Patent Publication Number: US-11662536-B2

Title: Enclosure with restricted access region

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/601,030, filed Oct. 14, 2019, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/746,168, filed Oct. 16, 2018 and claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/746,831 filed Oct. 17, 2018, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fiber optic communication networks are continuously expanding as service providers strive to deliver higher bandwidth communication capabilities to customer. A typical fiber optic communication system includes a network of fiber optic cables suitable for transmitting larger volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. The fiber optic communication systems frequently include components such as enclosures that may house telecommunications equipment such as passive power splitters, wave length division multiplexers, splice trays, fiber optic adapters for interconnecting fiber optic connectors, patch panels, interconnect panels or other components. There is a need for systems, methods and devices for cost effectively expanding fiber optic networks. 
     Improvements are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to an enclosure including a housing defining an interior accessible through an access opening; and a cover arrangement removably disposed within the interior of the housing. The cover arrangement separates the interior into a restricted access region and an unrestricted access region. The cover arrangement extends over the restricted access region to block access to any components within the restricted access region from the access opening. 
     In certain implementations, the restricted region has a first entrance and a separate second entrance that is different from the first entrance. For example, the first entrance may be through an optical adapter and the second entrance may be through an opening at least partially defined by the cover arrangement. 
     In certain implementations, the cover arrangement extends less than fully across a width of the housing and less than fully across a height of the housing. In certain implementations, the restricted access region extends less than fully across a width of the housing and less than fully across a height of the housing. 
     In certain implementations, the interior defines a splice region within the restricted access region. In certain implementations, the interior defines a fiber storage region within the restricted access region. In certain implementations, the interior defines part of a termination region within the restricted access region. 
     In certain examples, a splice region and a fiber storage region are disposed within the restricted access region. In certain examples, a splice region, a fiber storage region, and part of a termination region are disposed within the restricted access region. 
     A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first example enclosure having a restricted access region within the interior; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the enclosure of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG.  1    with a door removed to expose a cover arrangement limiting access to a restricted access region; 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational view of the enclosure of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    shows the enclosure of  FIG.  4    with the cover arrangement removed so that the restricted access region is visible; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a housing of the enclosure of  FIG.  1    with a termination panel arrangement, fiber storage arrangement, splice tray panel arrangement, and cable port arrangements exploded outwardly; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG.  5    showing pigtail fibers routed between the splice trays and the second ports of the termination adapters; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a second example enclosure having a restricted access region within the interior; 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded view of the enclosure of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG.  9    with the door removed to expose a cover arrangement limiting access to a restricted access region; 
         FIG.  11    is a front elevational view of the enclosure of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    shows the enclosure of  FIG.  11    with the cover arrangement removed so that the restricted access region is visible; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a housing of the enclosure of  FIG.  8    with a termination panel arrangement, splice tray panel arrangement, and cable port arrangements exploded outwardly; and 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the enclosure of  FIG.  12    showing pigtail fibers routed between the splice trays and the second ports of the termination adapters. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     The present disclosure is directed to an enclosure  100 ,  200  including a housing  110 ,  210  having a bottom  101 ,  201 , a top  102 ,  202 , a first side  103 ,  203 , and a second side  104 ,  204 . The housing  110 ,  210  defines an interior  111 ,  211  accessible through an access opening  112 ,  212 . A cover arrangement  150 ,  250  is removably disposed within the interior  111 ,  211  of the housing  110 ,  210 . The cover arrangement  150 ,  250  separates the interior  111 ,  211  into a restricted access region  113 ,  213  and an unrestricted access region  114 ,  214 . The cover arrangement  150 ,  250  extends over the restricted access region  113 ,  213  to block access to any components within the restricted access region  113 ,  213  from the access opening  112 ,  212 . 
     In certain implementations, the restricted access region  113 ,  213  has a first entrance  115 ,  215  and a separate second entrance  116 ,  216  that is different from the first entrance  115 ,  215 . For example, the first entrance  115 ,  215  may be through an optical adapter  135 ,  235  and the second entrance  116 ,  216  may be through an opening  159 ,  259  at least partially defined by the cover arrangement  150 ,  250 . In some examples, both entrances  115 ,  116  face in a common direction. In other examples, the first entrance  215  faces in a different direction than the second entrance  216 . For example, the first entrance  215  may be orthogonal to the second entrance  216 . 
