Abstract: A trough for separately retaining different types of cables and/or wires yet maintaining related ones in the same area to facilitate identification and handling of the cables and/or wires. The trough comprises of a base and a pair of arms extending therefrom, enclosing a space for retaining a first type of cables and/or wires. Extending from the base into the space created by the arms is a retainer hook, dividing space into a sub-space for retaining a second type of cables and/or wires. One of the arms is pivotable from a closed to an open position to allow quick access to cables and/or wires in the space and sub-space.

Abstract: A connector security latching mechanism for enabling the quick and easy mounting of a connector includes a connector bracket for positioning at least one connector. The connector bracket includes a first end and a second end. A housing bracket for receiving the connector bracket in a predetermined orientation. The housing bracket includes a first end and a second end. A latching mechanism is provided on at least one of the first end and the second end of the connector bracket for enabling a latch to normally engage and lock with at least one of the first end and the second end of the housing bracket. A tool is provided for permitting the disconnection of the latching mechanism from the housing bracket. The tool permits authorized personnel to disengage the latching mechanism for removal of the connector bracket from the housing bracket.

Abstract: An adapter for securing a cable to a housing has a flange that is attachable to the housing and a plurality of concentric cable ports connected to the flange. Each cable port has a side wall. The side wall of each cable port overlaps a side wall of an adjacent one of the plurality of cable ports. Each cable port has a respective diameter and a respective height with respect to the flange, and the heights of the cable ports increase monotonically from the cable port having the largest diameter to the cable port having the smallest diameter. Each cable port other than the cable port having the smallest diameter has a flat surface at a distal end opposite the flange. Each pair of successive cable ports differ from each other in height by a constant amount that is at least a thickness of a blade used to cut unused ones of the plurality of cable ports from the adapter. Each cable port may have a ledge proximate to the distal end.

Abstract: An assembly has a housing with an opening. The housing may be a building entrance protector. The housing has first and second cable ports aligned with the opening and aligned with each other. The first cable port extends outwardly from the housing, and the second cable port extends into the housing. A cable passes through the first and second cable ports. The cable may contain optical fibers. A first cold shrink tubing is placed over the first cable port and a portion of the cable that extends outward from the housing. A second cold shrink tubing is placed over the second cable port and a portion of the cable that extends into the housing. The first and second cable ports may be integrally formed from a single tubular piece of material having a single mounting flange. Alternatively, the cable ports may be separate and distinct from each other, and may each have a respective mounting flange. Alternatively, the cable ports may be integrally formed as a part of the housing.

Abstract: A splice holder for securing and retaining fiber optic splices. The splice holder improves access to individual splices and minimizes interference to adjacent splices during removal. The splice holder comprises a hollow base having a first flat portion and a second enclosing portion defining a hollow longitudinal space therebetween. A plurality of parallel, spaced apart longitudinal members extend from the second portion away from the hollow space. Adjacent pairs of members define a channel for retaining a splice. Within the hollow space is a transversely extending wall for structural support of the second portion, which divides the space into two cavities. The cavities provide improved access to the underside of a splice.

Abstract: A variable depth stackable separator for separating cable into predetermined distinct groups includes a hub having a bottom member with a first surface and a second surface with an upwardly projecting sidewall forming a central area defining a predetermined radius. A connector is provided that projects from the first surface of the bottom member of the hub. A receiver is provided that projects from the second surface of the bottom member. The connector of the hub is adapted to be inserted into a receiver of a second hub to form a variable depth stackable separator for separating cable into predetermined distinct groups. Tabs are provided that project from the sidewall of the hub for retaining a cable relative to the hub. The variable depth stackable separator is designed for optical fiber cable to maintain a minimum bend radius for the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A building entrance protector assembly includes a building entrance protector housing having an opening. The housing includes a plurality of concentric cylindrical side walls around the opening. Each side wall at least partly overlies another one of the side walls. At least one annular surface is provided at an end of the side walls distal from the flange. The distance between the flange and each distal (annular or disk shaped) surface increases monotonically from an outermost annular surface to an innermost annular or circular surface. Each annular surface is located at a respectively different distance from the flange. Each side wall is connected to an adjacent side wall by one of the annular surfaces. One or more of the inner side walls may be cut away to accommodate a variety of cable sizes. A cable passes through an innermost one of the side walls. A heat shrink tubing secures the cable to the adapter. The heat shrink tubing is adhered to the cable and the outermost side wall.

