Abstract:
A terminal enclosure with a terminal base with a hole; a terminal lid with an adapter mounting face and a mounting hole in the mounting face; a right angle transition body with first and second ends; an adapter which passes through the mounting hole and is mounted to the mounting face; and a fiber optic cable, attached to the second end of the right angle transition body, with an optical fiber with a connector at one end. The mounting face is formed at an angle α, between 0 and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where the terminal lid and base meet. The optical fiber connector is connected to the adapter. The first end of the right angle transition body passes through the terminal base hole. The terminal base and terminal lid are configured to be attached together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/102,407, filed Jan. 12, 2015, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
       [0002]    The invention is related to a fiber optic terminal enclosure and more particularly to a terminal enclosure that can be used for hardened fiber optic adapters. 
       2. Related Art 
       [0003]    Fiber to the home is a desirable broadband deployment method that holds the promise of providing the greatest amount of bandwidth for future applications. One method of deployment utilizes a hardened fiber optic connector design. These connectors terminate at a enclosure on one end and to the home on the other. At the enclosure termination, the input cable must be sealed and transitioned into the enclosure so as to minimize space and provide a secure water tight connection. Current methods utilize bulky heat shrinks and grommets to accomplish this mating. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Exemplary implementations of the present invention address the problems and/or disadvantages of the current technology/methodology described above. Although the present invention is not required to overcome all of the disadvantages described above, an exemplary implementation of the present invention may address the above disadvantages, and further disadvantages not described above, or may not overcome any of the problems listed above while still providing improved methodology and enhancement to the present art. 
         [0005]    In order to design a method of entry in to the enclosure, a unique transition has been conceived to terminate the cable and fan-out the fibers for connectorization and termination within the enclosure. An integrated chip holder allows for easy fan-out from the cable the 900 μm tubing used within the enclosure. Epoxy is used to fill the transition providing water blocking and cable retention. A threaded insert is used to secure the transition in the enclosure. The unique wedge shape of the transition provides additional retention and strain relieves the transition fitting. An O-ring around the threaded fitting seals the transition to the enclosure once secured with internal nut. 
         [0006]    Advantages and benefits of the invention include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Integrated fan-out chip allows for easy fiber transition from 250 μm to protected 900 μm furcation. 2. Inherent wedge shape provides additional strain relief. 3. Two piece construction facilitates ease of manufacturing. 4. Transition piece allows for assembly separate from the enclosure also adding in manufacturing process. 
         [0007]    One embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal enclosure with a terminal base with a hole; a terminal lid with an adapter mounting face and a mounting hole in the adapter mounting face; a right angle transition body with a first end and a second end; an adapter which passes through the mounting hole and is mounted to the adapter mounting face; and a fiber optic cable, attached to the second end of the right angle transition body, with an optical fiber with a connector at one end. In addition, the adapter mounting face is formed at an angle α, between 0 and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where the terminal lid and terminal base meet. The optical fiber connector is connected to the adapter. The first end of the right angle transition body passes through the terminal base hole. The terminal base and terminal lid are configured to be attached together. 
         [0008]    Other features of the present invention include a plurality of mounting faces on the terminal lid, each of the mounting faces includes a plurality of mounting holes and a plurality of adapters pass through the mounting holes and are mounted to the adapter mounting faces. 
         [0009]    Other features of the present invention include the right angle transition body having two body halves. 
         [0010]    Other features of the present invention include the right angle transition body having a wedge-like shape. 
         [0011]    Other features of the present invention include having a pocket in the terminal base such that the right angle transition body can be positioned in the terminal base pocket such that the right angle transition body does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom of the terminal base. 
         [0012]    Other features of the present invention include the adapter being a hardened fiber optic adapter. 
         [0013]    Other features of the present invention include the fiber optic cable having a furcation tube organizer block. 
         [0014]    Other features of the present invention include the angle α being approximately 45 degrees, or in a range between 30 and 60 degrees. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective end view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective bottom view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show perspective views of the terminal base and right angle transition body of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  show cross-sectional and perspectives views of the right angle transition body of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  show internal views of the right angle transition body of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective bottom view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17A  shows a perspective top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17B  shows a perspective top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17C  shows a perspective top view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18A  shows an end view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18B  shows an end view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 18C  shows an end view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18D  shows a side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 18E  shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0040]      FIG. 18F  shows a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0041]      FIG. 18G  shows a bottom view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18H  shows a bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0043]      FIG. 18I  shows a bottom view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0044]      FIGS. 19A and 19D  show perspective top views of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0045]      FIGS. 19B and 19E  show perspective top views of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
           [0046]      FIGS. 19C and 19F  show perspective top views of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the apparatuses and/or systems described herein. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems and/or apparatuses described herein will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17B, 18B, 18E, 18H, 19B, 19E and 19B  show views of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure  100 . The fiber optic terminal enclosure  100  includes a six port terminal lid  101  and a terminal base  102 . The six port terminal lid  101  of the fiber optic terminal enclosure  100  includes six holes  104  (see  FIG. 19B ), in adaptor mounting faces  101 A, into which hardened fiber optic adaptors (HFOA)  105  are mounted. The adaptor mounting surfaces  101 A are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where six port terminal lid  101  and terminal base  102  meet (see  FIG. 18E ), to allow for easy access and cable management. The holes  104  in each adaptor mounting surfaces  101 A are staggered to make access easier. The six port terminal lid  101  also includes fastener shrouds  106 . The six port terminal lid  101  also includes an O-ring retainer  111 . 
