Fiber optic drop cable slack storage receptacle

US7346253B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Corning Cable Systems LLC · US

Inventors

• Stephen G. Bloodworth · Dallas, US
• Brad Grunwald · Euless, US
• John Austin Keenum · Parkland Lane, US
• John J. Napiorkowski · Irving, US
• Jason Reagan · The Colony, US
• Harley J. Staber · Coppell, US
• Rodger Alan Tenholder · Saginaw, US
• Chanh C. Vo · Arlington, US
• Terry Lee Cooke · Hickory, US
• Tory A. Klavuhn · Newton, US
• James Phillip Luther · Hickory, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 24, 2003
• Grant date: Mar 18, 2008
• Expiry date: May 28, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/475
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A slack storage receptacle for storing an excess length of a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable extending between an optical connection terminal and a network interface device (NID) includes a housing and a storage means disposed within the housing for receiving the drop cable such that the drop cable slack is stored external to the NID. The slack storage receptacle may be secured to an exterior wall of a subscriber premises and the NID mounted thereon. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be positioned around and formed to the NID. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be buried in the ground adjacent the NID. The drop cable slack may be wound onto the storage means after deployment. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be pre-assembled, shipped to the subscriber premises, and the drop cable unwound from the storage means with the drop cable slack remaining wound on the storage means.