Abstract: Embodiments of tubular telecommunications cabinets are presented herein. Specifically, Telecommunications equipment cabinets are described which are configured to protect a plurality of components from environmental influences and provide a high degree of access to the interior of the cabinet. In an implementation a cabinet is configured with a plurality of mountings to mount a plurality of telecommunications equipment within a tubular enclosure. A plurality of partially-tubular sides may be joined to form the tubular enclosure around the mountings. Thus, equipment may be mounted within the cabinet to protect the equipment, for instance, at an outside location. The sides further are operable to permit access to the interior and corresponding equipment around substantially the entire perimeter of the cabinet.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a telecommunication fiber optic patch panel shelf assembly 20 is described having side walls 26 and 28 with side openings 40 adjacent a front wall 30. Distribution fiber optic cable guide members 60 are positioned in the openings 40 to receive, support and guide the distribution cables to fiber optic connecting adapters 48 mounted on a bulkhead 42. Each of the guide members 60 is supported by interior and exterior mounting brackets 62 and 64. The members 60 and the brackets 62, 64 have complementary snap connecting elements to enable the members to be easily mounted to the shelf assembly 20.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the universal support bracket 10 is illustrated for supporting a fiber optic cable carrier 28 in a telecommunication overhead cable distribution system 12. The bracket 10 includes a body section 40 that has an arm 46 that extends outward with a supporting surface for receiving and supporting cable carrier 28 at various spaced locations. The support bracket 10 includes a second body section 40 that is supported therebetween by a brace 44 in which the body section 42 has complementary clamping members 54 and 56. The body section 42 has a vertical aperture 64, a horizontal aperture 68 and a rectangular aperture 72 for receiving and clamping the bracket 10 securely to the support rods either in an upright orientation or in a tilting, sideways orientation or to a side rail 18 of the distribution system.

Abstract: A telecommunication fiber optic distribution apparatus 10 is illustrated in the drawings and includes a plurality of vertically spaced tray housings or shelves 18 that are mounted between vertical frame columns 16. Each of the tray housings slidably supports a plurality of optical fiber trays 20 that are movable linearly outward from a storage retracted position within the housing to an extended service position. Each of the trays has one or more cable carriers 60 that support and protect the optical fibers from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature less than a predetermined value. Each of the trays 20 includes reels for storing extra lengths of the optical fibers. Releasable guides 46 are mounted along the outside of the housing for guiding fiber optic cable in a vertical direction to the desired shelves. Additionally, individual cable guides 44 are positioned adjacent the rear corners of the housing for additionally guiding the individual cables into and out of the carriers 60.

Abstract: The disclosed telecommunication overhead cable distribution system 10 includes a plurality of "T"-shaped distribution units 20 that are located at desired distribution locations. A plurality of cable support sections 22 extend, protect, and support the telecommunication cables between the distribution locations. Each section includes a plurality of identical support units 24 that are releasably interconnected to each other. Each unit is pivotable about a horizontal intra-unit axis "A" and about an inter-unit vertical axis "B". Each unit is comprised of a female member 26 and a male member 28 in which the male member is releasably interlocked with an adjacent female member. Such a system provides for a system having a minimum of components with a maximum of versatility. The ends of the section 22 fit into receptive cavities formed in the "T"-shaped distribution units 20.