Patent Publication Number: US-2022227083-A1

Title: Telecommunications enclosure system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is being filed on May 18, 2020 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/849,879, filed on May 18, 2019, and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/986,183, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications enclosures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to telecommunications enclosures including hardened fiber optic connector ports. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Telecommunications enclosures, such as multi-service terminals, are commonly used to provide fiber optic connection locations in the field. The telecommunications enclosures often include hardened fiber optic adapter ports adapted for receiving hardened fiber optic connectors. Example telecommunications enclosures including hardened fiber optic adapter ports are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,397,997; 7,120,347; and 7,753,596. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure related to methods, systems and apparatuses that allow for a highly customized telecommunications enclosure product line to be derived from an inventory that can be efficiently managed in a cost effective manner. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a telecommunications enclosure. The telecommunications enclosure includes a terminal housing. The terminal housing includes an opening surrounded by a first bonding interface. The method includes selecting a port unit from a plurality of port units. The port units of the plurality of port units each have an attachment plate including a second bonding interface that is compatible with the first bonding interface. The port units of the plurality of port units include a first port unit including a hardened fiber optic adapter and a second port unit including a cable securement location. The method also includes bonding the second bonding interface of the selected port unit to the first bonding interface. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an inventory system for telecommunications enclosures. The inventory system includes a terminal housing including an opening surrounded by a first bonding interface. The inventory system also includes a plurality of port units. The port units of the plurality of port units each have an attachment plate including a second bonding interface that is compatible with the first bonding interface. The port units of the plurality of port units include a first port unit including a hardened fiber optic adapter and a second port unit including a cable securement location. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications enclosure including a terminal housing. The terminal housing has an opening surrounded by a first bonding interface. The telecommunications enclosure also includes a port unit having an attachment plate including a second bonding interface that is bonded with the first bonding interface such that the attachment plate covers the opening. The port unit includes a cable securement location that projects outwardly from the attachment plate. The telecommunications enclosure also includes a fiber optic cable affixed to the port unit at the securement location. The fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber routed through the port unit into an interior of the terminal housing. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a telecommunications enclosure including a terminal housing having an opening surrounded by a first bonding interface. The telecommunications enclosure also includes a port unit having an attachment plate including a second bonding interface that is bonded with the first bonding interface such that the attachment plate covers the opening. The port unit includes a single hardened fiber optic adapter secured to the attachment plate. The hardened fiber optic adapter includes a hardened connector port that faces away from the terminal housing and a non-hardened connector port that faces toward an interior of the terminal housing. A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings which are incorporated and constitute part of the description, illustrate numerous aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an inventory system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure for manufacturing telecommunications enclosures; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another inventory system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure for manufacturing telecommunications enclosures; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a terminal of the inventory system of  FIG. 1  shown aligned with a corresponding port unit adapted to be bonded to the terminal; 
         FIG. 4  is another view of the port unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the terminal of  FIG. 3  with the port unit bonded to the terminal and with a fiber optic cable fixed to the port unit; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view cut axially through a portion of the port unit and terminal of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7-17  depict a sequence of steps for using the port unit of  FIG. 3  to install a fiber optic cable on the terminal of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure aligned with a corresponding bonding interface of a terminal; 
         FIG. 19  shows the port unit of  FIG. 18  bonded to its corresponding terminal; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the terminal and port unit of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  depicts another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure shown aligned with a bonding interface of a corresponding terminal housing; 
         FIG. 22  shows a further port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure bonded to a corresponding terminal housing; 
         FIG. 23  shows a blank port unit aligned with a bonding interface of a corresponding terminal housing; 
         FIG. 24  shows a further port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure aligned with a bonding interface of a corresponding terminal housing; 
         FIG. 25  shows still another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure aligned with a bonding interface of a corresponding terminal housing; 
         FIG. 26  depicts an example hardened fiber optic connector aligned with a corresponding hardened fiber optic adapter; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view showing the hardened fiber optic adapter of  FIG. 26  mounted to a plate; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view depicting an outer end of another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is another perspective view depicting the outer end of the port unit of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view depicting an inner end of the port unit of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a another perspective view depicting the inner end of the port unit of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an end view of the port unit of  FIGS. 28-31 ; 
