Patent Description:
Subscribers to data/communications providers can be connected to data networks with optical fibers.

In some applications, the network includes sealable multi-fiber terminals at which a stub cable is terminated and then routed through a conduit to other telecommunications equipment, such as a fiber distribution hub, where the fibers from the stub cable can be separated, split, spliced, organized, stored, and/or connected to subscribers with drop cables.

Depending on the particular network application, the telecommunications equipment and/or the conduit(s) can be positioned or partially positioned on the ground, above the ground (i.e., aerially mounted or suspended), and/or or below the ground, e.g., in a hand hole. In specific applications, both the multi-fiber terminal and the conduit are positioned below ground.

<FIG> illustrates a network <NUM> deploying passive fiber optic lines. As shown in <FIG>, the network <NUM> may include a central office <NUM> that connects a number of end subscribers <NUM> in a network. The central office <NUM> may additionally connect to a larger network such as the Internet (not shown) and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The network <NUM> may also include fiber distribution hubs (FDHs) <NUM> having one or more optical splitters that generate a number of individual fibers that may lead to the premises of a subscriber <NUM>. As mentioned, the various lines of the network can be aerial or housed within underground conduits (e.g., see conduit <NUM>).

The portion of network <NUM> that is closest to central office <NUM> is generally referred to as the F1 region, where F1 is the "feeder fiber" from the central office. The portion of network <NUM> that includes an FDH <NUM> and a number of end users <NUM> may be referred to as an F2 portion of network <NUM>. Splitters used in an FDH <NUM> may accept a feeder cable having a number of fibers and may split those incoming fibers into individual distribution fibers that may be associated with a like number of subscriber locations.

Referring to <FIG>, the network <NUM> includes a plurality of breakout locations <NUM> at which branch cables (e.g., drop cables, stub cables, etc.) are separated out from main cables (e.g., distribution cables). Breakout locations can also be referred to as tap locations or branch locations and branch cables can also be referred to as breakout cables. At a breakout location, fibers of the branch cables are typically spliced to selected fibers of the main cable. However, for certain applications, the interface between the fibers of the main cable and the fibers of the branch cables can be connectorized. In some applications, the breakout location includes a sealable multi-fiber terminal adapted to connect the fibers of the main cable and the fibers of branch or stub cables. The multi-fiber terminal can include ports supporting adapters for optically connecting the fibers.

Stub cables are typically branch cables that are routed from breakout locations (e.g., a sealable multi-fiber terminal/drop terminal) to intermediate access locations such as a pedestals or hubs. Intermediate access locations can provide connector interfaces located between breakout locations and the actual subscriber locations. A drop cable is a cable that typically forms the last leg to a subscriber location. For example, drop cables are routed from intermediate access locations to subscriber locations. <CIT> discloses a known fiber optic drop terminal assembly including a housing, and a fiber optic distribution cable. A plurality of ruggedized adapters is mounted on the housing. The ruggedized adapters include a first port accessible from outside the housing and a second port accessible from inside the housing. The distribution cable includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end and the second end is disposed inside the housing.

<FIG> shows several branch cables routed to drop terminals <NUM>. Drop terminals can be mounted on a variety of different structures. For example, a typical drop terminal may be mounted to a pole, a strand (e.g., a fiber optic cable or a copper cable) or inside a hand hole.

In telecommunications networks such as the one shown in <FIG>, advancing a stub cable through a conduit (e.g., the conduit <NUM>) from a multi-fiber terminal/drop terminal to an intermediate access location can be challenging, particularly when the conduit is underground and therefore difficult to access.

Further embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

Examples of fiber optic cable terminals (which include drop terminals) according to the present disclosure include an enclosure having a plurality of hardened/ruggedized ports that are environmentally sealed relative to the enclosure, each of the hardened/ruggedized ports adapted to receive a ruggedized/hardened fiber optic connector from outside the enclosure. The cable terminal includes a pushable stub cable holding at least one optical fiber optically coupled to the hardened/ruggedized ports. In some examples, the number of optical fibers included in the stub cable can equal the number of hardened/ruggedized ports of the cable terminal/drop terminal with each optical fiber being optically coupled to one of the ports. For example, for a <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> optical fibers, for an <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> optical fibers, and for a <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> fibers. Higher fiber counts could also be used. In other examples, the stub cable can have a single optical fiber and the enclosure can include a passive optical power splitter or wavelength division multiplexer having an input side coupled to the fiber of the stub cable and an output side having outputs coupled to each of the hardened/ruggedized ports.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber optic cable terminal comprises: a stub cable extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the stub cable, the stub cable including an outer jacket housing at least a first optical fiber; and a sealable closure sealingly coupled to the stub cable at a primary port defined by the sealable closure, the sealable closure having an interior volume and at least one secondary pluggable port adapted to receive an end of a second optical fiber routed to the sealable closure from outside the interior volume, wherein the stub cable is adapted (e.g., has one or more structural characteristics that adapt the cable) to be distally advanced by at least a predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance into a conduit by applying only one or more pushing forces from a location that is proximal to a proximal end of the conduit.

