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 (op 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.    
     
     
       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 , 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. An optical connection closure comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        at least one cable opening for receiving a portion of an outside plant cable within the interior of the housing;        a cable clamp that secures the outside plant cable relative to the housing at a clamp location, the cable clamp being positioned such that the outside plant cable extends away from the interior of the housing at the clamp location in a first direction;        at least one adapter located at an exterior wall of the housing, the adapter including a first end and a second end, the first end of the adapter receiving a first fiber optic connector from inside the interior of the housing, and the second end of the adapter being configured to receive a second fiber optic connector from outside the housing, the second end of the adapter at least partially facing toward the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the clamp location; and        at least one splice component positioned within the interior of the housing for splicing an optical fiber of the outside plant cable to an interior optical fiber routed within the interior of the housing from the splice component to the first fiber optic connector received within the first end of the adapter.     
     
     
       11. The optical connection closure of  claim 10 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       12. The optical connection closure of  claim 10 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       13. The optical connection closure of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of the adapters mounted at the exterior wall of the housing. 
     
     
       14. The optical connection closure of  claim 10 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       15. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending away from the interior of the housing at the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including a plurality of optical fibers routed into the interior of the housing through an opening;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters at least partially facing toward the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers spliced to the optical fibers of the outside plant cable at splice locations within the interior of the housing, the interior optical fibers being routed within the interior of the housing from the splice locations to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       16. The optical connection device of  claim 15 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       17. The optical connection device of  claim 15 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       18. The optical connection device of  claim 15 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       19. The optical connection device of  claim 15 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       20. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending away from the interior of the housing at the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including an optical fiber routed into the interior of the housing through an opening;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters at least partially facing toward the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers optically coupled to the optical fiber of the outside plant cable by a splitter positioned within the interior of the housing, the interior optical fibers being routed within the interior of the housing from the splitter to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       21. The optical connection device of  claim 20 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       22. The optical connection device of  claim 20 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       23. The optical connection device of  claim 20 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       24. The optical connection device of  claim 20 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       25. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending away from the interior of the housing at the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including a plurality of optical fibers;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters at least partially facing toward the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers spliced to the optical fibers of the outside plant cable, the interior optical fibers also being linked the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       26. The optical connection device of  claim 25 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       27. The optical connection device of  claim 25 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       28. The optical connection device of  claim 25 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       29. The optical connection device of  claim 25 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       30. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending away from the interior of the housing at the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including an optical fiber;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters at least partially facing toward the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers optically coupled to the optical fiber of the outside plant cable by a splitter, the interior optical fibers being linked to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       31. The optical connection device of  claim 30 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       32. The optical connection device of  claim 30 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       33. The optical connection device of  claim 30 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       34. The optical connection device of  claim 30 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       35. An optical connection closure comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        at least one cable opening for receiving a portion of an outside plant cable within the interior of the housing;        a cable clamp that secures the outside plant cable relative to the housing at a clamp location, the cable clamp being positioned such that the outside plant cable extends from the cable clamp at the clamp location in a first direction;        at least one adapter located at an exterior wall of the housing, the adapter including a first end and a second end, the first end of the adapter receiving a first fiber optic connector from inside the interior of the housing, and the second end of the adapter being configured to receive a second fiber optic connector from outside the housing, the second end of the adapter facing in a second non - parallel direction relative to the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the clamp location; and        at least one splice component positioned within the interior of the housing for splicing an optical fiber of the outside plant cable to an interior optical fiber routed within the interior of the housing from the splice component to the first fiber optic connector received within the first end of the adapter.     
     
     
       36. The optical connection closure of  claim 35 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       37. The optical connection closure of  claim 35 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       38. The optical connection closure of  claim 35 , further comprising a plurality of the adapters mounted at the exterior wall of the housing. 
     
     
       39. The optical connection closure of  claim 35 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       40. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending from the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including a plurality of optical fibers routed into the interior of the housing through an opening;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters facing in a second non - parallel direction relative to the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers spliced to the optical fibers of the outside plant cable at splice locations within the interior of the housing, the interior optical fibers being routed within the interior of the housing from the splice locations to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       41. The optical connection device of  claim 40 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       42. The optical connection device of  claim 40 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       43. The optical connection device of  claim 40 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       44. The optical connection device of  claim 40 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       45. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending from the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including an optical fiber routed into the interior of the housing through an opening;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters facing in a second non - parallel direction relative to the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers optically coupled to the optical fiber of the outside plant cable by a splitter positioned within the interior of the housing, the interior optical fibers being routed within the interior of the housing from the splitter to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       46. The optical connection device of  claim 45 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       47. The optical connection device of  claim 45 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       48. The optical connection device of  claim 45 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       49. The optical connection device of  claim 45 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       50. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an enclosed interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending from the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including a plurality of optical fibers;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters facing in a second non - parallel direction relative to the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers spliced to the optical fibers of the outside plant cable, the interior optical fibers also being linked the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       51. The optical connection device of  claim 50 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       52. The optical connection device of  claim 50 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       53. The optical connection device of  claim 50 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       54. The optical connection device of  claim 50 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable. 
     
     
       55. An optical connection device comprising:
   a housing defining an interior;        an outside plant cable secured to the housing at a securement location, the outside plant cable extending from the securement location in a first direction, the outside plant cable including an optical fiber;        a plurality of adapters mounted to the housing, the adapters each including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the adapters receiving first fiber optic connectors from inside the interior of the housing, and the second ends of the adapters forming connection locations configured to receive second fiber optic connectors from outside the housing, the second ends of the adapters facing in a second non - parallel direction relative to the first direction in which the outside plant cable extends at the securement location; and        interior optical fibers optically coupled to the optical fiber of the outside plant cable by a splitter, the interior optical fibers being linked to the first fiber optic connectors received within the first ends of the adapters.     
     
     
       56. The optical connection device of  claim 55 , wherein the outside plant cable is clamped to the housing. 
     
     
       57. The optical connection device of  claim 55 , wherein the outside plant cable is secured to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       58. The optical connection device of  claim 55 , wherein the housing is deployed at an above ground location. 
     
     
       59. The optical connection device of  claim 55 , wherein the outside plant cable is an underground cable.