding, hot gas welding) and the like. Once the adapter carrying pieces36have been attached to the second housing piece26, the adapter carrying pieces36are integrated with the second housing piece26and not intended to be removed. In certain examples, the adapter carrying pieces36can include mounting projections or extensions40that that coincide generally with the perimeters of the openings30and are configured to fit within the channels34to facilitate aligning the adapter carrying pieces36relative to the front openings30. It will be appreciated that separate ones of the adapter carrying pieces36are provided for each of the front openings30.

By non-unitary, it is meant that the main body of the housing is not monolithically formed with the adapter carrying pieces36(i.e., the adapter carrying pieces are not unitarily molded in a one-piece, seamless construction with the second housing piece26). Instead, the seamed, permanent connections are made between the main body of the housing and the adapter carrying pieces.

In alternative examples, blanks42(seeFIG.16) can be mounted over the front openings30by permanent, non-unitary connections. It will be appreciated that the blanks can include the same type of connection interface as the adapter carrying pieces36. It will be appreciated that by using blanks, housings having reduced port counts can be manufactured using the same base components of the first housing piece and the second housing piece24,26. Additionally, it will be appreciated that other adapter carrying pieces36having different sizes and styles of fiber optic adapters can also be used to allow different terminals to be manufactured from the same base components of the first and second housing pieces24,26.

In certain examples, the permanent, non-unitary connection corresponding to each of the adapter carrying pieces36includes a seam that extends about the perimeter of the given adapter carrying piece36and about the perimeter of the opening at which the adapter carrying piece is mounted. Each seam mechanically attaches each adapter carrying piece36to the second housing piece26and provides a fluid tight connection between each adapter carrying piece36and the second housing piece26.

FIG.5illustrates an example configuration for one of the hardened fiber optic adapters38. The hardened fiber optic adapter38is shown mounted to a wall44of the adapter carrying piece36by a fastener such as a nut46. In other examples, the hardened fiber optic adapter38can be bonded to the wall44, unitarily formed with the wall or otherwise attached to the wall44. The wall44defines an outer face48. The hardened fiber optic adapter38includes a hardened outer port42located at the outer face48. The hardened outer port42is accessible from outside the housing22and is configured for receiving a hardened fiber optic connector50(seeFIG.4). The hardened outer port42can include a mechanical connection interface having a robust configuration. Example mechanical connection interfaces can include twist-to-lock interfaces such as threaded interfaces and bayonet-style interfaces. The hardened outer port42can also include a seal or a sealing surface for providing a sealed connection when the hardened fiber optic connector50is installed within the hardened outer port42. Plugs52(seeFIG.1) can be used to close and seal the hardened outer ports42when hardened fiber optic connectors50are not loaded therein.

In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic adapters38are sealed relative to the wall44of the adapter carrying piece36. In certain examples, the wall44defines the planar outer face48at which the hardened outer ports42are located. In certain examples, the hardened outer ports are arranged in rows.

Referring again toFIG.5, the hardened fiber optic adapter38also includes an inner port52which is positioned inside interior of the housing22. In certain examples, the inner port52is adapted for receiving a non-hardened fiber optic connector located inside the housing22. In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic adapter38can include a ferrule alignment structure such as a ferrule alignment sleeve54which is coaxial alignment with the hardened outer port42and the inner port52. In certain examples, the ferrule alignment sleeve54is adapted for coaxially aligning a ferrule of the hardened fiber optic connector50received within the hardened outer port42with the ferrule of a non-hardened fiber optic connector received within the inner port52.

Referring toFIG.4, the hardened fiber optic connector50includes a connector body or plug60supporting a ferrule62which supports an end portion of an optical fiber. A twist-to-lock fastener63such as a threaded fastener or a bayonet-style fastener is mounted on the connector body and is configured to be rotated/turned relative to connector body about a central axis of the fiber optic connector50. The fiber optic connector50can further include a seal66that provides an environmental seal between the hardened fiber optic adapter38and the exterior of the connector body60when the hardened fiber optic connector50is installed within the hardened outer port42.

