Abstract: A guide tool device for an optical fiber or cord includes a tool base that mounts on an adhesive syringe. A cord guide head has a flat leading edge, a key removably insertable into a keyway in the tool base, a guide channel for guiding a fiber toward the leading edge, and a tube for receiving an adhesive. An opening in the guide channel communicates adhesive from the tube into the channel, for applying the adhesive along a fiber while it is guided toward the leading edge on the guide head. A fitting is arranged to connect in sealing relationship with a distal end of the syringe, and a flexible tubing is connected between the fitting and the other end of the tube on the cord guide head. When urged toward the distal end of the syringe, the adhesive is communicated into the guide channel in the cord guide head.

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 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: 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 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 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 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: 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: An optical fiber cable connector includes a ferrule with a guide hole that is shaped to closely receive a multicore fiber having a flat side indicative of the rotational orientation of the cores of the multicore fiber. The ferrule includes a flat surface at one side of the guide hole, corresponding in position to the flat side of the multicore fiber. Installing the multicore fiber into the guide hole with its flat side abutting the flat surface along the side of the guide hole provides alignment of the cores with respect to an optical component to which the multicore fiber endface is to be connected.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable connector includes a ferrule subassembly, in which a ferrule is mounted into a receptacle including a barrel section having a flange at its base. The ferrule subassembly is loaded into an enclosure having a plug housing at its lead end. The plug housing is configured to provide a connection between an endface of a multicore fiber mounted into the ferrule and a corresponding surface in a mating socket. A collar is rotatably mounted onto the barrel section of the ferrule subassembly such that it butts up against the flange. The collar has an opening that fits around the barrel section, and an outer perimeter that fits into a receiving cavity with the plug housing. The ferrule, receptacle, receptacle barrel section, mounted multicore fiber, enclosure, and plug housing have a common longitudinal axis.

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.

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.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable connector includes a ferrule with a guide hole that is shaped to closely receive a multicore fiber having a flat side indicative of the rotational orientation of the cores of the multicore fiber. The ferrule includes a flat surface at one side of the guide hole, corresponding in position to the flat side of the multicore fiber. Installing the multicore fiber into the guide hole with its flat side abutting the flat surface along the side of the guide hole provides alignment of the cores with respect to an optical component to which the multicore fiber endface is to be connected.

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: An optical fiber cable connector includes a ferrule subassembly, in which a ferrule is mounted into a receptacle including a barrel section having a flange at its base. The ferrule subassembly is loaded into an enclosure having a plug housing at its lead end. The plug housing is configured to provide a connection between an endface of a multicore fiber mounted into the ferrule and a corresponding surface in a mating socket. A collar is rotatably mounted onto the barrel section of the ferrule subassembly such that it butts up against the flange. The collar has an opening that fits around the barrel section, and an outer perimeter that fits into a receiving cavity with the plug housing. The ferrule, receptacle, receptacle barrel section, mounted multicore fiber, enclosure, and plug housing have a common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A connector that enables fiber optic cables to terminate at equipment in cabinets having little space available for cable routing, without over bending. The construction includes a connector housing, and a yoke including a collar joined to a rear end of the housing. A tubular cable bend limiter is fixed at one end to the collar and the limiter directs a cable containing one or more bend insensitive fibers through a bend of, e.g., 90 degrees, between the collar and the opposite end of the limiter with a fiber bend radius of less than one inch (25.4 mm). If the limiter creates a fiber bend radius of 0.300 inch (7.62 mm), the distance between the front of the connector and the cable after bending may be as little as 1.26 inches (32 mm), allowing the cable and connector to be routed and terminated in limited space without impairing performance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a hardened connector system. The connector system includes a connector plug for terminating an optical fiber, a plug housing for coupling to the optical fiber cable and the connector plug, and a translator for coupling the plug housing and the connector plug to an optical fiber connector adapter. The translator, which couples the plug housing to a jack receptacle portion of the connector adapter is configured to allow the connector to be decoupled from the connector adapter without damaging the connector adapter, e.g., when the connector system is subjected to relatively excessive cable loads. Also, the dimensions and configuration of the plug housing allow it to be pulled through conventional conduit, including a 90?-bent, 0.75 inch Schedule 40 conduit.