Patent Publication Number: US-2023161114-A1

Title: Protective Cap for an Optical Fiber Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/402,120 filed Aug. 13, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/751,942 filed Jan. 24, 2020, and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/802,782, filed on Feb. 8, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a protective cap for an optical fiber connector, and more specifically to a protective cap having a built-in attachment for a pull cord for pulling the optical fiber connector through a conduit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of fiber optics for communications purposes continues to grow. 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. Each connection or coupling requires a connector and adaptor to align the fibers such that the light can transmit without interruption. 
     Optical fiber is therefore often provided in a range of different lengths, pre-terminated at both ends with a connector plug ready to plug into a matching receptacle. In many installations, optical fiber cables are routed through a protective conduit, that not only protects the cable, but also allows for rapid restoration methods when the conduit, fiber optic cable, or both are cut or damaged and replacement is necessary. Since pre-installed connectors are of an industry standard footprint, the full-assembled connectors may be too large to be pushed or pulled through microduct because of size constraints, as some microducts may have internal diameters of only about 6 mm, essentially large enough for the cables to fit through, but not a fully assembled connector. 
     It has therefore become desirable to provide partially assembled connectors, pre-assembled with requisite tolerances, that may be able to be pushed or pulled through a conduit. Any additional final assembly of the connector components may then be performed on site once the objective of delivering the fiber through a length of microduct has been achieved. There remains a need for pre-assembled cables and cable connectors that have a smaller footprint, allowing for the pre-assembled cables to be inserted through minimal diameter conduit to thereby minimize the intrusion of placing the pathway or conduit for the fiber optic network, while also minimizing on-site assembly time and costs. 
     Recently, pre-terminated fiber optic cables have been developed with small footprints to enable pushing or pulling through the conduit. However, there remains a need to enhance the ability to facilitate the pushing or pulling of the cable without causing damage to the connector or the conduit. The present disclosure is directed to addressing this need and other issues of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures: 
     In an embodiment, a protective cap for a fiber optic cable includes a body of the protective cap including an exterior surface, a receptacle formed in the body and configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic cable, a cavity formed in a tip of the body, and at least two openings formed in the exterior surface of the body and connected to the cavity. 
     In another embodiment, a terminal end assembly for an optical fiber cable includes a ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable, a ferrule holder having a first end for receiving the optical fiber therethrough, and a second end opposite the first end for receiving and retaining the ferrule therein, a connector body having a first end configured for receiving and retaining a terminal end of a fiber optic cable therein, and a second end configured for slidably receiving the ferrule holder therein, a biasing member disposed within the connector body for biasing the ferrule holder axially away from the connector body, and a ferrule retainer for retaining the ferrule holder within the second end of the connector body, the retainer comprising a tubular body for being disposed around the ferrule and ferrule holder. The terminal end assembly further includes a protective cap for being disposed around the ferrule and in engagement with the ferrule retainer. The protective cap includes a receptacle for receiving the ferrule therein and a leading tip opposite the first end and an attachment feature. The attachment feature includes a cavity formed in the leading tip and at least two openings formed in an exterior surface of the protective cap and connected to the cavity such that a pull cord may enter one of the openings and exit another of the openings to attach to the protective cap. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1 A  depicts a fiber optic cable and connector assembly according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  1 B  depicts an exploded view of the fiber optic cable and connector assembly of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  further illustrates an optical fiber that may be used in conjunction with the fiber optic cable and connector assembly of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  depicts a pre-terminated fiber optic cable according to an embodiment 
         FIG.  2 B  depicts an exploded view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable of  FIG.  2 A ;. 
