Optical fiber distribution apparatus

Distribution apparatus for cross conencting first optical fibers from a trunk cable with second optical fibers from a plurality of distribution cables, said apparatus comprising:

• a walled housing enclosing a storage space, said housing having an openable front wall for exposing said storage space;
• a plurality of trays;
• means for swingably attaching each of said trays to said housing, said trays being moveable between said storage space through said front wall when opened to an access position in space substantially outside said storage space;
• means, attached to said housing for routing a first fiber from said trunk cable to each of said trays;
• a plurality of pigtail fibers, at least one pigtail fiber for each of said trays;
• each of said trays including first means for storing a slack portion of at least one of said trunk cable fibers, each of said trays further including second means for storing a slack portion of said at least one pigtail fiber;
• first means, attached to each of said trays, for connecting said at least one trunk cable fiber to said at least one pigtail fiber;
• second means, attached to each of said trays, for connecting said at least one pigtail fiber to said at least one second fiber in one of said distribution cables.

Distribution apparatus for cross connecting first optical fibers from a trunk cable with second optical fibers from a plurality of distribution cables, said apparatus comprising:

• a walled housing enclosing a storage space;
• a drawer;
• means for enclosing said drawer;
• means for attaching said enclosing means to said housing;
• said housing and said enclosing means defining a storage space, said drawer having a first position in said storage space, said drawer being slideable outwardly to a second position substantially outside said storage space;
• a plurality of trays;
• means for attaching said trays to said housing, said attaching means including means for moving each tray between said storage space and an access position in space substantially outside said storage space;
• first means for routing each of said first fibers from said trunk cable to said drawer;
• a plurality of pigtail fibers;
• means for splicing a first end of each of said pigtail fibers to a different one of said first fibers, said splicing means being contained in said drawer;
• means, attached to each of said trays, for connecting a second end of each of said pigtail fibers to a different one of said second fibers;
• second means for routing each of said pigtail fibers from said splicing means through one of said trays to said connecting means;
• and
• third means for routing each of said second fibers through one of said trays to outside said storage space of said housing.

Distribution apparatus for storing optical fibers, comprising:

• a housing having members which define a storage space;
• a plurality of trays with each having an endless main passage for routing at least one of said optical fibers therein, each of said trays having an outer wall and an entry opening in said outer wall through which said one optical fiber may be routed to enter or to exit with respect to said main passage,
• said main passage in each of said trays having generally opposite sides, each of said trays also including a second routing passage extending generally from one of said opposite sides to the other, each of said trays further including a sidewardly extending portion having a third routing passage formed therein, said third routing passage having an open end, said plurality of trays including first and second trays vertically stacked and adjacent with respect to one another;
• means for movably attaching each of said trays to said housing wherein each of said trays may be moved between storage position in said storage space and an access position generally outside said storage space;
• and
• means for connecting a pair of said trays together in stacked alignment and means for routing said one fiber from one tray to the other for storage in both,
• said connecting means including a bulkhead facing said open end of said third routing passage of each of said first and second tray, said bulkhead holding said first and second trays together.

A method of cross connecting an optical fiber from a trunk cable to an optical fiber from a distribution cable, said method comprising the steps of:

• clamping a plurality of fibers from a trunk cable to a side of a housing;
• swinging one of a plurality of trays movably attached to said housing through an open front wall of said housing to provide easy access to said one tray;
• routing one of said trunk cable fibers from said clamp to said one tray;
• connecting said one trunk cable fiber to a pigtail fiber attached to a first connector attached to said one tray;
• connecting said distribution cable fiber to said pigtail fiber attached to a second connector attached to said one tray;
• routing said distribution cable fiber through said one tray;
• and
• swinging said one tray back into said housing.

A method of cross connecting a first optical fiber from a trunk cable to a second optical fiber from a distribution cable, said method comprising the steps of:

• guiding said trunk cable along a side of a housing;
• routing a plurality of first fibers from said trunk cable through a first opening in said side of said housing to a drawer containing means for splicing each of said first fibers to first ends of different pigtail fibers;
• splicing in said drawer each of said first fibers to the first ends of different pigtail fibers;
• swinging selectively trays movably attached to said housing out of and back into said housing to provide access to said trays;
• connecting one of said second fibers at each of different connecting means to the second end of different ones of said pigtail fibers, said pigtail fibers being routed from said splicing means in said drawer to first channels in different ones of said trays, and thereafter to means for connecting a second end of said pigtail fiber to one of said second fibers from said distribution cables;
• routing each of said second fibers through a second channel in different ones of said trays and through a second opening in said housing;
• and
• closing said drawer and swinging said trays back into said housing.