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 cable 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 a premise, business, or a private residence.

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, thereby 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 telecommunications 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 premises (FTTP) or fiber to the home (FTTH) networks.

In some network installations, a telecommunication cable may pass through a telecommunication enclosure in which a portion of the communication lines within the cable are uncut. In butt-style enclosures, an uncut telecommunication cable must enter and leave through a single port. An oval port structure is known to be used for this purpose. Improved methods of providing a reliable seal around two portions of an uncut cable in a single oval port are needed. Mastics and split grommet sealing devices are frequently used to seal ports of telecommunication enclosures where a portion of the lines must be accessed mid-span. Mastics can be messy and difficult to use in the field.

<CIT> describes a seal insert made of elastic sealing material for the sealing of cable connections. This seal insert is made of several sealing disks which are provided with concentric stampings or grooves and with a radial slit. For sealing, the cable openings of the sealing disks are fitted by removing concentric rings. For the sealing, the individual sealing disks are arranged reciprocally over one another, whereby the radial slits do not overlap and whereby the concentric grooves engage a smooth underside of an adjacent disk or a smooth surface of the connecting apparatus. A double seal is shown for the introduction of uncut cables.

<CIT> describes a fiber optic splice closure assembly having two end plate assemblies, and a closure base and a closure cover attached to the end plate assemblies. An adapter is secured within the cable entrance port in the end plate assembly to alter the end plate opening to accommodate a fiber optic cable. The adapter restrains the cable sheath against axial forces and provides a seal between the optical fiber cable, the adapter and the end plate assembly. A bracket assembly is provided to anchor the optical fiber strength member to the end plate assembly. The closure provides a mounting bar secured to the end plate assemblies proximate the closure base and a mounting platform secured to the mounting bar. Other relevant documents are: <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The claims are defined in the independent claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a port entry device configured to be mounted on a communication cable. The port entry device includes a tubular housing, and a split sleeve. The tubular housing has an interior passageway between a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing, wherein the interior passageway includes a first cable channel and a second cable channel. The housing has an elliptical cross section. The housing includes at least one strain relief bracket disposed on the first end of the housing. The housing comprises a pair of resilient arms located on opposing sides of the housing near the first end. Each of the arms comprises at its end a latch structure for engaging with an edge of a port in a telecommunication enclosure to securely retain the port entry device when fully inserted. The split sleeve is fittable around the communication cable and is removably disposed within the interior passageway of the housing. The split sleeve comprises a pair of shell members. Each of the shell members has a pair of troughs for receiving a communication cable separated by a land area disposed between the troughs to ensure proper spacing between the communication cables.

The port entry device may comprise a pair of clamping nuts. The clamping nuts are attachable to the second end of the housing to secure the split sleeve within the housing.

The port entry device can further include an internal sealing member disposed in the interior passageway of the housing between the split sleeve and the first end of the housing. The internal sealing member may be compressed around the communication cable passing through it when the clamping nuts are secured to the second end of the housing.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the port entry device can include a housing having a strength member securing device attached to the first end of the housing and a pair of clamping nuts which are attachable to the second end of the housing. The clamping nuts secure the split sleeve within the port entry device housing. The strength member securing device is configured to securely grasp the strength members of the telecommunication cable passing through the port entry device.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the port entry device may be fitted on a mid-span loop section of telecommunication cable, in particular an optical fiber cable. A length of the cable jacket can be removed from a central section of the optical fiber cable to expose the strength members and the buffer tubes containing the optical fibers. The length of cable may be bent to form a loop. The internal sealing member may be attached to the end portions of optical fiber cable loop. The loop of optical fiber cable and the internal sealing member can be inserted into the interior passageway of tubular housing such that one end portion of the loop section is disposed within a first cable channel in the interior passageway and one end portion of the loop section is disposed within a second cable channel in the interior passageway and until the internal sealing member can be seated against stops disposed within the interior passageway. The split sleeve can be fitted to end portions of the loop section of the optical fiber cable. The split sleeve can be slid into the internal passage way of the tubular housing behind the internal sealing member. The nut portions of each clamping nut are fitted together around an end portion of the loop of optical fiber cable, and the assembled clamping nut can then be secured to the tubular housing to compress the internal sealing member around the end portion of the loop section.