         FIG.  2 C  depicts a side view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable of  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 D  depicts a cross-sectional view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable, taken along line A-A of  FIG.  2 C ; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a top perspective view of a protective cap for a fiber optic cable, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a bottom perspective view of the protective cap of  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  3 C  is a side view of the protective cap of  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  3 D  is a cross-sectional view of the protective cap, taken along line B-B of  FIG.  3 C ; 
         FIG.  3 E  is a front view of the protective cap of  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  3 F  is cross-sectional view of the protective cap, taken along line C-C of  FIG.  3 C ; 
         FIG.  3 G  is a rear view of the protective cap of  FIG.  3 A ; and 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable of  FIG.  2 A , including the protective cap of  FIG.  3 A , together with a pull cord, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes a protective cap for a fiber optic cable. The protective cap includes an attachment feature for attachment to a pull cord. The attachment feature may include an hollowed cavity in a tip of the protective cap having at least two distinct openings such that the pull cord may be inserted into one of the openings and exit a separate opening in order to be secured to the protective cap. The attachment feature is built-in to the cap to avoid adding any additional material or components to the fiber optic cable that may add size to the cable and hinder its ability to be pushed or pulled through a conduit. The attachment feature may enable the attachment of a pull cord while maintaining a small footprint for the protective cap and convenient shape for traversing the interior of a conduit or other small space. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  depict perspective views of a fiber optic assembly  10  in an assembled view ( FIG.  1 A ) and an exploded component view ( FIG.  1 B ). While the depicted fiber optic assembly  10  is of an SC type connector, any description and drawings presented herein are also applicable to other types of fiber optic connectors, such as, for example, MPO, MT-RJ, APC (Angled Polished Connector), SC APC, FC, FC APC, ST, LC, LC APC, dual or simplex, with multi-mode or single-mode fibers. 
     In an embodiment as depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the fiber optic assembly  10  may include an optical fiber cable  12 , a ferrule-housing  14 , and an outer housing  16  to provide a push/pull engagement and disengagement with a mating optical fiber socket (not shown). As represented in  FIG.  1 C , the cable  12  may include an optical fiber  18 , with a protective layer  20 , and an outer sheath  22 . In an embodiment of a single strand SC connector, the optical fiber  18  may have a diameter of about 125 μm, the protective layer  20  may have a diameter of about 900 μm, and the outer sheath  22  may have a diameter of about 3 mm to about 5 mm. 
     The optical fiber  18  may terminate in a ferrule  24  retained with the cable  12  by means of a connector body  26 . The connector body  26  provides a back post for the connector assembly. In an embodiment, the ferrule  24  may be a cylindrical ceramic ferrule. A protective cap  28  may be provided to protect the ferrule  24  and terminal end of the optical fiber  18  prior to a final installation or connection with a mating wire or device (not shown). The combination of at least the cable  12 , ferrule  24 , and connector body  26  may form a pre-terminated cable end  30 . 
     The ferrule housing  14  may be placed onto the pre-terminated cable end  30 . The external surface of the connector body  26  may include T-shaped alignment and engagement depressions  54  that provide an engagement surface to engage with internal configurations of the ferrule housing  14 . 
     The outer housing  16  may be installed by sliding the housing  16  over the installed ferrule housing  14 . In an embodiment, the outer housing  16  may fit over the ferrule housing  14  in any orientation. In another embodiment, the outer housing  16  and ferrule housing  14  may include alignment features that only allows the outer housing  16  to be inserted onto the ferrule housing  14  in only one orientation. The outer housing  16  and ferrule housing  14  may be configured to interlock with one another to retain the parts together once assembled. 
     As discussed previously, because of the required mechanical tolerances in the terminal end of a cable  12 , costs may be reduced with an increase in quality by providing pre-terminated lengths of cable, pre-terminated at both ends with a connector plug ready to plug into a matching receptacle. In an embodiment, wherein there were no size restrictions (for example, in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing  16 ), a pre-terminated cable may be represented by the configuration as depicted in  FIG.  1 A , with the outer housing  16  attached to the cable  12  and the cable ends ready for connection to a coupling arrangement. 
     However, as mentioned previously, it is often desirable to feed the cable  12  through small diameter conduit, for example less than about 10 mm ID, to guide the cable to a destination, and provide protection for an installed cable. The conduit may be bend-limiting to limit the radius of curvature through which the conduit may be bent. Therefore, it is desirable to provide pre-terminated cables that have minimal cross-sectional dimension, or diameter, that allows the cable to be inserted through a bent conduit. A pre-terminated cable may therefore be represented by the configuration as depicted in  FIG.  2 A , wherein the cable  12  is fitted with at least the ferrule  24  that provides the terminal end of the optical fiber  18 . In addition, to protect the ferrule  24  and terminal end of the optical fiber  18 , it may also be desirable to provide the pre-terminated cable ends with the protective cap  28 . 
