Multi-port optical connection terminal

A multi-port optical connection terminal for interconnecting one or more fiber optic drop cables with a fiber optic distribution cable, the multi-port terminal comprising:

• a base and a cover attached to the base, the base and cover each having opposed first and second end walls, the base further comprising a base panel opposite the cover and the cover further comprising a cover panel opposite the base to define an interior cavity;
• a first stub cable port provided in one of the base and the cover through one of the first and second end walls;
• at least one optical fiber cable transition portion including a plurality of fingers depending therefrom, each of the plurality of fingers having a first proximal end and a second distal end, the optical fiber cable transition portion disposed proximate the first stub cable port;
• a covering made of a heatshrink material, the optical fiber cable transition portion being configured to receive the covering for covering and defining a transition area proximate the first stub cable port;
• and
• a first stub cable comprising a first end received in the cable port through the optical fiber cable transition portion and a second end configured for attachment to the distribution cable, the optical fiber cable transition portion being responsive to and supporting the covering such that as the covering shrinks, the distal ends of the fingers are forced toward the optical fiber cable by bending the fingers at their respective proximal ends to form a buffer zone associated with at least a portion of the transition area.

A method of interconnecting one or more fiber optic drop cables with a fiber optic distribution cable at a multi-port optical connection terminal, the method comprising

• providing a multi-port optical connection terminal having a stub cable port;
• connecting a stub cable assembly including a stub cable to the stub cable port, the stub cable assembly having a plurality of fingers attached thereto, each of the plurality of fingers having a first proximal end and a second distal end and extending along a length of the stub cable;
• and
• forming a buffer zone between the stub cable port and the stub cable to strain relieve the stub cable, wherein forming the buffer zone further comprises heatshrinking a covering about a portion of the stub cable to compress the distal ends of the fingers about the stub cable by bending the fingers at their respective proximal ends.