Optical fiber cable distribution frame

ES 2 397 271 T3

DESCRIPTION

Fiber Optic Cable Distribution Cabinet

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to cabinets for connection of telecommunications cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installation of telecommunications equipment to support the current and possible future needs of a particular group of users may make it desirable to install more capacity than the current customer base alone can dictate. Excess capacity can be installed to allow easy addition of new circuits for new or existing users. A telecommunications patch cabinet, with such spare capacity, can be preconfigured in a manufacturing facility and installed on-site to include more circuits that are needed to provide service to existing users. Before linking these future expansion circuits, or in excess, to users, it is desirable to provide means of storage, organization, and protection of patch cords or other patch cords within the cabinet.

Such patch cords could include fiber optic patch cords terminated with fiber optic connectors. Fiber optic connectors include a polished end face, typically supported by a ferrule, which allows positioning of the optical fiber supported by the connector to receive and transmit signals to another optical light or fiber optic source. It is desirable to keep these polished end faces as free of contaminants as possible to improve the transmission of light to and from the optical fiber maintained by the connector. Such contaminants that could adversely affect the transmission of light to and from the optical fiber include, without limitation, dust and fingerprints.

Protective dust caps can be provided for the connectors to protect the polished end face of the fiber optic. However, when such dust caps are in place, the connector is not capable of being received on known fiber optic adapters, such as those described in US Patent No. 5,317,663 and US Patent No. 6,347,888. A connector can be inserted into one of these known adapters for the storage or pre-wiring of a crossover point, an interconnect point or some other type of telecommunications connection or switching equipment, with the dust cap removed. Although adapters might provide some protection against contaminants to a single connector inserted into an adapter, these adapters are not as effective as a dust cap in protecting the polished end face.

It is desirable to improve known methods and apparatus for protecting the polished end face of a fiber optic connector within telecommunication equipment.

Document WO 98/53347 A discloses a connector according to the preamble of claim 1 and further comprises a pivoting cap to protect an end session of a fiber optic cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be summarized according to the features described in claim 1. The present invention can be further characterized by the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form an integral part of the description, illustrate various operational aspects of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a telecommunication connection cabinet, according to the present invention, with an access door to the front of the cabinet open.

Figure 2 is a front view of the telecommunication connection cabinet, shown in Figure 1, with illustrative cable runs.

Figure 3 is an exemplary front view of the telecommunication connection cabinet, depicted in Figure 1, with the adapters and connector brackets removed.

Figure 4 is a rear view, by way of example, of the telecommunication connection cabinet shown in Figure 3.

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Figure 5 is an exemplary front perspective view of the telecommunication cabinet frame, modules and cable management devices, depicted in Figure 1, removed from the cabinet.

Figure 6 is an exemplary perspective view of the rack, modules, and cable management structure depicted in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an exemplary front view of the rack, modules, and cable management structure depicted in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an exemplary rear view of the rack, modules, and cable management structure depicted in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an exemplary front perspective view of a junction box module for use with a telecommunications connection cabinet, as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is an exemplary rear perspective view of a junction box module for use with a telecommunications connection cabinet, as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is an exemplary front perspective view of a fan distribution module for use with the telecommunications connection cabinet depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 12 is an exemplary rear perspective view of a fan distribution module for use with the telecommunications connection cabinet, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 13 is an exemplary front perspective view of a chassis for the splitter module or the adapter module of the telecommunications connection cabinet, shown in Figure 1.

Figure 14 is an exemplary rear perspective view of a chassis for the splitter module or the adapter module of the telecommunications connection cabinet depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 15 is a first perspective view, by way of example, of a fiber optic connector holder.

Figure 16 is a second perspective view of the fiber optic connector support represented in Figure

15.

Figure 17 is a top view of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a bottom view of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a first end view of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 20 is a side view of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 21 is a second opposite end view of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 22 is a first perspective view of the system for supporting a fiber optic connector including the fiber optic connector holder shown in Figure 15 with an inserted fiber optic connector, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a second perspective view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 22, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 24 is a top view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 22, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a side view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 22, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 26 is an end view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 22, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 8, taken along the line AA in Figure 25, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

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Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of the system for holding a fiber optic connector shown in Figure 22, according to a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 29 is an example perspective view of the main housing of the fiber optic connector support depicted in Figure 15.

Figure 30 is a first perspective view, by way of example, of an inner casing of the fiber optic connector support shown in Figure 15.