It will be appreciated that each of the adapter carrying pieces36can be attached over the front openings30in at least two different orientations. For example, each of the adapter carrying pieces36can be attached to the second housing piece26over a corresponding one of the openings30in a first orientation in which the outer ports42of the fiber optic adapters38face in a first direction. Additionally, each of the adapter carrying pieces36can also be attached to the second housing piece26over a corresponding one of the openings30in a second orientation in which the hardened outer ports42face in a direction different from the first direction. In one example, the first and second orientations are rotated 180 degrees relative to one another. In certain examples, first and second directions are 90 degrees apart from one another.

Referring back toFIG.1, the housing22includes first and second opposite ends70,72. The adapter carrying pieces36include the outer faces48that are depicted as being planar. The faces48can be defined by the walls44. The fiber optic adapters38are mounted at the faces48. In certain examples, when the adapter carrying pieces36are mounted to the second housing piece26, the faces48are angled relative to the front of the housing22and/or the back plane of the housing22such that the outer ports42of the hardened fiber optic adapters38face at least partially toward one of the first and second opposite ends70,72. As shown atFIG.1, the faces74are all oriented to face at least partially toward the first end70.

Referring toFIG.1, the first end70defines a plurality of cable pass-through locations76for allowing fiber optic cables to be routed into the interior of the housing22. The cable pass-through locations76preferably include a sealing material such as a sealing gel or other type of sealant for sealing about the cables with respect the housing22. In certain examples, the faces48are oblique relative to the front of the housing22and/or are oblique relative to the back plane of the housing22. In certain examples, the faces48are angled about 45 degrees relative to the front of the housing and/or to the back plane of the housing. In certain examples, the perimeters of the front openings30are oriented along a plane that is parallel to the front of the housing and/or parallel to the back plane of the housing.

It will be appreciated that the ability to mount the adapter carrying pieces36in the different orientations allows the adapter carrying pieces36to be selectively secured to the second housing piece26with the ports42facing at least partially toward the first end70of the housing22or with the ports42facing at least partially toward the second end72of the housing22. Therefore, the ability to mount the adapter carrying pieces36in different orientations on the housing22allows different housing configurations to be constructed from the same base components (i.e., the first and second housing pieces24,26and the adapter carrying pieces36).

In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic adapter carriers36include molded plastic pieces or housings to which the hardened fiber optic adapters38are secured. In certain examples, the first and second housing pieces24,26are separately molded plastic pieces.

FIG.6shows an alternative telecommunications terminal120having the same basic configuration as the telecommunications terminal20except only two hardened fiber optic adapters38are provided per row.FIG.7shows another version of a telecommunications terminal220having adapter carrying pieces36each carrying three hardened fiber optic adapters38. It will also be appreciated that a front221of a housing223of the terminal220defines separate openings corresponding to each of the adapter carrying pieces36. For any example disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that blanks can be used to reduce the number of ports provided on the enclosure.

FIG.8shows further telecommunications terminal320in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The terminal320includes a housing322having a main body defining two front openings each covered by a corresponding adapter carrying piece36′ each including two of the hardened fiber optic adapters38. In the depicted example, the openings and thus the adapter carrying pieces36′ covering the openings are at a front of the housing322. The adapter carrying pieces36′ are each secured to the main body of the housing by a permanent, non-unitary connection. Thus, similar to the previous examples, the adapter carrying pieces36are not unitary/monolithic with the main body of the housing.

Once again blanks can be used to cover selected one of the housing openings if fewer than four ports are desired. Additionally, adapter carrying pieces having hardened fiber optic adapter with different form factors, ports sizes and/or styles can be used to provide different terminal configurations having adapter ports that are compatible with different styles/types of fiber optic connectors.

FIG.9shows a further telecommunications enclosure420in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In the example ofFIG.9, a front cover426defines separate openings which are respectively covered by separate adapter carrying pieces36″. The perimeters of the front openings are aligned along a plane that is oblique relative to the front of the terminal housing and/or oblique relative to the back plane of the terminal housing. The faces48of the adapter carrying pieces36″ are oriented perpendicular relative to the front of the terminal housing and/or the back plane of the terminal housing. Center axes of the hardened fiber optic adapters38are arranged parallel relative to the back plane of the terminal housing. The hardened outer ports42of the hardened fiber optic adapters38are shown facing in the same direction as the cable pass-through openings defined between the base and the front cover of the housing. By mounting the adapter carriers36in the opposite orientation, the outer ports of the fiber optic adapters can be oriented to face forwardly with axes of the fiber optic adapters arranged perpendicular to a rear plane of the terminal.

