Optical termination enclosure with ruggedized self-supporting tethers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to enclosures such as optical termination enclosures for telecommunications networks. The enclosures can include housings for accommodating fiber pass-through cables and drop cables. In one example, the enclosure can include tethers having ruggedized fiber opt connectors for coupling to the drop cables or any other cable. The present disclosure also relates to a tether assembly that can include an overmold that anchors strength members to a cable jacket of the tether assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tether assembly, comprising:
 a cable jacket having a first end and a second end;   a fiber optic connector mounted at the first end of the cable jacket;   at least one optical fiber that extends through the cable jacket and projects beyond the second end of the cable jacket;   strength members that extend through the cable jacket, the strength members including end portions that project beyond the second end of the cable jacket; and   an overmold that anchors the end portions of the strength members to the second end of the cable jacket.   
     
     
         2 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical fiber is contained within a protected buffer tube. 
     
     
         3 . The tether assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the overmold further anchors the buffer tube relative to the cable jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The tether assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the buffer tube is selected from the group consisting of a loose buffer tube, a tight buffer tube, and a semi-tight buffer tube. 
     
     
         5 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic connector is a ruggedized connector. 
     
     
         6 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the overmold is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The tether assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, polyurethanes, copolymers and polyamides. 
     
     
         8 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cable jacket. 
     
     
         9 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing block secured to the overmold of the tether assembly by a mechanical fastener for fixing the tether assembly in place relative to the sealing block. 
     
     
         10 . The tether assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a hose clamp. 
     
     
         11 . The tether assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing block secured to the cable jacket of the tether assembly by a hose clamp for fixing the tether assembly in place relative to the sealing block. 
     
     
         12 . A method for securing strength members to a cable jacket, the strength members including end portions that project beyond an end of the cable jacket, the method comprising:
 applying an overmold over the end of the cable jacket such that the strength members are anchored relative to the cable jacket.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including a step of preloading the strength members in the cable jacket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of stripping away a portion of the cable jacket to expose the strength members. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the overmold is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, polyurethanes, copolymers and polyamides. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step of securing a sealing block to the overmold using a mechanical fastener for fixing the cable jacket in place relative to the sealing block. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step of securing a sealing block to the cable jacket using a mechanical fastener for fixing the cable jacket in place relative to the sealing block. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a hose clamp. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a hose clamp.