     An embodiment of a pre-terminated cable end  30  with a protective cap  28  installed is represented in  FIG.  2 A , while  FIG.  2 B  provides an exploded view of the parts. The ferrule  24  may be fitted into a ferrule holder  32 . In  FIG.  2 B , the cable  12  is truncated for clarity, but the end of the cable would be similar to the depiction of  FIG.  1 C , with the optical fiber  18  extending through the body of the ferrule  24  to the terminal end of the ferrule  24 , and the protective layer  20  terminating at approximately the other end of the ferrule  24  within the ferrule holder  32 . A biasing member  34 , such as a spring may be included to provide a biasing force for pressing the ferrule  24  into engagement with an end of another fiber optic device, such as another ferrule. In an embodiment, post  32   a  of the holder  32  may be crimped about the protective layer  20  to better retain the fiber in the ferrule  24 . 
     A ferrule retainer  36  may be included to retain the ferrule holder  32  and biasing member  34  within the connector body  26 . The retainer  36  may fit over the end  26 A of the connector body  26  and may itself be retained on the end  26 A by a friction fit. Because of the biasing force of the biasing member  34  pressing the ferrule holder  32  outwardly from the connector body  26 , the friction fit will need to be sufficiently tight to hold the retainer  36  on the end  26 A. This may be achieved by making the internal diameter of the retainer  36  slightly less than the external diameter of the end  26 A. Alternatively, a variety of other types of retention configurations, or combinations of retention configurations may be provided. For example, a permanent connection may be provided with adhesive between the end  26 A and the retainer  36 , or, while not shown, one of the end  26 A or retainer  36  may include a circumferential groove, and the other of the end or retainer may include a circumferential projection which fits into the groove to provide an additional interlocking force to hold the retainer in place. 
     In an embodiment, a method for assembling a pre-terminated cable end  30  may include removing appropriate lengths of the cable outer sheath  22  and cable protective layer  20  to provide an exposed optical fiber  18  as represented in  FIG.  1 C . The connector body  26  may then be inserted onto the cable  12  until the end of the cable outer sheath  22  abuts the projections  38  within the connector body. The ferrule  24  may be inserted into a ferrule holder  32 , and together with the biasing member  34  the ferrule assembly may be positioned onto the end of the optical fiber  18  and cable protective layer  20 . The ferrule retainer may be installed to retain the ferrule assembly within the connector body  26 . The connector body  26  may be crimped onto the cable  12  to fasten the connector body in place. The ferrule tip may be finished (polished), and the protective cap  28  installed. 
     In an embodiment, the protective cap  28 , the ferrule retainer  36  and at least a portion of the connector body  26  may be configured to completely surround and enclose the ferrule  24 , ferrule holder  32 , and biasing member  34 , to thereby provide protection for the ferrule, ferrule holder, and spring. By completely surrounding and enclosing the ferrule  24 , ferrule holder  32 , and biasing member  34 , any foreign contaminants, such as particles, may be prevented from entering the internal cavity and interfering with movement of the ferrule holder  32 . The protective cap  28 , the ferrule retainer  36  and at least a portion of the connector body  26  may provide a protective, rigid encasement, or capsule, with a cavity formed therein for receipt of the ferrule  24 , ferrule holder  32 , and biasing member  34 . 
