Optical connection closure having at least one connector port

Abstract

An optical connection closure has at least one connector port located within an external wall of the closure for receiving a connectorized optical fiber of a distribution cable on the inside of the closure and a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable on the outside of the closure. The closure includes a base, a cover affixed to the base and movable between a closed position and an opened position, and an end wall that defines at least a portion of at least one cable opening for receiving the distribution cable in a butt-type or a through-type closure configuration. The base and the cover define an interior cavity that optionally contains a splice tray for interconnecting the optical fiber of the distribution cable with a pigtail to create the connectorized optical fiber. The connector port may be located within an end wall, a bottom wall or a top wall of the closure.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . An optical fiber connection closure for use at a branch point in a fiber optic communications network including a distribution cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a mid-span access location provided along the length of the distribution cable, the closure comprising; 
 a base;    a cover affixed to the base such that the base and the cover define an interior cavity, the cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an opened position for providing access to the interior cavity;    an end wall cooperating with the base and comprising at least a portion of at least one cable opening for receiving the distribution cable within the interior cavity defined by the base and the cover;    a plurality of connector ports located within the base and having an inside adapted for receiving certain of the optical fibers of the distribution cable having connectors mounted upon the ends thereof from within the interior cavity and having an outside adapted for receiving a respective pre-connectorized drop cable.    
   
   
       25 . The closure according to  claim 24 , wherein the distribution cable is received within the cable opening in a lengthwise direction and the connector ports are oriented such that the pre-connectorized drop cables extend away from the closure in a direction generally parallel to the distribution cable.  
   
   
       26 . The closure according to  claim 24 , further comprising a connector adapter sleeve disposed within the at least one connector port and biased for aligning and maintaining the connectorized optical fiber and the pre-connectorized drop cable in physical contact.  
   
   
       27 - 32 . (canceled)