The port entry device may be inserted into a port of a telecommunication enclosure to provide an environmental seal. The port entry device can provide a watertight or water resistant seal and/or prevent dust, bugs or any other foreign substance from entering the telecommunication enclosure.

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

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.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Exemplary embodiments herein provide a port entry device for the insertion of a telecommunication cable into a telecommunication enclosure; in particular the port entry device can be an oval port sealing device. By providing an environmental seal, the port entry device can be designed to provide a watertight or water resistant seal and/or to prevent dust, bugs or any other foreign substance from entering the telecommunication enclosure.

The exemplary port entry device may be fitted on to a telecommunication cable, such as an optical fiber cable, and inserted into a port in a telecommunication enclosure to secure the telecommunication cable in the port. The optical fiber cable will contain one or more optical fibers. In some cables, the optical fibers may be grouped together in fiber ribbons or protective tubes. Each optical fiber will have a polymeric coating that surrounds and protects the central glass fiber. The strength members are generally in the form of at least one semi-rigid rod of compacted aramid fibers. If more than one of these semi-rigid strength members is present in the multi-fiber cable, they may be positioned around the optical fiber ribbon cable or the protective tubes. Alternatively the multi-fiber cable may have a combination of a semi-rigid central strength member and a plurality of loose or woven flexible strength members surrounding the optical fiber ribbon cable or the protective tubes. A cable jacket surrounds and protects the optical fibers and the strength members.

Alternatively, the telecommunication cable may be an electrically conductive cable having a plurality of twisted pair copper wires, coax cables or other electrically conductive cables which are typically found in telecommunication networks. In yet another aspect of the invention, the telecommunication cable may be a hybrid cable containing both optical fibers and electrical conductors. 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, terminal, fiber distribution hub, a wall mount patch panel, or an optical network terminal in premise applications.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an exemplary port entry device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a first end 110a and a second end 110b, and a pair of clamping nuts <NUM> attachable to the second end 110b of the housing. The clamping nut <NUM> can secure a split sleeve <NUM> within the port entry device housing <NUM>. The port entry device <NUM> may be formed of plastic by conventional methods, for example by injection molding.

The housing <NUM> is tubular in shape having an elliptical cross section. The housing includes an interior passageway <NUM> that extends along the length of the housing from the first end 110a to the second end 110b of the housing. The housing includes a passage entry 113a at the first end 110a of the interior passageway <NUM> and a passage exit 113b at the second end 110b of the interior passageway <NUM>. The interior passageway <NUM> may be configured to accommodate a plurality of certain categories of telecommunication cables including single fiber cables or multi-fiber cables, low pair count copper cables, coaxial cables or electrical/optical hybrid cables. For example in the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the interior passageway includes a first cable channel <NUM> and a second cable channel <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes a pair of resilient arms <NUM> located on opposing sides of the housing near the first end 110a of the housing. At the end of each of the arms <NUM> is a latch structure 117a. The latch structure engages with the edge 326a (<FIG>) of port <NUM> in telecommunication enclosure <NUM> to securely retain the port entry device <NUM> when fully inserted. When the port entry device is inserted into the port of a telecommunication enclosure, proper positioning can be confirmed by an auditable click as the latch structures 117a engage with the edges of port. To remove the port entry device <NUM>, the latch structures 117a may be pressed inward toward the centerline of the housing <NUM> until the port entry device slips out of the port.

The housing <NUM> includes at least one strain relief bracket <NUM> on the first end 110a of the housing. A cable tie <NUM> may be secured around the cable <NUM> or each portion of the cable and the strain relief bracket(s) <NUM> to provide strain relief to the telecommunication cable.

A groove <NUM> (<FIG>) may be located between the first end 110a and the second end 110b of housing <NUM> to receive an external sealing member <NUM> such as an o-ring. This external sealing member <NUM> can provide an environmental seal between the port entry device <NUM> and a port of a telecommunication enclosure when the port entry device is fully seated therein. The housing <NUM> includes a pair of leg portions <NUM> at the second end 110b of the housing. Each leg has a slot on an inside portion thereof so that the elliptical interior passageway <NUM> is maintained along the length of the housing.