       FIGS.  2 C and  2 D  provide a side view and cross-sectional view of the pre-terminated cable end  30 .  FIG.  2 C  includes cable  12  and protective cap  28 . As shown in  FIG.  2 D , within the connector body  26  there may be a plurality of projections  38  that project into the internal cavity  40 , (for example a minimum of three spaced at about 120° or four space at about 90°) or alternatively an inwardly projecting ring that extends the full 360° around the inside of the internal cavity  40 . The projection  38  may serve two purposes, providing a stop for the insertion of the cable, wherein the cable outer sheath  22  may abut the projection  38  on the one side, and the other side of the projection  38  may provide a shoulder for the biasing member  34 . In the depicted embodiment, biasing member  34  may therefore be disposed within the cavity  40 , with one end of the biasing member  34  abutting the projection  38 , and the other end of the biasing member  34  abutting the ferrule holder  32 , so that upon assembly, the biasing member  34  becomes compressed between the shoulder projection  38  and the ferrule holder  32  to apply a bias to the ferrule holder  32  when assembled. As described above, the ferrule retainer  36 , may then hold the biasing member  34  and ferrule holder  32  in the connector body  26 . 
     Upon insertion of a cable  12  into the internal cavity  40 , end  26 B of the connector body  26  may be crimped onto the cable  12 . Instead of crimping, other types of engagement configurations may be used. For a more permanent connection, an adhesive may be used to retain the cable  12  within the connector body  26 . Alternatively, a plurality of teeth may be provided on the internal surface within the cavity  40 , wherein the teeth may have a longitudinally extending surface that reduces the internal diameter of the cavity in the insertion direction, thereby allowing the cable to be forcibly inserted into the cavity, whereby a trailing edge of the teeth will then engage into the outer surface of the cable outer sheath  22  and hold the cable in place within the cavity  40 . 
     In an embodiment, it may be desirable for the pre-terminated cable end  30  to include alignment and anti-rotation features. As shown in  FIG.  2 B , end  26 A of the connector body  26  may include at least one arm extension  42  that fits between a pair of guide arms  44  of the ferrule holder  32 . The guide arms  44  may define a channel  44   a  therebetween into which the arm extension  42  may be slidingly disposed. Interaction of the arm extensions  42  and guide arms  44  may allow for longitudinal sliding movement of the ferrule holder  32  within the internal cavity  40  while preventing any rotational movement. This type of guided movement may be used, for example, for ferrules that may have an angled tip (not shown), so that the tip surfaces of two tip-to-tip aligned ferrules may remain properly aligned and in full surface to surface contact. 
     While at least one arm extension  42  and pair of guide arms  44  may be sufficient to inhibit rotation, additional ones of the arms may be provided as shown in  FIG.  2 B , wherein two oppositely disposed arm extensions  42  extend from the end  26 A (at about 180° from one another), and the ferrule holder  32  includes four guide arms  44  disposed at about 90°, with guide channels  44   a  disposed between each pair of adjacent guide arms  44 . In the depicted embodiment, the ferrule holder  32  may be disposed at any of four rotational positions with respect to the end  26 A. Other type of anti-rotational configurations, or combinations of anti-rotational configurations may also be provided. For example, the interior surface of the end  26 A may include alignment grooves, and the external surface of the ferrule holder  32  may include projections corresponding to the grooves. 
     The protective cap  28  may include a receptacle  45  configured to receive the ferrule  24 . The ferrule retainer  36  may include alignment notches  46  that are configured to receive corresponding projections  48  of the protective cap  28  to prevent the protective cap from spinning on the ferrule  24 . In an embodiment, the protective cap  28  may also be configured without such projections  48 , thereby allowing for the cap to spin about the ferrule  24 . The alignment notches  46  may also align with channels  44   a , and in an embodiment, the notches  46  may be aligned with channels  44   a  that do not have the arm extensions  42  disposed therein. The projections  48  may have a thickness dimension that allows the projections to not only align with the notches  46 , but also thereby align with and extend into the channels  44   a . The protective cap  28  may fit sufficiently snugly around the ferrule  24  so that the cap may be retained on the ferrule by friction. Any of a variety of other types of alignment and retention configurations, or combinations thereof, such as those already discussed previously may also be used. As an additional example, the circumferential edges of the projections  48  (in  FIG.  2 C —the edges facing up and down) may fit tightly within the circumferential edges of the notches  46  to frictionally retain the protective cap  28  with the retainer  36 , or the same edges may have projections/corresponding recesses that may snap together to hold the cap in place. 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 G  further illustrate the protective cap  28 , according to an embodiment. As shown, a leading tip  49  of the protective cap  28  is formed on a side opposite the receptacle  45 . The leading tip  49  may be shaped to facilitate movement of the cable  12  with pre-terminated end  30  through a conduit (not shown). As an example, tip  49  may have a rounded, ballistic configuration. In an embodiment, the protective cap  28  may be formed of a low friction material, such as PTFE, to facilitate movement of the protective cap  28  along the inside of a conduit. The rounded leading tip  49  may allow for easier passage through a tight radius during installation, such as when the cable  12  is being pushed or pulled through a duct/conduit that is bent and includes a tight radius. A component such as a drill may be used, in a number of embodiments, to push assembly  10  through a conduit or duct. For example, a household cordless drill may be fitted with a feed device that is configured to feed the cable  12  forward upon rotary motion of the drill. Installation may then be done with relatively inexpensive tools. 