         FIG. 33A  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  33 A- 33 A of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 33B  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  33 B- 33 B of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded view of the port unit of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIGS. 35-36  are perspective views of a cable anchoring plug of the port unit of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 37  is an end view of the cable anchoring plug of  FIGS. 35 and 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  depicts another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 39  depicts still another port unit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an inventory system  20  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure for manufacturing telecommunications enclosures. The inventory system  20  preferably includes at least one terminal housing  22 , and a plurality of port units  24   a - 24   h  that are installable on the terminal housing  22 . By selecting different ones of the port units  24   a - 24   h  for installation on the terminal housing  22 , a large number of different telecommunication enclosure configurations can be manufactured. To provide further customization, more than one terminal housing can be provided that is compatible with the port units  24   a - 24   h . For example,  FIG. 1  depicts a second terminal housing  26  having a different drop-port count than the terminal housing  22 . The port units  24   a - 24   h  are installable on either of the terminal housings  22 ,  26 . It will be appreciated that example ports can include cable pass-through ports as well as connector receiving ports. Referring to  FIG. 1 , port units  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   d  are configured to provide cable pass-through ports, while port units  24   e ,  24   f  and  24   g  are configured to provide connector receiving ports. Port unit  24   h  is a blank which is installed at a location where it is not desired to have a port. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the terminal housing  22  is configured to form a terminal of the type often referred to as a drop terminal or a multi-service terminal. The terminal housing  22  includes a base  28  and a cover  30  that mounts to the base  28 . In certain examples, the base  28  and the cover  30  are bonded together and have mating bonding interfaces. The cover  30  includes a main cover body  32  and a plurality of drop port modules  34  bonded to the main cover body  32 . The drop port modules  34  define locations  36  for mounting hardened fiber optic adapters. The locations  36  can include openings at which the hardened fiber optic adapters are mounted. Each of the hardened fiber optic adapters, when mounted to the terminal housing  22 , can provide a hardened outer port adapted for receiving a hardened fiber optic connector and a non-hardened inner port adapted for receiving a non-hardened fiber optic connector. It will be appreciated that the hardened outer ports are accessible outside the terminal housing  22 , while the inner ports face into the interior of the terminal housing  22 . 
       FIG. 26  shows an example hardened fiber optic adapter  38  aligned with a corresponding hardened fiber optic connector  40 . The hardened fiber optic adapter  38  is adapted to mechanically and optically couple together two fiber optic connectors inserted within opposite ports of the hardened fiber optic adapter  38 . The hardened fiber optic adapter  38  includes a hardened outer port  42  adapted for receiving the hardened fiber optic  40  and a non-hardened inner port  44  adapted for receiving a non-hardened fiber connector such as an SC connector. The hardened fiber optic adapter  38  includes an internal fiber alignment structure such as an alignment sleeve  46  for receiving and aligning ferrules corresponding to the fiber optic connectors desired to be coupled together. When the hardened fiber optic connector  40  is secured within the hardened fiber optic adapter  38 , the hardened fiber optic connector  40  and the hardened fiber optic adapter  38  are preferably sealed relative to one another. For example, the hardened fiber optic connector  40  can include a seal  48  that engages a sealing surface  50  within the fiber optic adapter  38  to provide sealing. In other examples, the seal may be provided as part of the fiber optic adapter, and in certain examples sealing may take place at the exterior of the fiber optic adapter. 
     The hardened fiber optic connector  40  is preferably retained within the hardened outer port  42  by a relative robust mechanical fastening arrangement. In certain examples, mechanical fastening arrangement is a turn-to-engage fastening arrangement such as a threaded connection interface, a bayonet-style connection interface or other type of interface that interlocks when twisted together. In the depicted example, the hardened fiber optic connector  40  includes a fastener  52  having exterior threads  54  that thread within corresponding interior threads  56  defined within the hardened outer port  42  of the hardened fiber optic adapter  38 . 
     The hardened fiber optic adapter  38  includes an outer body  60  having exterior threads  62  which can be engaged by a threaded fastener  64 . The exterior threads  62  and the threaded fastener  64  can be used to secure the hardened fiber optic adapter  38  within an opening  65  in a structure such as a terminal housing or a plate as shown at  FIG. 27 . When mounted, the hardened fiber optic adapter  38  extends through the opening  65  and the structure is captured between the threaded fastener  64  threaded on the external thread  62  and an outer flange  66  of the outer body  60 . A seal  68  can be used to provide sealing between the structure and outer body of the hardened fiber adapter  38 . It will be appreciated that the fastening arrangement of  FIG. 27  can be used to secure hardened fiber optic adapters at the locations  36  on the drop port modules  34 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the base terminal housing  26  is preferably configured to include both drop ports and feed ports. In the depicted example, drop ports can be provided at each of the locations  36 . As shown at  FIG. 3 , terminal housing  22  includes a front side  70  and a back side  72 . The terminal housing  22  further includes left and right sides  74 ,  76  that extend between the front and back side  70 ,  72 . Additionally, terminal housing  22  includes a first end  78  and an opposite second end  80 . The first and second ends  78 ,  80  extend between the front and back sides  70 ,  72  and between the left and right sides  74 ,  76 . In the depicted example, a feeder port location  82  is provided at the first end  78 . In use, optical fibers routing into a terminal through a given feeder port location are often optically connected to corresponding drop port locations by optical fiber routed within the terminal. The ports can be optically connected together by direct optic connections or through optical devices such as passive optical power splitters and wavelength division multi-plexers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , feeder port locations  82  are provided at the ends  78  of each of the terminal housings  22 ,  26 . Each feeder port location  82  includes an opening  84  surrounded by a first bonding interface  86 . In one example, the first bonding interface  86  can include an annular groove. Other bonding interfaces can be utilized as well. For example, the feeder port locations  82  can be provided with annular projections such as tongues or other shapes suitable for facilitating adhesively or otherwise bonding two components together. 
