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 optical fiber installation and storage at customer premises has a base, and a fiber supply spool mounted for rotation on the base. An elongated adapter plate has a front end portion for mounting a connector adapter. A rear end portion of the adapter plate has first hinge parts at one side of the plate, and the fiber supply spool has second hinge parts for engaging the first hinge parts of the plate to define a hinge axis. The adapter plate can swivel about the hinge axis between a position where the plate lies flush on the supply spool and the spool can turn as fiber unwinds, and a position where a port of a connector adapter mounted on the plate is accessible for connection to an outside device when the module is closed, and the plate engages the module base to restrain the spool from rotation.

Abstract: A module for installing and storing an optical fiber includes a supply spool containing fiber for routing between the module and a service module at a customer premises. An adapter inside the module connects the fiber on the spool with an outside connector associated with a device at the premises. A wall of the module has a payout opening, and an edge of the module base is set back from the outside surface of the wall at the payout opening. A ramp area formed on the base inclines downward from the spool toward the payout opening. A lower edge of the ramp area substantially coincides with the setback edge and is substantially flush with a supporting surface beneath the base. Fiber drawn from the module can be adhered to the supporting surface at the payout opening and thus ameliorate any adverse visual impact of the fiber near the module.

Abstract: A tool system for threading an optical fiber through a hole formed in a wall at customer premises, and for protecting the fiber inside the wall. A tool body has forwardly projecting fingers for capturing a connector at an end of the fiber from a direction approaching a front face of the connector. A back end of the tool body is arranged to engage a rod handle of such length that its free end can be threaded through the hole and out the opposite side of the wall. Using the handle, the tool body is pulled through the hole along with a captured connector and associated fiber. A hole plug has a hollow cylindrical body and an access slit for passing the fiber inside the body for protection. The plug body has teeth for engaging the premises wall and retaining the plug at a desired angular position in the wall.

Abstract: A module for optical fiber installation and storage at customer premises has a base, and a fiber supply spool mounted for rotation on the base. An elongated adapter plate has a front end portion for mounting a connector adapter. A rear end portion of the adapter plate has first hinge parts at one side of the plate, and the fiber supply spool has second hinge parts for engaging the first hinge parts of the plate to define a hinge axis. The adapter plate can swivel about the hinge axis between a position where the plate lies flush on the supply spool and the spool can turn as fiber unwinds, and a position where a port of a connector adapter mounted on the plate is accessible for connection to an outside device when the module is closed, and the plate engages the module base to restrain the spool from rotation.

Abstract: A module for installing and storing an optical fiber includes a supply spool containing fiber for routing between the module and a service module at a customer premises. An adapter inside the module connects the fiber on the spool with an outside connector associated with a device at the premises. A wall of the module has a payout opening, and an edge of the module base is set back from the outside surface of the wall at the payout opening. A ramp area formed on the base inclines downward from the spool toward the payout opening. A lower edge of the ramp area substantially coincides with the setback edge and is substantially flush with a supporting surface beneath the base. Fiber drawn from the module can be adhered to the supporting surface at the payout opening and thus ameliorate any adverse visual impact of the fiber near the module.

Abstract: A tool system for threading an optical fiber through a hole formed in a wall at customer premises, and for protecting the fiber inside the wall. A tool body has forwardly projecting fingers for capturing a connector at an end of the fiber from a direction approaching a front face of the connector. A back end of the tool body is arranged to engage a rod handle of such length that its free end can be threaded through the hole and out the opposite side of the wall. Using the handle, the tool body is pulled through the hole along with a captured connector and associated fiber. A hole plug has a hollow cylindrical body and an access slit for passing the fiber inside the body for protection. The plug body has teeth for engaging the premises wall and retaining the plug at a desired angular position in the wall.

Abstract: An installation tool and method of embedding an optical fiber in an adhesive bead deposited along a structural corner or crevice in a building room or hallway, without a ladder and while an installer stands safely on the floor. The tool includes a neck portion arranged to be joined to a distal end of a pole, a trough for receiving and containing the optical fiber, a guide channel disposed at a downstream end of the trough for retaining the fiber, and a tool nose disposed at a downstream end of the guide channel. When the installer manipulates the tool to sweep the tool nose over the bead while urging the tool nose against the bead, the fiber enters the tool nose from the guide channel and becomes embedded in the adhesive bead.

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: An installation tool and method of embedding an optical fiber in an adhesive bead deposited along a structural corner or crevice in a building room or hallway, without a ladder and while an installer stands safely on the floor. The tool includes a neck portion arranged to be joined to a distal end of a pole, a trough for receiving and containing the optical fiber, a guide channel disposed at a downstream end of the trough for retaining the fiber, and a tool nose disposed at a downstream end of the guide channel. When the installer manipulates the tool to sweep the tool nose over the bead while urging the tool nose against the bead, the fiber enters the tool nose from the guide channel and becomes embedded in the adhesive bead.

