Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to enclosures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to sealed, re-enterable enclosures used in fiber optic distribution networks.

Fiber optic distribution networks are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities to customers (i.e., subscribers). Fiber to the x (FTTX) refers to any broadband network architecture that uses optical fiber to provide all or part of the local loop used for last mile telecommunications. More specific broadband network architectures include fiber to the curb (FTTC), fiber to the distribution point (FTTdp), fiber to the premises (FTTP) and fiber to the desktop (FTTD). Typical fiber optic network architectures include a plurality of fiber optic cables distributed outwardly from a central location (e.g., a central office) toward subscriber locations.

In a typical fiber optic distribution network, sealed and re-enterable enclosures can be used to provide access to the optical fibers of the network distribution cables. Commonly, multi-fiber distribution cables are passed through the enclosures and optical fibers of the cables are accessed within the enclosures. Splice trays, passive optical splitters and wave length division multiplexers can be provided within the enclosures. In certain examples, optical fibers accessed from distribution cables can be coupled to optical components (e.g., a passive optical splitter or a wavelength division multiplexer) and outputs from the optical components can be coupled to drop cables routed from the enclosures. In certain examples, the enclosures can include ruggedized adapter ports for allowing pre-connectorized drop cables to be connected to the fibers accessed from the distribution cables. In other examples, fibers of the distribution cable can be spliced to optical fibers corresponding to drop cables routed out of the enclosure through sealed ports. Example enclosures of the type described above are disclosed at <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. Further relevant prior art is disclosed in the following patent applications: <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Effective sealing is an important consideration relating to sealed, re-enterable outdoor enclosures used in fiber optic distribution networks. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to enhanced sealing configurations for providing effective sealing of enclosures.

The present invention is defined by appended claim <NUM>. Optional features are defined in the appended dependent claims.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to sealing configurations for effectively sealing triple points of an enclosure. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an elastomeric cable seal having a main body and sealing tabs adapted for enhancing effective sealing at triple points formed at an interface between the main body and a housing of the enclosure. In certain examples, the tabs can be tapered along their lengths so as to narrow as the tabs extend away from the main body of the cable seal. In certain examples, the tabs are at a top end of the cable seal. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an elastomeric sealing member having a chamfered peripheral surface that provides an enhanced sealing at a triple point between the sealing member and a housing of the enclosure.

Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to sealing configurations for providing effective perimeter sealing between two housing pieces of an enclosure. In this regard, it is desirable to provide effective perimeter sealing without requiring excessive clamping pressures between the housing pieces and without requiring an excessive number of clamps or other fasteners provided about the perimeter of the enclosure. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a perimeter sealing gasket having a transverse cross-sectional profile including an elongated web that is compressed along its length and that includes radial sealing ribs that project laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the web. In certain examples, ribs of the web can include enlarged, rounded heads. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile includes open space or voids on both sides of the web that assist in allowing the sealing gasket to be compressed at lower compression forces. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile is compressed at least <NUM> millimeter or at least <NUM> millimeters along the length of the web. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile is compressed at least <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> percent along the length of the web from a non-compressed state to a compressed state when the housing pieces are latched together. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile is compressed at least <NUM>-<NUM> percent along the length of the web from a non-compressed state to a compressed state when the housing pieces are latched together. In certain examples, the gasket can have a Shore A hardness in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Other considerations that relate to the design of enclosures for fiber optic distribution networks include ease of use, reduction in cost, and a reduction in the total number of parts. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure relate to port size reducers having an integrated configuration in which multiple functions can be provided by one port size reducer. For example, port size reducers in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can provide port size reducing functions, cable sealing functions and cable clamping functions. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to blind plugs that are multi-functional. For example, certain blind plugs in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can provide port closing functionality and can also interface with a cable anchoring station for assisting in anchoring fiber optic cables to an enclosure.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. Inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to enclosures having perimeter sealing that provides effective sealing at relatively low compression levels. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to cable seal configurations that provide enhanced sealing at triple point locations defined between housing pieces of the enclosure. Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to elongated, multifunction port size reducers and blind plugs adapted to reduce the part count and complexity of the enclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an enclosure <NUM> in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure suitable for use in a fiber optic distribution network. The enclosure <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a first housing piece <NUM> (e.g., a base) and a second housing piece <NUM> (e.g., a cover). The first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be coupled together to define a housing interior <NUM> (see <FIG>). The first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> interface with one another (e.g., mate together, engage one another, etc.) at an interface location <NUM> that extends about a perimeter P of the housing <NUM>. A gasket <NUM> provides a perimeter seal between the first housing piece <NUM> and the second housing piece <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is positioned between the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> at the interface location <NUM>. The first housing piece <NUM> defines a plurality of cable seal openings <NUM> in which cable seals <NUM> are mounted. Cable anchoring stations <NUM> (i.e., locations) are positioned within the housing interior <NUM> for anchoring cables routed through the cable seals <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. The cable anchoring stations <NUM> include cable clamping locations <NUM> positioned in alignment with the cable seal openings <NUM>. Port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are shown mounted within major cable ports <NUM> defined by the cable seals <NUM>. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b respectively define minor cable ports 46a, 46b. Blind plugs 48a, 48b are respectively mounted within the minor cable ports 46a, 46b. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b and the blind plugs 48a, 48b are constructed to perform multiple functions and include portions that interact with the cable seals <NUM> and portions that interact with the cable anchoring stations <NUM>. In certain examples, the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are elongated and each has a molded, monolithic, one-piece construction. Similarly, the blind plugs 48a, 48b are also elongated and can each have a molded, monolithic, one-piece construction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> can be pivotally connected at a hinge <NUM> that extends along a major side of the housing <NUM>. Clamping latches <NUM> can be used to secure (e.g., clamp, fix or otherwise retain) the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> together. In certain examples, single clamping latches <NUM> are provided at minor sides of the housing <NUM> and a plurality of clamping latches <NUM> are provided at a major side of the housing <NUM> that is opposite from the hinge <NUM>.