     Each of the port units  24   a - 24   h  includes an attachment plate  88  having a second interface  90  that is compatible with the first bonding interface  86 . In the depicted example, the second bonding interface  90  can include an annular tongue that fits within the annular groove of the first bonding interface  86 . In other examples, the second bonding interface  90  can include an annular groove or other type of groove. Furthermore, the interface need not be annular. It can be other shapes such as polygon shaped, oval shaped, racetrack shaped or other shapes. Similarly, while the plates  88  are shown as being circular, they can also be other shapes such as oval, polygonal, racetrack or other shapes. 
     It will be appreciated that by providing a number of different types of port units  24   a - 24   h , and by providing a compatible interface between each of the port units  24   a - 24   h  and the port locations  82  on the terminal housing  22 , it is possible to configure the terminal housing  22  in a large number of different enclosure configurations to meet customer demands by simply selecting the appropriate port units  24   a - 24   h  and bonding the port units  24   a - 24   h  to the port locations  82 . It will be appreciated that bonding between the port units  24   a - 24   h  and the port locations  82  preferably attaches the port units  24   a - 24   h  to the terminal housing  22 , also provides sealing between the port units  24   a - 24   h  and the terminal housing  22 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an inventory system  22   a  which is the same as the inventory system  20  of  FIG. 1  except the depicted system  20   a  includes a terminal housing  22   a  having feeder port locations  82  at both ends  78 ,  80  of the terminal housing  22 . Therefore, the terminal housing  22   a  can be configured in an in-line, pass-through configuration where optical fibers can be passed through the enclosure from one end to the other in an in-line manner. It will be appreciated that the terminal housing  22   a  can also be configured in butt-style configuration by bonding the blank port unit  24   h  over one of the feeder port locations  82 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the port unit  24   b  is shown coaxially aligned with the feeder port location  82  at the first end  78  of the terminal housing  22 . As shown at  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the port unit  24   b  includes the attachment plate  88  which includes an outer side  92  and an inner side  94 . It will be appreciated that the inner side  94  is the side that is adapted to face inwardly toward the terminal housing  22  and the outer side  92  is adapted to face outwardly away from the terminal housing  22 . The second bonding interface  90  is provided at the inner side  94  of the attachment plate  88 . The attachment plate  88  as well as the second bonding interface  90  are both depicted as being circular in shape. In the depicted example, a rotational keying feature is provided between the feeder port location  82  and the attachment plate  88 . In the depicted example, the attachment plate  88  includes a keying notch  96  that receives a corresponding key  98  at the feeder port location  82 . This way, it is insured that the port unit  24   b  is mounted at the appropriate rotational orientation relative to the terminal housing  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the port unit  24   b  includes a cable securement location  100  depicted as a cable anchoring sleeve  102  that projects outwardly from the outer side  92  of the attachment plate. In the depicted example, the cable anchoring sleeve  102  extends along an axis that is perpendicular relative to the outer side  92  of the attachment plate  88 . Thus, the cable anchoring sleeve  102  is perpendicularly oriented relative to the attachment plate  88 . The port unit  24   b  defines a fiber passage  104  that extends through the cable anchoring sleeve  102  and through the attachment plate  88 . In the depicted example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cable securement location  100  further includes an anchoring plug  106  that fits within an outer end of the cable anchoring sleeve  102 . The anchoring plug  106  defines a central passage  108  in communication with the fiber passage  104  and also includes openings  110  (e.g., blind openings) at opposite sides of the central passage  108 . The openings  110  are configured for receiving strength elements (e.g., reinforcing elements made of fiber glass reinforced epoxy, metal or other materials) of the cable securement location  100 . 
     The port unit  24   b  is adapted for providing a cable port at the feeder port location  82 . For example,  FIG. 5  shows the port unit  24   b  anchoring a fiber optic cable  112  at the port location  82  such that one or more optical fibers of the fiber optic cable  112  can be fed into the interior of the terminal housing  22 .  FIG. 6  shows the fiber optic cable  112  anchored to the cable anchoring sleeve  102  by a cable affixing sleeve  114  such as a shape-memory sleeve or an over molded sleeve. In a preferred example, the cable affixing sleeve  114  is a heat shrink sleeve having heat activated adhesive within the sleeve for facilitating bonding the sleeve  114  with respect to an outer surface of the cable anchoring sleeve  102  as well as with respect to an outer surface of a jacket  116  of the fiber optic cable  112 . Specifically, the cable affixing sleeve  114  includes a first portion  114   a  overlapping and bonded to the cable anchoring sleeve  102  and a second portion  114   b  overlapping and bonded to a jacket  116  of the fiber optic cable  112 . An optical fiber  118  is shown routed from the fiber optic cable  112  through the interior of the port unit  24   b  and into an interior of the terminal housing  22 .  FIG. 6  also shows the second bonding interface  90  on the inner side of the attachment plate  88  mated with and bonded to the first bonding interface  86  surrounding the opening  84  at the terminal housing  22 . With the port unit  24   b  mounted at the port location  82 , the opening  84  is covered by the attachment plate  88 . 