FIG.10shows telecommunications terminals120in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure arranged in a side-by-side relationship and secured to a mounting structure such as a pole.FIG.11shows telecommunications terminals120in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure mounted in a back-to-back relation and secured to a mounting structure such as a pole.

Example hardened fiber optic adapters and hardened fiber optic connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,196, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Example indexing configurations are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 9,348,096, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG.12shows another telecommunications terminal720in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal720includes a terminal housing722having first and second opposite ends724,726. The first end724defines a plurality of cable pass-through locations728. The cable pass-through locations728are preferably defined at least in part by a sealing material such as a gel or elastomeric material within the terminal housing722. The terminal housing722also includes a front side730and a back side732. Steps734are provided at the front side730. The steps include adapter mounting surfaces736that are angled to face at least partially toward the first end724of the terminal housing722. Hardened fiber optic adapters38are mounted at the adapter mounting surfaces736. The hardened outer ports42of the hardened fiber optic adapters38face at least partially toward the first end724of the terminal housing722. The inner ports52of the hardened fiber optic adapters38are positioned inside the terminal housing722and the hardened outer ports42of the hardened fiber optic adapters38are accessible from outside the terminal housing722. The hardened fiber optic adapters42are attached directly to the terminal housing722.

The terminal720also includes a first fiber optic cable740routed into the terminal housing722through one of the cable pass-through locations728. The first fiber optic cable740is tether cable having a free end741outside the terminal housing722. The free end741includes a hardened fiber optic connector742. The hardened fiber optic connector741is preferably a multi-fiber fiber optic connector, but could also be a single fiber optical connector. The hardened fiber optic connector742can be a male fiber optic connector or a female fiber optic connector. In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic connector742includes a twist-to-lock interface such as a threaded interface or a bayonet-style interface for connecting to a corresponding coupling element of a fiber optic connector or adapter configured to mate with the hardened fiber optic connector742. In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic connector742is sealed by a plug or cap prior to connecting to its mating fiber optic connector. In certain examples, when the hardened fiber optic connector742is connected to a corresponding fiber optic connector, a sealed relationship exists between the two mated fiber optic connectors.

The terminal720further includes a second fiber optic cable744routed into the terminal housing722through one of the cable pass-through locations728. The second fiber optic cable744includes one or more optical fibers that are preferably connected to the fiber optic adapters38, and also includes one or more optical fibers that are connected to the first fiber optic cable740. In certain examples, the first fiber optic cable740has a length less than or equal to one meter. In certain examples, the second fiber optic cable744is substantially longer than the first fiber optic cable740. In certain examples, the second fiber optic cable744is at least ten meters, or at least 25 meters, or at least 50 meters, or at least 100 meters in length.

FIG.13shows an example fiber routing configuration for the telecommunications terminal720. The second fiber optic cable744is shown including twelve optical fibers745. The second fiber optic cable744includes a free end having a multi-fiber fiber optic connector746. The twelve optical fibers745have ends terminated at twelve fiber positions arranged in a row at the multi-fiber fiber optic connectors746. A first one745aof the optical fibers745is dropped off at the terminal housing722and connected to the input side of a passive optical power splitter750. The passive optical power splitter750has outputs that connect to the fiber optic adapters38(e.g., the outputs are terminated by fiber optic connectors that are inserted into the inner ports of the fiber optic adapters38). The remaining eleven optical fibers745are routed to the first fiber optic cable740. Ends of optical fibers 2-12 from the second fiber optic cable744can be positioned at positions 1-11 of the hardened fiber optic connector742. In certain examples, position 1

of the hardened fiber optic connector742can be optically connected to another tether760(seeFIG.12) routed through one of the cable pass-through locations728of the terminal housing722.