As shown at <FIG>, a stack of pivotal fiber management trays <NUM> is shown mounted within the first housing piece <NUM>. The fiber management trays <NUM> can include fiber routing paths for routing excess optical fiber in looped configurations that prevent the optical fiber from being bent beyond minimum bend radius requirements. The fiber management trays <NUM> can also function as splice holders for holding a plurality of splices. Additionally, the fiber management trays <NUM> can retain and protect fiber optic components such as passive optical splitters and/or wavelength division multiplexers.

As shown at <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM> are shown mounted to the second housing piece <NUM>. The ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM> include exterior ports <NUM> and interior ports <NUM>. The exterior ports <NUM> are adapted to receive ruggedized fiber optic connectors corresponding to pre-connectorized drop cables. As depicted, the exterior ports <NUM> are enclosed by dust plugs <NUM> and are environmentally sealed. By removing the dust plugs <NUM>, the ruggedized fiber optic connectors corresponding to the pre-connectorized drop cables can be inserted into the exterior ports <NUM>. Preferably, a sealed relationship exists between the ruggedized fiber optic connectors and the exterior ports <NUM> of their corresponding ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM>. Additionally, a robust coupling technique (e.g., a threaded coupling, a bayonet style coupling or other like type of coupling) can be used to secure the ruggedized fiber optic connectors to the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM>. The interior ports <NUM> of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM> receive connectorized ends <NUM> of connectorized pigtails <NUM>. When the ruggedized fiber optic connectors are inserted within the exterior ports <NUM> of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM>, the ruggedized fiber optic connectors are optically coupled to the connectorized ends <NUM> of the corresponding connectorized pigtails <NUM>. It will be appreciated that a sealed relationship exists between the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Similarly, a sealed interface exists between the ruggedized fiber optic connectors and the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM>.