The one or more structural characteristics can include one or more of the stub cable's rigidity, flexibility/resilience, and/or frictional characteristics of an outer surface of the stub cable, or one or more other characteristics of the stub cable.

The outer jacket of the stub cables of the present disclosure can be made from any suitable materials. In some examples, the jacket may be formed of a low smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) material, a polyethylene material (which is particularly well suited for outdoor uses), or other compounds, as best suited to the deployment environment.

Another characteristic of the stub cables of the present disclosure can include the stub cable's sag, which refers to the amount of droop (from the horizon) of one longitudinal end of the stub cable of given length that is clamped at the opposing longitudinal end. In some examples, stub cables of the present disclosure have a sag defined such that if a three foot length of the stub cable were supported by a clamp holding one end of the cable horizontal, the opposite end of the stub cable would not sag down more than <NUM> inches from the horizon. In other examples, the opposite end of the stub cable would not sag by more than <NUM> inches, such as less than <NUM> inches or less than <NUM> inches.

In some examples, the predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance is a function of an inner diameter or inner width of the conduit passage and/or an outer diameter of the stub cable and/or or a path defined by the conduit, wherein the path can include one or more straight sections and/or one or more curved sections.

In some examples, an inner diameter of the conduit passage through which the stub cable is pushed is smaller than a minimum cross-dimension of the assembled cable terminal. In other words, the inner diameter of the conduit is small enough that the assembled cable terminal is not passable therethrough. In particular examples, the minimum inner diameter or width of the conduit passage is less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>.

In some examples, the predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance is at least partially a function of a total curvature of the conduit along the minimum distance, where the total curvature is defined as: <MAT> where α is a constant, x0 is the proximal-most point of the path defined by the conduit, x1 corresponds to the distally-most advanced position of the stub cable at the predetermined minimum distance, and r is the radius of curvature of the conduit along the path.

In some examples, the predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance is at least partially a function of a total twisting of the conduit along the minimum distance, where twisting is defined as a curvature of the conduit that has both a non-zero horizontal component and a non-zero vertical component.

In some examples, the predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance is at least partially a function of frictional characteristics of an inner surface of the conduit. It should be appreciated that the pushable stub cable can encounter a conduit that is already populated with one or more cables. Thus, in some examples, the predetermined minimum distance/desired installation distance takes into account other cables already routed through the conduit, which could inhibit the stub cable's pushability.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber optic cable terminal comprises: a stub cable extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the stub cable, the stub cable including an outer jacket housing a first set of optical fibers, the stub cable having a maximum outer transverse diameter or width; and a sealable closure sealingly coupled to the stub cable at a primary port defined by the sealable closure, the sealable closure having an interior volume and a plurality of secondary pluggable ports adapted to receive ends of a second set of optical fibers routed to the sealable closure from outside the interior volume, wherein the first set of optical fibers are adapted to be routed from the stub cable though the interior volume for optically connecting the first set of optical fibers to the second set of optical fibers via the secondary ports; wherein the stub cable is configured such that the distal end is distally advanceable by an advancing distance through an axially extending conduit having a minimum inner transverse diameter or width that is greater than the maximum outer transverse diameter or width of the stub cable by distally pushing the stub cable from a location that is proximal from a proximal end of the conduit and without distally pulling the stub cable from a location that is distal to the proximal end of the conduit; and wherein the advancing distance is at least ten times the minimum inner transverse diameter of the conduit.

In some examples, the advancing distance is at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times, or more, the minimum inner transverse diameter or width of the conduit passage, that inner width being smaller than a minimum cross-dimension of the closure.