         [0049]    The terminal base  102  includes fastener bosses  107  and  107 A. Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six port terminal lid  101  to the terminal base  102  at the fastener shrouds  106  and fastener bosses  107 ,  107 A. The terminal base  102  also includes mounting tabs  108  that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminal enclosure  100  to other structures, such as a wall or pole, with conventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base  102  also includes an O-ring groove  112 . Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in the O-ring groove  112  before attaching the six port terminal lid  101  to the terminal base  102 , and the O-ring retainer  111  will hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed. 
         [0050]    The terminal base  102  also includes a pocket  103 A for a right angle transition body  103 . The pocket  103 A may also include a space for a locking clamp  110  that can be used to attach a flat drop cable  109  to the terminal base  102 . In a preferred embodiment, said pocket  103 A is deep enough so that said right angle transition body  103  does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom ( 102 A) of said terminal base  102 . 
         [0051]    The fiber optic terminal enclosure  100  may be made of thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other like materials. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 3 and 5  show a cross-sectional views of the first exemplary embodiment of the fiber optic terminal enclosure  100  with the right angle transition body  103 . The right angle transition  103  has a first threaded end  103 B that is inserted into a hole  103 C in the terminal base  102 . A nut (not shown) can be threaded on the threaded end  103 B to attach the right angle transition body  103  to the terminal base  102 . The right angle transition body  103  also has a second threaded end  103 D and transition body  103 F for holding a furcation tube organizer block  109 C. A nut  103 E can be threaded on the threaded end  103 D to attach a flat drop cable  109  to the right angle transition body  103 . The flat drop cable  109  includes optical fibers  109 A which go through the furcation tube organizer block  109 C. At the end of flat drop cable  109  are connectors  109 B that are inserted into HFOAs  105 . Flat drop cable  109  may include strength members and a buffer tube for the optical fibers. 
         [0053]    In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill the right angle transition body  103  to provide water blocking and cable retention. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 1B and 8  show of a second exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure  200 . The fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  is similar to fiber optic terminal enclosure  100 , except that it includes more ports. The fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  includes a twelve port terminal lid  201  and a terminal base  202 . The twelve port terminal lid  201  of the fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  includes twelve holes  204 , in adaptor mounting faces  201 A, into which HFOAs  205  are mounted. The adaptor mounting surfaces are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where twelve port terminal lid  201  and terminal base  202  meet, to allow for easy access and cable management. The holes  204  in each adaptor mounting surfaces  201 A are staggered to make access easier. The twelve port terminal lid  201  also includes fastener shrouds  206 . The twelve port terminal lid  201  also includes an O-ring retainer similar to O-ring retainer  111 . 
         [0055]    The terminal base  202  includes fastener bosses  207  and  207 A. Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the twelve port terminal lid  201  to the terminal base  202  at the fastener shrouds  206  and fastener bosses  207 ,  207 A. The terminal base  202  also includes mounting tabs  208  that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  to other structures, such as a wall or pole, with conventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base  202  also includes an O-ring groove similar to O-ring groove  112 . Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in the O-ring groove before attaching the twelve port terminal lid  201  to the terminal base  202 , and the O-ring retainer will hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed. 
         [0056]    The terminal base  202  also includes a pocket similar to pocket  103 A for a right angle transition body similar to right angle transition body  103 . The pocket may also include a space for a locking clamp similar to locking clamp  110  that can be used to attach a flat drop cable similar to flat drop cable  109  to the terminal base  202 . In a preferred embodiment, said pocket is deep enough so that said right angle transition body does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom ( 202 A) of said terminal base  202 . 
         [0057]    The fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  may be made of thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other like materials. 