     The protective cap  28  may include a gripping feature for ease of gripping and removing the cap from the ferrule  24 . For example, the protective cap  28  may include a flat surface  50  with a raised edge  52  that provides an engagement surface for gripping and pulling the cap off of the ferrule  24 . For example, a user&#39;s thumb may be placed on the flat surface  50  to engage the edge  52  to pull the protective cap  28  from the ferrule  24 . 
     The protective cap  28  further includes an attachment feature  56 . The attachment feature  56  is configured to attach the protective cap  28  to a pull cord (shown in  FIG.  4   ) such that the cable  12  may be pulled through a conduit or other space. The attachment feature  56  is preferably integrally formed with the protective cap  28  such that the attachment feature does not increase the size of the protective cap  28 . For example, the attachment feature  56  may be built into the protective cap  28  such that a pull cord can be easily tied to the protective cap  28 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment feature  56  includes a cavity  58  formed in the leading tip  49  of the protective cap  28 . The cavity  58  is a hollow space in the leading tip  49 . The attachment feature  56  further includes at least two distinct openings into the cavity  58 . For example, in an embodiment, the protective cap  28  includes an axial opening  60  and a pair of peripheral openings  62 ,  64 . The openings  60 ,  62 ,  64  are separate from each other such that each opening  60 ,  62 ,  64  acts as a distinct entrance and/or exit into the cavity  58 , connecting the cavity  58  to an exterior area outside of the protective cap  28 . The attachment feature  56  thus allows a pull cord to enter the cavity  58  through one of the openings, exit the cavity  58  through another one of the openings, become tied and thus secured to the protective cap  28 . 
     The protective cap  28  may include a body  66  having an exterior surface  67 . The openings  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be formed as holes in the exterior surface  67  and lead to the cavity  58 . The body  66  of the protective cap  28  may thus define the openings  60 ,  62 ,  64  and the cavity  58  through its shape. The body  66  may be shaped to accommodate attachment of a pull cord more easily. For example, the openings  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be elongated (rather than circular) to provide at least one large dimension through which the pull cord may extend. Further, the openings  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be aligned with each other. For example, the peripheral openings  62 ,  64  may mirror each other on opposite sides of the body  66  of the protective cap  28 . Moreover, the axial opening  60  may be positioned at a leading point of the tip  49  and be elongated in the same plane as the peripheral openings  62 ,  64 . In this way, a pull cord inserted into the axial opening  60  may already be aligned with both of the peripheral openings  62 ,  64 . The axial opening  60  may be oval or oblong to provide a large entrance for a pull cord while not diminishing the ballistic shape of the tip  49 . The peripheral openings  62 ,  64  may be generally rectangular. Moreover, the elongated shapes renders the cavity  58  as an rectangular slot that does not compromise the rigidity or integrity of the protective cap  28 . 