In some examples, the fiber optic cable terminal comprises a stub cable organizing structure for organizing a portion of the stub cable that is not advanced into the conduit.

In some examples, the fiber optic cable terminal comprises a dispenser, e.g., a controllable electrical dispenser for automatically dispensing and distally advancing a length of the stub cable into the conduit.

In some examples, the cable organizing structure comprises a spool.

In some examples, the cable organizing structure is mounted to or integral with an exterior surface of the sealable closure.

In some examples, a plurality of plugs are coupled to the sealable closure for selectively plugging the secondary ports.

In some examples, the secondary ports include fiber optic adapters for optically connecting the first set of optical fibers to the second set of optical fibers.

In some examples, the first ends of the first set of optical fibers are disposed in the interior volume and/or the ends of the second set of optical fibers are terminated with optical fiber connectors.

In some examples, the distal end of the stub cable is distally advanceable through the proximal end of the conduit and a distal end of the conduit to a fiber distribution hub by distally pushing the stub cable from a location that is proximal to the proximal end of the conduit and without distally pulling the stub cable from a location that is distal to the proximal end of the conduit.

In some examples, the pushable stub cable is equally bendable in all directions, such that the pushable stub cable does not have a preferred bending axis.

In some examples, the pushable stub cable has a jacket with an outer surface/perimeter that defines flutes, ribs or other projections distributed about its perimeter for reducing friction with a conduit through which the stub cable is pushed. The projections extend longitudinally along the length of the cable.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the 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 embodiments disclosed herein are based.

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a pushable stub cable <NUM> is defined by a central longitudinal axis A (into page in <FIG>). The stub cable <NUM> can be flexible, e.g., spooled or bent. Thus, the axis A need not be straight, but rather simply follows the longitudinal path of the stub cable <NUM>. In some examples, the stub cable does not have a preferred or preferred bending axis or axes.

The stub cable <NUM> has a proximal end <NUM> and extends axially (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A) in a longitudinally distal direction <NUM> towards a distal end (not shown). The axial length of the stub cable <NUM> can be any desired length, e.g., up to or greater than <NUM>,<NUM> meters.

By "pushable" is meant that the stub cable <NUM> has structural characteristics, e.g., rigidity, resilience, outer surface frictional characteristics, etc., such that the stub cable can be distally advanced, by at least a minimum or desired distance, within a conduit of a given size and defining a given path, by applying an advancing force to the stub cable only from a location that is proximal to a proximal end of the conduit. The structural characteristics that impart pushability can be characteristic of one, two, or all three dimensions of the stub cable. For example, in certain applications, higher rigidity may be more important in a radial/traverse dimension or dimensions than in the axial dimension of the stub cable.

In the case of a straight conduit, the structural characteristics of the stub cable <NUM> that impart pushability can include, primarily, the cable's rigidity relative to lateral/transverse loads and frictional characteristics of its outer surface. In the case of a conduit that has curvature or twisting (i.e., one or more non-straight segments), the resilience/flexibility of the stub cable also becomes important, as well as rigidity/resilience in the axial dimension of the stub cable.

The inner diameter or width of the conduit and/or the frictional characteristics of the inner surface of the conduit can also partially dictate how much the stub cable <NUM> can be distally advanced in the conduit by pushing alone.

It should be appreciated that, in some examples, the stub cable <NUM> is adapted to be advanced, by distally pushing alone, all the way to the distal end of a given conduit, or even beyond that. In other examples, the stub cable <NUM> is adapted to be advanced, by distally pushing alone, not as far as the distal end of the conduit. In such examples, other methods can be employed, e.g., pulling the stub cable <NUM> the remaining distance from the distal end of the conduit, in order to complete the desired routing of the stub cable <NUM>.

In addition, in at least some examples it is desirable that the stub cable is sufficiently flexible and resilient to be spoolable for purposes of organizing and storing undeployed lengths of the stub cable.

The example stub cable <NUM> includes an outer jacket <NUM> defining an outer surface <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>. In this example, the outer surface <NUM> has a substantially constant curvature. In other examples, the outer surface can have non-constant curvature. For example, the outer surface can define one or more radial undulations that can provide for a fluted or otherwise configured outer jacket of the stub cable <NUM>.

Optionally, interior (i.e. closer to the axis A) to the outer jacket <NUM> the stub cable <NUM> can include strength member material <NUM> (e.g., aramid yarn). The stub cable <NUM> can alternatively include any configuration of a strength member or members and/or strength member material, and/or no strength members at all. Optionally the stub cable <NUM> also includes an inner tube/buffer tube <NUM>, which can be interior to the strength member material <NUM>.