Abstract: A compact point-of-entry fiber storage module includes a base, and a cover arranged to be fastened to the base for enclosing optical fibers when routed inside the module for storage. The base is constructed and arranged to mount a connector adapter at a selected one of multiple positions with respect to the base. The adapter has an axis, and first and second ports at opposite axial ends of the adapter. When the adapter is mounted at a selected position, optical fibers of various lengths that are routed and retained over the base for storage can connect to corresponding ports at the ends of the adapter without bending the fibers beyond a specified critical limit.

Abstract: A storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable includes a base having a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has a raised boss. A number of spool mounting fingers are arranged and configured on top of the boss to retain a fiber supply spool containing slack windings of an optical fiber. The bottom wall of the base, the boss, and an end face of the spool when retained on the mounting fingers, define a storage region underneath the spool for storing a slack length of a provider cable. A bracket is fixed inside the base, and the bracket is formed to support a connector adapter for connecting a first connector that terminates the slack fiber windings contained on the supply spool when retained on the mounting fingers, with a second connector that terminates the slack length of provider cable stored in the region under the spool.

Abstract: A storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable includes a base having a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has a raised boss. A number of spool mounting fingers are arranged and configured on top of the boss to retain a fiber supply spool containing slack windings of an optical fiber. The bottom wall of the base, the boss, and an end face of the spool when retained on the mounting fingers, define a storage region underneath the spool for storing a slack length of a provider cable. A bracket is fixed inside the base, and the bracket is formed to support a connector adapter for connecting a first connector that terminates the slack fiber windings contained on the supply spool when retained on the mounting fingers, with a second connector that terminates the slack length of provider cable stored in the region under the spool.

Abstract: A light hood for a fiber identifier tool that includes a head portion having interior photo detectors, a slot for receiving an optical fiber to be tested, and a clamp mechanism for urging the fiber to bend in the vicinity of the photo detectors when the mechanism is operated. The hood has a generally T-shaped body that defines a lower hood portion arranged to engage the clamp mechanism and operate the mechanism when the lower hood portion is pulled downward by a user. An upper hood portion of the body is configured so that when the lower hood portion is engaged with the clamp mechanism and pulled downward, the upper hood portion descends to cover the head portion of the tool including the slot. Outside light is then blocked from entering the slot and reaching the photo detectors whenever a fiber is tested by the tool, thus preventing false indications.

Abstract: The specification described a multifunction CSP (MCSP), and a MCSP/ONT assembly that is adapted for mounting inside the customer premises. In the MCSP/ONT assembly the MCSP subunit and the ONT subunit are stacked and attached directly together. The MCSP/ONT assembly combines the functions of the standard CSP box and the ONT box, thus eliminating the need for the building cable. In addition the MCSP subunit is adapted to integrate more than one ONT in the MCSP/ONT assembly. The MCSP subunit comprises a back box, a splice tray, and a cover.

Abstract: An optical fiber is permanently routed easily, quickly, and unobtrusively at a customer premises using an inventive hand tool, without staples or other fasteners. The fiber has an adhesive outer coating that is activated as the fiber is applied by the tool on an exposed surface such as a wall, ceiling, molding, groove, or corner at the premises. When the activated coating hardens, the fiber is bonded to the surface on which it was applied, and the hardened coating also provides physical protection for the fiber. In the disclosed embodiment, the coated fiber is supplied on a spool that mounts on the tool, and the coating is activated by guiding the fiber as it unwinds from the spool through a chamber containing an activating substance. The fiber with the activated coating is then guided to an applicator wheel on the tool which applies the fiber to the surface.

Abstract: A light hood for a fiber identifier tool that includes a head portion having interior photo detectors, a slot for receiving an optical fiber to be tested, and a clamp mechanism for urging the fiber to bend in the vicinity of the photo detectors when the mechanism is operated. The hood has a generally T-shaped body that defines a lower hood portion arranged to engage the clamp mechanism and operate the mechanism when the lower hood portion is pulled downward by a user. An upper hood portion of the body is configured so that when the lower hood portion is engaged with the clamp mechanism and pulled downward, the upper hood portion descends to cover the head portion of the tool including the slot. Outside light is then blocked from entering the slot and reaching the photo detectors whenever a fiber is tested by the tool, thus preventing false indications.

Abstract: An optical fiber or cable storage module includes a back wall and a number of resilient mounting fingers extending from the back wall, and a fiber supply spool having an axial bore formed to receive the mounting fingers and to engage the fingers when the spool is urged toward the back wall so that the spool is restrained from axial movement. The spool includes a hub, and a first winding section for containing a length of fiber sufficient to route between a service terminal outside a user premises and a location near a user terminal inside the premises. The mounting fingers have corresponding catches at the ends of the fingers, and the inner circumference of the bore in the supply spool has an annular groove formed to seat the catches for restraining the spool from axial movement.

Abstract: A cable management cabinet is improved by separately managing the routing of data copper cables and optical fiber cables within the cabinet. This is accomplished by providing separate cable retaining boxes (CRBs) for data copper cables and optical fiber cables respectively. The CRBs are provided with front openings to facilitate installation and routing of optical fiber cables and data copper cables. The openings may be provided with edge guards to ease ingress/egress of cables through the openings.