Abstract: A safety retention clip for installation in a module that stores a length of a communication line. The clip has a body formed of metallic sheet material. The body has a base portion, and a retaining finger portion joined to the base portion. A distal end of the finger portion is configured to overlie a communication line stored inside the module, and to retain the line close to a building wall on which the module is mounted if the module melts during a building fire. A mounting hole is formed in the base portion of the clip body, near a proximal end of the finger portion for insertion of a mounting screw. The hole extends through a boss that projects downward from the base portion, and the boss is sized to nest in a corresponding mounting opening in a base of the module in which the clip is installed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connecter assembly includes a terminal wall having a port, an adapter at the port having one end for mating with a first fiber optic cable at the front of the wall and a second end for mating with a second cable at the back, and a spacer having an axial bore and a leading portion for engaging the port in sealing relationship. A cap has an axial bore, and a leading portion for engaging a rear portion of the spacer. A cable grommet/boot has a passage for receiving the first cable, and a leading end for engaging the rear portion of the spacer in sealing relationship. The rear portion of the grommet/boot protrudes from the back of the cap to act as a boot when the cap engages the spacer, after the first cable is connected to the adapter and the spacer engages the port.

Abstract: A tool device for installing an optical fiber inside a user premises includes a neck, a coupling joined to the neck for attachment to a leading end of an adhesive syringe or an extension pole, and a head joined to a leading portion of the neck. The head has a leading edge of a certain width, and a passageway for receiving an optical fiber and guiding the fiber to a position proximate to the leading edge. The width of the leading edge is such that when the edge is held transversely across a structural corner containing an adhesive bead, and an optical fiber is received in the passageway in the head and directed ahead of the leading edge, the edge embeds the fiber in the bead when the edge is swept along the corner with the optical fiber positioned between the edge and the adhesive bead.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connecter assembly includes a terminal wall having a port, an adapter at the port having one end for mating with a first fiber optic cable at the front of the wall and a second end for mating with a second cable at the back, and a spacer having an axial bore and a leading portion for engaging the port in sealing relationship. A cap has an axial bore, and a leading portion for engaging a rear portion of the spacer. A cable grommet/boot has a passage for receiving the first cable, and a leading end for engaging the rear portion of the spacer in sealing relationship. The rear portion of the grommet/boot protrudes from the back of the cap to act as a boot when the cap engages the spacer, after the first cable is connected to the adapter and the spacer engages the port.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution module includes a base having a surrounding wall, a cover, and a sealing element in the cover. A pair of cable ports are formed in the base wall to pass an outdoor fiber distribution cable through an interior region of the module. One or more fiber ports in the wall pass corresponding drop fibers from the interior region where the fibers connect to designated fibers of the distribution cable, to a number of premises for which the fibers are designated inside a multi-dwelling unit building. Grommet seals are dimensioned and formed to be inserted in any unused fiber ports, and to surround the distribution cable and the drop fibers in their corresponding ports. The grommet seals cooperate with the sealing element in the cover to seal all the ports from the environment when the module is closed.

Abstract: A safety retention clip for installation in a module that stores a length of a communication line. The clip has a body formed of metallic sheet material. The body has a base portion, and a retaining finger portion joined to the base portion. A distal end of the finger portion is configured to overlie a communication line stored inside the module, and to retain the line close to a building wall on which the module is mounted if the module melts during a building fire. A mounting hole is formed in the base portion of the clip body, near a proximal end of the finger portion for insertion of a mounting screw. The hole extends through a boss that projects downward from the base portion, and the boss is sized to nest in a corresponding mounting opening in a base of the module in which the clip is installed.

Abstract: A system forms, at an end of a multifiber ribbon cable, a multifiber ribbon cable segment having an enlarged core-to-core spacing. A UV-transparent mold is mounted on top of a chassis. The mold defines a plurality of individual fiber channels corresponding to individual fibers of the existing multifiber ribbon cable and having a spacing equal to that of the enlarged core-to-core spacing. Each individual fiber channel passes through the internal cavity. The assembled mold further includes an injection system for receiving light curable, flowable material from the reservoir and pumping system and feeding it into the internal cavity, and at least one vent for allowing air to escape from the internal cavity as the light-curable, flowable material is fed into the internal cavity. The injected material is cured by exposure to a curing light.