In use of the enclosure <NUM>, a multi-fiber distribution cable such as a trunk cable can be passed through the interior of the enclosure by routing the trunk cable through the major cable ports <NUM> defined by the cable seals <NUM>. The portion of the distribution cable within the housing interior <NUM> can be subjected to a window-cutting operation in which the outer jacket is removed to provide access to the optical fibers of the distribution cable. Selected ones of the optical fibers can be accessed, cut and optically coupled to smaller cables (e.g., drop cables) routed from the enclosure <NUM> through the port size reducers. For example, the accessed fibers can be routed to the fiber management trays <NUM> and spliced to optical fibers corresponding to drop cables routed out of the enclosure <NUM> through the minor cable ports 46a, 46b defined by the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b. Alternatively, the accessed optical fibers can be routed to the fiber management trays <NUM> and spliced to the connectorized pigtails <NUM> having the connectorized ends <NUM> inserted within the interior ports <NUM> of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM>. In still other examples, the optical fibers accessed from the pass-through cable can be routed to the fiber management trays <NUM> and optically coupled to fiber optic components supported on the fiber management trays <NUM> such as passive optical splitters or wavelength division multiplexers. The optical outputs of such fiber optic components can be optically coupled to the connectorized pigtails <NUM> having connectorized ends <NUM> inserted within the interior ports <NUM> of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters <NUM> or can be optically coupled to optical fibers corresponding to cables routed out of the enclosure <NUM> through the minor cable ports 46a, 46b.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cable anchoring stations <NUM> can include a plurality of clamping elements <NUM> that can cooperate to define the cable clamping locations <NUM>. In certain examples, the clamping elements <NUM> can be stacked on top of one another and fastened together using fastening elements. In certain examples, the fastening elements can include fasteners such as bolts <NUM>. As shown at <FIG>, the clamping elements <NUM> can include lower clamping elements 68a that are integrated with the first housing piece <NUM>. The clamping elements <NUM> can also include intermediate clamping elements 68b fastened to the lower clamping elements 68a, and upper clamping elements 68c fastened to the intermediate clamping elements 68b. The cable clamping locations <NUM> can be provided at clamping pockets or receptacles <NUM> defined between the clamping elements <NUM>. In certain examples, the clamping pockets <NUM> can be relatively large in size and can be configured for receiving relatively large cables such as the trunk cables that are passed through the enclosure <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the clamping pockets <NUM> are generally co-axially aligned with the major cable ports <NUM> defined by the cable seals <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the cable seals <NUM>, the gasket <NUM> and the port reducing plugs 42a, 42b can all have resilient, elastomeric constructions. In certain examples, the various sealing components can have a polymeric construction, a rubber construction or a rubber-like construction. In certain examples, the sealing elements can be compressible and can be configured to elastically deform to fill voids for sealing purposes.

As previously indicated, the cable seals <NUM> mount at the cable seal openings <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the cable seal openings <NUM> can be configured to effectively retain the cable seals <NUM>. For example, the cable seal openings <NUM> can define seal retention pockets <NUM> defined by inner and outer flanges <NUM>, <NUM>. The inner and outer flanges <NUM>, <NUM> overlap the cable seals <NUM> such that the cable seals <NUM> are effectively retained within the cable seal openings <NUM>. The cable seals <NUM> can include slit or tear locations <NUM> so as to function as wrap-around seals for allowing cables to be laterally inserted into the major cable ports <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the major cable ports <NUM> defined by the cable seals <NUM> are configured to receive round, relatively large fiber optic cables. Examples of this type of cable include multi-fiber distribution cables of the type typically passed through the enclosure <NUM>. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b can function as port size converters for allowing the cable seals <NUM> to accommodate smaller cables. For example, when the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are inserted within the major cable ports <NUM> of the cable seals <NUM>, a sealed relationship exists between the exterior of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b and the cable seals <NUM>. The minor cable ports 46a, 46b are configured for receiving and sealing smaller cables such as drop cables. The minor cable ports 46a are adapted for receiving round cables while the minor cable ports 46b are adapted for receiving flat cables. The blind plugs 48a, 48b are configured to plug and seal the minor cable ports 46a, 46b when the minor cable ports 46a, 46b are not occupied by cables. When it is desired to route a cable through one of the minor cable ports 46a, 46b, the corresponding blind plug 48a, 48b is removed thereby allowing for the insertion of the corresponding cable through the corresponding minor cable port 46a, 46b.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b has a one-piece construction with different sections (e.g., portions, regions, extents) configured to perform different functions with respect to the enclosure <NUM>. The different functions can include port size reducing functions, cable sealing functions and cable anchoring functions. In certain examples, the minor cable ports 46a, 46b can extend through lengths of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b can include first portions 80a, 80b and second portions 82a, 82b positioned along the lengths of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are sized in shape such that the first portions 80a, 80b are configured to fit in a sealed relationship within the major cable ports <NUM>. The second portions 82a, 82b of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are configured to fit within the clamping pockets <NUM> defined at the clamping locations <NUM> of the cable anchoring stations <NUM>.