The housing <NUM> can have an external threaded portion <NUM> located on leg portion <NUM> at the second end 110b of the housing <NUM>. The external threaded portion <NUM> cooperates with a corresponding internal threaded portion <NUM> of clamping nut <NUM> to secure the split sleeve <NUM> within housing <NUM>. The tightening of the clamping nut <NUM> pushes the split sleeve <NUM> deeper into housing <NUM> compressing internal sealing member <NUM> around the communication cable <NUM>. In some applications such as in premise installations, a lesser degree of environmental protection is required and the internal sealing member <NUM> may be omitted.

Two exemplary embodiments of internal sealing members <NUM>, <NUM>' are shown in <FIG>. The internal sealing members have a shape that corresponds to the cross-section of the interior passageway of the tubular housing. Internal sealing member <NUM> can have a generally barbell shape including a central bar portion <NUM> which interconnects two lobe portions <NUM> on opposite ends of the bar portion. Each lobe portion has a cable bore <NUM> extending there through to accommodate the passage of a telecommunication cable. In instances where internal sealing member <NUM> can be used in conjunction with a mid- span loop section of a telecommunication cable, each lobe <NUM> can include a slit <NUM> to allow insertion of one side of the loop section of telecommunication cable to be inserted into each respective cable bore <NUM>. <FIG> shows an alternative internal sealing member <NUM>' in which the loop section of the telecommunication cable can be inserted through a central slit <NUM>' in the bar portion <NUM> of the internal sealing member that extends between the cable bores <NUM> located in each lobe <NUM> of the internal sealing member.

In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of thinner internal sealing members may be used in place of internal sealing member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this case it may be advantageous to use at least one internal sealing member <NUM> having side slits as shown in <FIG> in conjunction with at least one internal sealing member <NUM>' having a central as shown in <FIG> to improve the sealing capability of the port entry device.

The cable clamping nut <NUM>, shown in detail in <FIG>, has an interior chamber <NUM> extending between the first side 120a and a second side 120b of the clamping nut. The interior chamber has a first opening <NUM> at the first side 120a to accept one of the leg portions on the second end 110b of housing <NUM>. The interior chamber has a smaller second opening <NUM> (<FIG>) at the second side 120b of the clamping nut <NUM> to accommodate the passage of a telecommunication cable <NUM> therethrough. The interior chamber has an internal threaded portion <NUM> that corresponds to and can be engagable with the external threaded portion <NUM> on the housing <NUM> to allow the cable clamping nut <NUM> to be secured to the housing.

Clamping nut <NUM> includes a pair of nut portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The nut portions <NUM>, <NUM> are unique and keyed to fit together so that continuous internal threads <NUM> are defined within a central axial opening of the clamping nut to engage external threaded portion <NUM> on the leg portion <NUM> of housing <NUM>. First nut portion <NUM> can include a pair of ridges 121a on each of the opposing edges 121b. The second nut portion <NUM> can include a pair of mating slots 122a on each of the opposing edges 122b. The mating of ridges 121a and slots 122a forms clamping nut <NUM> which when together may be threadably mated with external threaded portion <NUM> on the leg portion <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Clamping nut <NUM> securely positions split sleeve within the housing <NUM> which compresses internal sealing member <NUM> within the housing's interior passageway <NUM>.

Alternatively, the nut portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be hermaphroditic having a ridge on one of the opposing edges and a slot on the opposite opposing edge. This design has an advantage that fewer different parts need to be molded thus simplifying manufacture. In another alternative clamping nut, the nut portions may be secured by interference fit (e.g. post and hole) or by a latching mechanism located on the opposing edges of the nut portions.

Additionally, at least one of the nut portions <NUM>, <NUM> can have a loop <NUM> extending from the second side 120b of the nut portion. A cable tie <NUM> (<FIG>) can be inserted through loop <NUM> on the second side of clamping nut <NUM> once the nut has been tightened onto the housing <NUM> of the port entry device <NUM> and secured around the telecommunication cable (for example, an optical fiber cable <NUM>') to keep the clamping nut <NUM> securely in place.

