Patent Description:
Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for distributing all manner of data across vast networks. The majority of cables are electrically conductive cables (typically copper), although the use of optical fiber cables is growing rapidly in telecommunication systems as larger and larger amounts of data are transmitted. Additionally, as data transmissions increase, the fiber optic network is being extended closer to the end user which can be premises, businesses, or private residences.

As telecommunication cables are routed across data networks, it is necessary to periodically open the cable so that one or more telecommunication lines therein may be spliced, allowing data to be distributed to other cables or "branches" of the telecommunication network. At each point where a telecommunication cable is opened, it is necessary to provide a telecommunication enclosure to protect the exposed interior of the cable. The cable branches may be further distributed until the network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and so on. These networks are often referred to as fiber to the X (FTTx) networks, which can include fiber to the premises (FTTp), fiber to the home (FTTh) and fiber to the antenna (FTTA) networks.

In an FTTH network, optical fiber is brought to the end user and connected to the optical network terminal (ONT) unit mounted on a wall at the end user. The ONT converts this optical signal into conventional electrical signals to provide voice (telephone), Internet (data) and video signals to the end user.

Fiber terminals are one type of telecommunication enclosure that is typically located near an end user in a FTTP network to distribute the final service to the end user. Typical fiber terminals are designed to drop services (to provide service connections) to a small number of premises having typically between four to twelve end users. The last service connection from the fiber terminal is made to the ONT, located at the end user using a drop cable. Typically, an optical connector attached to the terminal end of an optical fiber of the cable is preferred to allow quick, reliable field installation.

Given the rapid growth of telecommunication networks and the amount of data transmitted via telecommunication networks, there is a clear near for improved connections to telecommunications enclosures. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> describe optical fiber field connectors.

Connector assemblies are described herein for insertion into telecommunication enclosures. According to one aspect, a connector assembly includes a forward connector housing having a passageway, extending from a first housing end to a second housing end, for routing of a telecommunication cable; an intermediate body positioned over a portion of the forward connector housing, the intermediate body comprising a forward portion and a rearward portion, with the forward portion including an external key and a plurality of trigger elements, wherein the external key extends outwardly from an arcuate surface of the intermediate body and wherein each trigger element comprises a foot portion and a locking portion, and the rearward portion includes an orientation key in substantial alignment with the external key, an optical connection portion coupled to the second housing end of the forward connector housing; an adapter, positionable over the intermediate body, the adapter having a thru-hole defined therethrough, and at least one external portion having a non-circular profile and a plurality of stepped inner surfaces, wherein at least one of the plurality of stepped inner surfaces is configured to couple with the external key and the orientation key and wherein the plurality of trigger elements is configured to engage with the thru-hole, and a rearward connector housing positionable over the optical connection portion, the rearward connector housing having a cylindrical body with a longitudinal channel disposed therein, wherein the external key is positionable within the longitudinal channel.

Moreover, upon coupling of the forward connector housing, the intermediate body, the optical connection portion, the adapter, and the telecommunication cable, and upon insertion of the assembly into a port structure of the telecommunications enclosure, the connector assembly is environmentally sealed.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an assembly can be formed which includes the connector assemblies disclosed herein and a telecommunications enclosure. The telecommunications enclosure preferably includes a base having a plurality of port structures defined therein and a cover, positionable over the base.

The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. <FIG> and <FIG> do not show embodiments of the invention as presently claimed.

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with particular reference to the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may take on various modifications and alterations without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not to be limited to the following described exemplary embodiments.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, "lower," "upper," "beneath," "below," "above," and "on top," if used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over or flipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements would then be above those other elements.

Cartesian coordinates are used in some of the Figures for reference and are not intended to be limiting as to direction or orientation.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "side," and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the disclosure as oriented with respect to the Cartesian coordinates in the corresponding Figure, unless stated otherwise.

For the purposes of describing and defining the subject matter of the disclosure it is noted that the terms "substantially" and "generally" may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation.

Exemplary embodiments herein provide connector and connector-cable assemblies for use in telecommunication enclosures. Specifically, the connectors or connector-cable assemblies can be inserted into a port of the telecommunication enclosure. Particular advantages of the designs disclosed herein include a lower cost than conventional hardened connectors which require a specialized mating optical coupling and field installable and factory installable versions of the exemplary optical fiber connector. Additionally, the connector and connector-cable assemblies disclosed herein can be easier to handle and faster to install compared to conventional connectors and connector assemblies, which can require specialized receptacles for the telecommunication enclosure.

