A method and reel design enables blowing cable from a reel into a mid-span access point within a cable conduit. The cable reel includes a central hub, a first flange located proximate one edge of the central hub, a second flange located proximate an opposite, second edge of the hub, and a third flange located between the first and second flanges. A continuous communications cable has first and second portions spooled on first and second reel sections. The technician inserts a first end of the communications cable into a mid-span opening in the conduit, so that the first end of the communications cable is directed toward the first end of the conduit. The first portion of cable is blown off of the first reel section. The technician inserts a second end of the communications cable into the opening in the conduit so that the second end of the communications cable is directed toward the second end of the conduit. The second portion of cable is blown off of the second reel section. Then, a mid-portion of the communications cable is separated from the third flange of the cable reel and resides proximate the opening in the conduit.

Packaged dispensers mountable to optical network terminals (ONT) are disclosed. In some examples, the dispensers include coreless wound coils and excess storage areas. Additionally, fiber optic cable distribution systems and methods thereof utilizing the disclosed coreless wound coils are further disclosed. In one example, a length of telecommunications cable is wound into a coreless coil that includes a plurality of winding separators at least partially embedded within the coil, wherein the length of telecommunications cable alternately passes on one of the first and second sides of one winding separator and on the other of the first and second sides of an adjacent winding separator. In one example, an initially cylindrically shaped coreless wound coil, with or without winding separators, can be placed into a non-round package in which the wound coil is deformed and compressed by the sidewalls of the package such that the coreless wound coil conforms to the interior perimeter of the package to have a non-cylindrical shape.

A fiber optic retractable cord reel assembly is disclosed. The fiber optic cord reel assembly includes a continuous fiber optic cord with a retractable end enclosed in a shroud and a stationary end exposed from the shroud. The retractable cord reel may have a rotatable ferrule configured to adapt to an expandable coil having various trajectories within the cord reel.

A bobbin for winding an optical fiber includes a main winding drum having a cylindrical shape, an auxiliary flange portion that is provided on at least one of a first end and a second end of the main winding drum in an axis direction of the main winding drum, a first main flange portion that has a larger diameter than the external diameter of the auxiliary flange portion and that is provided on the main winding drum to face the auxiliary flange portion, a second main flange portion that is provided on the main winding drum to face the first main flange portion, and an auxiliary winding drum that is provided between the first main flange portion and the auxiliary flange portion.

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein are directed to detecting the presence of a whipping tail when using a fiber winding system to wind a fiber onto a rotating spool. The fiber is guided onto the rotating spool through a containment region between the spool and a whip shield to create the wound fiber. The whipping tail outwardly extends from the wound fiber and periodically or quasi-periodically passes through a light beam to create a series intensity dips in the light beam, thereby forming a modulated light beam. The modulated light beam is converted into a digital electrical signal made up of electrical pulses having a timing defined by the intensity dips. The measured timing of the electrical pulses is compared to an estimated timing based on the rotating spool to ascertain the presence of a whipping tail.

A telescoping cable spool for attaching to a networking equipment and supporting a plurality of fiber optic cables is shown. The spool comprises a fixed part for attachment to a surface adjacent the networking equipment; a spool housing comprising a pair of cable retaining flanges interconnected by a hollow cable support dimensioned to fit in a telescoping arrangement over the fixed part. The spool housing is moveable relative to the fixed part between a first retracted position and a second extended position.

A cable spool includes first and second curved flanges extending radially outwardly from first and second axial ends of a drum. The flanges have outer edges that cooperate to define an annular slot providing access to a passageway surrounding the drum. The slot has a width that is less than half the height of the drum. A cable is wrapped around the drum. A closure having an environmentally sealed interior may receive an end of the cable. A second cable can be deployed from a second spool and coupled to the end of the cable within the closure. The second spool can be mounted with the cable spool. A cover can be placed over the spools for aesthetic or protection reasons.

Systems and methods of dispensing telecommunications cable from a network component are provided. A system includes a housing, an axle, and a spool. The housing defines an interior region and includes a cable storage portion and a mounting surface defining a receptacle. The axle is configured to removably attach to the receptacle. The spool is configured to be disposed on the axle, and has a first flange proximal to the mounting surface and a removable second flange distal to the mounting surface when the spool is disposed on the axle. The spool has a drum portion configured to support a coiled fiber optic cable and dispense the fiber optic cable as the spool rotates on the axle. Undispensed cable can be removed from the spool with the second flange removed. The cable storage portion of the housing is configured to receive the undispensed coil.

A method of laying an optical fiber comprises providing a continuous optical fiber, a first segment of optical-electrical hybrid cable having a first fiber receiving tube, and a second segment of optical-electrical hybrid cable having a second fiber receiving tube. The optical fiber is laid into the first fiber receiving tube using an air-blowing device. A leading end of the optical fiber is fixed in a transfer apparatus after the leading end passes through an outlet of the first fiber receiving tube. A portion of the optical fiber which has passed through the first segment is wound in the transfer apparatus until the optical fiber is completely laid in the first segment. The leading end of the optical fiber is detached from the transfer apparatus. The portion of the optical fiber which has passed through the first segment is laid into the second fiber receiving tube using the air-blowing device.

An optical fiber terminal fixing tool includes: a disc-shaped substrate having a plate surface; a holding surface which is provided on the plate surface and interposes the terminal portion of the optical fiber between the holding surface and the first flange portion; and a protrusion which continues in a circumferential direction with a larger diameter than an outer diameter of the first flange portion in an outer circumferential portion on the plate surface while protruding toward the bobbin in a state where the fixing tool is mounted on the rotating shaft of the optical fiber winding machine.