Abstract: In optic cable there is provided a ripcord which lies partly within the sheath and partly outside the sheath by extending between overlapped edges of the sheath. Parts of the ripcord outside the sheath and spaced along the cable and are accessible by removal of directly overlying regions of jacket. No cutting of the sheath is required to access the ripcord which, however, after access may be used for ripping along the sheath.

Abstract: A pushbutton and cover combination for operating an electronic switching device, such as a telephone or keypad. The cover defines a number of button receiving apertures extending therethrough. Each button comprises a body having a first part which provides a contact surface and a second part which is slidably received through an individual one of the apertures, so that the contact surface of the button is accessible from a first side of the cover. Latches on the second part of the button body are cooperable with the cover so that the button is held captive in the cover, with the second part of the body being operable to move slidably within the aperture, for engaging a flexible barrier layer and operating the electronic switching device on an underlying circuit board. The subassembly of the cover with the captive buttons is removable intact from the circuit board and flexible barrier layer of the electronic switching device.

Abstract: An optical fiber tray including a fiber connector holder with storage in the holder for incoming fibers for connection to rear facing ends of the connectors. Front facing connector ends are joined to outgoing fibers in the form of patch cords which pass through a storage facility in which each patch cord is disposed in its own storage region. A minimum bend radius channel through which the patch cords travel is movable in the tray to lessen the distance moved by patch cords as the tray is moved forwardly and rearwardly. This movable channel allows for excess fiber from within the tray during tray movement and without disturbing patch cord material outside the tray.

Abstract: Jacket extrusion apparatus in which a core tube located within an extruder head is provided with axial projections which are spaced around the tube. The projections break down accumulated drool from the extrudate and cause it to move away as small particles.

Abstract: A mount for connecting together two articles, the mount comprising a wall and two sets of latches projecting from the wall. The mount is particularly useful for connecting a visual readout display unit to a aprinted circuit board in a telephone where minimum height requirements are paramount. The latches are provided in two sets, one set for registration with each article and a latch of each set is disposed, along the wall, between latches of the other set.

Abstract: Optical cable with optical fibers and a water blocking element extending together along a passageway. The water blocking element swells upon contact with water so as to block the passageway against water migration. The water blocking element may be of filamentary structure, e.g. string or tape which acts as a carrier for water swellable particles, e.g. polyacrylate. The water blocking element may, however, be a filament of the swellable material which is spun with other filaments, e.g. polyester to form a string. The cable may be air pressurizable.

Abstract: A connector holder assembly for holding optical connectors in which a plurality of holders are disposed in a stack. Each holder has optical connectors in mounting positions at a front end region of the holder and rear ends of these connectors are connected to optical fibers disposed in coils in a storage facility. Provision is made for holding the holders in the stack, this provision comprising two rigid members one on each side of the stack, the rigid members being urged against the stack. The optical fibers in the storage facilities of all of the holders may be provided by a single or optical cable.

Abstract: A telecommunication cable in which pairs of twisted together conductors are spaced apart to minimize capacitance unbalance and cross-talk. A central core member may be provided with the conductor pairs extending around the core member which may have spokes to separate the conductor pairs. Alternatively, the cable jacket has inwardly directed spacers which separate the conductor pins and hold them in recesses defined by the jacket.

Abstract: A telephone terminal base having a front plate holding dialing buttons in a set and a barrier layer behind the plate to protect a printed circuit board from environmental conditions. Ribs are provided on the front plate at each side of the set of buttons to seal against the barrier layer and screws disposed outwardly of the ribs from the set of buttons compress the barrier layer against the ribs to provide a sealing action.

Abstract: A telephone base member and base support member combination in which there are two support members. The two support members may be assembled together and as an assembly may be mounted upon the base member. This arrangement provides a first angle of support for the base member upon a support surface. Alternatively, only one of the support members is mounted upon the base member. This arrangement provides for a different angle of support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing binder from around a telecommunications cable core. The apparatus comprises a binder take-up reel, drive for rotating the take-up reel around a passline for cable core, and binder unwinding and guide mechanisms which are freely rotatable about a take-up reel station. The apparatus is economical in construction and requires only one drive motor, for the take-up reel, because rotation of the binder unwinding and guide mechanism is driven by binder tension as binder is unwound from the core. The binder unwinding and guide mechanism provides simple mechanical mechanism to control the speed of rotation of the binder unwinding and guide mechanism and the speed of rotation of the take-up reel relative to the cable core speed along the passline so that the binder is in tension as it is unwound controllably from the core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing pins from a bandolier type carrier and for loading groups of pins into a carrier block, for insertion into printed circuit boards. A bandolier carrying pins is moved along a passline and a group of a desired number of the bandoliered pins is positioned in a pin loading station of the apparatus. The pins are held by opposed gripping members, which are relatively movable towards each other into pin holding positions and are then operable to cause relative movement of the bandolier and the group of pins laterally of the passline, thereby separating the pins from the bandolier. While pins of the group are held by the gripping members, relative movement of the carrier block and the group of pins causes ends of the pins to be received in pin receiving locations in the carrier block. The pins are then released by moving the gripping members apart so that the pins remain in the carrier block.

Abstract: A telephone base structure having an underwall and another wall overlying the underwall. Spaced-apart cantilever beams in the underwall carry support feet at free ends of the beams. The beams are resiliently flexible upwards for the purpose of stabilizing the base structure upon a support surface with the overlying wall acting as a stop to limit the upward movement of the beams.

Abstract: An elongate support member for a designation label for a cross-connect connector and having on one side a resilient retainer for attaching the support member to the connector. A manually operable release is provided for removing the support member and the support member also has a side with an elongate surface for receiving the designation label.