The connector assemblies disclosed herein can be used in FTTx optical fiber networks. In one exemplary aspect, the connector assemblies can be used to connect an end user to a remote fiber terminal in a fiber to the premise network. In another aspect, the exemplary connector assemblies can be used to connect an antenna on a cellular tower to equipment in a base station located at the foot of the tower.

Each type of assembly may be fitted to the terminal end of a telecommunication cable and inserted into a port of a telecommunication enclosure to provide an optical connection interface within the communication enclosure. Depending on the communication network architecture, the telecommunication enclosure may be a buried closure, an aerial closure or terminal, a fiber distribution hub or an optical network terminal in the outside plant or a wall mount communication box, fiber distribution hub, a wall mount patch panel, or an optical network terminal in premise applications. The exemplary connector assemblies can additionally provide an environmental seal when installed in a telecommunications enclosure. By providing an environmental seal, a water-tight or water-resistant seal is created which can prevent dust, bugs and/or other foreign substances from entering the telecommunications enclosure.

Referring particularly to <FIG> and <FIG>, the telecommunication cable <NUM> can be a fiber optic cable with the cable <NUM> typically including a sheath or jacket <NUM>. The jacket <NUM> is preferably semi-rigid, surrounding the at least one optical fiber <NUM> and can include other components or not. For example, the fiber optic cable can include one or more strength members. The strength members may be any suitable material such as glass-reinforced rods, aramid yarns, fiberglass, metal wires or the like if used. The optical fibers may be enclosed in one or more loose buffer tubes or may be provided as one or more optical fiber ribbon cables. One to twelve optical fibers may reside in the loose buffer tube surrounded by a water-blocking gel or grease. Each of the ribbon cables may have from one to about twenty-four optical fibers. Each optical fiber preferably has a polymeric coating that surrounds and protects each optical fiber <NUM>. The strength members may be either semi-rigid rods or a collection of loose fibers or floss, e.g. made of aramid fibers or glass.

In an alternative aspect, outside the scope of the present invention, the telecommunication cable can be an electrical cable in which case the connection portion of the exemplary connector will be an appropriate style of electrical connector such as an RJ-style plug connector, a USB connector or a coaxial connector, for example.

<FIG> show an exemplary connector assembly <NUM>, in accordance with a first embodiment, which includes the cable <NUM>, heat shrink portions 60a, 60b (<FIG>), a boot <NUM>, a forward connector housing <NUM>, seals 130a, 130b, a ferrule <NUM>, and intermediate body <NUM>, an adapter 160A, an optical connection portion <NUM>, a rearward connector housing <NUM>, and a connection clip <NUM>.

<FIG> show an exemplary assembly <NUM>, in accordance with a second embodiment, which includes the cable <NUM>, heat shrink portions 60a, 60b (<FIG>), a boot <NUM>, a forward connector housing <NUM>, seals 130a, 130b, a ferrule <NUM>, and intermediate body <NUM>, an adapter 160B, an optical connection portion <NUM>, a rearward connector housing <NUM>, and a connection clip <NUM>. The difference between these two assembles is the configuration of the adapter 160A, 160B. Common elements will be described with respect to the first embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

As shown particularly in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the forward connector housing <NUM> includes a first housing end 122a, a second housing end 122b, and a passageway <NUM> (<FIG>) extending from the first housing end 122a to the second housing end 122b. The passageway <NUM> of housing <NUM> allows the cable <NUM> to pass through the forward connector housing <NUM> for coupling with the ferrule <NUM>. The forward connector housing <NUM> additionally includes at least one groove <NUM> in which seal 130a is seated, as particularly shown in <FIG>. This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly and a port of a telecommunication enclosure when the assembly is fully seated therein. In addition, the forward connector housing <NUM> can additionally include additional features that facilitate connection with other assembly elements.

Other features such as keying portions and locking or positioning elements are also disposed one or more exterior surfaces of the forward connector housing to facilitate connection with other assembly elements.

Coupled to the forward connector housing <NUM> and/or the cable are additional elements that facilitate sealing of the assembly. As shown in <FIG> one or more heat shrink portions 60a, 60b may be included. For instance, the forward connector housing <NUM> may have a suitable surface for receiving a portion of a heat shrink portion or the like for sealing interfaces between the cable <NUM> and the forward connector housing <NUM>. Any suitable heat shrink may be used such as a glue-lined heat shrink. Moreover, other structures or features are possible for aiding in providing a robustly environmentally sealed assembly.

