Claims
- 1. An optical manifold comprising:
(a) an input end having a plurality of input openings in a first ordered arrangement; (b) an output end having a plurality of output openings in a second ordered arrangement which differs from that of said first ordered arrangement; and (c) a plurality of passageways, wherein each of said passageways connects a single input opening with a single output opening.
- 2. A method of connecting optical fibers, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an optical manifold comprising: (i) an input end having a plurality of input openings in a first ordered arrangement; (ii) an output end having a plurality of output openings in a second ordered arrangement which differs from that of said first ordered arrangement; and (iii) a plurality of passageways, wherein each of said passageways connects a single input opening with a single output opening; (b) passing optical fibers through said manifold; and (c) terminating said optical fibers only at said output end of said optical manifold, so that there are no fiber splices within said optical manifold.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/927,663 filed on Aug. 10, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09927663 |
Aug 2001 |
US |
Child |
10161800 |
Jun 2002 |
US |