         [0058]    Cross sectional views of fiber optic terminal enclosure  200  would be similar to  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13A, 13B, 17C, 18C, 18F, 18I, 19C and 19  show views of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure  300 . The fiber optic terminal enclosure  300  includes a six port terminal lid  301  and a terminal base  302 . The six port terminal lid  301  of the fiber optic terminal enclosure  300  includes six holes  304  (see  FIG. 19C ), in adaptor mounting faces  301 A, into which HFOAs  305  are mounted. The adaptor mounting surfaces are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane where six port terminal lid  301  and terminal base  302  meet (see  FIG. 18F ), to allow for easy access and cable management. The holes  304  in each adaptor mounting surfaces  301 A are staggered to make access easier. The six port terminal lid  301  also includes fastener shrouds  306 . The six port terminal lid  301  also includes an O-ring retainer similar to O-ring retainer  111 . 
         [0060]    The terminal base  302  includes fastener bosses  307  and  307 A. Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six port terminal lid  301  to the terminal base  302  at the fastener shrouds  306  and fastener bosses  307 ,  307 A. The terminal base  302  also includes mounting tabs  308  that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminal enclosure  300  to other structures, such as a wall or pole, with conventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base  302  also includes an O-ring groove  312 . Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in the O-ring groove  312  before attaching the six port terminal lid  301  to the terminal base  302 , and the O-ring retainer will hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed. 
         [0061]    The terminal base  302  also includes a pocket  303 A for a right angle transition body  303 . In a preferred embodiment, said pocket  303 A is deep enough so that said right angle transition body  303  does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom ( 302 A) of said terminal base  302 . 
         [0062]    The right angle transition  303  has a first threaded end  303 B that is inserted into a hole  303 C in the terminal base  302 . A nut  313  can be threaded on the threaded end  303 B to attach the right angle transition body  303  to the terminal base  302 . Also, an O-ring  314  may be place around the threaded end  303 B to improve the environmental seal. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A and 15B  show views of right angle transition  303  and flat drop cable  309 . The right angle transition  303  includes two body halves  303 - 1  and  303 - 2  that may be held together by tabs/holes  303 D. Flat drop cable  309  may include strength members  309 E and a buffer tube  309 D including optical fibers  309 A. The optical fibers  309 A go through a furcation tube organizer block  309 C. At the end of flat drop cable  309  are connectors  309 B that are inserted into HFOAs  305 . In one embodiment, the right angle transition body  303  has a wedge-like shape. 
         [0064]    In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill the right angle transition body  303  to provide water blocking and cable retention. 
         [0065]    The fiber optic terminal enclosure  300  may be made of thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other like materials. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 16, 17A, 18A, 18D, 18G, 19A and 19D  show views of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure  400 . This enclosure is similar fiber optic terminal enclosure  100 , except that the holes  404  in each of the adaptor mounting surfaces  401 A are not staggered. The fiber optic terminal enclosure  400  includes a six port terminal lid  401  and a terminal base  402 . The six port terminal lid  401  of the fiber optic terminal enclosure  400  includes six holes  404  (see  FIG. 19A ), in adaptor mounting faces  401 A, into which hardened HFOAs similar to HFOAs  105  (not shown) are mounted. The adaptor mounting surfaces  401 A are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where six port terminal lid  401  and terminal base  402  meet (see  FIG. 18D ), to allow for easy access and cable management. The six port terminal lid  401  also includes fastener shrouds  406 . The six port terminal lid  401  also includes an O-ring retainer similar to O-ring retainer  111  (not shown). 
         [0067]    The terminal base  402  includes fastener bosses  407  and  407 A. Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six port terminal lid  401  to the terminal base  402  at the fastener shrouds  406  and fastener bosses  407 ,  407 A. The terminal base  402  also includes mounting tabs  408  that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminal enclosure  400  to other structures, such as a wall or pole, with conventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base  402  also includes an O-ring groove similar to O-ring groove  112  (not shown). Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in the O-ring groove before attaching the six port terminal lid  401  to the terminal base  402 , and the O-ring retainer will hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed. 
         [0068]    The terminal base  402  also includes a pocket  403 A for a right angle transition body similar to right angle transition body  103  (not shown). The pocket  403 A may also include a space for a locking clamp similar to locking clamp  410  that can be used to attach a flat drop cable similar to flat drop cable  109  (not shown) to the terminal base  402 . In a preferred embodiment, said pocket  403 A is deep enough so that said right angle transition body  403  does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom ( 402 A) of said terminal base  402 . 
         [0069]    The fiber optic terminal enclosure  400  may be made of thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other like materials. 
         [0070]    Cross sectional views of fiber optic terminal enclosure  400  would be similar to  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
         [0071]    In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill the right angle transition body  103  to provide water blocking and cable retention. 
         [0072]    As mentioned above, although the exemplary embodiments described above are various undersea housings the general inventive concept should not be limited thereto, and it could also apply to other types of housings. For example, the enclosure is not limited to lids with six or twelve holes for HFOAs.