Abstract:
An optical fiber distribution terminal assembly comprises a housing having a rear housing portion and a front housing portion moveable between an open position and a closed position defining an interior. The housing further defines at least one port for passage of a optical fiber distribution cable. A rotatable reel is located in the interior of the housing, the reel carrying a length of optical fiber distribution cable. A distribution module, also located in the housing, is operative to distribute source fibers of the optical fiber distribution cable to individual subscriber cables.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to fiber optic cable. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wall-mountable optical fiber distribution terminal at which connection can be made from a multiple-fiber-distribution cable to service connections for individual subscribers. 
         [0002]    The ability of high-quality optical fiber to transmit large amounts of information without appreciable signal degradation is well known. As a result, optical fibers have found widespread use in many applications, such as voice and data transmission. For example, the need for greater bandwidth in residential settings has brought optical fibers directly into homes and multiple dwelling units (MDUs). Such applications have generally come to be known by the acronym FTTP (Fiber To The Premises). 
         [0003]    In the case of an MDU, for example, a single multi-fiber cable can supply service to a particular floor of the building. Toward this end, the multi-fiber cable may extend into the housing of a wall-mounted distribution terminal assembly. Fibers extending into the dwelling units are selectively connectable to the multi-fiber cable inside the housing to provide service to (or disconnect service from) a particular subscriber. Typically, the interior of the housing is accessible only by a technician employed by the telecommunications company providing the service. 
         [0004]    Current wall-mountable distribution terminals, also referred to as a wall-mount enclosure (WME), require a separate reel of cable and wall mount enclosure. Once cable is deployed, remaining cable is removed from the reel and stored in the WME. This method of deployment is relatively labor intensive. 
         [0005]    The present invention recognizes the foregoing considerations, and others, of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one aspect, the present invention provides an optical fiber distribution terminal assembly comprising a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion moveable between an open position and a closed position defining an interior. The housing further defines at least one port for passage of an optical fiber distribution cable. A reel is located in the interior of the housing, the reel carrying a length of optical fiber distribution cable. A distribution module, also located in the housing, is operative to distribute service from the optical fiber distribution cable to individual subscriber cables. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the reel is configured to be maintained in a particular angular position when the second housing portion is in the closed position. For example, the reel may have a series of positioning slots spaced apart about its periphery. The second housing portion may likewise carry a protrusion that engages one of the positioning slots when the second housing portion is in the closed position. 
         [0008]    Preferably, one end of the optical fiber distribution cable may be terminated with at least one fiber optic connector for receipt in a corresponding socket of the distribution module. In this regard, the distribution module may further include a plurality of individual subscriber sockets. Toward this end, the second housing portion may further define a front compartment closable by a lid, with the individual subscriber sockets being accessible by opening the lid. In addition, the second housing portion may be secured to the first housing portion by fasteners accessible by opening the lid. The lid is preferably configured to be locked when closed. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention provides an optical fiber distribution terminal assembly comprising a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion connectable together in a closed position so as to define an interior. The housing defines at least one port for passage of an optical fiber distribution cable. A rotatable reel, located in the interior of the housing, carries a length of optical fiber distribution cable. The reel is configured to be maintained in a particular angular position when the second housing portion is in the closed position. For example, the reel may have a series of positioning slots spaced apart about its periphery one of which may be engaged by a protrusion carried on the second housing portion when the housing is in the closed position. 
         [0010]    Exemplary embodiments may further include a distribution module, located in the housing, which is operative to distribute service from the optical fiber distribution cable to individual subscriber cables. One end of the optical fiber distribution cable may be terminated with at least one fiber optic connector for receipt in a corresponding socket of the distribution module. Moreover, the second housing portion may further define a front compartment closable by a lid. In such embodiments, the distribution module may extend between the front compartment and the interior of the housing. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the present invention provides a combination comprising a reel having a hub and a pair of side flanges. A length of fiber optic cable is wrapped around the hub of the reel, the fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end. The hub of the reel defines an aperture through which the first end of the fiber optic cable passes. The reel has a series of positioning slots spaced apart about a periphery of at least one of the flanges. For example, the reel may have positioning slots spaced apart about both of the flanges such that positioning slots on respective flanges are aligned with each other. 
         [0012]    Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are provided by various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, as well as methods of practicing same, which are discussed in greater detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall-mountable optical fiber distribution terminal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the housing closed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the terminal assembly of  FIG. 1  with the housing open to reveal internal structure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the lid open to show individual fiber connector adapters located therein. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions. 