       FIGS. 7-17  depict a sequence of steps for securing the fiber-optic cable  112  to the feeder port location  82  at the first end  78  of the terminal housing  22 . As shown at  FIG. 7 , an end of the fiber optic cable  12  is initially processed by stripping off an end portion of the jacket  116  to expose the internal optical fiber  118  as well as strength members  120  of the fiber optic cable  112 . It will be appreciated that the fiber optic cable  112  is a flat cable having a cross-sectional shape with a major dimension and a minor dimension. The strength members  120  are aligned along the major dimension on opposite sides of the optical fiber  118 . As part of the processing operation, after stripping, the strength members  120  can be trimmed such that a desired length projects beyond the cable jacket  116 . 
     Once the fiber optic cable  112  has been processed, the cable affixing sleeve  114  is slid over the cable  114  as shown at  FIG. 8 . Next, the optical fiber  114  is fed through the central passage  108  of the anchoring plug  106  and the strength members  120  are inserted into the openings  110  of the anchoring plug  106  as shown by  FIGS. 9-11 . It will be appreciated that the openings  110  of the anchoring plug  106  function to prevent pistoning of the strength members  120  into the interior of the terminal housing  22  and have blocking surfaces that oppose ends of the strength members. Once the anchoring plug  106  has been mated with the strength members  120 , the optical fiber  118  is passed through the fiber passage  104  of the port unit  24   b  as shown at  FIG. 12  and the anchoring plug  106  is inserted into the outer end of the cable anchoring sleeve  102  as shown in  FIG. 13 . It will be appreciated that keys between the anchoring plug  106  and the cable anchoring sleeve  102  ensure that the anchoring plug  106  is mounted at the proper rotational orientation relative to the cable anchoring sleeve  102 . In one example, it is desirable for the major cross-section dimension of the fiber optic cable  112  to be canted at an oblique angle (e.g., about 45 degrees) relative to the front face and rear face of the terminal housing  22  when the fiber optic cable  112  is attached to the terminal housing  22 . Such canting can help with fiber routing of the flat drop cable particularly in conditions such as when the terminal  22  is mounted within a hand hole. 
     Once the anchoring plug  106  has been inserted within the cable anchoring sleeve  102 , the cable affixing sleeve  114  is slid up over the cable anchoring sleeve as shown at  FIG. 14 , and then is shrunk down on the cable anchoring sleeve  102  and the jacket  116  as shown at  FIG. 15  to secure the fiber optic cable  112  to the port unit  24   b . After the cable  112  has been secured to the port unit  24   b , the optical fiber  118  is routed through the opening  84  at the feeder port location  82  into the interior of the terminal housing  22  as shown at  FIG. 16  and then the first and second bonding interfaces  86  and  90  are bonded together such that the attachment plate  88  is bonded to the terminal housing  22  at a location in which the attachment plate  88  aligns with and covers the opening  84 . Once the port unit  24   b  has been coupled to the terminal housing  22 , the optical fiber  118  can be routed within the interior of the housing  22  and can be optically coupled to the drop terminal ports or any optical components within the enclosure. Thereafter, the base  28  of the terminal housing  22  can be bonded to the cover  30  of the terminal housing  22 . In certain examples, bonding interfaces can be provided between the base  22  and the cover  30  as well as between the drop port modules  34  and the main cover body  32 , such that the same bonding technologies can be used to provide all of the bonding needed to assemble all of the various components of the telecommunications enclosure together.  FIG. 5  shows the base  28  bonded to the cover  30 . 
       FIG. 18  shows the port unit  24   a  aligned with feeder port location  82  of the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   a  is adapted for securing a fiber optic cable to the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   a  has the same basic configuration as the port unit  24   b  except that the port unit  24   a  has a cable anchoring sleeve  102  that is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the outer side  92  of the attachment plate  88 . Because of the oblique angling of the cable anchoring sleeve  102 , the optical fiber  118  of the fiber optic cable  112  will turn through a bend angle as the optical fiber passes through the port unit  24   a . The oblique angling of the anchoring sleeve  102  causes the cable anchoring sleeve  102  to extend at least partially in the same direction that the drop terminal ports face. For example, the cable anchoring sleeve  102  extends at least partially in the forward direction as shown at  FIG. 20 . The oblique angling of the cable anchoring sleeve  102  can assist in cable routing within small areas such as within hand holes. 
