Fiber optic drop cables and preconnectorized assemblies having toning portions

Abstract

A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A preconnectorized cable, comprising:
 a cable comprising:
 at least one optical waveguide; 
 a plurality of tensile elements; and 
 a cable jacket; and 
   at least one plug connector, the at least one plug connector being attached to an end of the cable, thereby connectorizing the at least one optical waveguide, the at least one plug connector comprising:
 a connector assembly comprising a connector body and a ferrule; and 
 a shroud comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the ferrule is accessible within the first end of the shroud, and the first end of the shroud extends slightly beyond the connector assembly for protecting the ferrule and the shroud has at least one opening for keying the plug connector so it only mates in one orientation with a complimentary receptacle; and 
 a coupling nut having a passageway sized to fit over the second end of shroud and rotates about a medial portion the shroud for mating with the complimentary receptacle, wherein the coupling nut having a securing means comprising a quarter-turn lock. 
   
     
     
         2 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly is an SC connector assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud keys the at least one plug connector with the complimentary receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized cable. 
     
     
         5 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud has at least one alignment indicia for indicating a mating orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cap. 
     
     
         7 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , further comprising an O-ring for weatherproofing the at least one plug connector. 
     
     
         8 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , a plurality of the components of the at least one plug connector being formed from a UV stabilized material. 
     
     
         9 . The preconnectorized cable of  claim 1 , comprising at least two shells, the at least two shells having a longitudinal passageway for passing the at least one optical waveguide therethrough, at least one cable clamping portion, and a connector assembly clamping portion, wherein the at least one cable clamping portion secures the at least one of the plurality of tensile elements and a portion of the connector assembly is secured in the connector assembly clamping portion.