The stub cable <NUM> carries a plurality of coated optical fibers <NUM>. Each coated optical fiber <NUM> can correspond to a single fiber or multiple (e.g., ribbonized) fibers. In this example, the stub cable <NUM> carries a total of four single optical fibers <NUM>. However, any number of fibers can be carried by the stub cables of the present disclosure, including any number from one optical fiber to tens, hundreds, or even thousands of optical fibers. The optical fibers can be held loosely in the stub cable <NUM> or affixed (e.g., embedded) in the stub cable <NUM>.

The transverse cross-section of the example stub cable <NUM> is substantially round. Alternatively, the transverse cross-section can be another shape, e.g., elongated in one dimension.

The stub cable <NUM> has a maximum outer diameter or maximum outer width OD. In some non-limiting examples the stub cable <NUM> has an OD that is less than, e.g., <NUM>, or less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>. The OD can alternatively be larger than these values. In some examples, the stub cable <NUM> has an OD of <NUM> and is pushed through a conduit having an ID of <NUM>.

Non-limiting examples of pushable cables that can correspond to the stub cable <NUM> are described in International Application No. <CIT>, and in <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example cable terminal <NUM> is shown. The cable terminal <NUM> can be used as a drop terminal. The proximal end <NUM> (<FIG>) of the stub cable <NUM> has been sealingly received by a primary cable port <NUM>, which provides access for the stub cable <NUM> and the optical fibers it carries to the interior volume defined by the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM> of the terminal <NUM>, which are sealingly and removably coupled together. The primary cable port <NUM> can be partially defined by both the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM> and opens at a side <NUM> of the terminal <NUM>.

Each of four plugs <NUM> is coupled to the cover <NUM> and is shown sealing one of four secondary ports <NUM> also defined by the cover <NUM>. Alternatively, any number of secondary ports can be provided. Optionally, the secondary ports <NUM> house adapters for optically connecting optical fibers (e.g., from a main cable) to the optical fibers <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, the adapters of the secondary ports <NUM> are adapted to receive connectorized optical fibers.

Proximal ends of the optical fibers <NUM> can be routed within the interior volume defined by the cable terminal <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM> to the secondary ports <NUM> where they can be optically connected to optical fibers from the main cable. In this manner, the interior volume of the cable terminal, and structures therein, can serve to break out the optical fibers from the main cable and/or from the stub cable <NUM>.

Optionally, a strain relief boot <NUM> can be provided toward the proximal end of the stub cable <NUM> to prevent over-bending of the optical fibers <NUM> where the stub cable <NUM> joins the cable terminal <NUM>.

The cable terminal <NUM> is a non-limiting example of cable terminals in accordance with the present disclosure. Generally speaking, example cable terminals in accordance with the present disclosure include an enclosure having a plurality of hardened/ruggedized ports that are environmentally sealed relative to the enclosure, each of the hardened/ruggedized ports adapted to receive a ruggedized/hardened fiber optic connector from outside the enclosure. The cable terminal includes a pushable stub cable holding at least one optical fiber optically coupled to the hardened/ruggedized ports. In some examples, the number of optical fibers included in the stub cable can equal the number of hardened/ruggedized ports of the cable terminal with each optical fiber being optically coupled to one of the ports. For example, for a <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> optical fibers, for an <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> optical fibers, and for a <NUM> port cable terminal the stub cable would have <NUM> fibers. Higher fiber counts could also be used. In other examples, the stub cable can have a single optical fiber and the enclosure can include a passive optical power splitter or wavelength division multiplexer having an input side coupled to the fiber of the stub cable and an output side having outputs coupled to each of the hardened/ruggedized ports.

The cable terminal <NUM> can be positioned on the ground, above the ground, or below the ground (e.g., in a hand hole). Once situated, the stub cable <NUM> can be distally advanced through a conduit as described in more detail below.

Non-limiting examples of the cable terminals that can be used with stub cables in accordance with the present disclosure are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, optionally an undeployed length <NUM> (i.e., slack) of the stub cable <NUM> can be organized and stored on an organizing structure <NUM>. In non-limiting examples, the organizing structure is a spool or includes a spool component and/or one or more bend radius limiters, and the slack <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM> can be spooled or otherwise organized thereabout. Thus, in some examples, the stub cable <NUM> is sufficiently flexible to be spooled on a spool of a given spool radius and still meet pushability characteristics defined herein. The organizing structure can be mounted to or integrally formed with the cable terminal <NUM>, e.g., integrally formed with the cover <NUM> or the base <NUM>.