     The body  66  may further include a shape inside of the cavity  58  that further eases attachment of a pull cord. For example, the body  66  may include a guide element  68  configured to guide a pull cord that has been inserted into the axial opening  60  out of one of the peripheral openings  62 ,  64 . The guide element  68  may include a pair of angled surfaces  70  that lead from a rounded or pointed tip  72  to a respective one of the peripheral openings  62 ,  64 , as shown in  FIG.  3 D . The surfaces  70  may are preferably angled with respect to an axis of the protective cap  28 , which may be generally cylindrical at a peripheral outside surface. The surfaces  70  may be formed in the same plane and extend at an acute angle with respect to each other. The surfaces  70  may be symmetrical. The surfaces  70  and tip  72  may be formed as a part of a portion  74  of the body  66  that closes off the receptacle  45  such that the ferrule  24  is not exposed to the cavity  58 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the pre-terminated cable end  30 , including the protective cap  28 , secured to a pull cord  100 . The pull cord  100  may be a semi-rigid wire, soft or flexible thread, rope, fabric, or any other length of material capable of traversing into and out of the cavity  58  in the protective cap  28 . In an exemplary method, a free end  102  of the pull cord  100  is inserted into the axial opening  60  and is guided out of the peripheral opening  62  by the surface  70 . The free end  102  may then be tied, looped, or otherwise connected back to the pull cord  100  in order to create a knot that secures the pull cord  100  to the protective cap  28 . 
     The pre-terminated cable end  30  and connected pull cord  100  enable the cable  12  to be pulled through a conduit. The connection of the pull cord  100  at the leading tip  49  of the protective cap  28  places the attachment point at the leading point of the cable  12  and thereby allows the pull cord  100  to more easily direct the cable  12  through a conduit by ensuring that an axis of the pull cord  100  is generally aligned with an extent of the cable  12  (as opposed to a more tangential connection). The protective cap  28  thus serves multiple useful purposes, including protecting the ferrule  24  and optical fiber  18  in a pre-terminated condition and easing the connection of the pull cord  100  for pulling the cable  12  through a conduit. The configuration of the attachment feature  56  further eases the process through its integrally-formed configuration that does not add any material to the protective cap that may make it more difficult to pull the combined assembly through the conduit. 
     Some examples of fiber optic cables consistent with disclosed embodiments may have a diameter of about 3 mm for a 1-12 fiber cable, or about 4 mm for a 24 fiber cable. Unterminated cables of such diameters may readily pass through a duct/conduit that may be, for example, a 10/6 duct (10 mm OD and 6 mm ID). A conduit may be used in situations wherein the cable must be fed over a distance, wherein obstacles may be present that would interfere with placement, or where an extra layer of protection may be needed for the cable. A relatively inexpensive conduit tube may be forced through an area without consideration of damage to the conduit end, in contrast to the use of forcibly feeding a fiber optic cable directly, wherein the end configuration of the cable may be the most expensive section of the cable and would be costly to replace if damaged. A conduit may be used for an entire length of a cable run, or over only portions of the length in areas where such may be needed, to get a cable to a location for a cable connection, that may include, for example, connection to another terminated fiber of same sized ferrule through an adapter, in a junction box, or a receiving device. Once a pre-terminated cable end  30  is at its final destination, the remaining components for providing the connector assembly  10  of  FIG.  1 A , that is, the ferrule housing  14  and the outer housing  16  may be installed in a manner as indicated in  FIG.  1 B . 
     As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  2 C , a pre-terminated cable end  30  may be configured to have a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the fiber optic cable  12 . In an embodiment, and as examples only, wherein the fiber optic cable may be about 3 mm in diameter, the total diameter of the pre-terminated cable end may be about 4 mm, or, if the diameter of the cable may be about 4 mm, the diameter of the pre-terminated cable end may be about 5 mm. Installation and placement of such a cable may then be done, if needed, through a 6 mm conduit that is only slightly larger than the cable end. 
     This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. 
     In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein. 
     The present disclosure is not to be 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. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” 
     The terms “front,” “side,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “back,” and associated directions (e.g., forward, rearward) are not limiting as to the absolute position of any associated element but help to define relative positions of at least some components, as well as directions of travel. It should be understood that disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular position or direction based on these terms. 
     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. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. 
     As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. 
     Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiment