act as a European patent attorney and write claims that are novel, inventive and non-obvious based on the following text. also add an additional independent claim similar to -  A fiber distribution cable assembly comprising of a plurality of adapter modules
mounted via stair-stepped frame or interface with respectively rear side
attached LC or SC connector pigtails attached to 12 or 24f fanout modules
connected to a plurality of intermittently bonded fiber cordage emerging from a
single cylindrical fanout housing attached to a single
intermittently bonded fiber cable.
Text =  OPTICAL CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR FIBER TO HOME  NETWORK 
APPLICANT: 
1 
TECHNICAL FIELD 
[0001] The present disclosure relates to optical fiber cable management,  and more particularly, relates to a fiber enclosure for an optical fiber network. 
5 BACKGROUND 
[0002] Optical fiber cables are a critical component in a fiber-to-home  network. Hence, various methods and systems are used for distributing and  managing the optical fiber cables in the fiber-to-home network. While prior  technologies provide various solutions for optical connectivity in the fiber-to-home  
10 network, there remains a room for improvement in reducing traditional fiber  installation tasks such as splicing, fiber management, buffer tube storage, and cable  fixation, while also ensuring low cost and high performance. Moreover, existing  solutions suffer from high production assembly costs, low throughput, cable  assembly complexity, and fragile construction, especially with 250µm and/or  
15 900µm (for example) fiber exposure. These solutions are often tailored to specific  applications, which increases production costs and limits portability across different  use cases. The proposed fiber enclosure aims to address these issues and provide an  improved solution. 
20 OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE 
[0003] A principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a fiber  enclosure for an optical fiber network. 
SUMMARY 
25 [0004] The present disclosure provides a fiber enclosure for an optical fiber  network. The fiber enclosure includes one or more breakout assemblies to receive  one or more feeder cables for the fiber enclosure. Each of the one or more breakout  assemblies receive an Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) bundle at a first end and  has a plurality of through holes at a second end for exiting the received IBR bundle  
30 into a plurality of bundle segments. The one or more breakout assemblies receive a  high-density IBR bundle as an input IBR bundle and provide a plurality of low-
2 
density IBR bundle segments as output. The plurality of low-density IBR bundle  segments is connected to one of one or more fiber cassette modules as an input  cable. An output cable is accommodated inside a ruggedized furcation tubing  attached to the one or more breakout assemblies. 
5 [0005] Further, the fiber enclosure includes a portable bulkhead unit  provided with the one or more fiber cassette modules that are removably engaged  to a removable mountable frame. The one or more fiber cassette modules are  arranged in stacked configuration inside the removable mountable frame. In an  implementation, the removable mountable frame can be mounted inside any fiber  
10 enclosure, pedestal, aerial boxes, cabinets or the like. Each of one or more cassette  module receives at least one bundle segment of the plurality of bundle segments as  input. 
[0006] Each of the one or more fiber cassette modules includes a base unit,  and a cover unit removably attached to the base unit. The base unit and the cover  15 unit combinedly form a cassette module body with a single piece integrated adapter  mounted at a front side of the cassette module body and at least one input cable  entering into the cassette module body from another side of the cassette module  body. The cassette module body includes at least one splice region arranged over  the base unit for connecting fibers from the at least one input cable to each of the at  20 least 12 sub-adapters. The cassette module body stores excessive optical fibers over  the base unit used for fusion splicing. The single piece integrated adapter has at  least 12 sub-adapters as output. 
[0007] Further, the fiber enclosure includes one or more splitter to receive  an output from the single piece integrated adapter of the one or more fiber cassette  25 modules. 
[0008] These and other aspects herein will be better appreciated and  understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the  accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following  descriptions are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes  
30 and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention herein without  departing from the spirit thereof.
3 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
[0009] The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,  throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the  5 drawings. The invention herein will be better understood from the following  description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a fiber enclosure. [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a breakout assembly included in the  fiber enclosure. 
10 [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a fiber cassette module included in the fiber enclosure. 
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the fiber cassette module included in the fiber enclosure. 