FIG.14shows another fiber routing architecture suitable for use with the terminal housing722. In this architecture, the second fiber optic cable744includes sixteen optical fibers. At the terminal housing722, four of the optical fibers are coupled to the adapters38of the terminal housing722. The remaining twelve optical fibers are routed through the first fiber optic cable740and coupled to the hardened fiber optic connector742, or spliced to corresponding fibers of the cable740that are coupled to the fiber optic connector742. In this way, the twelve remaining fibers are coupled to the first fiber optic cable740and the first fiber optic cable740can be used to provide expansion from the terminal720to a subsequent terminal.

FIG.15shows another telecommunications terminal820in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal820includes a terminal housing822. A first multi-fiber fiber optic cable840forms a tether that extends outwardly from the terminal housing822. The tether840preferably has a length less than about one meter. A second fiber optic cable844also extends outwardly from the terminal housing722. The second cable844has a length greater than 10 meters. In certain examples, the fiber optic cables840,844extend through sealed pass-through openings defined through the terminal housing722. In certain examples, the fiber optic cables840,844are both multi-fiber fiber optic cables. In certain examples, each of the fiber optic cables840,844has a free end terminated by a hardened multi-fiber optical connector. In certain examples, the second fiber optic cable844is substantially longer than the first fiber optic cable840.

In certain examples, a plurality of signal transmission paths extending through second fiber optic cable844(e.g., paths defined by one or more optical fibers which may be spliced together or otherwise coupled together) are routed through the first fiber optic cable840and preferably the signal transmission paths are indexed between the positions of a multi-fiber fiber optic connector837of the second fiber optic cable844and a multi-fiber fiber optic connector839of the first fiber optic cable840. As depicted, transmission paths corresponding to positions 2-12 of the multi-fiber connector837are routed through cables844,840and are indexed to positions 1-11 of the multi-fiber connector839. Position 12 of the connector839is connected by an optical transmission path843to a second tether845that projects outwardly from the housing822. In certain examples, the second tether845is less than one meter in length and has a free end847terminated by a hardened fiber optic connector849such as a multi-fiber fiber optic connector or a single-fiber fiber optic connector. As depicted, the second tether845includes a single optical transmission path and is terminated by a single-fiber fiber optic connector. In other examples, the optical optical fiber/transmission path843from the first fiber optic cable840can be split within the terminal housing822by a passive optical power splitter823and the outputs from the passive optical power splitter can be routed through the second tether845to a multi-fiber fiber optical connector at the free end of the second tether. The first optical transmission path863of the second fiber optic cable844is routed to the input side of a passive optical power splitter851(e.g., a 1×2 splitter). Outputs from the passive optical power splitter851are routed to non-hardened fiber optic connectors that are inserted within the inner ports of hardened fiber optic adapters38attached directly to the terminal housing822. In the depicted example, the terminal820includes only 2 fiber optic adapters38attached directly to the terminal housing822.

FIGS.17-20illustrate another example terminal520in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal520includes a housing522defining an interior523. The housing522includes a first side542. The telecommunications enclosure520also includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters538positioned at the first side542of the housing522. The fiber optic adapters538have ruggedized outer ports fixed relative to the first side542of the housing522. The ruggedized outer ports are accessible from outside the housing522at the first side542of the housing522.

In an example, the first side542of the housing522defines a bottom of the terminal520. The housing522also has a top544, a first side546, a second side548, a front541, and a rear543.

The housing522optionally includes ears, tabs, fastener openings or other structure for allowing the housing to be mounted via fasteners to a mounting structure such as a pole, wall or the like. The housing522optionally includes a mechanical interface (e.g., a snap-fit structure; rails, a latch or latches, a catch or catches, a slot or slots; a track or tracks; a receptacle or receptacles; fastener openings, etc.) for attaching a mounting bracket to the housing522, wherein the mounting bracket includes structure for facilitating mounting the housing to a mounting structure such as a pole, wall or the like.

In certain examples, the housing522of the telecommunications enclosure520can include a mechanical coupling interface for attaching another housing of a second telecommunications enclosure (e.g., another terminal520) to the housing522of the first telecommunications enclosure520. In certain examples, the mechanical coupling interface will be provided at the front side541of the housing522of the telecommunications enclosure520. In certain examples, the housing522can include the mechanical coupling interface at its rear side sized and shaped to mate with the mechanical coupling interface at the front side541of another such housing522to allow a plurality of the housings522to be coupled together is a stacked configuration, or to allow a mounting bracket equipped with the mechanical coupling interface to be mounted to the rear side543of the housing522.

