US 6,160,946 A · Outside plant fiber distribution apparatus and method

Abstract

An outside plant fiber distribution apparatus includes a frame member and a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member. The frame member includes upper and lower module mounting brackets. Each module includes a front and two mounting flanges, each mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets. At least one of the modules is configured as a connection module including a plurality of connection locations disposed along the front of the module. A rear of the module includes a cable notch region for receipt of a cable. At least one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools. In an interconnect system, the storage module includes a cable clamp for holding a second cable, the cables are connected through the connection locations of the connection module. In a cross-connect system, two connection modules are provided, and patch cords are used to connect the fronts of the connection modules. The modules may also house splices, and/or optical couplers, such as splitters and wave division multiplexers.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An optical fiber distribution frame apparatus comprising:

a frame member having upper and lower module mounting brackets, the upper module mounting bracket spaced from the lower module mounting bracket, the frame member defining an interior;
a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member, each module including a front and two mounting flanges, each mounting flange mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets;
wherein one of the modules defines a connection module and further including a rear spaced from the front, a spaced apart top and bottom positioned adjacent to the flanges, and opposed spaced apart sides, the connection module configured and arranged for housing a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings along the front, wherein the bottom, the rear, and the opposed sides defining a cable notch region, wherein the cable notch region defines an opening for a first cable;
a cable clamp mounted to the rear of the connection module;
wherein another one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools positioned on the front.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Outside plant fiber distribution apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Outside plant fiber distribution apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20