Figure 31 is a second, exemplary perspective view of the inner housing depicted in Figure 30.

Figure 32 is an exemplary top view of the inner housing depicted in Figure 30.

Figure 33 is an exemplary side view of the inner housing depicted in Figure 30.

Figure 34 is a first exemplary end view of the inner housing depicted in Figure 30.

Figure 35 is a second exemplary end view of the inner housing depicted in Figure 30.

Figure 36 is a first perspective view, by way of example, of the cover of the fiber optic connector holder shown in Figure 15.

Figure 37 is a second perspective view, by way of example, of the lid depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 38 is an exemplary top view of the cap depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 39 is an exemplary side view of the lid depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 40 is an exemplary bottom view of the lid depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 41 is a first exemplary end view of the cap depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 42 is a second exemplary end view of the cap depicted in Figure 36.

Figure 43 is an example perspective view of the clamp for the fiber optic connector holder shown in Figure 29.

Figure 44 is an exemplary end view of the collet shown in Figure 43.

Figure 45 is an exemplary side view of the collet shown in Figure 43.

Figure 46 is an exemplary bottom view of the collet shown in Figure 43.

Figure 47 is an exemplary top view of the fiber optic connector holder depicted in Figure 15 inserted into an opening in a spacer element.

Figure 48 is an exemplary perspective view of a spacer element that includes a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connector adapters and the fiber optic connector holder, depicted in Figure 15, inserted into the one of the openings.

Figure 49 is an exemplary perspective view of the dust cap of the fiber optic connector depicted in Figure 29.

Figure 50 is an exemplary side view of the dust cap depicted in Figure 49.

Figure 51 is an exemplary end view of the dust cap depicted in Figure 49.

Figure 52 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the dust cap depicted in Figure 49.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made, in detail, to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to identical or similar parts.

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Telecommunication connection cabinets, such as the cabinet 10 shown in Figure 1, in accordance with the present invention, are used to allow the organization and interconnection of different telecommunication infrastructure cables. A multi-stranded telecommunication service cable, such as an IFC or ribbon cable with multiple optical fibers, can be used to link, by electronic or optical means, widely spaced facilities. The service cable can be routed to cabinet 10 where it can be connected to a fan distribution module 34 and separated into individual fibers. Each of these strands connects to a patch cord 46 that is terminated with a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector of the patch cord 46 (such as connector 200 described below) is then inserted into the front of an adapter 50 mounted on an adapter module 36 within cabinet 10).

The adapter module 36 may further include a splitter that combines the signals from up to 32 individual patch cables 46 into a single fiber optic cable. As depicted in the Figures, there are four server modules 36 with dividers. As configured, cabinet 10 can have up to four optical fibers that carry signals up to 128 patch cords 46. This up to four fiber optic cables are routed to a splice module 32 mounted within cabinet 10. These up to four cables are available for splicing in splice box 32 for communication of signals to other downstream telecommunications equipment .

For patch cords 48 connected to circuits for which downstream connection to telecommunication equipment is intended, but not yet required, these patch cords are instead routed to a connector support module 37. Connectors 200 terminating the connecting cables 48 are routed to a connector holder 110. These patch cords 48 are not optically bonded to any downstream equipment and are well stored and protected from damage or contamination to connector brackets 110 until needed.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, cabinet 10 includes a housing 12 with a top 24, opposite sides 26, a front wall 22, and a floor 20. A rear wall 23, shown in Figure 4 below, cooperates with the upper part, side parts, front part and floor to enclose the assembled equipment within the casing 12 in an interior space 13. The side portions 26 may include ventilation openings 28 that are shielded to prevent the penetration of rain, snow and debris into the interior space 13. The front wall 22 includes a front access opening 16 that allows access to the front of the equipment. mounted within the interior space 13. A door 14 is hinged on one side of the opening 16 and closes the opening 16 for sealing the interior space 13 from the elements when closed. A cable entry 18, in the floor 20, allows multi-strand telecommunication service cables to be advanced into its interior space 13 and user cables from the splice tray to exit interior space 13. Although only one opening 18 shown in Figure 1, additional openings in the floor 20 can be provided depending on the size and number of cables entering and leaving the cabinet 10.

