US 12,140,812 B2
Fiber optic fanout with intermediate portions and method of assembly
Jonathan R. Kaml, Shakopee, MN (US); and Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Belle Plaine, MN (US)
Assigned to CommScope Technologies LLC, Hickory, NC (US)
Appl. No. 17/604,105
Filed by COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, Hickory, NC (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 16, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/028522
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 15, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/214813, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 22, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/835,303, filed on Apr. 17, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0252817 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 6/44 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/4472 (2013.01) [G02B 6/4476 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical fiber cable comprising:
a main cable outer jacket having a first end and a second end, the main cable outer jacket having a slit extending from the first end of the main cable outer jacket to a termination location on the main cable outer jacket;
a slit cover positioned over the main cable outer jacket, the slit cover extending at least from the termination location to the first end of the main cable outer jacket to cover the slit;
a plurality of intermediate cables positioned within the main cable outer jacket, each of the plurality of intermediate cables containing a plurality of optical fibers within an intermediate cable outer jacket;
a main fanout including:
a plurality of intermediate fanout devices connected to one another, each intermediate fanout device being connected to an intermediate cable of the plurality of intermediate cables, the plurality of optical fibers of each intermediate cable being positioned within at least one furcation tube, wherein the plurality of optical fibers and at least one furcation tube is secured to a main body of each intermediate fanout device, each intermediate fanout device including a mating feature to connect to adjacent intermediate fanout devices with a like mating feature, wherein the mating feature reduces relative movement between adjacent intermediate fanout devices, and
wherein the main body of each intermediate fanout device includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the main body including an opening for receiving and, at least partially surrounding the intermediate cable of the plurality of intermediate cables, the second end of the main body including a v-shaped channel for positioning and securing therein, the plurality of optical fibers and at least one furcation tube, the plurality of optical fibers entering the v-shaped channel outside of the intermediate cable outer jacket and leaving the v-shaped channel disposed within the at least one furcation tube.