     The housing  110 ,  210  includes a rear wall  118 ,  218  and a peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219  extending forwardly of the rear wall  118 ,  218 . The rear wall  118 ,  218  of the housing  110 ,  210  extends along a width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  and along a height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . The sidewall  119 ,  219  extends along a depth D 1 , D 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . A forward end of the peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219  defines the access opening leading to the interior of the housing  110 ,  210 . 
     The housing  110 ,  210  defines a cable port  105 ,  205  in the peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219 . In certain implementations, the housing defines a plurality of cable ports  105 ,  205  in the peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219 . In certain examples, the peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219  defines one or more apertures  120 ,  220  in each of which a cable port arrangement can be mounted. In various implementations, the cable ports  105 ,  205  are disposed at a bottom  101 ,  201  of the housing  110 ,  210 , at a top  102 ,  202  of the housing  110 ,  210 , at a first side  103 ,  203  of the housing  110 ,  210 , and/or at a second side  104 ,  204  of the housing  110 ,  210 . 
     Each cable port arrangement defines a sealing arrangement  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223  through which one or more optical cables can extend to enter and/or exit the housing  110 ,  210 . In some implementations, the sealing arrangement  121 ,  221  includes two or more gel blocks, foam blocks, or other gaskets that cooperate to define cable passages therebetween. In other implementations, the sealing arrangement  122 ,  222  includes a gel block, foam block, or other gasket defining one or more slits into which cables can be laterally slid. In still other implementations, the sealing arrangement  123 ,  223  includes a gel block, foam block, or other gasket defining one or more openings with removable plugs to close the openings prior to use. 
     One or more anchor structures  125 ,  225  may be disposed within the housing  110 ,  210  adjacent the cable ports  105  (see  FIGS.  4  and  11   ). Optical fibers may be retained (e.g., using zip ties) at the anchor structures  125 ,  225 . 
     In certain implementations, a door  106 ,  206  is coupled to the housing  110 ,  210  at the access opening  112 ,  212 . The door  106 ,  206  is movable between a closed position and an open position. The door  106 ,  206  covers the access opening  112 ,  212  when in the closed position and uncovers the access opening  112 ,  212  when in the open position. In some examples, the door  106 ,  206  pivots relative to the housing  110 ,  210  between the closed and open positions. In other examples, the door  106 ,  206  is fully removable from the housing  110 ,  210  to transition between the closed and open positions. 
     The cover arrangement  150 ,  250  is disposed between the rear wall  118 ,  218  and the access opening  112 ,  212 . In certain implementations, the cover arrangement  150 ,  250  extends less than fully across a width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  and less than fully across a height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain implementations, the restricted access region  113 ,  213  extends less than fully across a width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  and less than fully across a height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . Accordingly, one or more optical fibers can be routed along a height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  between the restricted access region  113 ,  213  and a peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219  of the housing  110 ,  210  and/or can be routed along a width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  between the restricted access region  113 ,  213  and the peripheral sidewall  119 ,  219 . 
     In certain implementations, the unrestricted access region  114 ,  214  extends along a majority of the width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  at a bottom  101 ,  201  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In some implementations, the restricted access region  113 ,  213  extends along a majority of the width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210  at the top  102 ,  202  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain implementations, at least a portion of the restricted access region  113 ,  213  extends along a majority of the height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . 
     In some implementations, the restricted access region  113 ,  213  includes a splice region  140 ,  240 , a fiber storage region  145 ,  245 , part of a termination region  130 ,  230 , or any combination thereof. In certain implementations, the first entrance  115 ,  215  extends through the termination region  130 ,  230 . In certain implementations, the second entrance  116 ,  216  extends towards the splice region  140 ,  240 . The cover arrangement  150 ,  250  blocks user access to the splice region  140 ,  240 , the fiber storage region  145 ,  245 , and/or the part of the termination region  130 ,  230  from the access opening  112 ,  212 . Accordingly, the cover arrangement  150 ,  250  is removed prior to a user accessing the splice region  140 ,  240 , the fiber storage region  145 ,  245 , and/or the part of the termination region  130 ,  230  from the access opening  112 ,  212 . 