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the fiber cassette module without a  15 cover unit. 
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of an example six cassette  stacking included in the fiber enclosure. 
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of an example six cassette  stacking included in the fiber enclosure. 
20 [0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of an example two cassette  stacking included in the fiber enclosure. 
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of an example two cassette  stacking included in the fiber enclosure. 
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stair shaped frame having  25 adapter(s). 
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the fiber enclosure having the stair shaped frame. 
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic front view of the fiber enclosure. [0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the fiber enclosure  30 including multiple stair shaped frames.
4 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
[0023] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous  specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the  invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the  
5 invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances,  well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail  so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
[0024] Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these  alternatives only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and  10 equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the  scope of the invention. 
[0025] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand  various technical features and it should be understood that the alternatives presented  herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present  
15 disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and  substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying  drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe  various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms  are generally only used to distinguish one element from another. 
20 [0026] The present disclosure provides a fiber enclosure for an optical fiber  network. The fiber enclosure includes one or more breakout assemblies to receive  one or more feeder cables for the fiber enclosure. Each of the one or more breakout  assemblies receives an Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) bundle at a first end  and has a plurality of through holes at a second end for exiting the received IBR  
25 bundle into a plurality of bundle segments. Further, the fiber enclosure includes a  portable bulkhead unit provided with one or more fiber cassette modules that are  removably engaged to a removable mountable frame. Each of one or more cassette  modules receives at least one bundle segment of the plurality of bundle segments  as an input. 
30 [0027] Below is the list of reference numerals used in the patent disclosure:
Reference Number 
Views and Elements



5 
100 
Schematic front view
102 
Fiber enclosure
104 
Breakout assembly
108 
Plurality of bundle segments
110 
Cassette stacking
112 
Removable mountable frame
114 
Splitter Cassette
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
200 
Side view
104 
Breakout assembly
108 
Plurality of bundle segments
202 
Feeder cable/input cable
204 
Plurality of through holes
300 
Exploded view
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
302 
Fiber cassette module
304 
Base unit
306 
Cassette module body 
308 
Cover unit (or top lid)
310 
Splice region (or splice sleeve)
312a, 312b 
Cable entries
400 
Perspective view
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
302 
Fiber cassette module
304 
Base unit
308 
Cover unit (or top lid)
312a 
Cable entries
500 
Top view
302 
Fiber cassette module
502 
Excessive optical fibers
600 
Front perspective view
110 
Cassette stacking
112 
Removable mountable frame
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
118 
Removable locking piece
700 
Side perspective view
110 
Cassette stacking
112 
Removable mountable frame
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
118 
Removable locking piece
800 
Front perspective view
110 
Cassette stacking
112 
Removable mountable frame
116 
Single piece integrated adapter



6
118 
Removable locking piece
900 
Side perspective view
110 
Cassette stacking
112 
Removable mountable frame
116 
Single piece integrated adapter
118 
Removable locking piece
1000 
Perspective view
1002 
Stair shaped frame
1004 
Adaptor/Adapter
1006 
Step
1100 
Perspective view
102 
Fiber enclosure
1102 
Feeder adapter
1104 
Distribution adapter
1200 
Schematic front view
102 
Fiber enclosure
1202 
Splicing region
1204 
Feeder cable breakout assembly (feeder cable  entry)
1206 
Feeder fanout
1208 
Distribution fanout
1214 
Distribution cable breakout assembly 
(distribution cable entry)
1300 
Perspective view
102 
Fiber enclosure
1002a-1002d 
Stair shaped frames



[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view (100) of a fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 2 illustrates a side view (200) of a breakout assembly (104) included in  the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view (300) of a fiber  
5 cassette module (302) included in the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 4 illustrates a  perspective view (400) of the fiber cassette module (302) included in the fiber  enclosure (102). FIG. 5 illustrates a top view (500) of the fiber cassette module  (302) without a cover unit (308) included in the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view (600) of an example six cassette stacking  
10 included in the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view (700)  of an example six cassette stacking included in the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view (800) of an example two cassette stacking 
7 
included in the fiber enclosure (102). FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view (900)  of an example two cassette stacking included in the fiber enclosure (102). [0029] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, the fiber enclosure (102) in the optical  fiber network is a protective housing designed to manage and safeguard optical fiber  5 cables and associated components. The fiber enclosure (102) plays a crucial role in  the organization, protection, and maintenance of fiber optic connections within the  optical fiber network. In an example, the fiber enclosure (102) is a specialized  cabinet or box used to house optical fibers, fiber optic connectors, splicing  components, and other related equipment. The fiber enclosure (102) provides  10 physical protection, environmental control, and organizational features to ensure  the reliable operation of the optical fiber network. 
