Fiber Distribution Hubs With Patch and Splice Enclosures

Abstract

Fiber distribution hubs for distributing fiber optic networks are disclosed. The fiber distribution hub includes a mounting plate for supporting a termination of at least one fiber cable, a patch enclosure for protecting the termination, and a splice enclosure for protecting at least one splice connection to an optical fiber included in a feeder cable. The patch enclosure includes a first door and defining a patch chamber. The mounting plate is positioned within the patch chamber. The splice chamber includes a second door. The splice enclosure is releasably coupled to the patch enclosure.

1 . A fiber distribution hub for distributing a fiber optic network, the fiber distribution hub comprising a mounting plate for supporting a termination of at least one fiber cable, a patch enclosure for protecting the termination, and a splice enclosure for protecting at least one splice connection to an optical fiber included in a feeder cable, the patch enclosure defining a patch chamber, the mounting plate positioned within the patch chamber, the splice enclosure releasably coupled to the patch enclosure, each of the patch enclosure and the splice enclosure being independently accessible with respect to one another. 
   
   
       2 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  wherein the patch enclosure includes a first door for forming a weather-tight seal when in a closed position and the splice enclosure includes a second door for forming a weather-tight seal when in a closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  wherein the patch enclosure includes a first door and the splice enclosure includes a second door, the first door and the second door being positioned on opposite sides of the fiber distribution hub when the patch enclosure is releasably coupled to the splice enclosure. 
   
   
       4 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  further comprising a fiber optic splitter coupled to the mounting plate for splitting throughput available via the optical fiber included in the feeder cable. 
   
   
       5 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 4  wherein a splice chamber defined by the splice enclosure is accessible to a technician only via the second door. 
   
   
       6 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 5  wherein the mounting plate includes a front side and a back side, the mounting plate being moveable relative to said patch enclosure to provide access to the front and back side of the mounting plate. 
   
   
       7 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  wherein the mounting plate includes an fiber optic adaptor coupled to the mounting plate, the fiber optic adapter configured to convert an optical signal transferred via the optical fiber included in the feeder cable into one of an electrical signal and a radio frequency signal. 
   
   
       8 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  wherein the splice enclosure includes a second door and a locking mechanism such that a technician can access the patch enclosure but not access the splice enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 1  further comprising a mounting bracket configured to couple one of a utility pole, a wall, and a pedestal enclosure. 
   
   
       10 . A pedestal enclosure including the fiber distribution hub of  claim 9 . 
   
   
       11 . A fiber distribution network comprising at least one of the fiber distribution hubs of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 . A method of using a fiber distribution hub for distributing a fiber optic network, the fiber distribution hub including a splice enclosure and a patch enclosure, the patch enclosure including a mounting plate and a first door, the splice enclosure including a second door, the method comprising installing at least one optical fiber in the splice enclosure and releasably coupling the splice enclosure to the patch enclosure, each of the patch enclosure and the splice enclosure being independently accessible with respect to one another. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising decoupling the splice enclosure from the patch enclosure prior to installing the at least one optical fiber. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising limiting technician access to the splice enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first and second doors are on opposite sides of the fiber distribution hub. 
   
   
       16 . A fiber distribution hub for distributing a fiber optic network, the fiber distribution hub comprising a mounting plate for supporting a termination of at least one fiber cable, a patch enclosure for protecting the termination, and a splice enclosure for protecting at least one splice connection to an optical fiber included in a feeder cable, the patch enclosure including a first door and defining a patch chamber, the mounting plate positioned within the patch chamber, the splice enclosure including a second door, the splice enclosure releasably coupled to the patch enclosure, each of the patch enclosure and the splice enclosure being independently accessible with respect to one another. 
   
   
       17 . The fiber distribution hub of  claim 16  wherein the first door and the second door are disposed on opposite sides of the fiber distribution hub when the splice enclosure is coupled to the patch enclosure. 
   
   
       18 . A pedestal enclosure including the fiber distribution hub of  claim 17 . 
   
   
       19 . The pedestal enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the mounting plate includes a front side and a back side, the mounting plate being moveable relative to said patch enclosure to provide access to the front and back side of the mounting plate. 
   
   
       20 . The pedestal enclosure of  claim 19  wherein the fiber distribution hub further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the mounting plate, the mounting plate being moveable relative to the patch enclosure and the first door. 
   
   
       21 . The pedestal enclosure of  claim 18  further comprising a base and a dome. 
   
   
       22 . The pedestal enclosure of  claim 21  wherein the dome includes a lower lock portion, and wherein the dome is configured to provide a bell-jar effect to trap air in the dome and protect components in the dome from rising water during flood conditions.