The housing522defines an opening530at the bottom542. The opening530is defined by a generally rectangular perimeter532. A mounting channel534is defined within the rectangular perimeter532and preferably extends around the opening530. As depicted, the perimeter532of the opening530is aligned along a plane that is not parallel to a back plane (i.e., a plane aligned along the back544) of the terminal520. In certain examples, the perimeter532is aligned along a plane that is angled relative to the back plane at a non-perpendicular angle. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 30° and about 60° relative to the back plane. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 40° and about 50° relative to the back plane. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 30° and about 50° relative to the back plane. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 40° and about 60° relative to the back plane. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 30° and about 70° relative to the back plane. In certain examples, the plane of the opening530is angled between about 20° and about 60° relative to the back plane. In an example, the opening530is angled about 45° relative to the back plane.

The terminal520further includes an adapter carrying piece536(e.g., adapter mounting piece, adapter module, adapter housing piece, etc.) to which a plurality of hardened fiber optic adapters538are secured. The adapter carrying piece536is attached to the housing522over the opening530by permanent, non-unitary connections (e.g., seeFIG.20). The adapter carrying piece536is separately connected to the housing522by a separate permanent, non-unitary connection. Example permanent, non-unitary connections include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding, laser welding, hot gas welding) and the like. Once the adapter carrying piece536has been attached to the housing522, the adapter carrying piece536is integrated with the housing522and not intended to be removed. In certain examples, the adapter carrying piece536can include a mounting projection or extension540that that coincides generally with the perimeter of the opening530and is configured to fit within the channel534to facilitate aligning the adapter carrying piece536relative to the opening530.

By non-unitary, it is meant that the main body of the housing522is not monolithically formed with the adapter carrying piece536(i.e., the adapter carrying piece is not unitarily molded in a one-piece, seamless construction with the housing522). Instead, the seamed, permanent connections are made between the main body of the housing522and the adapter carrying piece536.

As shown inFIG.17, an example adapter carrying piece536may include an indicia section537at which a label or other indicia can be disposed. In an example, the label or indicia may identify externally-facing ports defined by the fiber optic adapters538.

Further details regarding the housing522can be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/747,810, filed on Oct. 19, 2018, and titled “Telecommunications Terminal with Stub Cable,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIGS.21-24illustrate another example terminal620in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal620includes a housing622defining an interior. The housing622is the same or substantially the same as the terminal housing522ofFIGS.17-20. The housing622defines an opening630(e.g., a bottom opening) defined by a perimeter632(e.g., a generally rectangular perimeter). A mounting channel is defined within the perimeter and preferably extends around the opening630.

The terminal620further includes a re-enterable enclosure636that attaches to the housing622over the opening630by a permanent, non-unitary connection. The re-enterable enclosure636is separately connected to the housing622by a separate permanent, non-unitary connection. Example permanent, non-unitary connections include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding, laser welding, hot gas welding) and the like. Once the re-enterable enclosure636has been attached to the housing622, the re-enterable enclosure636is integrated with the housing622and not intended to be removed. In certain examples, the re-enterable enclosure636can include a mounting projection or extension that that coincides generally with the perimeter of the opening630and is configured to fit within the channel to facilitate aligning the re-enterable enclosure636relative to the opening630.

By non-unitary, it is meant that the main body of the housing622is not monolithically formed with the re-enterable enclosure636(i.e., the re-enterable enclosure is not unitarily molded in a one-piece, seamless construction with the housing622). Instead, the seamed, permanent connections are made between the main body of the housing622and the re-enterable enclosure636.

An example re-enterable enclosure636includes a first housing piece624and a second housing piece626. The first and second housing pieces624,626mate together when in a closed configuration (as shown atFIG.22) to define an interior of the re-enterable enclosure636. The first and second housing pieces624,626are preferably movable relative to one another from the closed configuration to an open configuration to allow the interior of the housing to be accessed. In certain examples, the first and second housing pieces624,626can be connected by a hinge that allows the first and second housing pieces624,626to be pivoted between the closed configuration and the open configuration. In certain examples, the re-enterable enclosure636can include latches628for retaining the re-enterable enclosure636in the closed position. By opening the latches628, the re-enterable enclosure636can be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

In the depicted example, the first housing piece624cooperates with the housing622to define a base of the terminal620and the second housing piece626defines a front and/or top cover of the terminal620. In an example, the base defines the rear of the terminal620, which is adapted to face toward a structure to which the terminal620is intended to be mounted. The cover at least partially defines the front of the terminal620.