The first portions 80a, 80b of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b function as port size converters for converting the cable seals <NUM> to accommodate smaller cables. The first portions 80a, 80b can fill the major cable ports <NUM> of the cable seals <NUM> and can include exterior surfaces that make sealed contact with the interior of the cable seals <NUM>. The minor cable ports 46a, 46b can have transverse cross-sectional shapes that are fully enclosed at the first portions 80a, 80b so as to provide uninterrupted sealing about the exterior surface of a cable (e.g., a drop cable) routed therethrough. In certain examples, the first portions 80a, 80b of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b can have truncated conical shapes having major ends <NUM> and minor ends <NUM>. The truncated conical shapes of the first portions 80a, 80b can match corresponding truncated conical shapes of the major cable ports <NUM>. The port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b can include first and second retention shoulders <NUM>, <NUM> positioned adjacent to the major and minor ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the truncated conical shapes of the first portions 80a, 80b. The first and second retention shoulders <NUM>, <NUM> can engage inner and outer faces of the cable seals <NUM> to provide for axial retention of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b within the cable seals <NUM>.

The second portions 82a, 82b of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b are adapted to assist in providing an effective clamping function at the cable anchoring stations <NUM> for smaller cables. For example, the second portions 82a, 82b are configured to fit within the clamping pockets <NUM> and to assist in clamping drop cables routed through the minor cable ports 46a, 46b within the clamping pockets <NUM>. Absent the presence of the second portions 82a, 82b, the clamping pockets <NUM> would be too large to provide effective clamping of the relatively small cables routed through the minor cable ports 46a, 46b. Thus, the second portions 82a, 82b are configured to fill excess void space within the clamping pockets <NUM> so that the relatively small cables routed through the minor cable ports 46a, 46b can be effectively clamped at the cable anchoring stations <NUM>. In certain examples, the second portions 82a, 82b of the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b can be generally cylindrical in shape and can be unitarily formed with the first portions 80a, 80b adjacent the minor ends <NUM> of the truncated conical shapes defined by the first portions 80a, 80b. The second portions 82a, 82b are configured to generally fill the clamping pockets <NUM> and are depicted having open sides <NUM>. The open sides <NUM> allow the clamping elements <NUM> to directly contact cables routed through the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b so as to provide direct clamping force upon the jackets of the cables routed through the port size reducer plugs 42a, 42b.

Referring again to <FIG>, the blind plugs 48a, 48b are configured to fit within the minor cable ports 46a, 46b. The blind plugs 48a, 48b are configured to effectively seal the minor cable ports 46a, 46b when the cable ports 46a, 46b are not occupied by cables. The blind plugs 48a, 48b are also configured to assist in providing effective clamping at the cable anchoring stations <NUM>. The blind plugs 48a have elongated transverse cross-sectional shapes that correspond to the shapes of the minor cable ports 46a, and the blind plugs 48b have round transverse cross-sectional shapes that correspond to the shapes of the minor cable ports 46b.

Each of the blind plugs 48a, 48b has an elongated construction having an outer end with a handle 100a, 100b. Each of the blind plugs 48a, 48b also includes a first extent 102a, 102b that coincides with the first portion 80a, 80b of the port reducing plug 42a, 42b, and a second extent 104a, 104b that coincides with the second portion 82a, 82b of the port size reducer plug 42a, 42b. The first extents 102a, 102b fill the minor cable ports 46a, 46b at the first portions 80a, 80b so as to effectively seal and close the minor cable ports 46a, 46b when the minor cable ports 46a, 46b are not in use. The second extents 104a, 104b effectively fill the minor cable ports 46a, 46b at the second portions 82a, 82b of the port reducing plugs 42a, 42b so as to limit void space within the second portions 82a, 82b so that the second portions 82a, 82b do not excessively deform during clamping. For example, if one of the minor cable ports 46a, 46b of a given port size reducer plug 42a, 42b were occupied with a cable while the other minor cable port 46a, 46b of the port size reducer plug 42a, 42b were to be unoccupied at the second portion 82a, 82b, the unoccupied minor cable port 46a, 46b would allow the second portion 82a, 82b to deform a substantial amount during clamping thereby preventing sufficient clamping force from being applied to the cable routed through the other minor cable port 46a, 46b.