Abstract: A layer module arrangement for splice trays. Each layer module comprises a base to support the splices and two side members extending in the same general direction from the base. The invention provides for multiple embodiments each having add-on capabilities so as to provide lodging for a high density of splice connections if desired.

Abstract: The fiber slack storage device of the present invention for storing a slack length of a fiber optic strand comprises a spool comprising a pair of diametrically-opposed cylindrical barrels, and a cylindrical housing for at least partially enclosing the spool. The spool is disposed in the housing and is rotatable with respect thereto and the minimum radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical barrels is equal to or greater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic strand.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer tube storage device with an integrated bend limiter includes a support with a housing. The housing includes a first end mounted on the support and a distal end projecting outwardly therefrom. The housing has an outer surface for retaining a fiber optical cable and an inner area disposed within the housing for storing buffer tubes during nonuse. Tabs are provided that project substantially orthogonally outwardly from the distal end of the housing for retaining fiber optical cable on the outer surface of the housing. Tabs are also provided that project substantially orthogonally inwardly from the distal end of the housing for retaining buffer tubes within the housing during nonuse.

Abstract: An assembly includes an enclosure and a device for storing fiber slack. The device has a pair of spool portions on opposite sides of the device. Each spool portion is shaped so that fiber slack can be wound back and forth between the two spool portions. The device is pivotally mounted within the enclosure, so that the pair of spool portions can be accessed by pivoting the device. Each spool portion may have a semicircular shape. Each spool portion has a radius at least as large as a minimum bend radius for a fiber to be stored on the device. A length of a fiber portion extending between the pair of spool portions is substantially greater than a perimeter of one of the spool portions. The device has top and bottom U-shaped channels connecting the tops and bottoms of the spool portions, respectively. The pair of spool portions and the top and bottom U-shaped channels form an elongated spool for storing fiber, the elongated spool extending around three sides of the device.

Abstract: A new device and method for providing strain relief to soft-jacketed cables includes a base with a mounting portion and a tubular extension having a plurality of deflectable arms, each of which are provided with a pad. Upon tightening of a nut having a tapered inner channel, the deflectable arms and pads radially converge about the cable. The pads evenly spread the gripping forces created by the convergence of the deflectable arms, thereby preventing damage to the wires within the soft-jacketed cable.

Abstract: A connector has a base and a cylindrical terminal attached to the base. The terminal has a hole in its side wall and a horizontal slot extending from the hole. A cap is mounted on the base so as to substantially cover the terminal. The cap has a passage through it. The passage extends diagonally through the cap. The passage has a first end at a top end of the cap and a second end at a side wall of the cap. The passage may penetrate the top surface of the cap, or the passage may penetrate the side surface adjacent to the top corner of the cap. The cap is rotatable between a first position in which the second end of the passage is adjacent the hole of the terminal, and a second position in which the second end of the passage is adjacent the horizontal slot. The side wall of the cap has a hole through it for insertion of a test probe. The cap has at least one position in which the test probe hole of the cap is adjacent to a solid wall of the terminal.

Abstract: A protector panel receives plug-in protector modules. The panel has a plurality of pin receiving holes. The panel has a plurality of members depending from its bottom. Each of the at pin receiving holes has a respective pair of the depending members adjacent to and on opposite sides of that hole. Each member has a boss at an end of the member. A printed wiring board is attached to the panel, beneath the depending members. The printed wiring board has wirings on its surface. The printed wiring board has a plurality of holes, each aligned with a respective pin receiving hole of the panel. The printed wiring board has a resilient elongated member adjacent to each hole of the printed wiring board. The elongated members, which ensure electrical contact between the pins and wiring on the printed wiring board, have a conductive material on them.