In certain examples, a sealing arrangement such as a gasket seal or other type of perimeter seal can be provided between the first and second housing pieces624,626to provide environmental sealing when the re-enterable enclosure636is in the closed configuration. For example, a first seal682(e.g., a rubber gasket, a gel seal, a foam seal, etc.) may extend along at least part of a perimeter of the first and/or second housing piece624,626to seal between the first and second housing pieces624,626. A second seal684(e.g., a gel block, a foam block, a rubber gasket, etc.) extends along a bottom of the re-enterable enclosure636. One or more fibers or fiber cables may extend into the re-enterable enclosure636through the second seal684. In certain examples, the second seal684has a first part held by the first housing piece624and a second part held by the second housing piece626that cooperate to seal around the fibers and/or cables.

Communication components can be disposed within the re-enterable enclosure636. In various examples, optical adapters, optical splices, passive optical splitters, wave division multiplexers and/or demultiplexers, cable management structures, or other such components can be disposed within the re-enterable enclosure636. The seal arrangement of the re-enterable enclosure636protects the communication components from contaminants or environmental influence.

In some implementations, the re-enterable enclosure636includes an adapter carrying arrangement (e.g., adapter mounting arrangement, adapter module, adapter housing arrangement, etc.) to which a plurality of non-hardened fiber optic adapters688are secured. The non-hardened optical adapters688are environmentally protected by being disposed within the adapter carrying arrangement636. The non-hardened optical adapters688may have a latching or snap-fit type mechanical connection interface. The non-hardened outer port of the adapters688do not include a seal or a sealing surface for providing a sealed connection when a non-hardened fiber optic connector is installed within the non-hardened outer port. Rather, the non-hardened fiber optic connectors are routed into and sealed within the adapter carrying arrangement636. Accordingly, the connection between the non-hardened fiber optic connectors and the non-hardened optical adapters688need not be sealed.

FIG.25depicts a telecommunications terminal920in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The telecommunications terminal920includes a housing922defining an interior and an input925. The housing922defines at least one opening, such as a front opening930(seeFIG.27). As depicted inFIG.27, the housing922defines a plurality of front openings930, such as three front openings930. Various components (e.g., adapter carrying arrangements) can be installed at the front openings930of the terminal housing922. Example adapter carrying arrangements include adapter carrying pieces936and telecommunication modules960.

In some implementations, the input925includes an optical adapter having an outer port accessible from an exterior of the housing922and an inner port accessible from an interior of the housing922. In such examples, a connectorized end of an input cable can be routed to the outer port and a connectorized pigtail can extend between the inner port and interior connection interfaces of the various components carried by the housing922. In other implementations, the input925includes a gland or gasket that allows the input cable to extend into the housing922. In such examples, the input cable can be spliced to the various components carried by the housing or otherwise optically coupled using a connection interface. In still other implementations, the input925includes a connectorized stub cable that extends outwardly from the housing922.

In certain implementations, one or more adapter carrying pieces936are mounted to the housing922at the front openings930. Examples of an adapter carrying piece are disclosed herein at reference numbers36,536. It will be appreciated that other adapter carrying pieces having different sizes and styles of fiber optic adapters also could be used to allow different terminals to be manufactured from the same base components of the housing922.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, one or more module holders950can be mounted to the housing922at the front openings930. For example, each module holder950can be installed at a corresponding one of the front openings930. A module, such as a telecommunications module960, may subsequently be installed at the module holder950. The module960may carry one or more optical adapters962(e.g., ruggedized optical adapters). In alternative examples, the module960may include multiple output tethers or output plug connectors carried with the module960instead of or in addition to the adapters962.

Upon installation of the module960, the optical adapters962of the module960are optically coupled to the input925of the terminal housing922. For example, one or more module holders950may be mounted to the housing922at the factory before deployment of the terminal920. The input925is optically coupled to a first connection interface954of the module holder950. At a later time (e.g., after deployment of the terminal920in the field), a module960may be installed at the module holder950to provide connection interfaces at the terminal920. A second connection interface964of the module960engages the first connection interface954of the module holder950.