[0030] The fiber enclosure (102) includes one or more breakout assemblies (104), a plurality of bundle segments (108), a cassette stacking (110), a removable mountable frame (112), a splitter cassette (114) and a single piece integrated adapter 15 (116). 
[0031] The one or more breakout assemblies (104) receive one or more  feeder cables (or input cables) (202) (as shown in FIG. 2) for the fiber enclosure (102). Each of the one or more breakout assemblies (104) receives an Intermittently  Bonded Ribbon (IBR) bundle of the one or more feeder cables (202) at a first end  
20 and has a plurality of through holes (204) at a second end for exiting the received  IBR bundle into a plurality of bundle segments (108). In an implementation, the  first end and the second end are opposite to each other. In another implementation,  the first end and the second end are adjacent to each other. Specifically, the one or  more breakout assemblies (104) receive a high-density IBR bundle as an input IBR  
25 bundle and provide a plurality of low-density IBR bundle segments as an output.  The plurality of low-density IBR bundle segments is connected to one of one or  more fiber cassette modules (302) (as shown in FIG. 3) as an input cable. In an  example, the input may be a 144-fiber IBR cable, and the output may be 12-fiber  IBR cables. Each of these 12-fiber IBR cables is provided as an input cable to the  
30 fiber cassette module (302). An output cable is accommodated inside a ruggedized  furcation tubing (not shown) attached to the one or more breakout assemblies (104). 
8 
[0032] In an implementation, the one or more breakout assemblies (104)  utilize a housing with a large opening for 144/288 bulk cables on one end and  multiple smaller openings on the other end that allow fixation of smaller furcation  tubes that house the 12f IBR bundles or 24f IBR bundles that are routed to each  
5 fiber cassette modules (302). Further, the one or more breakout assemblies (104)  afford the advantage of portability to different closures/applications due to the fiber  breakout ruggedness. In some aspect, the housing maybe a cylindrical housing or a  rectangular housing or conical housing or the like. 
[0033] The one or more breakout assemblies (104) can be, for example, but  10 not limited to 144/288F Fanout (Distribution) or breakout assembly, 12/24/48F  Fanout (Feeder) or breakout assembly or the like. The 144/288F Fanout  (Distribution) or breakout assembly 12/24/48F and the Fanout (Feeder) or breakout  assembly refer to the number of optical fibers managed and distributed by the one  or more breakout assemblies (104) within the fiber enclosure (102). These fanout  15 modules are critical for organizing and connecting fibers in a structured manner,  facilitating both distribution and breakout functionalities. 
[0034] Further, the fiber enclosure (102) includes a portable bulkhead unit  (aka “Cassette stacking” (110)) provided with the one or more fiber cassette  modules (302) that are removably engaged to a removable mountable frame (112).  
20 The one or more fiber cassette modules (302) are slidably inserted inside the  removable mountable frame (112) from a front end. A removable locking piece  (118) holds and locks the one more fiber cassette modules (302) inside the  removable mountable frame (112). The removable locking piece (118) assists in  installation of the one more fiber cassette modules (302) inside the removable  
25 mountable frame (112). In another aspect, the removable locking piece (118) makes  the manufacturing of the portable bulkhead unit (110) easier. The portable bulkhead  unit can be, for example, but not limited to, six cassette stacking (as shown in FIG.  6 and FIG. 7) or two cassette stacking (as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). 