Referring particularly to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a boot <NUM> is positioned over the heat shrink portions 60a, 60a. In addition to acting as an additional sealing element, the boot <NUM> is configured to prevent the telecommunication cable from exceeding its minimum bend radius, which could result in degradation of the signal being carried on the telecommunication cable.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the ferrule <NUM> includes a fiber bore <NUM> configured for coupling with one or more optical fibers of cable <NUM>, which passes through the passageway <NUM> for insertion into fiber bore <NUM> of ferrule <NUM>.

As shown particularly in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in the connector assembly <NUM>, the intermediate body <NUM> is positioned over the boot <NUM>. Additional features of the intermediate body <NUM> are also shown particularly in <FIG>. The intermediate body <NUM> includes a forward portion 150a, a rearward portion 150b, and an exterior groove <NUM> between the forward and rearward portions, in which seal 130b is seated. The seal 130b is preferably an o-ring. However, other seal types and configurations may be used in the assembly.

The forward portion 150a has an external key 152a, which extends outwardly from an arcuate surface <NUM>, and a plurality of trigger elements <NUM>. The plurality of trigger elements <NUM> includes two trigger elements 156a, 156b. Additional trigger elements may, however, be included on the intermediate body. Each trigger element includes a foot portion 157a, 157b and a locking portion 158a, 158b with the latter portions mating with the adapter 160A, as will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

The rearward portion 150b has a orientation key 152b, which is preferably flexible and in substantial alignment with the external key 152a of the forward portion 150a. Together, the external key 152a and the orientation key 152b couple with the rearward connector housing <NUM>, as will be further described. The rearward portion 150b of the intermediate body <NUM> also includes an arcuate lip <NUM>, which extends inwardly toward an inner surface <NUM> of the intermediate body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the adapter 160A is configured for positioning over the intermediate body. Referring particularly to <FIG>, <FIG>, the adapter 160A includes at least one external portion 162A, which preferably has a non-circular outer profile and a thru-hole 161A extending therethrough. The external portion 162A is configured to complement and facilitate engagement with at least one inner surface of a telecommunication port, as shown by way of example in <FIG>. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the external portion 162A is hexagonal, although other shapes and configurations may be utilized.

The adapter 160A also includes a plurality of stepped portions 163A, 164A 165A, a groove 166A, and an adapter key 167A extending outwardly from a stepped portion 165A.

The adapter 160A includes a plurality of stepped inner surfaces 168A that facilitate engagement with the intermediate body <NUM>. Optionally, the adapter 160A may also include an arcuate groove 169A for seating of an additional locking element or two arcuate grooves for seating of additional locking elements.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly <NUM>, which shows how the intermediate body <NUM> and the adapter 160A are mated. Each trigger element 156a, 156b is positioned in the thru-hole 161A to lock the intermediate body <NUM> with the adapter 160A. Specifically, each locking portion 158a, 158b is configured to fit within the thru-hole 161A.

As shown particularly in <FIG>, the optical connection portion <NUM> is configured for coupling to the cable <NUM> via the forward connector housing <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the combination of the optical connection portion <NUM> and the forward connector housing <NUM> can function as a field mountable fiber optic connector. Utilizing a field mountable connector allows for a sealed optical connection to be made by plugging the connector into a port structure of the telecommunication enclosure.

Referring back to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector assembly <NUM> additionally includes a rearward connector housing <NUM> positionable over the optical connection portion <NUM>. The rearward connector housing <NUM> also couples with the adapter 160A and the intermediate body 150c. The rearward connector housing <NUM> has a cylindrical body <NUM> and a longitudinal channel <NUM> and two arcuate channels 186a, 186b on opposite sides of the longitudinal channel <NUM>. The longitudinal channel <NUM> is configured to receive the external key 152a of the intermediate body, and each arcuate channel 186a, 186b is configured to couple with a connection clip <NUM>. The connection clip <NUM> includes two opposing arms 192a, 192b that extend into the rearward connector housing <NUM> and a clip element <NUM> connecting the opposing arms 192a, 192b. The clip element <NUM> has an arcuate shape such that upon assembly with the rearward connector housing <NUM>, the clip is fully seated within the arcuate channels 186a, 186b, as shown particularly in <FIG>.

<FIG> show an alternative embodiment of an adapter 160B, which can be incorporated into a connector assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. This version of the adapter has a thinner overall wall thickness compared to adapter 160A. The adapter 160B is similarly configured to engage with the intermediate body <NUM> via a thru-hole 161B. The thru-hole 161B is defined in a first external portion 162B' of the adapter 160B. The adapter 160B additionally includes an external portion 162B". Both external portions 162B', 162B" have non-circular outer profiles with the size of the second external portion 162B" being smaller than the profile of the first external portion 162B'. The external portions 162B', 162B" are also configured to complement and facilitate engagement with at least one inner surface of a telecommunication port, as shown by way of example in <FIG>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the adapter 160B additionally includes a plurality of stepped portions 163B, 164B, 165B, a groove 166B, and an adapter key 167B extending outwardly from stepped portion 165B. And the adapter 160B also includes a plurality of stepped inner surfaces 168B, with each stepped inner surface facilitating engagement with the intermediate body <NUM>.

For field termination, the cable <NUM> is prepared by cutting of a portion of the jacket <NUM> and stripping off a coated portion of the optical fiber <NUM> near the terminating fiber end to leave a bare glass fiber portion and cleaving (flat or angled) the fiber end to match the orientation of the pre-installed fiber stub. In an exemplary aspect, about <NUM> of the jacket <NUM> can be removed, leaving about <NUM> of stripped fiber. For example, a commercial fiber cleaver can be utilized to provide a flat or an angled cleave. No polishing of the fiber end is required, as a cleaved fiber can be optically coupled to the fiber stub in the splice device. The prepared end of the cable <NUM> is inserted through the rear end of the partially pre-assembled optical connection portion. When fully assembled, the connector assembly <NUM> can advantageously allow the length of the optical fiber cable to be adjusted in the field to avoid waste and the need to store excess length of unneeded cable.

<FIG> illustrates the securing of the exemplary connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> into port structures <NUM> of a telecommunication enclosure when the optical connector is inserted through a port <NUM> of the enclosure. The combinations of the telecommunications enclosure with the connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> can be used as components of a telecommunications network.

The exemplary closure <NUM> additionally includes a base <NUM> and a cover or main body (not shown) removably secured to the base. The base <NUM> of the telecommunication enclosure includes a bottom wall <NUM> and a plurality of side walls <NUM> extending approximately perpendicularly from the bottom wall and adjoined to one another at the corners of the enclosure. Coupled to at least one of the side walls is a port structure <NUM> for receiving connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. The exemplary port structure can be a hexagonal port structure having an exterior portion disposed outside of the enclosure. The exemplary port structure can have other geometric configurations such as a generally cylindrical or tubular shape, a rectangular shape, or other polygonal shape.

Upon full insertion into the port structure <NUM>, the external sealing members 30a, 30b provide a water tight seal between the internal circumference of the port structure and the connector-cable assembly The internal sealing members housed within the main body of the connector further provide a seal between the main body of the connector and the optical fiber cable passing therethrough.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) for attachment to a telecommunications enclosure, comprising:
a forward connector housing (<NUM>) having a passageway (<NUM>), extending from a first housing end (122a) to a second housing end (122b), for routing of a telecommunication cable (<NUM>);
an intermediate body (<NUM>), positionable over a portion of the forward connector housing (<NUM>), the intermediate body (<NUM>) comprising a forward portion (150a) and a rearward portion (150b), with the forward portion (150a) including an external key (152a) and a plurality of trigger elements (<NUM>), wherein the external key (152a) extends outwardly from an arcuate surface (<NUM>) of the intermediate body (<NUM>) and wherein each trigger element (<NUM>) comprises a foot portion (157a, 157b) and a locking portion (158a, 158b), and the rearward portion (150b) includes an orientation key (152b) in substantial alignment with the external key (152a),
an optical connection portion (<NUM>) coupled to the second housing end (122b) of the forward connector housing (<NUM>);
an adapter (160A, 160B), positionable over the intermediate body (<NUM>), having a thru-hole (161A, 161B) defined therethrough, and at least one external portion (162A, 162B', 162B") having a non-circular profile and a plurality of stepped inner surfaces (168A, 168B), wherein at least one of the plurality of stepped inner surfaces (168A, 168B) is configured to couple with the external key (152a) and the orientation key (152b) and wherein the plurality of trigger elements (<NUM>) is configured to engage with the thru-hole (161A), and
a rearward connector housing (<NUM>), positionable over the optical connection portion (<NUM>), having a cylindrical body (<NUM>) with a longitudinal channel (<NUM>) disposed therein, wherein the external key (152a) is positionable within the longitudinal channel (<NUM>),
wherein upon coupling of the forward connector housing (<NUM>), the intermediate body (<NUM>), the optical connection portion (<NUM>), the adapter (160A, 160B), and the telecommunication cable (<NUM>), and upon insertion of the connector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) into a port structure (<NUM>) of the telecommunications enclosure, the connector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) is environmentally sealed.