Abstract: Apparatus for providing strain relief of an optical ribbon cable caused by bending or other type of non-linear forces includes a base portion and a pivot portion both having a recess. The pivot portion is hingedly connected to the base portion and the recesses define a ribbon cable holding location. Compression members are provided in each of the recesses and define a gap therebetween for retaining optical fiber ribbon cables. The base portion and pivot portion are unitary and formed from a material which is non-opaque. An anchor portion is in contact with the base portion. The anchor portion has a tab member for indexing the apparatus with a support structure and a first latch member for securing the apparatus to a support structure. The hinge portion of the apparatus also has a second latch member for securing the hinge portion to the base portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for enclosing a plurality of fiber optic cables in a sealed environment includes a housing, a lid, a hollow body projecting from the housing, at least one grommet disposed in the hollow body for securing one or more fiber optic cables in an orifice accessed by a slit provided therein and a cap disposed in front of the hollow body to compress the grommet and seal components passing through the grommet into the housing. The grommet is a single body with a plurality of orifices for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables or a plurality of individually formed grommets each having one orifice.

Abstract: Optical ribbon cable fan-out device includes a top cover portion, a fan-out portion and a bottom portion formed as a unitary body. The fan-out portion has an array of guides housing individual fibers of the optical ribbon cable. The top cover portion and bottom cover portion are connected respectively to the fan-out portion by first and second hinges. The top cover portion and the bottom cover portion each have a plate projecting respectively therefrom to secure a ribbon cable in an axis extending longitudinally through the fan-out apparatus. The fan-out portion is so configured that a first portion of the arrayed guides is co-linear with the axis, a second portion of the arrayed guides is above the axis and a third of the arrayed guides is below the axis. The fan-out apparatus defines pathways for individual optical fibers having a bend radius of at least approximately 1.5 inches.

Abstract: An optical fiber spice holder, including a base having an upper surface and a plurality of sidewalls coupled substantially orthogonal to the upper surface. Each pair of sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls forms at least one channel therebetween. The at least one channel has a first radius sized to secure an optical fiber splice, and a plurality of channels are formed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A heat source is formed within one piece of a multi-piece mold designed to shape a glass tube. The one piece of the mold can then be used as a source of intense heat to render the glass malleable and to also contribute to shaping the tube in conformance with the mold. In one embodiment, the heat source includes channels formed throughout the one piece of mold for distributing a gas therethrough with jets of gas emanating from the inner surface of the mold piece for heating the tube to be shaped to a desired temperature. In apparatus embodying the invention, there is no need for a separate torch and for moving the torch during the shaping process. Also, in accordance with the invention, better control of the heat supplied to the tube being shaped is obtained.

Abstract: Optical fiber closure having improved optical fiber connection and tracing features is described. The optical fiber closure supports a plurality of optical connector panels, each of which includes a plurality of receptacles respectively associated with a first plurality of indicia that is identical for each of the plurality of optical connector panels.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield comprises a non-rigid porous metallic material and a conforming element. The non-rigid porous metallic material is shaped by the conforming element to have a top and sidewalls extending downward from the top. The shaped porous metallic material defines a cavity for receiving at least one circuit component therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bracket for holding a printed circuit board in relation to a connector for wave solder application comprising a mounting element for attaching the bracket to the connector, a shelf for supporting at least a portion of the printed circuit board at a predetermined height above the connector and a latch for retaining the printed circuit board on the shelf.

Abstract: A high-density, small fiber optic enclosure permits the cross-connection and interconnection of optical fibers, through the use of an open-faced compact layering technique. The optical fiber enters an aperture in the bottom of the enclosure which includes a first section attachable to a wall surface, and a second section connected to the first enclosure section by a hinge. The first enclosure section includes an optical fiber splice holder and a plurality of hooks and clips for holding the optical fibers. The second enclosure section includes a plurality of hooks and clips also. The fibers enter the first section, are connected to the hooks and clips, and cross over to the second section and return to the first section and ultimately pass through an exit aperture in such a fashion as to form a plurality of FIG. 8 layers. If the optical fibers are not shielded, it is possible to use two opposing S-shaped fiber tubes to protect them at the crossover between the first and second enclosure.

Abstract: A quarter turn latch for joining a cover to a housing of an enclosure enables a technician to lock the enclosure by simply slamming the cover shut. The latch also enables a technician to unlock the enclosure by rotating the shaft by a quarter turn. The latch includes a shaft and a clasp. The shaft includes a head and a tail. The tail includes peripherally alternating sets of longitudinally spaced teeth and tail cam surfaces. Each tooth has a shoulder facing the head of the shaft and a tooth cam surface. The perimeter of a cross section of each tail cam surface is arcuate. The clasp includes pawls. When the tail is inserted into the clasp, each pawl is in contact with the tail cam surface, the tooth cam surface, or the shoulder. The latch prevents unauthorized access to the enclosure by requiring specific tools to rotate the shaft.