Abstract: A fiber storage module having a removable supply spool is mounted inside a user premises. The module is arranged to retain the spool at either a first position where the spool can freely rotate, or a second position where the spool is locked. While the spool is removed from the module, a length of fiber sufficient to route from an entry point to the premises to the mounted module, and from the module to an optical device inside the premises, is wound on the spool. The spool with the wound fiber is retained at the first position inside the module, and the fiber is unwound and adhered or fastened to a supporting surface along a determined routing path at the premises. The spool is then locked at the second position, and a length of the remaining fiber is removed for connection to the optical device.

Abstract: A device for retaining an optical fiber or cord at a desired position while the cord is being installed along a defined route at a user premises. The device includes a bend limiter having an open channel that extends between opposite ends of the limiter, wherein the channel is sized to receive a cord and allow the cord to slide freely inside the channel. An elongated retainer is arranged to overlie the bend limiter and thus close the channel when the retainer is secured to the bend limiter, so that the cord is confined inside the channel as the cord slides between the opposite ends of the bend limiter. A latch is arranged to close the device by securing the retainer to the bend limiter, and the bend limiter is configured to conform in shape with one or more surfaces against which it will be installed at the premises.

Abstract: A device for retaining an optical fiber or cord at a desired position while the cord is being installed along a defined route at a user premises. The device includes a bend limiter having an open channel that extends between opposite ends of the limiter, wherein the channel is sized to receive a cord and allow the cord to slide freely inside the channel. An elongated retainer is arranged to overlie the bend limiter and thus close the channel when the retainer is secured to the bend limiter, so that the cord is confined inside the channel as the cord slides between the opposite ends of the bend limiter. A latch is arranged to close the device by securing the retainer to the bend limiter, and the bend limiter is configured to conform in shape with one or more surfaces against which it will be installed at the premises.

Abstract: A system forms, at an end of a multifiber ribbon cable, a multifiber ribbon cable segment having an enlarged core-to-core spacing. A UV-transparent mold is mounted on top of a chassis. The mold defines a plurality of individual fiber channels corresponding to individual fibers of the existing multifiber ribbon cable and having a spacing equal to that of the enlarged core-to-core spacing. Each individual fiber channel passes through the internal cavity. The assembled mold further includes an injection system for receiving light curable, flowable material from the reservoir and pumping system and feeding it into the internal cavity, and at least one vent for allowing air to escape from the internal cavity as the light-curable, flowable material is fed into the internal cavity. The injected material is cured by exposure to a curing light.

Abstract: A compact adapter module for installation at customer premises includes a base for mounting on a supporting surface, and a cover. The base is constructed for mounting a connector adapter operative to connect two communication lines to one another at a given location along a routing path at customer premises. A cover protectively encloses the adapter and connectors mated to the adapter which terminate the lines. Space inside the covered module is limited substantially for storing only the adapter and mated connectors, so the module is compact in size and unobtrusive when mounted at the given location. The lines are received at two ports of the module, and an edge of the base is flush with the supporting surface at each port so the lines can be adhered directly to the supporting surface at the ports. Any adverse visual impact of the lines at the module is therefore minimized.

Abstract: A fiber distribution module includes a base having a wall with a first flange, a cover having a wall with a second flange, and a sealing element. Latches clamp the cover to the base, and, with the sealing element, act to produce a weather tight seal. Each latch has a lever with a lower hook portion, and a lever arm. The latch also has a catch of U-shaped cross section, a lower arm, and an upper arm. Each latch clamps the module cover to the base weather tight when (i) a distal end of the lower arm of the catch engages the first flange on the base wall, and (ii) the lever arm is urged to closed a position where the lower hook portion of the lever applies a force on the second flange on the cover wall which compresses the sealing element to obtain the weather tight seal.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution module includes a base having a surrounding wall, a cover, and a sealing element in the cover. A pair of cable ports are formed in the base wall to pass an outdoor fiber distribution cable through an interior region of the module. One or more fiber ports in the wall pass corresponding drop fibers from the interior region where the fibers connect to designated fibers of the distribution cable, to a number of premises for which the fibers are designated inside a multi-dwelling unit building. Grommet seals are dimensioned and formed to be inserted in any unused fiber ports, and to surround the distribution cable and the drop fibers in their corresponding ports. The grommet seals cooperate with the sealing element in the cover to seal all the ports from the environment when the module is closed.