An alternative clamping nut <NUM>' is shown in <FIG>. The basic structure of cable clamping nut <NUM>' is similar to that of clamping nut <NUM> shown in <FIG>. However, cable clamping nut <NUM>' includes a strain relief bracket <NUM> extending from the second side 120b of at least one of the nut portions. The strain relief bracket <NUM> can have a concave shaped inner surface 127a that generally conforms to and cradles a telecommunication cable when it is installed in the port entry device. Additionally, strain relief bracket <NUM> can have a plurality of notches 127b or a channel in its external surface to accommodate a cable tie (not shown) which is used to secure the telecommunication cable to the clamping nut <NUM>'.

Other alternative forms of cable clamping nuts are described in PCT Patent Application No. <CIT>. Optionally, the clamping nut may include a cable sizing insert (not shown) which can be placed around the telecommunication cable and inserted into the clamping nut prior to attaching the clamping nut to the second end of the housing to allow the cable clamping nut to accommodate a wider range of cable diameters.

In an exemplary embodiment, clamping nut <NUM> can have a gripping surface <NUM> on the external surface of the clamping nut that corresponds to the position of the internal threaded portion <NUM>. The clamping nut may be generally round, rectangular hexagonal or other polygonal shape. Additionally, the gripping surface may be textured (e.g. a ridged or crosshatched texture) to further facilitate gripping of the clamping nut.

In an exemplary embodiment, the split sleeve <NUM> comprises a pair of shell members <NUM>,<NUM> which may be secured to each other around a telecommunication cable. The shell members <NUM>, <NUM> may be separate pieces as shown in <FIG>, or may be two portions of single piece joined by a living hinge. Each of the shell members <NUM>, <NUM> can have a pair of troughs <NUM> for receiving a telecommunication cable separated by a land area <NUM> disposed between the troughs <NUM> to ensure proper spacing between the telecommunications cables. In an alternative embodiment, the shell members may have additional troughs and land areas in order to accommodate additional telecommunication cables.

The shell members <NUM>, <NUM> may have one or more alignment structures <NUM> located on the land area <NUM> to ensure proper positioning of the shell members with respect to one another. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the alignment structures <NUM> can be a hole 133a and post 133b on a first shell member <NUM> that can be mated with a corresponding post and hole structure on the second shell member <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the alignment structures may secure the shell members together, for example by an interference fit or a mechanical fastener. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used to bond the shell members together.

The port entry device <NUM>, including the housing <NUM>, clamping nuts <NUM> and split sleeve <NUM>, may be formed of any suitable plastic material. In one embodiment, the housing, clamping nuts, and split sleeve are formed of polymeric materials by methods such as injection molding, extrusion, casting, machining, and the like. For example, these parts may be made of molded polypropylene, nylon, polypropylene/nylon alloys or glass filled versions of these polymers. Material selection will depend upon factors including, but not limited to, chemical exposure conditions, environmental exposure conditions including temperature and humidity conditions, UV exposure conditions, flame-retardancy requirements, material strength, and rigidity, to name a few.

Referring to <FIG>, the first end 110a of the housing <NUM> will reside inside the telecommunication enclosure <NUM> when the port entry device <NUM> has been fully inserted into a port <NUM> of a telecommunication enclosure. The second end 110b of the housing may extend completely through the port of the telecommunication enclosure when the port entry device has been fully inserted into a port of a telecommunication enclosure, as shown. Alternatively, the second end of the housing may be located within the port of the telecommunication enclosure when the port entry device has been fully inserted into a port of a telecommunication enclosure.

The housing <NUM> includes a pair of resilient arms <NUM> located on opposing sides of the housing near the first end 110a of the housing. At the end of each of the arms <NUM> is a latch structure 117a. The latch structure engages with the edge 326a of port <NUM> in telecommunication enclosure <NUM> to retain port entry device <NUM> securely in the port when fully inserted. When the port entry device <NUM> is inserted into the port <NUM> of a telecommunication enclosure <NUM>, proper positioning can be confirmed by an auditable click as the latch structures 117a engage with the edges 326a of port <NUM>. To remove the port entry device <NUM>, the latch structures 117a may be pressed inward toward the centerline of the housing <NUM> until the port entry device slips out of the port <NUM>.