       FIG. 21  shows another port unit  24   i  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure that can be mounted at the feeder port location  82 . The port unit  24   i  includes the attachment plate  88  having the second bonding interface  90  which is compatible with the first bonding interface  86  located at the first port location  82 . The port unit  24   i  has a similar configuration to the port units  24   a  and  24   b  except that the port unit  24   i  is adapted for anchoring two separate cable to the feeder port location  82  and therefore includes two cable anchoring sleeves  102 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the port unit  24   c  is adapted for anchoring a flat drop cable to the feeder port location  82 . The port unit  24   c  includes a cable anchoring sleeve  102  having a cross-sectional shape designed to match the shape of a flat drop cable. 
       FIG. 22  depicts the port unit  24   d  bonded to the feeder port location  82  of the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   d  is configured for anchoring a round fiber optic cable to the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   d  includes a cable anchoring sleeve  102  to which the jacket of a round fiber optic cable can be secured with a cable affixing sleeve in the same manner previously described with respect to flat drop cables. The port unit  24   d  includes an insert  200  defining a side pocket  201  for receiving a fiber anchoring insert  202 . In practice, the fiber of the cable is routed through the insert  200  and through the fiber anchoring insert  202  before installing the insert  200  in the interior of the cable anchoring sleeve  102 . An adhesive is applied into the interior of the fiber anchoring insert  202  to lock the fibers axially relative to the insert  200 . The fibers can be passed between adhesive barriers  204  depicted as fingers. Adhesives can be applied within the region  205  between the two sets of barrier fingers  204  to provide anchoring of the optical fibers. Once the optical fibers have been anchored, the insert can be inserted into the interior of the cable anchoring sleeve  102  and a cable affixing sleeve can be slid over the assembly to affix the fiber optic cable to the port unit  24   d.    
       FIG. 23  shows the blank port unit  24   h  aligned with the feeder port location  82 . 
       FIG. 24  shows the port unit  24   g  aligned with the feeder port location  82  of the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   g  includes the attachment plate  88  and also includes one of the hardened fiber adapters  38 . The attachment plate  88  defines an opening  300  for receiving the hardened fiber optic adapter  38  such that the non-hardened inner port  44  is positioned inwardly of the inner side  94  of the attachment plate  88  and the hardened outer port  42  faces outwardly from the outer side  92  of the attachment plate  88 . The fiber optic adapter  38  can be attached to the attachment plate  88  using the threaded fastener  64  in the same manner shown at  FIG. 27 . The port unit  24   g  allows the feeder port location  82  to be configured with a hardened connector port. It will be appreciated that the hardened fiber adapter  38  is depicted as a DLX™ fiber optic adapter which is commercialized by CommScope Incorporated, of Hickory, N.C. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the port unit  24   h  includes another style of fiber optic adapter  400  that can be used to provide a hardened connector port at the feeder port location  82 . It will be appreciated that the fiber optic adapter  400  can be mounted to the attachment plate  88  with a retaining nut in the same manner as depicted with respect to the hardened fiber optic adapter  38 . The fiber optic adapter  400  is an OptiTap style fiber optic adapter commercialized by Corning Cable Systems of Hickory, N.C. 
       FIG. 25  shows the port unit  24   e  aligned with the feeder port location  82  of the terminal housing  22 . The port unit  24   e  includes the same fiber optic adapter  400  as the port unit  24   f . Rather than using a coupling nut to secure the adapter to the attachment plate  88 , the port unit  24   e  includes an internally threaded sleeve  401  at the outer side  92  of the attachment plate  88  for allowing the fiber optic adapter  400  to be mounted to the attachment plate  88  by threading the fiber optic adapter  400  into the internally threaded sleeve. 