[0035] The portable bulkhead unit is also called as a fiber distribution  30 assembly. The portable bulkhead unit includes a multitude individual cassette  housings connected by individual ruggedized furcation tubing attached to a cable 
9 
fanout structure and larger cable utilizing the IBR ribbon. As mentioned above, the  bulkhead assembly is housed in the removable mountable frame (108) (i.e.,  protective, universal mounting frame) that serves as a carrier for splitters and can  be installed in a multitude of pedestal, closure and cabinet applications. The  
5 portable bulkhead unit also can be mounted inside the fiber enclosure (102) for an  aerial application. 
[0036] The one or more fiber cassette modules (302) are arranged in a  stacked configuration inside the removable mountable frame (112), where, the  removable mountable frame can be mounted inside any fiber enclosure, pedestal,  
10 aerial boxes or the like. Each of one or more fiber cassette module (302) receives  at least one bundle segment of the plurality of bundle segments (108) as input. [0037] Each of the one or more fiber cassette modules (302) includes a base  unit (304), and a cover unit (308) removably attached to the base unit (304). The  cover unit (308) can also be called as a top lid. The base unit (304) and the cover  15 unit (308) combinedly form a cassette module body (306) with the single piece  integrated adapter (116) (e.g., 12F LC adaptor or the like) mounted at a front side  of the cassette module body (306) and at least one input cable entering into the  cassette module body (306) from another side of the cassette module body (306).  [0038] Further, the cassette module body (306) includes at least one splice  20 region (or splice sleeve) (310) arranged over the base unit (304) for connecting the  fibers from the at least one input cable to each of the at least 12 sub-adapters of the  single piece integrated adapter (116). The cassette module body (302) stores  excessive optical fibers (502) over the base unit (304) that is used for fusion  splicing. In other words, the cassette module body (302) includes top, bottom and  25 middle layers featuring internal fiber routing features and a plurality of mass fusion  splice holder positions and circular fiber storage for respective fiber bundles. The  fiber cassette modules (302) is designed to be stackable accommodating 12 IBR  fiber cordage cables linearly positioned opposite to an incoming single IBR cable. The cassette module body (306) is provided with 2mm 12F cable entries (312a,  30 312b). 
10 
[0039] Further, the fiber enclosure (102) includes one or more splitter  cassettes (114) to receive an output from the single piece integrated adapter (116) (which has at least 12 sub-adapters as output) associated with the fiber cassette  module (302). The splitter cassette (114) is designed to house and manage optical  
5 splitters (not shown). The optical splitters are used in fiber optic networks to divide  a single fiber input into multiple outputs, which is essential for distributing optical  signals to multiple locations. The one or more splitter cassette can be, for example,  but not limited to 1/8 splitter, 1/16 splitter, and 1/32 splitter. The 1/8 splitter divides  one input fiber into eight output fibers. This is commonly used in scenarios where  
10 the signal input needs to be distributed to eight different locations or devices. The  1/16 splitter divides one input fiber into sixteen output fibers. 1/32 splitter divides  one input fiber into thirty-two output fibers. The 1/32 splitter is used in large-scale  deployments where a single input needs to be distributed to many endpoints. 
[0040] The fiber enclosure (102) allows the use of IBR pigtails in cassettes  15 for mass fusion splicing and fiber routing of bundles of 12 fibers, as opposed to the  individual splicing and routing of each fiber. The fiber enclosure (102) eliminates  individually upjacketing 900um buffer tubing on each fiber reducing production  time. Further, the IBR cable construction allows for a simple fanout configuration  of the IBR bundles to smaller 2mm, 3mm cordage contributing to design  20 ruggedness. The fiber enclosure (102) anticipates lower production costs. The fiber  enclosure (102) increases units/hour throughput per worker. The fiber enclosure  (102) is a simplified rugged bulkhead cable solution portable to multiple  applications using the same cassette-based IBR assembly potentially leading to  economies of scale for FDH cabinet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) 25 business. The fiber enclosure (102) can be used as Aerial FDH closures, below  grade closures, pedestals and cabinets. 
