IP Library Granted Patent US 11,609,401
Granted Patent B2
US 11,609,401 · App. 17/340,695 · Granted Mar 21, 2023

Breakout assembly for fiber optic cable

Inventor: Oscar Bran de León (Belle Plaine, MN)
Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
G02B6/4472G02B6/255
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,609,401
App. No.
17/340,695
Filed
Jun 7, 2021
Granted
Mar 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2874
USPC
385/95
Abstract

A fiber optic fanout assembly includes: a fiber optic trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers within a surrounding jacket; a fanout housing with an internal bore and rear and front end portions, the fanout housing receiving the optical fibers from the trunk cable within the internal bore though the rear end portion; a plurality of furcation tubes, each containing one or more of the optical fibers; a first sealing structure that creates a first seal between the fanout housing and the jacket of the fiber optic cable; a first disk having a plurality of holes, the first disk mounted to the front end portion of the fanout housing, wherein the furcation tubes and optical fibers residing therein are inserted into the holes in the first disk; and a plurality of second sealing structures, each of which provides a second seal between the furcation tubes and the first disk.

Claims (42)

1. A fiber optic fanout assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers within a surrounding jacket;

a fanout housing with an internal bore and rear and front end portions, the fanout housing receiving the optical fibers from the fiber optic trunk cable within the internal bore though the rear end portion;

a plurality of furcation tubes, each containing one or more of the optical fibers;

a first sealing structure that creates a first seal between the fanout housing and the jacket of the fiber optic trunk cable;

a first disk having a plurality of holes, the first disk mounted to the front end portion of the fanout housing, wherein the furcation tubes and optical fibers residing therein are inserted into the holes in the first disk; and

a plurality of discrete and separate second sealing structures, each of which provides a second seal between a respective furcation tube and the first disk,

wherein the assembly provides a watertight optical fanout device without epoxy or other protective material within the fanout housing.

2. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein the first sealing structure comprises a flexible boot that encircles the jacket, extends at least partially into the internal bore of the fanout housing, and engages the rear end portion of the fanout housing.

3. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a second disk having a plurality of holes, the second disk being positioned adjacent and parallel to the first disk, wherein at least a portion of each of the second sealing structures is sandwiched between the first and second disks.

4. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the optical fibers includes a spliced region, and further comprising a generally cylindrical splice holder positioned within the internal bore of the fanout housing, the splice holder including a plurality of longitudinal channels and associated open-ended slots, wherein the spliced regions of the optical fibers reside within respective channels or slots.

5. The fanout assembly defined in claim 4 , wherein the splice holder comprises a polymeric foam material.

6. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising an O-ring positioned adjacent the first disk.

7. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein the second sealing structures comprise flanged boots.

8. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a front cap that engages the front end portion of the fanout housing and secures the first disk to the fanout housing.

9. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a rear cap that engages the rear end portion of the fanout housing and secures the first sealing structure to the fanout housing.

10. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a strength member, and further comprising a cable stopper, wherein the strength member is attached to the cable stopper.

11. The fanout assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of crimp sleeves, each engaging a respective furcation tube and the first disk.

12. A fiber optic fanout assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers within a surrounding jacket;

a fanout housing with an internal bore and rear and front end portions, the fanout housing receiving the optical fibers from the fiber optic trunk cable within the internal bore though the rear end portion;

a plurality of furcation tubes, each containing one or more of the optical fibers separated from the fiber optic trunk cable;

a first sealing structure that creates a first seal between the fanout housing and the jacket of the fiber optic trunk cable;

a first disk having a plurality of holes, the first disk mounted to the front end portion of the fanout housing, wherein the furcation tubes and separated optical fibers residing therein are inserted into the holes in the first disk;

a second disk with a plurality of holes, the second disk being positioned adjacent and parallel to the first disk, the separated optical fibers being routed through respective ones of the holes in the second disk;

a plurality of second sealing structures, each of which provides a second seal between the furcation tubes and the first disk; and

wherein at least a portion of each of the second sealing structures is sandwiched between the first and second disks.

13. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein each of the optical fibers includes a spliced region, and further comprising a generally cylindrical splice holder positioned within the internal bore of the fanout housing, the splice holder including a plurality of longitudinal channels and associated open-ended slots, wherein the spliced regions of the optical fibers reside within respective channels or slots.

14. The fanout assembly defined in claim 13 , wherein the splice holder comprises a polymeric foam material.

15. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , further comprising an O-ring positioned adjacent the first disk.

16. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein the second sealing structures comprise flanged boots.

17. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , further comprising a front cap that engages the front end portion of the fanout housing and secures the first disk to the fanout housing.

18. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , further comprising a rear cap that engages the rear end portion of the fanout housing and secures the first sealing structure to the fanout housing.

19. The fanout assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a strength member, and further comprising a cable stopper, wherein the strength member is attached to the cable stopper.

20. A fiber optic fanout assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers within a surrounding jacket;

a fanout housing with an internal bore and rear and front end portions, the fanout housing receiving the optical fibers from the fiber optic trunk cable within the internal bore though the rear end portion;

a plurality of furcation tubes, each containing one or more of the optical fibers;

a first sealing structure that creates a first seal between the fanout housing and the jacket of the fiber optic trunk cable;

a first disk having a plurality of holes, the first disk mounted to the front end portion of the fanout housing, wherein the furcation tubes and optical fibers residing therein are inserted into the holes in the first disk; and

a plurality of second sealing structures, each of which provides a second seal between the furcation tubes and the first disk;

wherein each of the optical fibers includes a spliced region, and further comprising a generally cylindrical splice holder positioned within the internal bore of the fanout housing, the splice holder including a plurality of circumferentially equally-spaced apart longitudinal channels and associated open-ended slots, wherein the spliced regions of the optical fibers reside within respective channels or slots.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058843/0712 Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE NORTH CAROLINA, LLC (F/K/A COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA); COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 074591/0389 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070154/0183 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 069889/FRAME 0114 Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070154/0341 →
RELEASE (REEL 068770 / FRAME 0460) Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070149/0432 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058875/0449 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 069743/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 068770/0632 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 069743/0264 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE INC., OF NORTH CAROLINA; OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC; RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 069889/0114 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068770/0460 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068770/0632 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2024
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 068492/0826 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST
Reel/Frame 060752/0001 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058843/0712 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058875/0449 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: DE LEÓN, OSCAR BRAN
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 056465/0878 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63040178 · Jun 17, 2020
Related Publication 20210396945A1 · Dec 23, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,523,833