Mounted within the interior space 13 there is a variety of telecommunication equipment and support structure. As will be described below, the interior space 13 includes a frame-mounting structure where the telecommunication equipment is mounted. The equipment within the interior space 13 includes a splice module 32, a fan distribution module 24, a plurality of adapter modules 36, and a plurality of connector support modules 37. Adjacent to this equipment are mounted a plurality of cable storage spools 30 and radius of curvature protectors 42. The spools 30 and radius protectors 42 cooperate to route the cables between the front parts of the different telecommunications equipment mounted within the interior space 13.

Within the interior space 13, the adapter modules 36 and the connector support modules 37 include a module housing, which will be described below. Each of the module housings 36 and 37 are mounted within the internal rack mounting structure of cabinet 10. The adapter modules 36 are grouped together in an active connection stack 38 and the connector support modules 37 are grouped. together in a storage rack 40. The fan distribution module 34 is mounted below the active connection stack 38 when the service cable enters the cabinet 10 from below through the opening 18. As configured in the drawings, the cabinet 10 also directs the user cables through the floors 20 so that the splice module 32 is located below the storage and hot-plug areas. If user and / or service cables enter cabinet 10 through an opening in or adjacent to top 24, fan-out module 34 and splice module 32 can be positioned above the junction areas. active connection storage.

Referring now also to Figures 3 and 4, by way of example, cabinet 10 is configured to be a front access cabinet and no means are available to allow access through rear wall 23. In practice, It would only take a technician to access the equipment mounted within the cabinet 10 through the front opening 16 to connect or disconnect a particular customer's circuit. All the connections between the various equipment, behind the indoor equipment 13, are not easily accessible and are intended to be preconfigured and wired before the cabinet 10 leaves the manufacturing facility. Alternatively, the rear wall 23 could be configured with an access door if such access is desired.

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Modules 34, 36, and 37 include front faces that are angled relative to front wall 22 to improve positioning of cables between cable management structures (including spools 30 and radius limiters 42) and adapters 50 and cable support. connectors 110.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, by way of example, connector brackets 110, adapters 50, and any dividers within modules 36 and 37 have been removed. The module housing 56 for each module 36 and 37 may be identical and will be described below. As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, each module 37 includes 32 connector supports in each of seven connector support modules 37. This provides a total storage capacity as configured of 224 connectors 200.

The fan distribution module 34, as shown in the Figures, includes eighteen cable breakers 54. Each cable breaker 54 allows the separation of a service cable or the sub-unit of a service cable by a maximum of 12 fibers. This provides a maximum capacity for fan-out module 34 to receive up to eighteen service cables or service cable sub-units and to separate up to 216 patch cables 46 and 48 from these service cables. This allows a support of connectors in storage area 40 for each of the maximum number of patch cords 46 and 48 that can be extended from fan-out module 34.

The patch cords 46 and 48 are terminated with fiber optic connectors such as the connector 200 shown in Figures 22 through 28 inclusive, below. The optical fiber within these cables is terminated at a polished end face held by ferrule 202 on connector 200, as is well known in the art and as depicted in U.S. Patent No. 5,317,663, incorporated herein by reference. . These polished end faces and ferrules 202 need to be stored and protected until required for connection to other fiber optic cables or optical signal equipment.

Often times, a dust cap 204 can be loaded around ferrule 202 and the polished end face of the optical fiber to protect the polished end face from contamination by dust, fingerprints, or other items that could degrade the transmission of the optical signal. Although it is known to store the latter in known fiber optic adapters until the fiber within the attached cable needs to be connected to another fiber optic cable for the optical signal equipment, such storage is not ideal since the adapters do not seal the face. polished end against contamination as well as dust cap 204 tightly fitted and held around ferrule 202 of connector 200. Known adapters do not allow insertion of the connector 200 which still has a dust cap 204 in place around ferrule 202 and the polished end face of the cable.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, by way of example, connector support 110 includes a main housing 112 that defines an interior cavity 114. An open end 118 allows insertion of a connector 200 into cavity 114 while an opening Opposite 116 allows dust cap 204 to protrude from connector bracket 10. A collet 120 is positioned around main housing 112 and includes a pair of spring mounting clips 122. A pair of flanges 124 extend from opposite sides 126 of main housing 112 adjacent spring clips 122. Clips 122 and flanges 124 cooperate to releasably mount bracket 10 to an opening in an element. spacer as indicated below.

The main housing 112 further includes a lower space 130 with a keyway 128 to receive a keyed extension of the connector 200 to consistently orient the connector 200 for insertion into the cavity 114. The opposite bottom portion 130 is a part. open top closed by a cover 132. This is indicated in more detail in Figure 26 below. Figures 17 through 21 provide additional views of connector bracket 110.