         [0019]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a wall-mountable terminal assembly  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Terminal assembly  10  includes an enclosure  12  having two housing portions, i.e., a front housing  14  which is hinged to a rear housing  16 . A lid  18  is hinged to front housing  14  to enclose a compartment defined by the front housing. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows front housing  14  in the open position with respect to rear housing  16 . As can be seen, a pair of lift-off hinges  20  are used to connect the two housing portions together in this case. Lift-off hinges allow the front housing  14  to be totally removed from rear housing  16  which can facilitate mounting of rear housing  16  to a wall. In this regard, rear housing  16  may define a plurality of mounting apertures such as aperture  22 . As is common, these apertures may have a teardrop shape with a larger lower portion for pass-through of a fastener head and a smaller upper portion that receives the fastener shank but does not allow the head to pass back through. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a length of distribution cable  24  is located inside of the enclosure  12 . Depending on the application, cable  24  can be supplied in different lengths on a reel  25  also located inside of enclosure  12 . According to this embodiment, both ends of cable  24  are terminated with one or more suitable connectors, such as connector  26 . In this case, connector  26  is configured as a “multi-fiber push-on” (“MPO”) connector. The end of cable  24  having connector  26  is routed through an aperture in the center hub of reel  25  as shown. The other end of cable  24  exits enclosure  12  through a grommet  28  located in a port at the bottom of rear housing  16 . (A similar grommet  30  is located at the top of rear housing  16  so that the cable can exit there if necessary or desired in a particular installation.) In this regard, the desired length needed for installation is pulled off the reel, with the unused cable remaining on the reel after installation. 
         [0022]    In this embodiment, a suitable distribution module  32  is mounted to front housing  14 . The distribution module  32  separates the fibers of the multi-fiber cable to individual adapters corresponding to a respective subscriber&#39;s service cable. In this regard, the illustrated embodiment utilizes the type of module sold by AFL Telecommunications, the assignee of the present invention, under the trademark Xpress Fiber Management (XFM). After cable  24  is deployed, connector  26  is connected to an adaptor (socket) on module  32 . The length of cable  24  between connector  26  and reel  25  may be maintained in place via suitable clips, such as clips  34 . While an XFM-type module is shown in the illustrated embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable type of distribution module or similar device can be used, such as a polimod, LGX plate, or similar fiber optic interface mounted in the enclosure  12 . Also, while one distribution module is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that terminal assemblies in accordance with the present invention may be equipped with a greater number of distribution modules as necessary or desired. (Such embodiments might also have multiple reels  25  and other additional components to accommodate additional distribution cables.) 
         [0023]    After connector  26  is attached to distribution module  32  (with excess slack wound around reel  25 ), front housing is moved into the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, one or more protrusions may be provided on the inside of front housing  14  to prevent subsequent rotation of reel  25 . Such protrusion(s), for example, may take the form of a lock pin  36 . In this regard, reel  25  defines a series of slots, such as slot  38 , spaced apart about the periphery of at least one of the reel&#39;s flanges. For example, both flanges may have such slots, aligned with each other, as shown. Reel  25  is oriented by the technician so that one of these slots will align with lock pin  36  when front housing  14  is closed. The rotational hub of reel  25  may have detents that indicate certain positions in the rotation of reel  25  to assist the technician in getting the reel in the correct angular position for pin alignment. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , rear housing  16  preferably has a depth slightly greater than the axial width of reel  25 . 
         [0024]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , lid  18  is shown in the open position to reveal the interior of the front compartment  40  defined in front housing  14 . As can seen, individual subscriber adapters (collectively  42 ) of distribution module  32  are exposed to the interior of compartment  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adapters are common SC adapters which allow connection of individual subscriber drop cables terminated with respective SC connecters, such as the two subscriber cables collectively indicated at  44 . (Although twelve SC adaptors are shown in this example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that terminal assembly  12  can be configured for a variety of adaptor types and quantities.) Compartment  40  may contain one or more routing rings  46  for storing slack that would otherwise exist in the drop cables. In addition, compartment  40  may define top and bottom ports with respective grommets (such as the bottom port having grommet  48 ) for routing the drop cables outside of compartment  40 . Preferably, lid  40  may have an L-shaped configuration as shown, allowing access to compartment  40  from both the front and the side when lid  40  is opened fully. 
         [0025]    In this embodiment, module  32  is mounted with respect to enclosure  12  through the compartment  40 . Specifically, module  32  includes a suitable flange  49  which is secured to front housing  14  via screws  50 . Space is provided in the illustrated embodiment for a second module which is not used in this example. The space is thus covered by a removable plate (or “blank”)  52 . 
         [0026]    As can be seen inn  FIGS. 2 and 3 , front housing  14  is secured to rear housing  16  in this case by one or more fasteners (e.g., screws  54 ) that extend from compartment  40  into corresponding holes  56  in rear housing  16 . In this way, the fasteners will be inaccessible when lid  18  is closed. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , lid  18  can itself be secured via a screw  58  (or other suitable fastener) and locked by a suitable locking mechanism. Screws  54  and  58  may be hex-head screws in this example, although screws for use with other drivers (e.g., Phillips, torx) are also contemplated. In this case, for example, front housing  14  and lid  18  include depending tabs  60  and  62  that come together when the lid is closed define a pad lock hole  64  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
         [0027]    It can this be seen that the present invention provides a novel wall-mountable optical fiber distribution terminal assembly. Embodiments of the invention allow use of common connectors and cable to reduce costs. The in-board reel is preferably stored and protected during shipping and installation. Slack cable is then stored once deployed and reel is locked in position to prevent any further cable deployment. In addition, a stepped front housing secures the reel(s) and prevents unwanted access to the distribution module(s). 
         [0028]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications and variations may be made thereto by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limitative of the invention as further described in the appended claims.