Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: A filament holding fixture having a closed position for applying substantially equal pressure to a plurality of points around the circumference of a filament. The holding fixture comprises a first jaw having a planar surface and an open-ended channel formed in the first jaw opening to the planar surface, and a second jaw having a structured surface including an open-ended groove of substantially rectangular cross section. Both the channel and the groove are sized for even application of pressure to a filament placed between them when there is axial alignment of the channel with the groove. An angular compensator may be included to facilitate positioning of the groove for even application of pressure to a filament when the planar surface lies adjacent to the structured surface, and the filament holding fixture is in the closed position.