Referring to Figures 22 through 27 inclusive, connector 110 is shown with connector 200 positioned within cavity 118. Dust cap 204 extends from opening 116 of connector holder 110 while connector 200 is inserted through the open end 114.

Referring now to Figures 27 and 28, the connector bracket 110 may further include an inner housing 134 with a pair of opposing releasable latches 136 and an opening 138 sized to receive the dust cap 204. The inner housing 134 is positioned into main housing 112 through an open top 140 with opening 138 adjacent opening 116 and latches 136 adjacent open end 114. The lid 132 is then positioned within the open headspace 140 and the clamp 120 is positioned around the lid 132 and main housing 112. The lid 132 can be hermetically sealed within the open headspace 140 by gluing, ultrasonic welding, or a variety of known fastening techniques. Connector 200 may include a pair of opposing recesses 206 that receive latches 136 when connector 200 is inserted into bracket 110.

As shown, connector 200 and bracket 110 are of the SC type. Connector 200 and bracket 110 may conform to other styles and formats of electrical connectors and adapters without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.

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Referring now to Figure 29, by way of example, main casing 112 also includes a slot 142 along both side portions of cavity 114 for receiving and positioning a flange of inner casing 134 within cavity 114. A recessed area 144 is provided along the side portions 126 to receive the clamp 120. The open top portion 140 includes a projection 146 over which the lid 132 is positioned to close the cavity 114. Another spacer element 168 forms a part of the opening 116. An inner spacer element 145 is positioned spaced from the outer spacer element 168 and these spacer elements cooperate to define the slot 142. Between the spacer elements 145 and 168 is a positioning surface 143 which defines the bottom of slot 142.

Referring now to Figures 30 through 35, by way of example, inner housing 134 includes a pair of clamp arms 148 extending from crosspiece 150. Opening 138 to receive dust cap 204 from connector 200 it is on the cross piece 150. The latches 136 are at the end of the clamp arms 148 opposite the cross piece 150. Cross piece 150 includes a pair of flanges 152 that are received in slots 142 in main housing 112. As illustrated in Figure 32, latches 136 include an angled portion 154 that engages by connector 200 as the connector 200 is inserted into cavity 114 through open end 118 of connector holder 110. The arms of clamp 148 deflect outward allowing connector 200 to pass between latches 136. When connector 200 is fully inserted into cavity 114 (as illustrated in Figure 27), latches 136 are received within recessed area 206 and a retaining surface 156 of each latch 136 holds connector 200 within the socket. cavity 114.

Inner housing 134 is configured to allow insertion into slots 142 of cavity 114 of main housing 112 in one of two orientations. A pair of edges 166 of cross piece 150 appropriately position the inner housing within the cavity 114 with respect to the cover 132 and the main housing 112 so that the opening 138 is aligned to receive the dust cover 204.

Referring to Figures 36 through 42 inclusive, by way of example, the lid 132 includes a recessed area 158 for receiving a collet 120 along an outer surface 168. Also on the outer surface 168 is a recessed area 172 to receive operational indications. Along an inner surface 170 are formed a pair of edges 164 configured to be received by projections 146 of main housing 112. Extending from the inner surface 170 is an outer flange 160 that cooperates with the spacer member 168 within the main housing 112 to define the opening 116. Also extending from the inner surface 170 is an inner flange 162 that is spaced from the outer flange 160. to form a slot 163. The slot 163 cooperates within the slot 142 of the main casing 112 to receive the flange 152 of the inner casing 134.

At the top of the slot 163 is a positioning surface 161 that cooperates with one of the edges 166 of the inner housing 134 to position the inner housing 134 within the cavity 114, so that the opening 138 of the inner housing 134 is aligned with aperture 116. When mounted as a connector holder 110, the positioning surface 143 of the main housing 112 and the positioning surface 161 of the cover 132 cooperate to engage both edges 166 of the inner housing 134. The slot 142 of the main housing 112 and the slot 163 of the cover 132 cooperate to capture the flanges 152 of the inner casing 134.

Referring now to Figures 43 through 46, by way of example, the collet 120 includes a cross piece 174 and a pair of opposing sides 176. The elastic collet clips 122 are formed into side portions 176. The side portions 176 are received within the recessed area 144 of the main housing 112 and the crosspiece 174 is received within the recessed area 158 of the lid 132. It is envisioned that the collet 120 will be made of an elastic deformable metal to facilitate insertion and removal from an opening in a spacer member. The spring clips 122 each include a tip 178 and an inclined surface 180.