Advancing of a deployed length <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM> into a conduit will be described below in conjunction with <FIG>. Optionally, a deploying mechanism can be provided in addition to, or integral with, the cable terminal <NUM> and/or the organizing structure <NUM>. Such a deploying mechanism can be, e.g., an electrical/motorized mechanism adapted to apply an advancing force to the stub cable <NUM> at a location proximal to a proximal end of a conduit, i.e., at a location at or near the cable terminal <NUM>. Optionally a controller can be provided to control such a deploying mechanism and e.g., start, stop, and/or adjust the pace of deployment. Optionally, such a deploying mechanism can be connected to a power source and/or a controller, and include one or more drivers.

Referring to <FIG>, the stub cable <NUM>, having distal end <NUM> and having spooled length <NUM>, is positioned to be distally advanced into a conduit <NUM> via the conduit's proximal end <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> has a distal end <NUM> at or near a fiber distribution hub <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM> at or near the primary port of the cable terminal <NUM>, and is radially enclosed surrounding its longitudinal axis. The conduit <NUM> includes at least one straight section <NUM> and/or at least one curved section <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> can run entirely or partly on the ground, above the ground (e.g., in an aerially suspended manner), or below the ground.

The conduit can have a transversely round cross-section or, alternatively, any other cross-section. The cross-section can optionally vary in size and/or shape along the longitudinal length of the conduit.

Referring to <FIG>, the conduit <NUM> has a wall <NUM> that defines an open channel <NUM> through which the stub cable <NUM> can be advanced. The conduit <NUM> has a minimum inner diameter or width (i.e., a minimum passage diameter) ID that corresponds to the smallest width/diameter of the channel <NUM> along the advancing distance of the stub cable <NUM>.

In some examples, the inner diameter ID is smaller than a minimum cross-dimension of the assembled cable terminal <NUM>, e.g., a minimum cross-dimension of the terminal <NUM> perpendicular to the cable axis in <FIG>. In other words, the inner diameter ID of the conduit is small enough that the assembled cable terminal is not passable therethrough. In particular examples, the inner diameter ID is less than or equal to <NUM> millimeters (mm), or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a minimum pushable advancing distance is defined as the distance traveled by the distal end <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM> from its initial entry location x0 into the conduit <NUM> to another location x1 within the conduit that is distal from the entry location x0, where the only advancing force applied to the stub cable <NUM> is from a position that is proximal to the proximal end <NUM> of the conduit <NUM>. Thus, the distance from x0 to x1 is defined by the conduit <NUM> and does not necessarily refer to a straight line (shortest) distance between x0 and x1. In particular examples, the minimum pushable advancing distance is at least <NUM> meters (m), or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>,<NUM>, or more.

It should be appreciated that the location x1 alternatively can be located distally beyond the distal end <NUM> of the channel <NUM>, such that the minimum pushable advancing distance is longer than the channel <NUM> itself.

In some examples, one or more structural attributes of the stub cable <NUM> (including, e.g., the stub cable's rigidity, flexibility/resilience, and/or frictional characteristics of its outer surface <NUM>) is/are such that the distance from x0 to x1 is at least partially a function of the minimum inner diameter or width ID of the conduit <NUM> and/or the maximum outer diameter OD of the stub cable <NUM>. Generally speaking but not necessarily in every application, for a given stub cable, the larger the conduit is compared to the stub cable (i.e., the larger the ratio of ID/OD), the longer will be the distance from x0 to x1.

In some examples, one or more structural attributes of the stub cable <NUM> (including, e.g., the stub cable's rigidity, flexibility/resilience, and/or frictional characteristics of its outer surface <NUM>) is/are selected such that the distance from x0 to x1 is at least partially a function of the path defined by the conduit <NUM>, the path including the at least one straight section <NUM> and/or the at least one curved section <NUM>. Generally speaking but not necessarily in every application, for a given stub cable, the smaller the curvature of the path defined by the conduit, the longer will be the distance from x0 to x1.