Abstract: An optical fiber closure includes a housing having opposing walls, each of the opposing walls having an aperture defined therein. Each aperture is adapted to receive an optical fiber therethrough. A bend limiter is proximate each aperture. Each bend limiter includes a proximate edge, a distal edge, and an arcuate surface. The arcuate surface extends between the proximate and distal edges and has a radius of curvature greater than a predetermined minimum bend radius. The distal edge of each bend limiter is substantially aligned with an outer edge of a respective one of the opposing walls of the optical fiber closure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield comprises a non-rigid porous metallic material and a conforming element. The non-rigid porous metallic material is shaped by the conforming element to have a top and sidewalls extending downward from the top. The shaped porous metallic material defines a cavity for receiving at least one circuit component therein.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a panel having a plurality of apertures formed therein. Each aperture is adapted to accept a pivot member of a connector. A plurality of flexible members are proximate each aperture. For each aperture, the plurality of flexible members are configured to maintain a centering bias on a connector when such connector is supported in the respective aperture.

Abstract: A protective tape used to protect an electrical connection from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. The protective tape comprises a silicone gel that contains a UV inhibitor such as zinc oxide. The protective tape is used to wrap a connection, such as a coaxial connection, in order to provide a long lasting, secure environment for the connection and to shield against the effects of UV radiation that can otherwise cause a deterioration of tape. As one embodiment, the silicone gel is a two layer gel with each layer having a different hardness. The tape is formed by casting the silicone gel on a suitable backing and that backing is removed from the tape at the time the tape is used to wrap around the electrical connection.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice holder with a slack storage feature has a reel having a hub for fiber slack storage, and a means for holding a splice at its center, whereby fiber slack can be stored and retrieved while protecting the fiber splice, in a manner which avoids entanglement with other splices and fibers. The reel is supported by a reel holder, which can be reversibly mounted in a modular rack for easy storage, and permits easy access to individual splices and accompanying slack.

Abstract: A secure cable trough includes a tray, a retaining member, and an adjustable fastening mechanism. The tray includes a first retaining arm. The retaining member includes a second retaining arm. The retaining member is slideably engaged to the tray. The first retaining arm, the second retaining arm, the tray, and the retaining member define a cavity for housing the cables. The first retaining arm and the second retaining arm extend toward each other and are offset and overlapping. The distance between the first and second retaining arm defines a gap. The gap provides access to cables and allows cables to be inserted and extracted from the trough. The first and second retaining arms inhibit cables housed within the trough from inadvertently falling out. The adjustable fastening mechanism slideably engages and locks the retaining member to the tray. The adjustable fastening mechanism allows the retaining member to be positioned relative to the tray.

Abstract: A protective tape used to protect an electrical connection from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. The protective tape comprises a silicone gel that contains a UV inhibitor such as zinc oxide. The protective tape is used to wrap a connection, such as a coaxial connection, in order to provide a long lasting, secure environment for the connection and to shield against the effects of UV radiation that can otherwise cause a deterioration of tape. As one embodiment, the silicone gel is a two layer gel with each layer having a different hardness. The tape is formed by casting the silicone gel on a suitable backing and that backing is removed from the tape at the time the tape is used to wrap around the electrical connection.

Abstract: A fiber splice tray for optical fiber splices capable of holding multiple single fiber splices, ribbon fiber splices and combinations thereof having a base, a plurality of adjacent opposed retention members extending upwardly from the base and a plurality of adjacent opposed extension members extending upwardly from the base in an area between opposed retention members. The opposed extension members are separated by a space for accepting at least a portion of a fiber ribbon splice and the retention members terminate in opposed arms for accepting a single fiber splice. The fiber splice tray can include an opening through the base bounded by a shelf for the fiber or ribbon extending from the splice to pass, to assist in preventing the splice from coming dislodged from the retention member.

Abstract: A modular jack adapted for use in a customer bridge for electrically connecting and disconnecting a customer communications line to a service provider communications line, the modular jack having a first spring lead having a pin portion electrically connected to the service provider communications line and a plug contacting portion contacting a corresponding spring lead on a line plug, and a second spring lead having a pin portion electrically connected to the customer communications line and a plug contacting portion contacting a corresponding spring lead on a line plug, the first and second spring lead plug contacting portions extending in a substantially parallel first direction, the plug contacting portion of the first spring lead having a spring lead contacting portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction to resiliently and releasably physically contact the second spring lead plug contacting portion and electrically connect the customer communications line to the service provider

Abstract: A wire connector block is provided which is formed to be used with both wire wrapping and wave soldering in connecting wires to wire connectors mounted thereon. Additionally, a method is disclosed for mounting a ribbon wire onto a printed wire board (PWB) that is connected to wire connectors. The ribbon wire is manipulated, preferably bent, to define an enclosed space with the printed wire board in which is disposed a material that is resistant to the passage of moisture therethrough.