Outside plant fiber distribution apparatus and method

Abstract

An outside plant fiber distribution apparatus includes a frame member and a plurality of fiber optic modules mounted to the frame member. The frame member includes upper and lower module mounting brackets. Each module includes a front and two mounting flanges, each mountable to one of the upper and lower module mounting brackets. At least one of the modules is configured as a connection module including a plurality of connection locations disposed along the front of the module. A rear of the module includes a cable notch region for receipt of a cable. At least one of the modules defines a storage module including first and second spools. In an interconnect system, the storage module includes a cable clamp for holding a second cable, the cables are connected through the connection locations of the connection module. In a cross-connect system, two connection modules are provided, and patch cords are used to connect the fronts of the connection modules. The modules may also house splices, and/or optical couplers, such as splitters and wave division multiplexers.

1. A connection module comprising:
 a housing including a front and two mounting flanges, a rear of the housing spaced from the front, a top spaced apart from a bottom, the top and the bottom positioned adjacent to the mounting flanges, and opposed spaced apart sides;  
 a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings along the front;  
 the bottom, the rear, and the opposed sides defining a cable notch region wherein the cable notch region defines an opening for receiving a first cable; and  
 a cable clamp mounted on and extending from the rear in the cable notch region;  
   wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters configured and arranged for connection to an optical fiber connector, the adapters positioned at an angle having a component angle in the direction of the bottom of the housing .  
 
     
     
       2. The connection module of  claim 1 , wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters configured and arranged for connection to an optical fiber connector, the adapters positioned at an angle having a component angle in the direction of the bottom of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The connection module of claim  2    1 , further comprising clips which are snap fit to the front of the housing, the clips each holding at least one adapter. 
     
     
       4. The connection module of  claim 1 , wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters, and  further comprising a first cable connected to the housing by the clamp, and interior cables optically connected to the adapters, the interior cables optically connected to a splice, the splice optically connected to the first cable. 
     
     
       5. The connection module of  claim 1 , wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters, and  further comprising a first cable connected to the housing by the clamp, and interior cables optically connected to the adapters, the interior cables optically connected to a optical coupler, the optical coupler optically connected to the first cable. 
     
     
       6. The connection module of  claim 5 , wherein the optical coupler includes a splitter. 
     
     
       7. The connection module of  claim 5 , wherein the optical coupler includes a wavelength division multiplexer. 
     
     
       8. The connection module of  claim 6 , further comprising a splice between the first cable and the splitter. 
     
     
       9. The connection module of  claim 7 , further comprising a splice between the first cable and the wavelength division multiplexer. 
     
     
       10. The connection module of  claim 1 , wherein the opening defined in the cable notch region is a downwardly facing opening. 
     
     
       11. A connection module comprising:
   a housing having an interior defined by a front portion and a rear portion spaced apart from the front portion, the front portion being substantially parallel to the rear portion, the housing including mounting structure to removably mount the housing to a frame;        a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings disposed in the front portion, the connection locations being arranged in an array of vertical rows when the housing is mounted to the frame, the connection locations including a plurality of adapters configured and arranged for connection to an optical fiber connector; and        a splicing component disposed at least partially between the connection locations and the rear portion, the splicing component configured to optically connect a fiber optic cable that is connected to the module to interior cables that are optically connected between the splicing component and the connection locations;        the housing further including a lower portion having a direct opening into the interior of the housing, the opening sized to receive a fiber optic cable;        wherein the adapters are positioned at an angle having a first angle component angle that is in the direction of the rear portion to the front portion and a second component angle that is in the direction of the lower portion.     
     
     
       12. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting structure includes a surface having mounting locations, the mounting locations adapted to removably mount the housing to a frame. 
     
     
       13. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the splicing component comprises a splice. 
     
     
       14. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters, and further comprising at least one interior cable that is optically connected between the splicing component and at least one of the adapters, and further comprising a first cable that is physically connected to the housing and is optically connected to the splicing component. 
     
     
       15. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the splicing component includes at least one splice that is disposed entirely between the housing front and rear portions. 
     
     
       16. The connection module of  claim 11 , further comprising a cable attachment member coupled to the housing, the cable attachment member adapted to attach a fiber optic cable to the housing. 
     
     
       17. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the opening into the interior of the housing is a downwardly facing opening. 
     
     
       18. The connection module of  claim 17 , wherein the opening into the interior of the housing is a fully circumscribed opening. 
     
     
       19. The connection module of  claim 11 , wherein the opening is sized to receive at least two fiber optic cables. 
     
     
       20. A connection module comprising:
   a housing having a front portion and a rear portion spaced apart from the front portion, the front portion being substantially parallel to the rear portion, the housing further having a lower portion defining an opening, the opening sized to receive a fiber optic cable, the housing including mounting structure to removably mount the housing to a frame;        a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings disposed in the front portion, the connection locations being arranged in an array of vertical rows when the housing is mounted to the frame, the connection locations including a plurality of adapters configured and arranged for connection to an optical fiber connector, the adapters positioned at an angle having a first component angle that is in the direction of the rear portion to the front portion and a second component angle that is in the direction of the lower portion; and        a splicing component disposed at least partially between the connection locations and the rear portion, the splicing component configured to optically connect a fiber optic cable that is connected to the module to interior cables that are optically connected between the splicing component and the connection locations.     
     