In some examples, one or more structural attributes of the stub cable <NUM> (including, e.g., the stub cable's rigidity, flexibility/resilience, and/or frictional characteristics of its outer surface <NUM>) is/are selected such that the distance from x0 to x1 is at least partially a function of a total curvature of the conduit <NUM> between x0 and x1, where the total curvature is defined according to the follow equation (<NUM>) as: <MAT> where α is a constant, and r is the radius of curvature of the conduit <NUM>.

In some examples, one or more structural attributes of the stub cable <NUM> (including, e.g., the stub cable's rigidity, flexibility/resilience, and/or frictional characteristics of its outer surface <NUM>) is/are selected such that the distance from x0 to x1 is at least partially a function of a total twisting of the conduit <NUM> between x0 and x1, where twisting is defined as a curvature of the conduit that has both a horizontal component and a vertical component.

In some examples, the distance from x0 to x1 is at least partially a function of the frictional characteristics of the inner surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the conduit <NUM> (<FIG>). Generally speaking, the smaller the coefficient(s) of friction of the inner surface <NUM>, the longer is the distance from x0 to x1. Generally speaking, the smaller the coefficient(s) of friction of the outer surface <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>, the longer is the distance from x0 to x1.

In some examples, the distance from x0 to x1 is at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times, at least <NUM>,<NUM> times (or more) the minimum inner diameter or width ID of the conduit <NUM>, the minimum inner transverse diameter or width of the conduit being smaller than a minimum cross-dimension of the closure of the cable terminal <NUM>.

Non-limiting examples of pushable multi-fiber stub cables that can be terminated at cable terminals and pushed distally through conduits in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described. Each of these stub cables includes at least one of the pushability characteristics described herein. Regardless of how many fibers are depicted, it should be appreciated that each of these stub cables can be configured to carry any suitable number of optical fibers.

Referring to <FIG>, the stub cable <NUM> includes an inner core with a member for transmitting data signals, the member being a plurality of optical fibers <NUM>, such as <NUM> micron diameter optical fibers. The optical fibers <NUM> are parallel to a center/longitudinal axis <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>. A buffer tube <NUM> surrounds the optical fiber <NUM>. The buffer tube/inner tube <NUM> is centered along the axis <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>. It should be appreciated that any number of optical fibers <NUM> may be located within the buffer tube <NUM>, such as two, four, eight, or even up to twenty-four optical fibers. Also, <FIG> shows loose optical fibers <NUM> within the opening of the buffer tube <NUM>. Instead of a "loose-tube" arrangement, the invention may include a "tight-tube" arrangement.

Optionally, the inner core of the stub cable <NUM> also includes a plurality of flaccid strength members. In one embodiment, the flaccid strength members are fibers or yarns <NUM> completely surrounding the buffer tube <NUM>. The yarns <NUM> may be constructed of aramid yarns, such as those sold under the trademark of KEVLAR.

Optionally, at least one rigid strength member <NUM> is provided within the inner core. In the embodiment of <FIG>, three glass reinforced plastic (GRP) rods 41A, 41B and 41C are spaced evenly, e.g., at equal intervals of one hundred twenty degrees apart, around the buffer tube <NUM>. The rigid strength members <NUM> are disposed within the yarns <NUM>. Although GRP rods have been described, other types of rigid rods may be substituted. Also, the three rigid strength members 41A, 41B and 41C may be replaced by two rigid strength members 41A and 41B spaced one hundred and eighty degrees apart, e.g., on opposite sides of the buffer tube <NUM>.

A jacket <NUM> surrounds the inner core. More specifically, the jacket <NUM> surrounds the optical fibers <NUM>, the buffer tube <NUM>, the yarns <NUM> and the rigid strength members 41A, 41B and 41C. The jacket <NUM> has an undulating thickness entirely around the inner core to form a plurality of alternating projections <NUM> and valleys <NUM> on the outer surface of the jacket <NUM>. The projections <NUM> and valleys <NUM> extend along the length of the stub cable <NUM>. The plural projections <NUM> include at least five projections <NUM> with a valley <NUM> formed between each adjacent pair of projections <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, there are twelve projections <NUM>. However, more or fewer projections <NUM> may be included, such as six, eight, nine, ten, fourteen, fifteen, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, the stub cable <NUM> has an inner core with a plurality of optical fibers <NUM>. The optical fibers <NUM> are parallel to a center axis <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>, and may include a cladding layer <NUM> surrounding a light carrying core <NUM>.