     It will be appreciated that the first and second bonding interfaces  86 ,  90 , as well as the bonding interfaces between the housing base and the housing cover and the boding interfaces between the drop port modules and the main body of the housing cover, can be bonded together by any number of different bonding techniques. For example, the interface can be welded together (e.g., friction welded, high-frequency welded, hot gas welded, hot plate welded, solvent welded, laser welded, induction welded, ultrasonically welded, etc.). In certain examples, an intermediate bonding material may be used between the interfaces to bond the interfaces together. Example bonding materials can include adhesive materials such as epoxies. The bonding materials can include thermoset materials and thermoplastic materials. In one example, the bonding interfaces may be bonded together using a strength seal. In certain examples, the strength seal can be disposed within a groove of one of the bonding interfaces adjacent to a tongue of the other of the bonding interfaces. In certain examples, the strength seal can include a thermoplastic bonding material having magnetically active particles to activate the strength seal. To activate the strength seal, an electromagnetic field is introduced to the strength seal. The electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the magnetically active particles, which heats the particles. Heating the particles softens the thermoplastic material and allows the material to bond with the bonding interfaces desired to be coupled together. The bonding interfaces desired to be coupled together preferably compressed together while the strength seal is activated. Upon cooling, the thermoplastic material hardens, thereby bonding the bonding interfaces together. One example embodiment employs EMABOND™ commercially available from Ashland Specialty Chemical Company of Ohio as the thermoplastic material with embedded magnetically active particles. Additional information relating to strength seals can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,596, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-33 , another example port unit  24   j  is depicted that can incorporated as part of inventory systems such as the inventory system  20 . Similar to port units  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , and  24   d , the port unit  24   j  is configured to provide a cable pass-through port. The port unit  24   j  includes an attachment plate  88  that has an outer side  92  and an inner side  94 . A second bonding interface  90  is provided at the inner side  94  of the attachment plate  88  and is compatible with the first bonding interface  86  located at the first port location  82 . It will be appreciated that bonding between the port unit  24   j  and the port location  82  preferably attaches the port unit  24   j  to the terminal housing  22  and also provides sealing between the port unit  24   j  and the terminal housing  22 . It will be appreciated that the inner side  94  is the side that is adapted to face inwardly toward the terminal housing  22  and the outer side  92  is adapted to face outwardly away from the terminal housing  22 . While the attachment plate  88  is shown as being circular, it can also be other shapes such as oval, polygonal, racetrack or other shapes. 
     In the depicted example, the port unit  24   j  includes a key  122  (see  FIGS. 30 and 31 ) that can be received in a corresponding keying notch at the feeder port location  82  to provide a rotational keying feature between the feeder port location  82  and the attachment plate  88 . This way, it is insured that the port unit  24   j  is mounted at the appropriate rotational orientation relative to the terminal housing  22 . 
     The port unit  24   j  includes a cable securement location  124  depicted as a cable anchor sleeve  126  that projects outwardly from the outer side  92  of the attachment plate  88 . In the example depicted, the cable anchor sleeve  126  is integral with (e.g., formed in one seamless piece with) or coupled to, the attachment plate  88 , although alternatives are possible. The attachment plate  88  defines an opening  128  and the cable anchor sleeve  126  defines a passage  130  that extends therethrough from the opening  128  of the attachment plate  88 . The plate  86  and the sleeve  126  form an outer attachment housing  127  with a passage (e.g., defined by opening  128  and passage  130 ) that extends through the attachment housing in an inward-to-outward orientation. 
     The port unit  24   j  further includes an anchoring plug  500  that mounts at an outer end of the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The anchoring plug  500  is adapted to couple with an armored cable thereby rendering the port unit  24   j  suitable or anchoring an armored cable to the feeder port location  82 . The anchoring plug  500  includes an enlarged head  160  (see  FIG. 34 ) and an axial extension  161  (see  FIG. 34 ). The axial extension  161  is depicted as an open-sided channel member  504  having an open side  162  covered by a cover piece  144 . When the anchoring plug  500  is mounted at an outer end (e.g., a distal end  134 ) of the cable anchoring sleeve  126  as shown at  FIGS. 28-33 , the axial extension  161  fits within the cable anchoring sleeve  126  and a shoulder  164  (see  FIG. 33A ) of the enlarged head  160  abuts against the outer end  134  of the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The enlarged head  160  has a truncated conical outer shape having a major diameter  165  adjacent the shoulder  164  and a minor diameter  167  adjacent an outer end of the enlarged head  160 . The enlarged head  160  defines a pocket  168  at the outer end of the enlarged head. The pocket  168  has a transverse cross-sectional shape that matches the outer transverse cross-sectional shape of an armored cable  170  (see  FIG. 33B ) such that a jacketed end  171  of the armored cable  170  can be received and secured within the pocket  168 . In one example, the cable  170  can be adhesively secured in the pocket  168  prior to installation of the anchoring plug  500  in the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The pocket  168  includes an inner shoulder  169  (see  FIGS. 33A and 33B ) adapted to oppose the jacketed end  171  of the cable  170  when the cable  170  is inserted in the pocket  168 . In the depicted example, the pocket  169  and the outer shape of the cable  170  are round. 
     The anchoring plug  500  can be secured to the cable anchor sleeve  126  via a snap interface  132  (e.g., snap fit arrangement). That is, the distal end  134  of the cable anchor sleeve  126  may include flexible latches  136  (see  FIGS. 28 and 34 ) positioned on opposite sides thereof. The latches  136  can have a cantilevered configuration having a base end integral with main body of the sleeve  126  and a free end. The flexible latches  136  can each define a receptacle  138  (e.g., aperture) for receiving respective locking members  140  (e.g., locking tabs, see  FIGS. 35 and 36 ) located on opposite sides of the anchoring plug  500 . The cable anchor sleeve  126  may also include a key  142  to ensure that the anchoring plug  500  is mounted at the proper rotational orientation relative to the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . That is, the key  142  ensures proper rotational alignment between the anchoring plug  500  and the cable anchor sleeve  126  when the anchoring plug  500  is inserted into the cable anchor sleeve  126  through the distal end  134  of the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . 