In certain implementations, blanks can be mounted over one or more of the front openings930instead of the adapter carrying arrangements. It will be appreciated that the blanks can include the same type of connection interface as the adapter carrying pieces936. It will be appreciated that by using blanks, housings having reduced port counts can be manufactured using the same base components of the housing922.

FIG.27depicts an exploded view of the terminal920. As depicted, the housing922defines a plurality of front openings930, such as three front openings930. In the example shown, the terminal housing922has a first opening930receiving an adapter carrying piece936, a second opening930receiving a first module holder950, and a third opening930receiving a second module holder950. A module960is mounted at the second module holder950. The first module holder950is capped with a cover956until another module is to be installed at the module holder950. Alternatively, each terminal920can be configured in the factory to have any desired combination of module holders950, adapter carrying pieces36,536,936, and/or blanks.

In certain implementations, the housing922includes a first housing piece924and a second housing piece926that mate together when in a closed configuration (as shown atFIG.1) to define the interior of the housing922. As shown atFIG.27, the first housing piece924forms the base and the second housing piece926forms a front cover of the housing922that defines the one or more openings930. In certain implementations, the housing922defines a sealed interior. In certain examples, a seal such as a gasket seal or other type of perimeter seal can be provided between the first and second housing pieces924,926to provide environmental sealing when the housing922is in the closed configuration.

In certain implementations, the first and second housing pieces924,926are movable relative to one another from the closed configuration to an open configuration to allow the interior of the housing922to be accessed. In certain examples, the first and second housing pieces924,926can be connected by a hinge that allows the first and second housing pieces924,926to be pivoted between the closed configuration and the open configuration. In some examples, the housing922can include temporary retaining members, such as latches or fasteners, for retaining the housing922in the closed position. In other examples, the housing922can be more permanently secured in the closed position, such as by adhesive or welding.

In the depicted example, the first housing piece924is a base and the second housing piece926is front cover. In certain examples, the first housing piece924defines a back plane adapted to face toward a structure to which the terminal920is intended to be mounted while the second housing piece926define a front of the terminal920. In certain examples, the first housing piece924can include structure928for mounting the terminal920to another structure (e.g., a pole, a wall, within a hand-hole, to a frame, or to other locations.) Example mounting structures928can include openings for receiving fasteners, mounting tabs defining fastener openings, brackets, structures for receiving brackets, strap receivers, and like structures. Suitable example mounting structures928(seeFIG.26) are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 62/807,008, filed Feb. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the module holder950and module960may be configured for a plug-and-play type connection. For example, the module holder950includes a first connection interface954to which an input fiber I within the terminal housing922is optically coupled. In certain examples, the input fiber I is coupled to the first connection interface954in the factory or otherwise prior to deployment of the terminal920in the field. The module960includes a second connection interface964configured to optically couple with the first connection interface954of the module holder950when the module960is received at the module holder950. The second connection interface964also is optically coupled to the optical adapter(s)962carried by the module960(e.g., see pigtail fibers P schematically shown inFIG.34). Accordingly, engaging the module960with the module holder950optically couples the input fiber I within the terminal housing922with the optical adapter(s)962of the module960.

In some implementations, the first and second connection interfaces954,964include single-fiber connection interfaces (e.g., SC plug and adapter, LC plug and adapter, etc.). In other implementations, the first and second connection interfaces954,964include multi-fiber connection interfaces (e.g., MPO plug and adapter). The module960may include an interior optical circuit (e.g., a hydra cable, fibers routed on a flexible substrate, etc.) that connects the multi-fiber connection interface964to multiple single-fiber optical adapters962.

In certain examples, the first and second connection interfaces954,964are designed to mechanically mate with each other. In an example, the first connection interface954includes an optical adapter and the second connection interface962includes an optical plug connector. The optical adapter954has a first port953accessible from within the terminal housing922and a second port955accessible from within the module holder950. A connectorized end C of the input fiber I plugs into the first port953and the optical plug connector962of the module960plugs into the second port955(seeFIG.34). In another example, the first connection interface954includes a female optical connector carried by the holder body952. In other examples, the first connection interface854includes a plug connector carried by the holder body952and the second connection interface includes an optical adapter or female connector. In certain examples, the first connection interface954and/or the second connection interface964may include a stub cable terminated by a plug connector or female optical connector.

