Hardened fan-out arrangement

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement including a fan-out housing. A plurality of fiber optic pigtails projects outwardly from the fan-out housing. The fiber optic pigtails have free ends including hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces. A fiber optic feeder cable also projects outwardly from the fan-out housing. The fiber optic feeder cable is optically coupled to the fiber optic pigtails.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement comprising:
 a fan-out housing;   fiber optic pigtails projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing, the fiber optic pigtails having free ends including hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces; and   a fiber optic feeder cable projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing and being optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails, and the fiber optic feeder cable having an end opposite the fan-out housing that includes optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing.   
     
     
         38 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory stripped, cleaved, and cleaned. 
     
     
         39 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are enclosed in removable protective packaging. 
     
     
         40 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is coiled about a spool. 
     
     
         41 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory prepared for single fiber splicing. 
     
     
         42 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory prepared for mass splicing. 
     
     
         43 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are ribbonized for mass fusion splicing. 
     
     
         44 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement has an in-line configuration in which the fiber optic pigtails and the fiber optic feeder cable project from opposite ends of the fan-out housing. 
     
     
         45 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails without splicing. 
     
     
         46 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the fan-out housing is filled with a filling material that encapsulates at least a portion of the fiber optic feeder cable and at least a portion of the fiber optic pigtails within the fan-out housing. 
     
     
         47 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the fan-out housing includes a mounting feature for securing the fan-out housing to a mounting location. 
     
     
         48 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 37 , wherein the hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces include twist-to-lock connection interfaces. 
     
     
         49 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 48 , wherein the twist-to-lock connection interfaces include threads or bayonet style connection interfaces. 
     
     
         50 . A hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement comprising:
 a fan-out housing;   fiber optic pigtails projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing, the fiber optic pigtails having free ends including hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces, the fiber optic pigtails having lengths less than or equal to 3 meters; and   a fiber optic feeder cable projecting outwardly from the fan-out housing and being optically continuous with the fiber optic pigtails, the fiber optic feeder cable having an end opposite the fan-out housing that includes optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing, and the fiber optic feeder cable having a length greater than or equal to 50 meters.   
     
     
         51 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the fan-out housing has a form factor volume less than or equal to 250 cubic centimeters. 
     
     
         52 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the fan-out housing has a form factor volume less than or equal to 150 cubic centimeters. 
     
     
         53 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the fiber optic feeder cable is coiled about a spool. 
     
     
         54 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are factory stripped, cleaved, and cleaned. 
     
     
         55 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the optical fibers that are factory prepared for splicing are enclosed in removable protective packaging. 
     
     
         56 . The hardened fiber optic fan-out arrangement of  claim 50 , wherein the hardened de-mateable fiber optic connection interfaces include twist-to-lock connection interfaces.