Abstract: A method for splicing a first optical fiber ribbon cable to a second optical fiber ribbon cable includes separating an end of the first optical fiber ribbon cable into loose optical fibers, and re-ribbonizing the loose optical fibers into a ribbonized end having a second pitch different from the first pitch of the original first optical fiber ribbon cable. The method further includes inserting the ribbonized end into a mass fusion splicer having the second pitch, and splicing the ribbonized end to the end of the second optical fiber ribbon cable using the mass fusion splicer.

Abstract: A module for storing optical fiber at user premises. A fiber supply spool has at least one winding section for storing a length of fiber to be routed at the premises. A spool plate has a base with retaining fingers for mounting the supply spool for rotation, and a hinge pin supported between the ends of two arms extending from the base. An elongated adapter plate is arranged for fastening over an opening cut in a drywall at the premises. The adapter plate includes at least one hinge mount for seating the hinge pin on the spool plate for swiveling movement. The spool plate can swivel on the adapter plate together with the mounted spool between a position where fiber is unwound from the spool for routing at the premises, and a position where the spool with remaining fiber is passed through the opening to be stored behind the drywall.

Abstract: A tool device for installing an optical fiber inside a user premises includes a neck, a coupling joined to the neck for attachment to a leading end of an adhesive syringe or an extension pole, and a head joined to a leading portion of the neck. The head has a leading edge of a certain width, and a passageway for receiving an optical fiber and guiding the fiber to a position proximate to the leading edge. The width of the leading edge is such that when the edge is held transversely across a structural corner containing an adhesive bead, and an optical fiber is received in the passageway in the head and directed ahead of the leading edge, the edge embeds the fiber in the bead when the edge is swept along the corner with the optical fiber positioned between the edge and the adhesive bead.

Abstract: A fiber storage module having a removable supply spool is mounted inside a user premises. The module is arranged to retain the spool at either a first position where the spool can freely rotate, or a second position where the spool is locked. While the spool is removed from the module, a length of fiber sufficient to route from an entry point to the premises to the mounted module, and from the module to an optical device inside the premises, is wound on the spool. The spool with the wound fiber is retained at the first position inside the module, and the fiber is unwound and adhered or fastened to a supporting surface along a determined routing path at the premises. The spool is then locked at the second position, and a length of the remaining fiber is removed for connection to the optical device.

Abstract: An optical fiber storage module has a base, and a wall having an opening for paying out an optical fiber from inside the module. Spool retention fingers extend from the base. One or more fingers have a first rim at a first height above the base, and one or more fingers have a second rim at a second height above the base. A fiber supply spool has a hub, and an annular support disk inside the hub which forms a third rim. The spool is movable on the retention fingers between a first position where the third rim of the support disk is captured between the first and the second rims on the retention fingers, thus allowing the spool to turn when fiber is unwound, and (b) a second position where the spool engages one or more bosses formed on the module base to lock the spool from further rotation.

Abstract: An optical fiber storage module has a base, and a wall having an opening for paying out an optical fiber from inside the module. Spool retention fingers extend from the base. One or more fingers have a first rim at a first height above the base, and one or more fingers have a second rim at a second height above the base. A fiber supply spool has a hub, and an annular support disk inside the hub which forms a third rim. The spool is movable on the retention fingers between a first position where the third rim of the support disk is captured between the first and the second rims on the retention fingers, thus allowing the spool to turn when fiber is unwound, and (b) a second position where the spool engages one or more bosses formed on the module base to lock the spool from further rotation.