In certain implementations, the module holder950includes a body952defining an interior pocket951accessible through an open end of the body952. The first connection interface954is disposed within the pocket951and is accessible through the open end of the body952. For example, when the first connection interface954is an optical adapter, the second port955is accessible from within the pocket951(see e.g.,FIGS.30and31). The body952extends at least partially into the front opening930defined in the housing922when the module holder950is installed at the terminal920. Accordingly, the pocket951extends at least partially into the terminal housing922. In certain examples, the body952has a lip952athat extends around the front opening930. In some examples, the lip952aextends over the front of the housing922when the module holder950is disposed at the front opening930. In other examples, the lip952aextends over the recessed surface defined around the opening930when the module holder950is disposed at the front opening930.

In certain implementations, the body952of the module holder950is secured to the terminal housing922by a separate permanent, non-unitary connection. By non-unitary, it is meant that the terminal housing922is not monolithically formed with the module holder950(i.e., the module holder is not unitarily molded in a one-piece, seamless construction with the housing922). Instead, the seamed, permanent connections are made between the housing922and the module holder950. Example permanent, non-unitary connections include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding, laser welding, hot gas welding) and the like. Further information on suitable permanent, non-unitary connection techniques can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,596 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,152, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Once the module holder950has been attached to the housing922, the module holder950is integrated with the housing922and is not intended to be removed.

In certain implementations, a cover956is mounted over the pocket951of the module holder950when a module960is not received at the module holder950. The cover956extends over the open end of the pocket951to block access to the first connection interface954from an exterior of the terminal housing922. In certain examples, the cover956is sealingly connected to the body952of the module holder950(e.g., to form an environmental seal between the pocket and the exterior of the terminal920). In certain examples, dust caps may be received at the first and second ports953,955of the first connection interface954.

FIGS.32and33illustrate an example module960suitable to be received by the module holder950. The module960includes a body961having a portion963sized and shaped to extend into the pocket951of the module holder950. In the example shown, another portion of the module body961is disposed external of the pocket951. In certain implementations, the module body961carries one or more optical adapters962having outer ports accessible from an exterior of the module960. The outer ports may be ruggedized. In the example shown, the outer ports are disposed external of the pocket951.

In certain implementations, the second connection interface964is carried at a different end of the module body961from the optical adapters962. For example, the second connection interface964faces in a first direction and the outer ports of the optical adapters962face at least partially in an opposite, second direction. A dust cap965may be disposed over the second connection interface964during shipping and removed just prior to installing the module960at the module holder950.

In certain implementations, the connection between the first and second connection interfaces954,964is environmentally sealed. In some implementations, the second port955of the adapter954and the plug964are both ruggedized to form an environmental seal therebetween when the module960is received at the module holder950. In other examples, the second port955of the adapter954and the plug964are not ruggedized. In certain such examples, the module body961seals to the holder body952. For example, one of the module body961and the holder body952may carry a gasket while the other of the module body961and the holder body952defines a sealing surface against which the gasket presses when the module960is installed at the module holder950.

In certain implementations, the module holder950and module960are configured to mechanically engage each other separate from the optical connection interfaces954,964. In certain examples, the module holder950includes a first retention arrangement957and the module960includes a second retention arrangement966that are configured to engage each other to aid in aligning the module960within the module holder950and/or to aid in retaining the module960within the module holder950.

In the example shown, the first retention arrangement957includes retention members disposed within the pocket951to define channels958at interior surfaces of the module holder body952. The second retention arrangement966includes flanges967sized and shaped to fit (e.g., slidingly fit) in the channels958. The retention members also define shoulders959on which the body961of the module960seats (e.g., seeFIG.34). Accordingly, the retention members help space the module960relative to the module holder950so that the first and second connection interfaces954,964engage. In certain examples, the shoulders959assist in supporting the module960. In certain examples, bottoms of the module flanges967seat on the bottom surface of the pocket951to support the module960.