Figures 47 and 48 show, by way of example, the fiber optic connector holder 110 inserted into an opening 184 in a separator element 182. The separator element 182 may be part of an element of a telecommunications switching equipment, such as a panel for making a plurality of connections between fiber optic cables including a plurality of openings 84 for adapters, as illustrated in Figure 48 or in the connector support module 37. Alternatively, the spacer element 182 may include only a single opening 184 where only one fiber optic connector holder 110 is needed.

The open end 118 of the connector bracket 110 is inserted through the opening 184 until a pair of side portions 186 of the opening 184 mate with the inclined surfaces 180 of the elastic clamping clips 122. The continued insertion of the connector bracket Connectors 110 will cause the side portions 186 of the spacer member to bias the elastic gripping clips 122 directed inwardly to the side portions 126. The lateral portions of the spacer element 186 will eventually pass through the extremities 178 of the elastic grippers 122. The elastic grippers 122 elastically retract, as indicated in Figure 48, capturing the lateral portions of the spacer element 186 between ends 178 and flanges 124. Connector holder 110 can be removed from aperture 184 by compressing spring clips 122 and withdrawing, in an opposite direction, the above-described insert.

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Alternatively, the flanges 124 may be configured to include a clamping device opening so that the connector holder 110 can be mounted within the opening 184 by removable clamping devices.

It is envisaged that the openings 184 for mounting of adapters and connector support may be included in the slide adapter assembly, as described in commonly owned US Patent No. 5,497,444. The inventive idea of ​​this patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to Figures 49 through 52 inclusive, by way of example, the dust cap 204 includes a central opening 208 to receive a ferrule 202 when the ferrule 202 is inserted through the open end 210. The opposite open end 210 is closed end 212 including knurling 214 to provide a better grip for removing dust cap 204. Center opening 208 fits around ferrule 202 to provide a seal around ferrule 202 and to secure the dust cap to connector 200. Due to the reduction in air volume within center opening 208 when inserting the ferrule 202 (see Figure 27), one or more helically shaped recesses 216 are provided within central opening 208 along interior walls 218. The recessed areas 216 extend from the adjacent closed end 212 to the open end 210. The recessed areas 216 are small enough to prevent the entry of undesirable contaminants and yet allow air to move within the central opening 208 to be ejected when ferrule 202 is inserted so that dust cap 204 can fully seat onto connector 200. The recessed areas 216 also allow air circulation within the central opening 208 when the dust cap 204 is removed from the ferrule 202. The shape of each recessed area 216 is also designed to allow air to pass in and out. from the central opening 208 when the dust cap 204 is removed or placed on the ferrule 202 while inhibiting the passage of contaminants along the same path.

Referring now to Figures 5 through 8 inclusive, by way of example, cabinet 10 is shown without the housing.

12. A pair of uprights 51 and 52 adjacent to the side portions 26 of housing 12 provide mounting locations for cabinet-mounted equipment 10. A cable management panel 58 is mounted to upright 51 and a plurality of spools Cable tie 30 is mounted on panel 58. Bend radius protectors 42 are mounted on each adjacent panel 58 of module housing 56 and provide bend radius protection for cables 46 and 48 that are routed from spools 30 to modules 36 or 37.