     In certain implementations, the splice region  140 ,  240  is disposed closer to the first side  103 ,  203  of the housing  110 ,  210  and the termination region  130 ,  230  is disposed closer to the second side  104 ,  204  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In some implementations, the fiber storage region  145  aligns with the termination region  130  along the height H 1  of the housing  110 . In other implementations, the fiber storage region  245  is disposed between the termination region  230  and the splice region  240 . 
     One or more splice trays  143 ,  243  may be mounted at the splice region  140 ,  240 . Each splice tray  143 ,  243  is configured to hold one or more optical splices (e.g., fusion splices). In certain implementations, the one or more splice trays  143 ,  243  are held by a tray holder  142 ,  242 . In certain examples, the tray holder  142 ,  242  is carried by a panel  141 ,  241  that mounts to the rear wall  118 ,  218  of the housing  110 ,  210  or otherwise installs within the housing interior  111 ,  211 . One or more cable anchoring structures  144 ,  244  (cable tie mounts) may be disposed adjacent the splice trays  143 ,  243 . In certain examples, the cable anchoring structures  144 ,  244  is carried with the panel  141 ,  241  (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     One or more optical adapters  135 ,  235  can be mounted to a termination panel arrangement  131 ,  231 . The optical adapters  135 ,  235  each include a first port and a second port. The first port of each optical adapter  135 ,  235  is accessible from the unrestricted access region  114 ,  214  and the second port of each optical adapter  135 ,  235  is accessible from the restricted access region  113 ,  213 . In some implementations, the termination panel arrangement  131  holds the optical adapters  135  so that ports of the adapters  135  face the bottom  101  and top  102  of the housing  110 . In other implementations, the termination panel arrangement  231  holds the optical adapters  235  so that all of the ports of the adapters  235  face the first and second sides  203 ,  204  of the housing  210 . In some examples, the insertion axes of the adapter ports extends parallel to the height H 1  of the housing  110 . In other examples, the insertion axes of the adapter ports extend parallel to the width W 2  of the housing  210 . 
     The termination panel arrangement  131 ,  231  mounts to the rear wall  118 ,  218  of the housing  110 ,  210  or otherwise installs within the housing interior  111 ,  211 . For example, in certain implementations, the termination panel arrangement  131 ,  231  includes a mounting panel  132 ,  232  that couples to the housing  110 ,  210  (e.g., to the rear wall  118 ,  218 ) and a windowed panel  133 ,  233  defining apertures or windows  134 ,  234  that holds the adapters  135 ,  235 . The termination panel arrangement  131 ,  231  also may include a mounting flange  136 ,  236  at which the cover arrangement  150 ,  250  attaches to the termination panel arrangement  131 ,  231  (e.g., using fastener  155 ,  255 ). 
     In certain implementations, the windowed panel  133 ,  233  extends across less than a full width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  133 ,  233  extends across no more than half of the width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  133 ,  233  extends across no more than a third of the width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  133 ,  233  extends across no more than a fourth of the width W 1 , W 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain implementations, the windowed panel  133 ,  233  extends across less than a full height H 1 , H 2  of the housing  110 ,  210 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  233  extends across at least half of the height H 2  of the housing  210 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  233  extends across a majority of the height H 2  of the housing  210 . 
     A fiber storage region  145 ,  245  manages optical fibers  160 ,  260  routed between the optical adapters  135 ,  235  and the splice trays  143 ,  243 . In certain implementations, the fiber storage region  145 ,  245  is wholly disposed between the termination region  130 ,  230  and the splice region  140 ,  240 . In certain implementations, one or more management guides  147 ,  247  are carried on a storage plate  146 ,  246  that can be installed within the housing  110 ,  210  (e.g., at the rear wall). The guide members  147 ,  247  hold the optical fibers  160 ,  260  in one or more coils between the termination region  130 ,  230  and the splice region  140 ,  240  (e.g., see  FIG.  7   ). In some examples, the guide members include retention fingers  147  that hold one or more coils of optical fibers  160  generally parallel to the rear wall  118 . In other examples, the guide members include loop members  247 , bend radius limiters, or other such structures that route the optical fibers  260  in coils generally parallel with the peripheral wall  219 . 
