The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 08, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2004
Terry L. Cooke, Hickory, NC (US);
Robert B. Elkins, Ii, Hickory, NC (US);
John B. Johnson, Hickory, NC (US);
Dennis M. Knecht, Hickory, NC (US);
James P. Luther, Hickory, NC (US);
Lars K. Nielsen, Denver, NC (US);
Terry L. Cooke, Hickory, NC (US);
Robert B. Elkins, II, Hickory, NC (US);
John B. Johnson, Hickory, NC (US);
Dennis M. Knecht, Hickory, NC (US);
James P. Luther, Hickory, NC (US);
Lars K. Nielsen, Denver, NC (US);
Corning Cable Systems LLC, Hickory, NC (US);
Abstract
A factory-prepared preterminated and pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable having at least one mid-span access location for providing access to a plurality of preterminated optical fibers pre-connectorized with a multi-fiber connector is provided. Also provided is a method of forming a pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable by terminating and pre-connectorizing a predetermined number of the plurality of optical fibers of the cable to create a pre-connectorized mid-span access location. The fiber optic distribution cable provides a low profile mid-span access location that is sufficiently flexible to be installed through relatively small-diameter buried conduits and over aerial installation sheave wheels and pulleys without violating the minimum bend radius of the cable or the optical fibers. A protective encapsulant protects and seals the mid-span access location during cable reeling, unreeling, installation and until the access location is needed for interconnecting a connectorized fiber optic drop or branch cable.