Abstract: An optical fiber splicing device includes a clip (20) which aligns and secures cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32) utilized within a three-rod optical fiber splicing device. The clip (20) is a generally cylindrically shaped component which is made of a resilient material and is positionable so as to encase three cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32). The clip (20) comprises a circular body portion (22) and two protruding leg portions (24 and 26) which extend from an point on the outer periphery of clip body (22). The two leg portions (24 and 26) are constructed and oriented such that they may be manipulated to controllably expand the inner diameter of clip body (22). To facilitate an optical fiber splice or connection, the clip (20) of the present invention allows the clip body (22) to be expanded to loosen the grip on rods (28, 30 and 32) held therein, thereby allowing the optical fiber ends to be inserted between the rods.

Abstract: An optical cable portion (10), resident within a cable closure (14), is caused to receive a water blocking arrangement which is effective to prevent water, which enters an internal cable portion (24) through an unintended cut (21) in an outer jacket (18) of a cable portion (20), from entering an interior of the cable closure. A plurality of water blocking materials (30 and 32) are coaxially disposed about the outer jacket and a core tube (26) of the cable portion, respectively, and cooperate with a heat shrinkable plastic tube (34) which substantially covers the water blocking materials to prevent the movement of water from the internal cable portion past the water blocking materials.

Abstract: In the manufacture of coated optical fiber, fiber (21) is drawn from a preform (22) and is coated with one or preferably two layers (42,44) of light curable coating materials. Afterwards, the coating materials are cured. Increases in manufacturing line speed may be achieved if the cure speed of the coating materials is increased. This is accomplished by the simultaneous application of a magnetic field during irradiation of the curable coating materials to enhance the crosslinking of the coating materials by a free radical polymerization mechanism. Upon absorption of light, a photoinitiator in each composition cleaves to produce two free radical fragments in the spin paired or singlet state. The magnetic field has the effect of enhancing the production of spin parallel radicals which enhances the polymerization initiation of the coating material, thereby allowing an increase in the manufacturing line speed through drawing and coating apparatus.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22) which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.

Abstract: A tool (150) for assembling stackable elements (52, 54 and 58) to form a multiple conductor connector (50). A holding bracket assembly (100) is incorporated in the tool (150) to prohibit undesirable movement of the lowermost connector element (52) and to maintain alignment of the various elements of the connector (50) during the connectorization process.At least one protrusion (112) is manipulated into physical engagement with a side portion of the lowermost connector element (52). The protrusion (112) is spring-loaded and includes a sharp, tapered edge constructed of hardened material which provides a position-securing force to the connector (50) by becoming embedded into the side portion of the lowermost connector element (52). In addition, a second protrusion (110) is aligned opposite each of the sharp protrusions (112) and capable of providing an additional position-securing force to a second side portion of the lowermost connector element (52).

Abstract: A cover (56) of an existing manhole is raised in elevation to the elevation of roadway resurfacing, for example, by an adapter (20) which is secured to a head ring (40) of the existing manhole. The adapter is such that when it is secured to the head ring, apertures (77--77) of ledges (75--75) of the adapter may be aligned with threaded apertures (59--59) in lugs of the head ring to which the cover had been secured. Spaced above the ledges and extending peripherally above the head ring is a lip (72) for supporting the cover. At ninety degrees to each of the ledges and projecting from the lip is an ear portion (84) to which the cover may be secured. Additional adapters may be secured to the first adapter which has been secured to the head ring prior to subsequent resurfacing operations.

Abstract: Containers (20-20) which held UV curable acrylate materials commonly used as coating materials for drawn optical fiber are treated prior to disposal. Because of the presence of acrylate residues therewithin, the container cannot be disposed of in a landfill and has been incinerated. This problem has been overcome by exposing the residue within the container to suitable reproducible radiation determined in accordance with the photchemistry of the residue materials to cure completely the remaining acrylate material and thereby reduce its reactivity.