No buffer tube is provided in the stub cable <NUM>. Rather, a single rigid strength member <NUM> is provided in the inner core. The rigid strength member <NUM> can have one or more hollow channels <NUM>, and the optical fibers <NUM> can reside within the channels <NUM>. The diameter of the channels <NUM> may be adapted to accommodate larger and more numerous optical fibers <NUM> that may reside within the channel <NUM>, e.g., up to twenty four optical fibers may reside within a larger channel <NUM>.

The rigid strength member <NUM> is formed as a rigid cylindrical rod with a circular cross sectional shape. A central axis of the rigid strength member <NUM> resides along the center/longitudinal axis <NUM> of the stub cable <NUM>. A break line <NUM> passes through the channel <NUM> and divides the rigid strength member <NUM> into first and second mirror symmetrical halves <NUM> and <NUM>.

The inner core of the stub cable <NUM> also includes a plurality of flaccid strength members. In one embodiment, the flaccid strength members are fibers or yarns <NUM> completely surrounding the rigid strength member <NUM>, and form a layer approximately <NUM> thick. As noted above, the yarns <NUM> may be constructed of aramid yarns, such as those sold under the trademark of KEVLAR.

A jacket <NUM> surrounds the inner core. More specifically, the jacket <NUM> surrounds the optical fibers <NUM>, the rigid strength member <NUM>, and the yarns <NUM>. The jacket <NUM> presents an inner wall <NUM> with a circular cross sectional shape, which faces to the inner core. The jacket <NUM> has an undulating thickness entirely around the inner core to form a plurality of alternating projections <NUM> and valleys <NUM> on the outer surface of the jacket <NUM>. The projections <NUM> and valleys <NUM> extend along the length of the stub cable <NUM>.

The plurality of projections <NUM> include at least five projections <NUM> with a valley <NUM> formed between each adjacent pair of projections <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> there are twelve projections <NUM>. However, more or fewer projections <NUM> may be included, such as six, eight, nine, ten, fourteen, fifteen, etc. The overall diameter D1 (outer dimeter) of the stub cable <NUM> is approximately or less than <NUM>. The projection height P1 for each projection is approximately <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the projections <NUM> touch each other to form a valley <NUM> with a deep V-shape. Alternatively, the projections <NUM> may be slightly spaced from each other so that a short segment of a curved floor is formed between the projections <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the stub cable <NUM> is constructed almost identically to the cable <NUM> of <FIG>. Therefore, like structures have been identified using the same reference numerals as used in <FIG>. The cable <NUM> is generally smaller than the cable <NUM>. Some notable corresponding differences are that the number of projections <NUM> is illustrated to be eight, and the number of valleys <NUM> is likewise eight. The overall diameter D2 (outer diameter) of the stub cable <NUM> is approximately <NUM>. The projection height P2 for each projection is approximately <NUM>. The diameter of the rigid strength member <NUM> is about <NUM>, and the thickness of the layer of yarns <NUM> is about <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the stub cable <NUM> shares features with other stub cables described herein, except that the projections <NUM>' have a triangular transverse cross-sectional shape.

Claim 1:
A method, comprising:
providing a conduit (<NUM>);
providing a drop terminal (<NUM>), the drop terminal comprising an enclosure having a plurality of ruggedized ports (<NUM>) that are environmentally sealed relative to the enclosure, each of the ruggedized ports being adapted to receive a ruggedized fiber optic connector from outside the enclosure, the drop terminal including a pushable stub cable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connected to the enclosure at a proximal end (<NUM>) of the pushable stub cable, the pushable stub cable including at least one optical fiber (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a jacket (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) surrounding the at least one optical fiber;
advancing a distal end (<NUM>) of the pushable stub cable distally into the conduit (<NUM>) by at least a minimum distance,
wherein the advancing is performed by applying only one or more pushing forces from a location that is proximal to the proximal end of the conduit and without distally pulling the stub cable from a location that is distal to the proximal end of the conduit;
wherein the minimum distance is at least <NUM> times a minimum inner transverse width of the conduit;
wherein the minimum inner transverse width of the conduit is smaller than a minimum cross-dimension of the enclosure; and
wherein the pushable stub cable further comprises at least one rigid strength member (<NUM>, <NUM>) surrounded by the jacket, wherein the jacket has an undulating thickness which results in a plurality of projections (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed on an outer surface of the jacket, the projections extending along a longitudinal length of the cable.