IP Library Granted Patent US 12,523,833
Granted Patent B2
US 12,523,833 · App. 18/733,448 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

Fiber distribution module

Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix (Dallas, TX); Elizabeth Grace Dabdoub (Bartlett, IL); Eric Russell Klootwyk (Oak Lawn, IL); Keith Samuel Maranto (Frankfort, IL)
G02B6/4446G02B6/3897
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,523,833
App. No.
18/733,448
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable distribution module comprises an unsealed module that includes a base, a cover, and one or more outdoor connectors. The cover is attachable to the base to define an interior of the unsealed module. The cover includes a trunk end cap having at least one hole configured to receive a trunk cable and extending into the interior of the unsealed module; The cover includes one or more breakout end caps oriented at an angle away from a normal of the base. Each breakout end cap includes one or more openings extending into the interior of the unsealed module. The outdoor connectors are supported in openings of the breakout end caps, and provide connection points for exterior cabling.

Claims (44)

1 . A cable distribution module, comprising:

an unsealed module, comprising:

a base;

a cover, attachable to the base to define an interior of the unsealed module, the cover comprising:

a trunk end cap comprising at least one hole configured to receive a trunk cable; the at least one hole extending through the trunk end cap and into the interior of the unsealed module;

a ground bar attached to the trunk end cap, wherein the ground bar is configured to connected to ground wires of the trunk cable;

one or more breakout end caps oriented at an angle away from a normal of the base, wherein each breakout end cap comprises one or more openings extending through the one or more breakout end caps and into the interior of the unsealed module; and

one or more outdoor connectors, supported in the one or more openings of the breakout end caps, wherein each outdoor connector provides a connection point for an exterior cable.

2 . The cable distribution module of claim 1 , wherein the outdoor connectors are selected from a group consisting of electrical connectors, optical connectors, hybrid connectors, and combinations thereof.

3 . The cable distribution module of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transition breakout enclosed within the interior of the unsealed module; and

one or more breakout cables connecting the one or more outdoor connectors to the transition breakout.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the transition breakout further comprises:

a trunk end a that is affixed to the trunk end cap; and

a breakout end that is affixed to the breakout endcap.

5 . The cable distribution module of claim 3 , further comprising:

a trunk cable comprising one or more inner cables received in the trunk end cap, wherein the inner cables of the trunk cable correspond to respective breakout cables.

6 . The cable distribution module of claim 5 , further comprising:

a covering that surrounds a portion of the trunk cable, the transition breakout, and a portion of the one or more breakout cables to form an outdoor rated path.

7 . The cable distribution module of claim 5 , wherein the one or more inner cables are selected from a group consisting of power conductors, electrical cables, optical cables, the ground wires, and combinations thereof.

8 . The cable distribution module of claim 7 , wherein the electrical cable is connected to an electrical connector or a hybrid connector of the one or more outdoor connectors.

9 . The cable distribution module of claim 7 , wherein the optical cable comprises one or more optical fibers connected to an optical connector or a hybrid connector of the one or more outdoor connectors.

10 . The cable distribution module of claim 7 , wherein the ground wires are connected to the ground bar.

11 . The cable distribution module of claim 4 , further comprising:

a hoisting grip, connected to the trunk cable, configured to support the trunk cable and connect the trunk cable to a tower.

12 . The cable distribution module of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pole clamp attached to the base of the unsealed module, wherein the pole clamp is configured to clamp the base to a pole of a tower.

13 . The cable distribution module of claim 1 , further comprising: a spool around which at least a portion of the trunk cable is wrapped.

14 . A method, comprising:

providing a trunk cable to a trunk end cap of an unsealed module, wherein the trunk cable comprises one or more inner cables;

installing a transition breakout between the trunk cable and one or more breakout cables corresponding to the one or more inner cables, wherein installing the transition breakout includes connecting ground wires of the trunk cable to a ground bar attached to the trunk end cap of the unsealed module;

surrounding a portion of the trunk cable, the transition breakout, and a portion of the one or more breakout cables with a covering to form an outdoor rated path; and

connecting one or more exterior cables to outdoor connectors that are supported in openings of one or more breakout end caps of the unsealed module.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more inner cables are selected from a group consisting of power conductors, electrical cables, optical cables, the ground wires, and combinations thereof.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein installing the transition breakout further comprises:

connecting the electrical cables of the one or more inner cables is to an electrical connector or a hybrid connector of the one or more outdoor connectors.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein installing the transition breakout further comprises:

connecting one or more optical fibers of the optical cable to an optical connector or a hybrid connector of the one or more outdoor connectors.

18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

connecting a hoisting grip to the trunk cable; and

connecting the trunk cable to a tower via the hoisting grip.

19 . The cable distribution module of claim 1 , further comprising:

attaching a pole clamp to the base of the unsealed module; and

connecting the unsealed module to a pole of a tower via the pole clamp.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2026
From: VIAPHOTON LLC
To: PHOENIX MERCHANT AGENT, LP
Reel/Frame 075423/0589 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 72590/0868 Recorded Apr 15, 2026
From: PHOENIX MERCHANT AGENT, LP
To: VIAPHOTON LLC
Reel/Frame 075423/0696 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 8, 2026
From: VIAPHOTON, INC.
To: VIAPHOTON LLC
Reel/Frame 075352/0418 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: VIAPHOTON INC.
To: PHOENIX MERCHANT AGENT, LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072590/0868 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2024
From: VIAPHOTON, INC.
To: ECLIPSE BUSINESS CAPITAL LLC
Reel/Frame 068823/0344 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2024
From: HENDRIX, WALTER MARK; DABDOUB, ELIZABETH GRACE; KLOOTWYK, ERIC RUSSELL; MARANTO, KEITH SAMUEL
To: VIAPHOTON, INC.
Reel/Frame 067617/0582 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17555008 · Dec 17, 2021
Provisional Application 63251390 · Oct 1, 2021
Provisional Application 63127379 · Dec 18, 2020
Related Publication 20240319467A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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