     A snap fit connection can be achieved when the locking members  140  are captured within respective receptacles  138  of the latches  136  to secure the anchoring plug  500  to the cable anchor sleeve  126 . The latches  136  can flex to accommodate the locking members  40  as the anchoring plug  500  is inserted in the sleeve  126 , and can snap to retaining positions once the locking members  140  enter the receptacles  138 . In other examples, the anchoring plug  500  can be attached to the cable anchor sleeve  126  using alternative or additional attachments structures such as a fastener, adhesive, a crimp, a heat shrink sleeve or other means. 
     Turning to  FIG. 34 , an exploded view of the port unit  24   j  is depicted. The cover member  144  of the anchoring plug  500  defines an injection port  146  for receiving an adhesive, such as epoxy used to lock an optical fiber or fibers  172  (see  FIG. 33B ) of the cable  170  within the channel member  504 . The enlarged head  160  of the anchoring plug  500  defines a central passage  506  in communication with a channel  173  of the channel member  504  such at the optical fibers  172  can be routed though the anchoring plug  500  in an outward-to inward orientation. The central passage  506  also communicates with the pocket  168 . The enlarged head  160  also defines a pair of radial slots  508  at opposite sides of the central passage  506  that are in communication with the central passage  506 . The slots  508  are configured for receiving strength elements  174  (e.g., reinforcing elements made of material such as fiberglass, aramid yarn or other material being string-like in structure) of the cable  170  when the jacketed end of the cable  170  is installed in the pocket  168 . The strength elements  174  can be directed from the cable jacket radially outwardly through the slots  508  to the exterior of the anchoring plug  500  (see  FIG. 33B ). 
     In certain examples, a cable affixing sleeve  175  (see  FIG. 33B ) can be used in the same manner as previously described to secure a jacket  177  of an armored cable  170  to the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . In a preferred example, the cable affixing sleeve  175  is a shape-memory sleeve such as a heat shrink sleeve having adhesive within the sleeve for facilitating bonding the sleeve  175  with respect to an outer surface of the cable anchoring sleeve  126  as well as with respect to an outer surface of a cable jacket  177 . Additionally, the cable affixing sleeve  175  can be used to secure the strength elements  174  to the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The radial slots  508  allow strength elements  174  of the cable  170  to be routed from the cable  170  radially outwardly through the anchoring plug  500  (see  FIG. 33B ). Once at the exterior of the plug  500 , the strength elements  174  are routed along a curve onto the exterior surface of the cable anchoring sleeve  126  and then extend parallel to the axis of the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The strength elements  174  are captured between the cable anchoring sleeve  126  and the affixing sleeve  175  and are anchored to the cable anchoring sleeve  126  by the affixing sleeve  175 . 
     In certain examples, the cover  144  can include opposite side rails  148  that are configured to engage with rail guides  510  disposed on opposing sides of the channel member  504  when the cover  144  is mounted to the channel member  504 . In the example depicted, the cover  144  can slide over channel member  504  to enclose the open side of the channel member  504 . In other examples, the cover  144  may be mounted over the channel member  504  by a snap fit interface, although alternatives are possible. 
     Prior to attaching the cable  170  to the anchoring plug  500 , a portion of the jacket  171  of the cable  170  is stripped away such that the optical fibers  172  and the strength elements  174  extend beyond the jacket end  171  of the cable jacket  177  (see  FIG. 33B ). As best shown at  FIG. 37 , the enlarged head of the anchoring plug  500  defines a fiber insertion slot  512  for laying the extended portions of the optical fibers  172  of the cable laterally/radially into the central passage  506  armored cable adapter  500  and through the channel member  504  when the jacketed end  171  of the cable  170  is inserted into the anchoring plug  500 . After routing of the fibers  172  through the anchoring plug  500 , the cover  144  can be mounted on the channel  504  to capture the fibers in the channel  504 . An adhesive injection location  514  (e.g., an injection port) can be integrated the fiber insertion slot  512 . The injection location  514  can be arranged and configured for assisting in coupling the cable jacket to the anchoring plug  500  via adhesive. That is, adhesive may be injected into the injection point  514  of the anchoring plug  500  into the pocket  168  and the central passage  506  to help secure the cable  170  to the anchoring plug  500  to prevent decoupling during the assembly process. 