     
       21. The connection module of  claim 20 , wherein the opening is sized to receive at least two fiber optic cables. 
     
     
       22. A connection module comprising:
   a housing including a front and two mounting flanges, a rear of the housing spaced from the front, a top spaced apart from a bottom, the top and the bottom positioned adjacent to the mounting flanges, and opposed spaced apart sides; a plurality of connection locations having exposed openings along the front; the bottom, the rear, and the opposed sides defining a cable notch region wherein the cable notch region defines an opening for receiving a first cable; and a cable clamp extending from the rear in the cable notch region;        wherein the connection locations include a plurality of adapters configured and arranged for connection to an optical fiber connector, the adapters positioned at an angle having a component angle in the direction of the bottom of the housing.     
     
     
       23. The connection module of  claim 22 , further comprising clips which are snap fit to the front of the housing, the clips each holding at least one adapter. 
     
     
       24. A connection module, comprising:
   a )  a housing having a front, a rear, a top and a bottom, the housing including a top mounting flange projecting upward relative to the top of the housing, the top mounting flange including a fastener hole extending through the top mounting flange in a frontward - rearward direction relative to the housing, the housing defining an interior;        b )  a telecommunications cable that enters the housing at the bottom, the telecommunications cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers having ends located within the interior of the housing;        c )  optical connectors positioned at the ends of the optical fibers; and        d )  a plurality of adapters, the adapters being arranged in side - by - side adapter pairs, each of the adapters including:      i )  a first end located within the interior of the housing, the first end being configured to connect to the optical connector at the end of one of the optical fibers; and        ii )  a second end accessible from outside the housing, the second end being angled downward from the front of the housing.       
     
     
       25. The connection module of  claim 24 , wherein the telecommunications cable is attached to the housing by a cable clamp. 
     
     
       26. The connection module of  claim 25 , wherein the cable clamp is located outside of the housing. 
     
     
       27. The connection module of  claim 25 , wherein the cable clamp is located within a notched region formed in the bottom and the rear of the housing. 
     
     
       28. The connection module of  claim 24 , wherein the adapters are SC type adapters. 
     
     
       29. A connection module, comprising:
   a )  a housing having a front, a rear, a top and a bottom, the housing including a top mounting flange projecting upward relative to the top of the housing, the top mounting flange including a fastener hole extending through the top mounting flange in a frontward - rearward direction relative to the housing, the housing defining an interior;        b )  a telecommunications cable that enters the housing through a cable opening located at the bottom of the housing, the telecommunications cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers having ends located within the interior of the housing;        c )  optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers;        d )  the front of the housing defining a plurality of front openings, the front openings being arranged in side - by - side opening pairs; and        e )  a plurality of adapters providing connection locations at the front of the housing, the adapters being mounted within the front openings defined at the front of the housing, the adapters including:      i )  first ends located within the interior of the housing for receiving the optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers; and        ii )  second ends accessible from outside the housing for receiving optical connectors located outside of the housing;          f )  wherein the adapters are angled such that the second ends of the adapters face downwardly.     
     
     
       30. The connection module of  claim 29 , wherein the connection module includes at least two vertical rows of adapters at the front of the housing. 
     
     
       31. The connection module of  claim 29 , wherein the connection module includes only two vertical rows of adapters at the front of the housing. 
     
     
       32. The connection module of  claim 29 , wherein the telecommunications cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       33. The connection module of  claim 29 , wherein the housing includes a first mounting flange located at the top of the housing and a second mounting flange located at the bottom of the housing. 
     
     
       34. The connection module of  claim 33 , wherein the first mounting flange defines at least one fastener opening and the second mounting flange defines at least one fastener opening. 
     
     
       35. The connection module of  claim 29 , wherein the adapters are SC type adapters. 
     
     
       36. A connection module, comprising:
   a )  a housing having a front, a rear, a top and a bottom;        b )  a telecommunications cable that enters the housing through a cable opening located at the bottom of the housing, the telecommunications cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers having ends located within an interior of the housing;        c )  optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers;        d )  the front of the housing defining a plurality of front openings; and        e )  a plurality of adapters providing connection locations at the front of the housing, the adapters being mounted within the front openings defined at the front of the housing, the adapters including:      i )  first ends accessible from within the interior of the housing for receiving the optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers; and        ii )  second ends accessible from outside the housing for receiving optical connectors located outside of the housing;          f )  wherein the adapters are angled such that the second ends of the adapters face downwardly, and        g )  wherein the housing is configured such that when the housing is mounted to another structure, the front of the housing faces outwardly from the structure.     
     
     
       37. The connection module of  claim 36 , wherein the housing includes a fastener hole extending in a generally frontward- rearward direction relative to the housing, the fastener hole being configured to receive a fastener to mount the housing to another structure.   
     
     
       38. The connection of module of  claim 37 , wherein the fastener hole extends through a mounting flange. 
     
     
       39. A telecommunications connection device, comprising:
   a )  a housing having a front and a rear, the housing defining an interior and a cable opening;        b )  a telecommunications cable that enters the housing through the cable opening, the telecommunications cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers having ends located within the interior of the housing, the telecommunications cable extending outwardly from the housing in a first direction;        c )  optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers;        d )  the front of the housing defining a plurality of front openings; and        e )  a plurality of adapters providing connection locations at the front of the housing, the adapters being mounted within the front openings defined at the front of the housing, the adapters including:      i )  first ends accessible from within the interior of the housing for receiving the optical connectors provided at the ends of the optical fibers; and        ii )  second ends accessible from outside the housing for receiving optical connectors located outside of the housing;        iii )  the adapters being angled such that the second ends of the adapters face generally in the first direction;          f )  the telecommunications connection device being an outside plant device.