An alternative embodiment of an exemplary port entry device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Port entry device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a first end 210a and a second end (not shown), and a pair of clamping nuts <NUM> attachable to the second end of the housing as shown in <FIG>. The clamping nuts <NUM> secure a split sleeve <NUM> within the port entry device housing <NUM>. The split sleeve and clamping nuts are similar to those described previously. The port entry device <NUM> may be formed of plastic by conventional methods, for example by injection molding.

Housing <NUM> is similar to housing <NUM> shown in <FIG> with the addition of strength member securing device <NUM> disposed on the first end 210a of the housing. The strength member securing device includes an extension 216a attached to the first end 210a of housing <NUM> that extends away from the housing generally parallel to the interior passageway <NUM>. At the end of the extension opposite the housing is a clip 216b that is configured to securely grasp the strength member(s) 64a, 64b of the telecommunication cable <NUM>, such as an optical fiber cable. Clip 216b may be secured to extension 216a by a mechanical fastener 216c, as shown in <FIG> A; interference fit; another mechanical interlocking method; or by an adhesive.

In the exemplary shown in <FIG>, the housing includes two strength member securing devices <NUM>. One of the strength member securing devices may be attached to strength member 64a of end portion 60a of the optical fiber cable loop and the second strength member securing device may be attached to strength member 64b of end portion 60b of the optical fiber cable loop.

<FIG> show the installation of an exemplary port entry device <NUM> onto a loop of telecommunication cable <NUM>'. For example, the exemplary port entry device may be fitted onto an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable will contain one or more optical fibers. Each optical fiber will have a polymeric coating that surrounds and protects the central glass fiber. In multi-fiber cables the optical fibers may be assembled into one or more buffer tubes <NUM> or ribbon cables. Additionally, the optical fiber cable may have one or more strength members. A cable jacket <NUM> surrounds and protects the optical fibers and the strength members.

As shown in <FIG>, the optical fiber cable <NUM>' includes two end portions 60a, 60b disposed on either side of a central loop portion 60c. A length of the cable jacket <NUM> can be removed from a central loop portion 60c of optical fiber cable <NUM>' as shown in <FIG> to expose the strength members (not shown) and the buffer tubes <NUM> containing the optical fibers. The internal sealing member <NUM> may be attached to the optical fiber cable loop as shown in <FIG>. Each end portion 60a, 60b of optical fiber cable <NUM>' can be inserted through slit <NUM> into each respective cable bore in each lobe <NUM> of the internal sealing member <NUM>.

Next, the loop of optical fiber cable and the internal sealing member <NUM> are inserted into the interior passageway <NUM> of housing <NUM> until the internal sealing member is seated against stops <NUM> (<FIG>) within the interior passageway of the housing. The loop section of cable is inserted into the interior passageway of the housing such that one end portion of the loop section is disposed within a first cable channel in the interior passageway and one end portion of the loop section is disposed within a second cable channel in the interior passageway.

Split sleeve <NUM> can be placed onto end portions 60a, 60b of the optical fiber cable loop as shown in <FIG>. Each of the end portions 60a, 60b of optical fiber cable <NUM>' can be placed into the troughs <NUM> of shell member <NUM>. Shell member <NUM> can then be disposed on shell member <NUM> by the mating of alignment structures 133a, 133b (<FIG>). The split sleeve <NUM> can be then inserted into the housing <NUM> behind the internal sealing member (not shown).

Nut portions <NUM>, <NUM> of clamping nut <NUM> are fitted together around an end portion 60a, 60b of the loop of optical fiber cable <NUM>' (<FIG>) by mating the ridges and mating slots of the two nut portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The assembled clamping nut can then be threadably mated with external threaded portion <NUM> on the leg portion <NUM> of housing <NUM>. The second clamping nut (not shown) can be attached to the second leg portion of the housing in a similar manner. Tightening of the clamping nuts <NUM> onto the housing <NUM> pushes the split sleeve <NUM> deeper into housing <NUM> and compresses internal sealing member <NUM> within the housing interior passageway <NUM> to form an environmental seal around the end portions of the loop of optical fiber cable. A cable tie <NUM> (<FIG>) may be inserted through loop <NUM> of clamping nut <NUM> and secured around end portions 60a or 60b of the optical fiber cable <NUM>' and tightened in place to keep the clamping nut securely in place. Similarly, a cable tie <NUM> may be secured around the optical fiber cable <NUM>' or each portion 60a, 60b of the optical fiber cable and the strain relief bracket(s) <NUM> on the first end 110a of the housing <NUM> to provide strain relief to the fiber optic cable.

