# US 2017/0285272 A1 · Compact adapter module for installation at customer premises > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285272 A1 - Document ID: US20170285272A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/258,383 - Filed: 2016-09-07 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-05 - Assignees: OFS Fitel, LLC - Applicants: OFS Fitel, LLC - Inventors: Denis E. Burek; Willard C. White - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285272A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs} - G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on} - G02B 6/3897: {Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence)} - H01R 31/06: Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A compact adapter module for installation at customer premises includes a base for mounting on a supporting surface, and a cover. The base is constructed for mounting a connector adapter operative to connect two communication lines to one another at a given location along a routing path at customer premises. A cover protectively encloses the adapter and connectors mated to the adapter which terminate the lines. Space inside the covered module is limited substantially for storing only the adapter and mated connectors, so the module is compact in size and unobtrusive when mounted at the given location. The lines are received at two ports of the module, and an edge of the base is flush with the supporting surface at each port so the lines can be adhered directly to the supporting surface at the ports. Any adverse visual impact of the lines at the module is therefore minimized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter module for use at customer premises, comprising: an elongated base configured for mounting on a supporting surface; the base is constructed and arranged for mounting a connector adapter having first and second faces configured to mate with first and second connectors that terminate ends of associated communication lines, so that the lines are operatively connected to one another; a cover constructed and arranged for protectively enclosing the adapter and the mated connectors when mounted on the base and when the cover is fastened to the base, wherein the base and the cover are dimensioned and configured to define space inside the module that is substantially limited for storing only the adapter and the mated connectors; and the module has two ports each of which is configured to receive one of two communication lines to be operatively connected to one another via the adapter; wherein, at each port, an edge of the base is formed to be substantially flush with the supporting surface so that the lengths of communication lines can be adhered directly to the surface at the module ports, thus minimizing or avoiding any adverse visual impact of the lines at or near the module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, including a connector adapter mounted on the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An adapter module according to claim 2, wherein the connector adapter is an optical component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a cutout at each port of the module to provide safe clearance for communication lines that enter the ports when the module is closed by the cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein the module measures approximately 6.500 inches in length and 0.904 inch in width when closed by the cover. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An adapter module according to claim 5, wherein the module measures approximately 0.540 inch in depth when closed by the cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein at each port, an area of the base is inclined from the edge of the base at a certain angle with respect to the supporting surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An adapter module according to claim 7, wherein the angle is approximately 8 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein the ports are configured for receiving communication lines having outer diameters ranging from about 900 μm to 4.2 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein the base and the cover are molded from polypropylene copolymer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An adapter module according to claim 1, wherein the ports are located at rear corners of the module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method of operatively connecting two communication lines to one another for routing over a determined routing path at customer premises, comprising: providing a connector adapter having a pair of connection faces; mating a connector at one end of each of the two communication lines to a corresponding connection face of the connector adapter, thereby creating a connection between the lines at a certain location along the routing path at the premises; fastening the base of an adapter module according to claim 1 to a supporting surface at the certain location along the routing path; and mounting the adapter with the mated connectors on the base of the adapter module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the mounting step is performed after the base of the adapter module is fastened to the supporting surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, including: adhering one of the communication lines to a supporting surface over a portion of the determined routing path at the premises; mounting the adapter with the mated connectors on the base of the adapter module before the base is fastened to the supporting surface; placing the base of the adapter module at the certain location along the routing path; and marking the positions of openings in the base on the supporting surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, including placing a tape over the one line near the connection before mounting the adapter with the mated connectors on the base of the adapter module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the marking step is performed by inserting a pencil through the openings in the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, including: removing the adapter with the mated connectors from the base of the adapter module after the marking step; aligning the openings in the base with corresponding ones of the marked positions on the supporting surface; and driving fasteners into the supporting surface through the openings in the base, thereby fastening the base to the supporting surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, including adhering the other communication line to a supporting surface over a remaining portion of the routing path at the premises after fastening the base to the supporting surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, including maintaining the communication lines substantially taut inside the adapter module after the adapter is mounted on the base of the adapter module with the mated connectors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, including fastening the cover of the adapter module onto the base.