Fiber optic cable distribution box

Abstract

A fiber optic cable distribution box has an interface compartment for interfacing a first set of fibers when routed inside the compartment, with a second set of fibers associated with a fiber optic cable that is routed to the box. A drum region is disposed beneath the interface compartment. The drum region includes a cylindrical wall for supporting a fiber optic cable wound about the wall. The drum region is formed so that the box can turn about the axis of the cylindrical wall when a cable is paid out from the drum region. The interface compartment and the drum region are constructed so that the first set of fibers inside the interface compartment, originate from an inside end portion of the cable wound on the drum region.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fiber optic cable distribution box, comprising:
 an interface compartment constructed and arranged for interfacing a first set of fibers when routed inside the compartment, with a second set of fibers associated with a fiber optic cable that is routed to the box;   a drum region extending beneath the interface compartment, wherein the drum region includes a first cylindrical wall having an axis, the wall is dimensioned to support a length of a first fiber optic cable wound about the wall, and the drum region is constructed and arranged so that the distribution box can turn about the axis of the cylindrical wall when a cable is paid out from the drum region; and   the interface compartment and the drum region are constructed and arranged so that the first set of fibers inside the interface compartment, originate from an inside end portion of the cable wound about the first cylindrical wall of the drum region.   
     
     
       2. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , including a tube arranged to extend coaxially through the drum region, and the tube has a central passage through which an outside shaft or spindle is insertable. 
     
     
       3. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , wherein a first cable entry port is formed in the first cylindrical wall of the drum region for receiving the inside end portion of the first fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       4. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , wherein the drum region includes a second cylindrical wall arranged radially inward and coaxially with the first cylindrical wall, and an annular fiber routing region is defined between the first and the second walls. 
     
     
       5. A cable distribution box according to  claim 3 , including a strain relief device arranged at the first cable entry port for guiding the inside end portion of the first fiber optic cable through the first cylindrical wall over a path tangential to the circumference of the wall. 
     
     
       6. A cable distribution box according to  claim 5 , wherein the strain relief device is constructed and arranged to transfer a pull force applied externally to the first fiber optic cable, to the first cylindrical wall of the drum region when the cable is wound on or off the drum region. 
     
     
       7. A cable distribution box according to  claim 5 , wherein the strain relief device includes one or more guides for securing a strength material beneath an outer jacket of the cable. 
     
     
       8. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface compartment includes a connector panel, and a number of connector adapters mounted in the panel for coupling fiber optic connectors at an externally facing side of the panel, with corresponding fiber optic connectors at an internally facing side of the panel. 
     
     
       9. A cable distribution box according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface compartment is constructed and arranged to support the connector panel so that a first connector panel can be removed and exchanged with a second connector panel having connector adapters of a type different from a type of adapters mounted in the first connector panel. 
     
     
       10. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface compartment has a side wall, and a number of fingers or tabs that project outward from the side wall for confining the length of the first fiber optic cable when wound about the first cylindrical wall of the drum region. 
     
     
       11. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , including a disk flange that extends radially outward beneath the interface compartment for confining the length of the first fiber optic cable when wound on the first cylindrical wall of the drum region. 
     
     
       12. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface compartment has a side wall, and the side wall has a second cable entry port for receiving a fiber optic cable or cable assembly having a third set of fibers to be coupled via the connector panel with the second set of fibers of the second fiber optic cable routed to the box. 
     
     
       13. A cable distribution box according to  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the adapters mounted in the connector panel of the interface compartment are constructed and arranged to couple multi-fiber type connectors with one another. 
     
     
       14. A cable distribution box according to  claim 1 , including a length of the first fiber optic cable wound about the first cylindrical wall of the drum region, and a fiber optic connector for terminating an outside end of the cable. 
     
     
       15. A cable distribution box according to  claim 14 , wherein the fiber optic connector at the outside end of the cable is a multi-fiber type of connector. 
     
     
       16. A fiber optic cable distribution device comprising:
 a cable storage drum defining a cable storage region, wherein a connector interface region of the fiber optic cable distribution device is disposed atop the cable storage region, the connector interface region including a plurality of fiber optic adapters configured to receive fiber optic connectors, the fiber optic cable distribution device also including a connector interface compartment closable by a cover lid that is constructed and arranged to permit an installer to access an interior of the connector interface compartment from outside, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fiber optic adapters are covered by the cover lid when the cover lid is closed;   a first fiber optic cable coiled about the cable storage drum in a direction extending from an inside of the cable storage region toward an outside of the cable storage region, wherein at least a first set of optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable extends from the inside of the cable storage region to the connector interface region of the interface compartment; and   the cable distribution device defining an axis of rotation about which the connector interface region and the drum rotate together in unison as the first fiber optic cable is paid off from the drum.   
     
     
       17. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 16, wherein at least the first set of fibers extends from the inside of the cable storage region into the connector interface compartment without any intermediate coiling of the first set of fibers. 
     
     
       18. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 16, wherein an outer end of the first fiber optic cable is terminated by a multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
       19. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 16, wherein the cable distribution device defines an opening that extends along the axis of rotation, the opening being configured for receiving a mandrel about which the cable distribution device rotates when the first fiber optic cable is paid off from the drum. 
     
     
       20. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of fiber optic adapters include first ports that receive fiber optic connectors associated with the first set of optical fibers. 
     
     
       21. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 20, wherein the plurality of fiber optic adapters include second ports that are accessible from outside the connector interface region. 
     
     
       22. The fiber optic cable distribution device of claim 16, wherein the cable storage drum defines a drum wall having an outer dimension of 3 inches or less.