       FIGS.  1 - 7    illustrate a first example enclosure  100  including a housing  110  defining cable ports  105  with three different types of sealing arrangements  121 ,  122 ,  123 . In other examples, however, the same type of sealing arrangement can be used at each cable port  105 . In still other examples, the housing  110  may define a greater or lesser number of cable ports  105 . In the example shown, the housing  110  includes additional cable ports  105  at the sides  103 ,  104  towards the bottom  101  and at the top  102  towards the sides  103 ,  104 . 
     A first example splice panel arrangement is configured to be installed within the housing  110  separate from the termination panel arrangement  131 . The splice panel arrangement includes a mounting panel  141  that attaches (e.g., using fasteners) to the rear wall  118  of the housing  110 . In certain examples, the mounting panel  141  defines multiple fastener apertures to accommodate installing the mounting panel  141  within different sized housings or housings with different internal configurations. A splice tray holder  142  mounts to the panel  141 . One or more splice trays  143  mount (e.g., pivotally mount) to the tray holder  142 . In certain examples, cable anchor members  144  are carried by the mounting panel  141 . For example, flanges may extend upwardly from the mounting panel  141  to define structures at which fibers can be anchored (e.g., using zip ties). A fanout holder  148  also may be attached to the splice panel arrangement. One or more fanouts may be mounted to the fanout holder  148 . 
     A first example termination panel arrangement  131  is configured to be installed within the housing  110 . The termination panel arrangement  131  includes a mounting panel  132  that attaches (e.g., using fasteners) to the rear wall  118  of the housing  110 . A windowed panel  133  extends upwardly from the mounting panel  132 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  133  is angled relative to the mounting panel  132 . In an example, the windowed panel  133  is orthogonal to the mounting panel  132 . In some examples, each window  134  holds multiple adapters  135 . In other examples, separate windows  134  may be provided for each adapter  135 . A locking flange  136  extends from a top of the windowed panel  133 . In an example, the locking flange  136  extends parallel with the mounting panel  132 . The locking flange  136  defines a fastener aperture  137 . 
     A first example storage panel arrangement is configured to be installed within the housing  110  separate from the termination panel  131 . The storage panel arrangement is configured to be installed separate from the splice panel arrangement. The storage panel arrangement includes a storage panel  146  carrying one or more management members  147 . In the example shown, the management members  147  include retention fingers that extend upwardly from the storage panel  146  and inwardly at distal ends. One or more loops of optical fibers may be stored in a coil between the retention fingers. 
     A first example cover arrangement  150  is configured to be removably mounted within the housing  110  to cover the restricted region  113 . The cover arrangement  150  includes a cover member  151  that extends over the restricted region  113 . In certain examples, the cover member  151  is generally parallel with the rear wall  118 . In certain examples, the cover member  151  defines a fastener aperture  154  that aligns with the fastener aperture  137  of the locking flange  136  of the termination panel arrangement  131  when the cover arrangement  150  is mounted over the restricted access region  113 . A fastener  155  can be inserted through the fastener apertures  154 ,  137  to hold the cover member  151  over the restricted region  113 . 
     In certain implementations, the cover arrangement  150  includes covering flanges  152  extending generally downwardly from the cover member  151  to further limit access to the restricted access region  113 . For example, covering flanges  152  may extend downwardly from the cover member  151  at opposite ends of the windowed panel  133  of the termination panel arrangement  131 . In certain implementations, another covering flange  152  may extend downwardly from an intermediate portion of the cover member  151 . Another covering flange  153  extends at least partially downwardly from a top end of the cover member  151  adjacent the top  102  of the housing  110 . In certain examples, the covering flange  153  is angled to also extend partially outwardly towards the top  102  of the housing  110 . 
     In certain implementations, the cover arrangement  150  has a first open section that seats at the termination region  130  and a second open section that seats at the splice region  140 . The first open section frames the windowed panel  133  and provides access to the adapters  135 . The second open section defines the second entrance  116 , which leads to the splice trays  143 . In certain examples, the first open section is configured to attach to the termination panel arrangement  131  and the second open section is configured to attach to the splice tray holder  142  or other component at the splice region  140 . For example, the cover member  151  includes a first flange  156  that cooperates with the cover member  151  to hold the mounting flange  136  of the termination panel arrangement  131  therebetween. In examples, the cover member  151  includes a second flange  157  that cooperates with the cover member  151  to hold a portion  142   a  of the tray holder  142  therebetween. 
