Installation of optical fiber bundles in a multi-dwelling unit for providing network access to multiple user premises

A method of providing fiber optical network service to a number of dwelling units or premises each of which is adjacent to a common hallway in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU), comprising the steps of:

• mounting a number of storage boxes on a wall or other supporting surface at locations along the length of the hallway so that each location is at or near a dwelling unit or premises for which network service is to be provided, and constructing and arranging each of the storage boxes for retaining windings or loops of optical fibers associated with a fiber bundle;
• installing the fiber bundle in an unbroken length along the hallway including the locations of the storage boxes, and retaining windings or loops of the optical fibers associated with the bundle in each of the storage boxes;
• severing an optical fiber designated for a given premises among the loops of optical fibers retained in a storage box at or near the given premises thus obtaining an end length of the designated fiber, and terminating the end length of the designated fiber in an optical connector;
• and
• storing the end length of the designated fiber terminated in the optical connector, in the storage box at or near the given premises.

A tool for opening a cover layer on a bundle of optical fibers over a determined length of the bundle, comprising:

• an elongated cutting head having a generally C-shaped end profile to form an inner passage over the length of the cutting head, wherein the inner passage opens into a slot on a side of the cutting head;
• a cutting edge in or on the cutting head in operative relationship to the inner passage in the cutting head;
• a tool handle joined to the cutting head;
• the inner passage and the slot are formed and dimensioned so that a fiber bundle is insertable sideways into the passage through the slot, and an outer layer on the bundle is urged against the cutting edge in or on the cutting head;
• and
• wherein the outer layer on the bundle is opened or stripped to expose the bundle fibers when the bundle is inserted in the inner passage in the cutting head, and the tool handle is pulled along the length of the bundle.

A tool for opening a cover layer on a bundle of optical fibers over a determined length of the bundle, comprising:

• a generally rectangular tool block having a side wall, opposite end walls, and a bottom face;
• an elongated handle joined to the side wall of the tool block;
• a recessed guide slot is formed in the bottom face of the tool block which slot extends over the length of the block and opens onto the opposite end walls;
• the slot is recessed in the bottom face of the tool block at a depth sufficient to contain a fiber bundle when the bundle is adhered on a wall or other support surface and an installer slides the bottom face of the tool block over the bundle;
• the tool block has a top surface that inclines downwardly from one end wall of the block to a point intermediate the length of the block, and a lateral slot is formed in the block adjacent the intermediate point so that the lateral slot opens into the guide slot in the bottom face of the block;
• a tool blade fixed on the downwardly inclined surface of the block, wherein the blade has an edge that projects through the lateral slot and into a region of the recessed guide slot in the bottom face of the block so that when the tool block slides over the fiber bundle, the edge of the blade strips or removes part of a covering layer on the bundle to expose the bundle fibers.