[0041] FIG. 10 is a perspective view (1000) of a stair shaped frame (1002),  wherein a plurality of adaptors/adapters (1004) can be mounted on each step (1006) of the stair shaped frame (1002). 
30 [0042] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view (1100) of another fiber  enclosure (102) incorporating the stair shaped frame (1002) and FIG. 12 illustrates 
11 
a schematic front view (1200) of the fiber enclosure (102). The fiber enclosure (102)  includes a feeder adaptor (or adapter) (1102) and a distribution adapter (1104) mounted on each step (1006) of the stair shaped frame (1002) as shown in FIG. 10  and FIG. 11. Number of the feeder adapter (1102) may be, but not limited to, one  
5 and number of the distribution adapter (1104) may be, but not limited to, six. The  fiber enclosure (102) further comprises a splicing area/region (1202), a feeder cable  breakout assembly (feeder cable entry) (1204), a feeder fanout (1206), a distribution  fanout (1208), and a distribution cable breakout assembly (distribution cable entry)  (1210). 
10 [0043] The splicing area/region (1202) facilitates 24 IBR splicing. The  splicing region (1202) receives an IBR fiber from each of the feeder cable breakout  assembly (1204) and the distribution cable breakout assembly (1210) as an input  and provides the IBR fiber to the feeder fanout (1206) and the distribution fanout  (1208) respectively as an output. In an example, the feeder cable breakout assembly  
15 (1204) may receive a 48F IBR cable as an input and the feeder fanout (1206) may  provide 2x 24F fanout. Similarly, the distribution cable breakout assembly (1210) may receive a 288F IBR cable as an input and the distribution fanout (1208) may  provide a 3x 36F fanout. The feeder fanout (1206) and the distribution fanout (1208)  provide individual fibers for the adapter(s) (1102 and 1104) on the stair shaped  20 frame (1002). 
[0044] It is noteworthy that the fiber enclosure (102) employs IBR cable,  providing cost savings through mass fusion splicing. Alternatively, standard non IBR loose tube cables or multi-tube cables may be utilized with the fiber enclosure  (102). 
25 [0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view (1300) of the fiber enclosure  (102) including multiple stair shaped frames (1002a-1002d). 
[0046] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments  of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the  specification and practice of the invention. While the foregoing written description  
30 of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered  presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and 
12 
appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific  embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be  limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all  embodiments and methods within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the  
5 specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope of the  invention being indicated by the claims. 
[0047] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can”, “may”, “might”, “may”, “e.g.”, and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or  otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey  
10 that certain alternatives include, while other alternatives do not include, certain  features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally  intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for  one or more alternatives or that one or more alternatives necessarily include logic  for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features,  
15 elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular  alternative. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are  synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude  additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is  used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for  
20 example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the  elements in the list. 
[0048] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,”  unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as  used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any  
25 combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not  generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain alternatives require at least  one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
[0049] While the detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out  novel features as applied to various alternatives, it can be understood that various  30 omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or  algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the scope of the 
13 
disclosure. As can be recognized, certain alternatives described herein can be  embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set  forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.
14 
ABSTRACT 
OPTICAL CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR FIBER TO HOME  NETWORK 
The present disclosure provides a fiber enclosure (102) for an optical fiber  5 network. The fiber enclosure (102) includes one or more breakout assemblies (or  cable entries) (1204, 1210) to receive a feeder cable and a distribution cable  respectively for the fiber enclosure (102). Each of the one or more breakout  assemblies (1204, 1210) provides an Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) cable,  from which IBR fibers are fed to a splicing region (1202). The splicing region  10 (1202) receives the IBR fiber from each of a feeder cable breakout assembly (1204)  and a distribution cable breakout assembly (1210) as an input and provides the IBR fibers to the feeder fanout (1206) and the distribution fanout (1208) respectively as  an output. The feeder fanout (1206) and the distribution fanout (1208) provide  individual fibers for a plurality of adapters (1102, 1104) on a stair shaped frame  15 (1002) mounted in the fiber enclosure (102). 
FIG. 12