       FIGS.  8 - 14    illustrate a second example enclosure  200  including a housing  210  defining cable ports  205  with three different types of sealing arrangements  221 ,  222 ,  223 . In other examples, however, the same type of sealing arrangement can be used at each cable port  205 . In still other examples, the housing  210  may define a greater or lesser number of cable ports  205 . In the example shown, the housing  210  includes additional cable ports  205  at the sides  203 ,  204  towards the bottom  201  and at the top  202  towards the sides  203 ,  204 . 
     In some examples, a splice panel arrangement installed in the housing  210  is the same or substantially the same as the splice panel arrangement shown installed in the housing  110  in  FIGS.  1 - 7   . In other examples, other types of splice panel arrangements can be utilized. A fanout holder also may be attached to the splice panel arrangement. One or more fanouts  249  may be mounted to the fanout holder. 
     A second example termination panel arrangement  231  is configured to be installed within the housing  210 . The termination panel arrangement  231  includes a mounting panel  232  that attaches (e.g., using fasteners) to the rear wall  218  of the housing  210 . A windowed panel  233  extends upwardly from one side of the mounting panel  232 . In certain examples, the windowed panel  233  is angled relative to the mounting panel  232 . In an example, the windowed panel  233  is orthogonal to the mounting panel  232 . In some examples, each window  234  holds multiple adapters  235 . In other examples, separate windows  234  may be provided for each adapter  235 . 
     In some implementations, a storage panel arrangement is part of a termination panel arrangement  131 . For example, a storage panel  246  extends upwardly from an opposite side of the mounting panel  232  from the windowed panel  233 . In certain examples, the storage panel  246  extends generally parallel to the windowed panel  233 . In certain examples, the storage panel  246 , the windowed panel  233 , and the mounting panel  232  cooperate to define a storage trough. One or more management members  247  are disposed on the storage panel  246  to aid in retaining excess fiber length between the adapters  235  and the splice trays  243 . A locking flange  236  extends from a top of the storage panel  246 . In an example, the locking flange  236  extends parallel with the mounting panel  232 . The locking flange  236  defines a fastener aperture  237 . 
     A second example cover arrangement  250  is configured to be removably mounted within the housing  210  to cover the restricted region  213 . The cover arrangement  250  includes a cover member  251  that extends over the restricted region  213 . In certain examples, the cover member  251  is generally parallel with the rear wall  218 . In certain examples, the cover member  251  defines a fastener aperture  254  that aligns with the fastener aperture  237  ( FIG.  12   ) of the locking flange  236  of the termination panel arrangement  231  when the cover arrangement  250  is mounted over the restricted access region  213 . A fastener  255  can be inserted through the fastener apertures  254 ,  237  to hold the cover member  251  over the restricted region  213 . 
     In certain implementations, the cover arrangement  250  includes covering flanges  252  extending generally downwardly from the cover member  151  to further limit access to the restricted access region  213 . For example, covering flanges  252  may extend downwardly from the cover member  251  at opposite ends of the windowed panel  233  of the termination panel arrangement  231 . In an example, the covering flanges  252  may extend at least between the windowed panel  233  and the storage plate  246  to enclose the storage trough. In an example, one of the covering flanges  252  also extends past the fanout region. Another covering flange  253  extends at least partially downwardly from the cover member  251  adjacent one side  203  of the housing  210 . In certain examples, the covering flange  253  is angled to also extend partially outwardly towards the side  203  of the housing  210 . 
     In certain implementations, the cover arrangement  250  has a first open section that seats at the termination region  230  and a second open section that seats at the splice region  240 . The first open section frames the windowed panel  233  and provides access to the adapters  235 . The second open section defines the second entrance  216 , which leads to the splice trays  243 . In certain examples, the cover member  251  includes retention tabs  256  configured to snap-fit or otherwise couple to the termination panel arrangement  231 . 
     Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.