     Preferably, the cable is secured to the port unit  24   j  before the port unit  24   j  is secured to the terminal housing  22 . To install the port unit  24   j  to the cable  170 , the cable is first attached to the anchoring plug  500 . For example, the end of the fiber optic cable  170  is processed by stripping to expose length of the optical fibers  172  and the strength elements  174  that extend beyond the jacketed end  171  of the cable  170 . The jacketed end  171  of the cable  170  is then inserted in the end pocket  168  of the anchoring plug  500 . Concurrently, the extended portions of the strength elements  174  are routed radially outwardly from the jacketed end  171  through the slots  508 , and the extended portions of the optical fibers  172  are routed laterally through the fiber slot  512  and laid in the central passage  506  and the channel  504 . As routed, the fibers  172  extend through the anchoring plug  500  in an outward to inward direction. Next, the cable  170  is affixed to the anchoring plug  500  by injecting adhesive through the injection location  512  to bond the jacketed end  171  of the cable  170  within the pocket  168 . The cover piece  144  is then mounted at the open side of the channel member  504  to close the open side of the channel member  504  with the optical fibers  172  extending lengthwise though the closed channel member  504 . Adhesive is then applied through the injection port  146  of the cover  144  into the channel member  504  of the anchoring plug  500  to lock the optical fibers  172  extending axially through the channel member  504  axially relative to the anchoring plug  500 . That is, adhesive can be applied within the channel member  504  between the rail guides  510  to provide anchoring of the optical fibers routed there through. 
     Once the optical fibers  172  have been anchored, the anchoring plug  500  can be inserted into the interior of the cable anchoring sleeve  126  and latched in place by the snap-fit connection. Preferably, the extended portions of the optical fibers  172  that extend beyond the inner end of the anchoring plug  500  (i.e., extend beyond the end of the channel  504 ) are inserted (e.g., threaded) axially through the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . Subsequently, the sleeve  175  is slid from the cable over the enlarged head of the anchoring plug  500  and over the sleeve  126  thereby capturing the strength elements  174  between the two sleeves  175 ,  126 . The sleeve  175  is then shrunk down and adhesively bonded in place to secure and seal the cable relative to the port unit  24   j . The strength elements  174  of the cable  170  are bonded between the outer side of the sleeve  126  and the affixing sleeve  175 . The cable anchoring sleeve  126  includes outer circumferential ribs  179  for enhancing retention of the affixing sleeve  175  on the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . 
     After the cable  170  has been secured to the port unit  24   j  as described above, the port unit  24   j  can be secured to a terminal housing such as the terminal housing  22  in the same way described previously. For example, the optical fiber  172  protruding from the inner end of the port unit  24   j  can be routed through the opening  84  at the feeder port location  82  into the interior of the terminal housing  22  and then the first and second bonding interfaces  86  and  90  can be bonded together such that the attachment plate  88  is bonded to the terminal housing  22  at a location in which the attachment plate  88  aligns with and covers the opening  84 . Once the port unit  24   j  has been coupled to the terminal housing  22 , the optical fibers within the interior of the terminal housing  22  and can be routed within the housing and optically coupled to the drop terminal ports or any other optical components within the enclosure. 
       FIG. 38  shows another port unit  24   k  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure that can be mounted at the feeder port location  82  and can be part of the inventory system  20 . The port unit  24   k  includes the attachment housing  127  having the cable anchoring sleeve  126  and the attachment plate  88 . The attachment plate  88  has the second bonding interface which is compatible with the first bonding interface  86  located at the first port location  82 . The port unit  24   k  has a similar configuration to the port unit  24   j  except that the port unit  24   k  includes an anchoring plug  500   a  defining a round pocket  168   a  with a diameter smaller than the diameter of pocket  168  of the anchoring plug  500  of the port unit  24   j . The anchoring plug  500   a  is adapted for securing a cable having a smaller diameter than the cable  170  to the cable anchoring sleeve  126  of the attachment housing  127  formed by the sleeve  126  and the plate  88 . Thus, the attachment housing  127  can be used for different cable types, with the different anchoring plugs functioning as cable adapters. 
       FIG. 39  shows another port unit  24   l  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure that can be mounted at the feeder port location  82 . The port unit  24   l  includes the attachment housing  127  having the attachment plate  88  and the cable anchoring sleeve  126 . The plate  88  includes the second bonding interface which is compatible with the first bonding interface  86  located at the first port location  82 . The port unit  24   l  has a similar configuration to the port unit  24   j  except that the port unit  24   l  includes an anchoring plug  500   b  defining a pocket  168   b  with an elongate transverse cross-sectional profile (e.g., obround, racetrack shaped) suitable for receiving the jacketed end of a flat cable. The anchoring plug  500   b  is thus adapted for securing a flat cable to the cable anchoring sleeve  126  of the attachment housing formed by the sleeve  126  and the plate  88 . Thus, the attachment housing can be used for different cable types, with the different anchoring plugs functioning as cable adapters. 
     The anchoring plug  500   b  does not include the radial slots  508 , but instead can include internal blind openings for receiving fiber-reinforced polymer strength rods of the flat cable. Alternatively, the elongate cross-sectional profile of the pocket can extend as a passage through the plug  500   b  for receiving the fibers of the optical fibers, the jacketed end of the cable and the strength rod. In certain examples, the jacketed end of the cable and the strength rods can be adhesively bonded within the passage of the plug  500   b  by injecting adhesive through the injection location  512 . 
     From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.