The blind plugs 48a, 48b can also include first retention shoulders 106a, 106b positioned adjacent the handles 100a, 100b and second retention shoulders 108a, 108b positioned between the first extents 102a, 102b and the second extents 104a, 104b. The first retention shoulders 106a, 106b and the second retention shoulders 108a, 108b provide for effective axial retention of the blind plugs 48a, 48b within their corresponding minor cable ports 46a, 46b.

The gasket <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> is adapted to provide a perimeter seal at the interface between the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain examples, the first and second housing pieces can have a mating relationship at the interface location <NUM>. For example, as shown at <FIG>, the second housing piece <NUM> can include channels <NUM> at the ends of the housing that receive rails <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM> such that the second housing piece <NUM> nests over the first housing piece <NUM> to provide effective mating and alignment between the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The second housing piece <NUM> can also include a lip that overhangs the first housing piece <NUM> along the major sides of the enclosure <NUM>. The interface location <NUM> also includes gasket engagement and compression surfaces for causing compression of the gasket <NUM> when the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are mated and clamped together. As shown at <FIG> and <FIG>, the second housing piece <NUM> defines a channel <NUM> in which the gasket <NUM> is received. The channel <NUM> includes a gasket engagement surface <NUM> that opposes a corresponding gasket engagement surface <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM>. When the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are clamped together, the gasket <NUM> is compressed between the gasket engagement surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Prior to compression, the gasket <NUM> has a height H that is larger than the depth of the channel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> has a transverse cross-sectional shape including a web <NUM> having a length L that extends between first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the web <NUM>. The web <NUM> includes first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> that extend along the length L between the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The transverse cross-sectional shape has enlarged heads <NUM> at the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The transverse cross-sectional shape also has first ribs <NUM> that project outwardly from the first side <NUM> of the web <NUM> at a location between the enlarged heads <NUM>, and second ribs <NUM> that project outwardly from the second side <NUM> of the web <NUM> at a location between the enlarged heads <NUM>. The first and second ribs <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged generally perpendicular with respect to the web <NUM>. When the gasket <NUM> is compressed between the gasket engagement surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM>, the gasket <NUM> is compressed in an orientation parallel to the length L of the web <NUM> such that the web <NUM> is axially compressed along its length. In this way, the gasket <NUM> is compressed in an orientation that is perpendicular relative to the first and second ribs <NUM>, <NUM> and parallel to the web <NUM>. Thus, during compression, the enlarged heads <NUM> are compressed toward one another. In one example, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the gasket is symmetric about an axis <NUM> that is parallel to the length L of the web <NUM> and that bisects the web <NUM>. The configuration of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the gasket <NUM> assists in providing effective perimeter sealing of the housing <NUM> without requiring excessive clamping forces. In other examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile of the gasket can have a single first rib that projects from the first side of the web and a single second rib which projects from the opposite second side of the web. In other examples, other gasket profiles can be used.

In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile of the gasket <NUM> is compressed at least <NUM> millimeter or at least <NUM> millimeters along the length of the web. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile of the gasket <NUM> is compressed at least <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> percent along the length of the web from a non-compressed state to a compressed state when the housing pieces are latched together. In certain examples, the transverse cross-sectional profile of the gasket <NUM> is compressed at least <NUM>-<NUM> percent along the length of the web from a non-compressed state to a compressed state when the housing pieces are latched together. In certain examples, the gasket can have a Shore A hardness in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. In certain examples, the gasket can have a profile height in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters or in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters.

Referring to <FIG>, the cable seals <NUM> each include a main body <NUM> that defines the major cable ports <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes a generally flat top peripheral surface <NUM>, generally flat side peripheral side surfaces <NUM>, and a rounded bottom peripheral surface <NUM>. The cable seal <NUM> also includes structure for providing enhanced triple point sealing. For example, the cable seal <NUM> includes sealing tabs <NUM> that project outwardly from the side peripheral surfaces <NUM> of the main body <NUM> adjacent the peripheral surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In certain examples, the tabs can be tapered along their lengths so as to narrow as the tabs extend away from the main body of the cable seal. In certain examples, the tabs are at a top end of the cable seal.