Abstract: A fiber storage system includes one or more splice holder assemblies and one or more fiber routing devices. The splice holder assembly has a sleeve in the shape of a closed figure having a plurality of substantially flat sides or a ring. The sleeve has a plurality of holes on its sides. At least one splice holder is mounted on the side walls of the sleeve, near one or more of the holes. The fiber routing device includes a sleeve in the shape of a closed figure having a plurality of substantially flat sides or a ring, and a plurality of troughs attached to an outer surface of the top portion of the sleeve. The splice holder assemblies may be stacked on top of each other, or on top of the fiber routing devices. The fiber routing devices may be stacked on top of each other, or on top of the splice holder assemblies. The stack of splice holder assemblies and fiber routing devices form a pedestal for routing and terminating optical fibers.

Abstract: A high density distribution panel is disclosed having a plurality of drawers on which components are mounted. The drawers provide support for the components and are pulled out and allowed to be guided downward with the assistance of gravity to come to rest against appropriate support and also to provide front access of the components mounted on the drawers. The appropriate support accommodates the use of downwardly initiated press action of sufficient force to provide for good electrical connections of associated electrical conductors, which includes optical and electrical cables.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a box having a cover and a base hingeably connected to each other. The locking mechanism comprises a cover latching mechanism and a base latching mechanism. The cover latching mechanism is in a latching position. The two latching mechanisms are in latching engagement with each other to lock the box closed. An unlatching mechanism is provided which is activated to place the latching mechanism in an unlatching position to disengage the latching mechanisms from each other and unlock the box. An activating mechanism to active the unlatching mechanism. A deactivating mechanism is provided to return the cover latching mechanism back to its latching position so that closing the cover will cause the latching mechanisms to become in locking engagement with each other to lock the box. A box opening assembly in the box which is adapted to open the cover as soon as the latching mechanisms are disengaged from each other.

Abstract: An improved panel for plug-in protectors, particularly protectors in high frequency applications. The panel comprises a plurality of five-pin sockets, each five-pin sockets corresponds to the terminals of a five-pin plug-in protector. The plurality of sockets are arranged in a staggered, brick layering configuration, horizontally or at an angle, such that the edge of a protector received in a set of socket is aligned with the half-width point of an adjacently stacked protector for minimal crosstalk while conserving space. In an alternative embodiment, each row of the staggered, brick layering, configuration are spaced apart to further minimize crosstalk and may be suitable for even higher frequency applications.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a base, a cover and a circuit board secured in the base. The circuit board includes terminations for input and output communication lines. Each pair of input and output communication lines corresponds to a single standard telephone line, a high speed data line or other type of line. The communication line terminations may be implemented as insulation displacement connectors, and the cover may include projections on its inner surface such that closing the cover also closes the insulation displacement connectors on the circuit board. For each communication line, the circuit board may include a subscriber bridge which establishes a breakable connection between the input and output line terminations via traces in the circuit board. In fixed wireless, fiber-to-the-home (FITI) and other similar applications, the circuit board may also include terminations for input and output power lines, and the base and cover may be extended to accommodate an uninterruptible power supply.

Abstract: A protector panel receives plug-in protector modules. The panel has a plurality of pin receiving holes. The panel has a plurality of members depending from its bottom. Each of the at pin receiving holes has a respective pair of the depending members adjacent to and on opposite sides of that hole. Each member has a boss at an end of the member. A printed wiring board is attached to the panel, beneath the depending members. The printed wiring board has wirings on its surface. The printed wiring board has a plurality of holes, each aligned with a respective pin receiving hole of the panel. The printed wiring board has a resilient elongated member adjacent to each hole of the printed wiring board. The elongated members have a conductive material on them. The conductive material forms an electrical connection between the wirings and pins of the plug-in protection devices, while the pins are at least partially inserted into the holes of the panel.