Mounted to the rear of the fan distribution module 34 is a cable clamp 60 to hold the service cable after it enters the cabinet 10 through the opening 18 in the bottom 20. From the clamp 60 , the service cable, the service cable sub-units or smaller bundles of optical fibers can enter the fan distribution module 34 through the rear opening 62. In addition to the reels 30 mounted on the panel 58, another reel 30 is mounted on the front of the fan-out module 34 to provide bend radius protection and route the connecting cables 46 and 48 from the cable breakers 54 at the cable reels 30 of the panel 58 and protectors of the radius of curvature 42 of the modules 36 and 37.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, by way of example, splice module 32 includes a splice box 64 slidably mounted within a housing 66. The splice module housing 66 includes a pair of flanges. mounting bracket 72 and 74 for mounting the splice module 32 on the panel 58 and on the vertical support 52. A drawer lock latch 68 is included in drawer 64 to prevent accidental or unwanted access to splices within splice module 32. A rear opening 70 is provided to allow cables from modules 36 to enter the housing. 66 and spliced ​​into drawer 64.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, by way of example, the fan distribution module 34 includes a front face to which the eighteen cable breakers 54 are mounted. The fan distribution module 34 further includes a flange 72 for mounting to panel 58 and flange 74 for mounting to vertical support 52.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, by way of example, module housing 56 provides the basic exterior protection for adapter module 36 and connector support module 37. Housing 56 includes a front face 84 with four openings 84. Openings 84 are sized and configured to receive up to eight adapters 50 or connector support 110, so that a total of thirty-two patch cords 46 or 48 can be received. These adapters 50 or connector brackets 110 may be held within aperture 84 by a retaining clip such as disclosed in commonly owned US Patent No. 5,214,735, the inventive idea of ​​which is incorporated herein by reference. The module housing 56 further defines an interior space 86 with a cable outlet 80 in a side wall 78. When the module housing 56 is used for an adapter module 36, each adapter 50 mounted in the openings 84 may have a connector 200 inserted on one rear side that will be optically linked with a patch cord connector 200 46 inserted on one side. frontal. These rear connectors 200 can terminate fiber optic cables which can then be run through the cable outlet 80.

Alternatively, adapter module 36 may include a splitter within interior space 86. The connectors 200, attached to the rear of each adapter 50, would then be optically connected to the splitter. The splitter would then combine the signals from each of the adapters 50 for a given module 36 into a single fiber optic cable, which can then be routed from the module 36 through the cable outlet 80 and into the opening.

ES 2 397 271 T3 rear 70 of the splice module 32. Within the splice module 32, each of the cables carrying the combined signals from the connection cables 46, connected to up to thirty-two adapters of a module 36, could be spliced ​​into another cable for distribution of signals to downstream equipment or users.

As illustrated in the Figures, cabinet 10 is configured for front access only, since it does not have means for an access opening through rear wall 23. Other configurations of housing 12 for cabinet 10 are considered here. In this regard, which may include providing additional access to interior space 13. A preferred method of connecting a fiber optic service cable in cabinet 10 reduces the need to access the rear of equipment mounted within cabinet 12.

To connect a service cable within cabinet 10, the service cable is fed into cabinet 10 through opening 18 in the bottom 20. The service cable is routed into a space between mounted equipment. the vertical supports 51 and 52 and the rear wall 23 and then, fixed to the rear of the fan distribution module 34 in the bracket 60. From the attachment 60, the cable can be broken down into sub-units and directed through an opening 62 into an interior space 61 of the fan distribution module 34. Within the interior space 61, the cable sub-units are further distributed , to the individual fibers leading to the cable breakers 54 where they are passed from the interior space 61 and preferably, are shielded for the standard patch cables 46 and 48 terminated with connectors 200. Connection cables 46 and 48 are intended for standard size connection cables, such as 1.7mm, 2.0mm or otherwise, suitably sized for routing within cabinet 10.

From breakers 54, patch cords 46 and 48 are routed to reel 30 mounted on fan distribution module 34 and reels 30 mounted on panel 58. From these reels, patch cords 46 and 48 are routed further past bend radius shields 42 and connectors 200 inserted into an adapter 50 and connector holder 110, respectively. Connector cables 46, as described above, are optically linked through adapter 50 and possibly a splitter within interior space 86 of adapter module 36 to splice module 32 and then downstream equipment. As described above, the patch cords 48 are stored for future use in connector holders 110 with the dust cap 104 in place to protect the polished end faces from damage or contamination.

When one of the idle or stored patch cords 48 is needed for connection to downstream equipment, such as when a new customer requests service or an existing customer needs to extend their service, the desired idle patch cord 48 it is removed from connector holder 110. Dust cap 104 is removed from ferrule 102 of connector 200 and patch cord 48 is partially removed from spools 30 mounted on panel 58. This patch cord is then rerouted so that its connector 200 is adjacent to the desired adapter 50 for connection to a downstream computer computation. At this point, the old idle patch cord 48 has been converted to an active patch cord 46 and is inserted into the appropriate adapter 50. An active patch cord 46 can be converted to an inactive patch cord 48 by reversing the previous process when a previously required circuit is no longer needed by a customer or other downstream equipment.

By configuring the cabinet 10 as described above, only front access through the access opening 16 is necessary, in practice, for a technician in order to connect a circuit for a new customer or an existing customer or to put a circuit out of service.

The above descriptive specification, exemplary embodiments, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments can be practiced without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention, the inventive idea is based on the appended claims.