<FIG> and <FIG> show one of the cable seals <NUM> mounted within one of the cable seal openings <NUM>. As shown at <FIG>, the gasket engagement surface <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM> has gap-defining edges <NUM> that define a gap G in the engagement surface <NUM> at the cable seal opening <NUM>. As shown at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the top peripheral surface <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM> is configured to bridge the gap G between the gap defining edges <NUM> of the gasket engagement surface <NUM>. As shown at <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> extends across the top peripheral surface <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM> and across the gap-defining edges <NUM> of the gasket engagement surface <NUM>. The sealing tabs <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM> extend from the main body <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM> across the gap-defining edges <NUM> and are positioned between the gasket <NUM> and the gasket engagement surface <NUM> so as to provide enhanced sealing at the triple point location associated with the gap-defining edges <NUM>.

<FIG> show another cable seal <NUM>' that can be mounted at the cable seal openings <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM>. The cable seal <NUM>' has an alternative configuration for providing enhanced sealing at triple point locations. The cable seal <NUM>' has a main body <NUM> including a top peripheral surface <NUM>, side peripheral surfaces <NUM> and a rounded bottom peripheral surface <NUM>. The main body <NUM> defines major cable ports <NUM>. When the cable seal <NUM>' is mounted within the cable seal opening <NUM>, the top peripheral surface <NUM> is positioned at the interface location <NUM> between the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The top peripheral surface <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM>' bridges the gap G between the gap-defining edges <NUM> of the gasket engagement surface <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> extends across the top peripheral surface <NUM> and across the gap-defining edges <NUM> of the gasket engagement surface <NUM>. The top peripheral surface <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM>' includes an intermediate portion <NUM> that is raised relative to the gasket engagement surface <NUM> prior to compression of the cable seal <NUM>' between the first and second housing pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The top peripheral surface <NUM> of the cable seal <NUM>' also includes outer chamfer portions <NUM> on opposite sides of the intermediate portion <NUM> that ramp downwardly from the intermediate portion <NUM> toward the gap-defining edges <NUM> of the gasket engagement surface <NUM> of the first housing piece <NUM>. In this way, the chamfer portions <NUM> provide a smooth transition between the seal and the gasket engagement surface <NUM> to avoid an open space at the triple point. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show the cable seal <NUM>' mounted within the cable seal opening <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An enclosure (<NUM>) for use in a fiber optic distribution network, the enclosure comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining a housing interior (<NUM>) and a cable seal opening (<NUM>);
a cable seal (<NUM>, <NUM>') mounted within the cable seal opening, the cable seal defining a major cable port (<NUM>);
a cable anchoring station (<NUM>) positioned within the housing interior for anchoring a cable relative to the housing, the cable anchoring station including a cable clamping location (<NUM>) in alignment with the cable seal opening;
a one-piece port size reducer plug (42a, 42b) defining a minor cable port (46a, 46b) that extends through a length of the port size reducer plug, the port size reducer plug having first and second portions (80a, 80b, 82a, 82b) positioned along the length of the port size reducer plug, the port size reducer plug (42a, 42b) being sized and shaped such that the first portion (80a, 80b) of the port size reducer plug (42a, 42b) is configured to fit within the major cable port and the second portion (82a, 82b) of the port size reducer plug (42a, 42b) is configured to fit within the clamping location; and
a one-piece blind plug (48a, 48b) that fits within the minor cable port (46a, 46b), the blind plug having a first extent (102a, 102b) that coincides with the first portion of the port size reducer plug and a second extent (104a, 104b) that coincides with the second portion of the port size reducer plug, the first extent (102a, 102b) filling the minor cable port (46a, 46b) at the first portion (80a, 80b) of the port size reducer plug to seal the minor cable port (46a, 46b) when the minor cable port (46a, 46b) is not in use, the second extent (104a, 104b) filling the minor cable port (46a, 46b) at the second portion (82a, 82b) of the port size reducer plug to limit void space within the second portion (82a, 82b) such that the second portion (82a, 82b) does not excessively deform within the clamping location of the cable anchoring station (<NUM>), characterised in that the minor cable port (46a, 46b) has a transverse cross-sectional shape that is fully enclosed at the first portion (80a, 80b) of the port size reducer plug (42a, 42b) and that has an open side at the second portion (82a, 82b) of the port size reducer plug (42a, 42b).