Advantageously as illustrated above, the port entry device <NUM> may be fully assembled outside of the telecommunication enclosure. This configuration eliminates the need for the field technician to have to work in the tight confines of the telecommunication enclosure when assembling the port sealing device. After assembly, the port sealing device is simply snapped into a correspondingly shaped port on a telecommunication enclosure.

<FIG> shows an exemplary telecommunication enclosure <NUM> which may be used in conjunction with port entry device <NUM>. Exemplary telecommunication enclosure <NUM> can have a bottom portion <NUM> and a lid <NUM> (<FIG>) which may be secured to the bottom portion <NUM> having a sealing gasket <NUM> (<FIG>) interposed in between. When engaged, the bottom portion <NUM> and the lid <NUM> provide protection for the internal components (e.g. telecommunication lines, splices and devices) from weather, insects and other external hazards. Telecommunication enclosure <NUM> can have a butt-configuration which includes one end plate <NUM> having ports <NUM>, <NUM> there through and a second solid end plate <NUM> in the bottom portion. Alternatively, the telecommunication enclosure can have an in-line configuration including two end plates disposed at opposite ends of the bottom portion each of which can include a plurality of ports. Alternatively, the tubular housing of the port entry device can be integrally formed with the port of a telecommunication enclosure.

An assembled port entry device <NUM> can be inserted into a port <NUM> in end plate <NUM> of a telecommunication enclosure <NUM> as is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Keying features <NUM> on the housing <NUM> of the port entry device <NUM> can engage with receptacles <NUM> on port <NUM> to ensure proper alignment. The port entry device <NUM> can be secured in place by engaging latch structures 117a with the edge 326a of the port <NUM>.

Additionally, telecommunication enclosure <NUM> may have a plurality of smaller port structures <NUM> which can be used to allow passage of drop cables or other telecommunication cables which terminate inside of the enclosure through conventional inlet devices or pre-terminated drop cable assemblies. Conventional inlet devices are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. Conventional pre-terminated drop cable assemblies are described in <CIT>.

While the installation of the port entry device has been described with respect to its installation in a butt-style telecommunication enclosure system, the port entry device may be used in conjunction with other conventional telecommunication enclosure, closures, terminals, cabinets, optical network units, and other telecommunication junction boxes.

Claim 1:
A port entry device (<NUM>) configured to be mounted on a communication cable (<NUM>, <NUM>'), the port entry device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a tubular housing (<NUM>) having an interior passageway (<NUM>) between a first end (110a) of the housing and a second end (110b) of the housing, wherein the housing has an elliptical cross section and wherein the interior passageway includes a first cable channel (<NUM>) and a second cable channel (<NUM>); and;
- a split sleeve (<NUM>) that is fittable around the communication cable (<NUM>, <NUM>') and is removably disposed within the interior passageway (<NUM>) of the housing, wherein the split sleeve (<NUM>) comprises a pair of shell members (<NUM>,<NUM>), wherein each of the shell members (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a pair of troughs (<NUM>) for receiving a communication cable (<NUM>, <NUM>') separated by a land area (<NUM>) disposed between the troughs (<NUM>) to ensure proper spacing between the communication cables (<NUM>, <NUM>'); characterized in that the housing (<NUM>) includes at least one strain relief bracket (<NUM>) disposed on the first end (110a) of the housing (<NUM>) and in that the housing (<NUM>) comprises a pair of resilient arms (<NUM>) located on opposing sides of the housing near the first end (110a), wherein each of the arms (<NUM>) comprises at its end a latch structure (117a) for engaging with an edge (326a) of a port (<NUM>) in a telecommunication enclosure (<NUM>) to securely retain the port entry device (<NUM>) when fully inserted.