Tapered cable for use in fiber to the premises applications

Abstract

A tapered fiber optic distribution cable that includes a plurality of drop cables having at least one predetermined breakout location where a drop cable is withdrawn from the tapered distribution cable. The drop cables are bound together to form the tapered fiber optic distribution cable by binding members or helical winding. Each drop cable contains a plurality of optical fibers which may be preconnectorized according to a user's preferences.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A fiber optic cable, comprising:
 a plurality of drop cables bundled together, each drop cable containing at least one optical fiber,   wherein the fiber optic cable is configured such that an exterior of each of the plurality of drop cables is exposed at a periphery of the fiber optic cable,   wherein exteriors of at least two of said plurality of drop cables are in direct contact.   
     
     
         21 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein a substantial portion of an exterior of the fiber optic cable comprises a portion of the plurality of drop cables. 
     
     
         22 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of drop cables are bundled by helical winding. 
     
     
         23 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of drop cables are bundled together by a binding member. 
     
     
         24 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein said binding member comprises at least one of a wire, a sheath, an adhesive and a collar. 
     
     
         25 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of binding members disposed at intermittent locations along the length of the tapered fiber optic distribution cable. 
     
     
         26 . The fiber optic cable according the  claim 20 , wherein the binding member comprises a wire wrapped around the drop cables. 
     
     
         27 . The fiber optic cable according the  claim 20 , further comprising a core cable, wherein the plurality of drop cables are helically wound around the core cable. 
     
     
         28 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the drop cables comprises a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of said optical fibers is fitted with an individual fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         29 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the drop cables comprises a plurality of optical fibers, at least two of said optical fibers are fitted with a single connector. 
     
     
         30 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 25 , wherein said binding member comprises at least one of a wire, a sheath, an adhesive and a collar. 
     
     
         31 . A fiber optic cable, comprising:
 a first drop cable having a first length and containing a first number of optical fibers;   a second drop cable having a second length and containing a second number of optical fibers; and   a binding member to secure the first drop cable and the second drop cable together,   wherein the first length and the second length are different,   wherein exteriors of the first drop cable and the second drop cable are in direct contact.   
     
     
         32 . The fiber optic cable according to  claim 31 , wherein a substantial portion of the exterior of the fiber optic cable comprises at least one of the first drop cable and the second drop cable. 
     
     
         33 . A method of using a fiber optic cable, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of drop cables bundled together, each drop cable containing at least one optical fiber, wherein the fiber optic cable is configured such that an exterior of each of the plurality of drop cables is exposed at a periphery of the fiber optic cable;   laying the fiber optic cable to connect optical service between a first end of the fiber optic cable and a second end of the fiber optic cable; and   accessing one of the plurality of drop cables at a location between the first end of the fiber optic cable and the second end of the fiber optic cable to provide optical service at the location.   
     
     
         34 . The method of using a fiber optic cable according to  claim 33 , wherein the drop cables are bound together by helically winding the drop cables. 
     
     
         35 . The method of using a fiber optic cable according to  claim 33 , wherein the drop cables are bound together by at least one of a binder clip, tape, shrink wrap and adhesive. 
     
     
         36 . The method of using a fiber optic cable according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 preparing an end of the accessed drop cable with an optical connector.   
     
     
         37 . The method of using a fiber optic cable according to  claim 33 , wherein a substantial portion of an exterior of the fiber optic cable comprises the plurality of drop cables.