Abstract: A manually actuatable integrated contact module connecting to an output access module by means of a common communications link. The integrated contact module has an electrical contact, a logic circuit, a communications circuit and a communications terminal mounted on a common printed circuit board. The printed circuit board provides communication between the electrical contact and the logic circuit, between the logic circuit and the communications circuit, and between the communications circuit and the communications terminal. The printed circuit board is enclosed within a protective housing. A contact operator is slidably mounted with respect to the printed circuit board such that it is partially enclosed within the housing and movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The cable receptacle of the present invention allows for substantially unimpeded insertion of a fiber optic cable and the selective impeding of the withdrawal of the fiber optic cable through retention structure. The retention structure is provided by cooperation among a cover, a housing, a gripper, a pivot support arm and a channel. The cover includes a fiber opening through which the fiber optic cable extends and a gripping adjustment opening allowing access to a positioning portion of the gripper. A housing is attached to the cover and may include either a portion of the channel, or the pivot support arm or both. To the extent that the housing does not provide, or only partially provides, the channel or pivot support arm then the cover makes up the lack. A gripper having a tooth end and a distal end to either side of the pivot point, includes a resilient spring to bias the gripper to the end into engagement with the fiber optic cable. The pivot support arm pivotally supports the gripper for rotation.

Abstract: The rotational optical switch of the present invention includes a switch enclosure, a light conductor, an optical shutter, a torsion spring biasing the shutter towards a bistable state, and a shutter actuator. The switch enclosure generally encloses the remaining components. The light conductor is received in the switch enclosure and extends between the enclosure and a transceiver, which provides a signal reflective of the state of the optical shutter. The optical shutter is pivotally mounted within the switch enclosure and is bistable between a reflective state which reflects light into the light conductor, and a nonreflective state which does not reflect light into the light conductor. The shutter pivots on arms to either end of a support cylinder which have knife edges. The shutter actuator is pivotally connected to the optical shutter by the torsion spring to cause the optical shutter to snap between the bistable states. The optical shutter has two reflectors in opposite reflective states.

Abstract: A fiber to fiber connection comprising a first optical fiber end, a second optical fiber end, and a connector housing. The connector housing has a connection chamber, a first fiber inlet passage which communicates with the connection chamber and which snugly but slidably receives the first fiber end, and a second fiber inlet passage which communicates with the connection chamber and which slidably receives the second fiber end. The fiber to fiber connection further comprises a shuttle slidably received within the connection chamber and movable between a first fiber connecting position and a second position. The shuttle has a fiber receiving end, and a connection end housing the second fiber end and snugly but slidably received within the first fiber inlet passage so that the second fiber end faces the first fiber end. The fiber to fiber connection further comprises a spring for biasing the shuttle toward the first fiber inlet passage from the first fiber connecting position to the second position.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler including an optical fiber having an end, and an electronic light pulse communication assembly comprising an assembly housing, an electronic light pulse communication device fixed within the assembly housing, and a lens mounted on the assembly housing and in light pulse communication with the electronic light pulse communication device. The optical fiber coupler also includes a coupler housing having an inlet well, an assembly well separated from the inlet well by a coupler housing wall and having the assembly fixedly received therein, and a fiber passage which extends between the inlet well and the assembly well and which snugly receives the fiber so that the fiber end is adjacent the assembly lens.

Abstract: A fiber-optic switch uses a single optical fiber for two-way communication with light. A switching mechanism has no electrical part and is thus appropriate for placement in an area having explosive or combustible materials. The optical fiber can be cut to length in the field and can be installed without special tools or training. The fiber is held in place by a clip that is constrained to compress the fiber and grip it securely. A snap-action mirror reflects light back into the fiber in one position and does not reflect it in another position. An electronic circuit provides pulsed light and determines coincidence of sent and received pulses to discriminate against operation of the switch by ambient light or other spurious signals.

Abstract: A fiber-optic switch uses a single optical fiber for two-way communication with light. A switching mechanism has no electrical part and is thus appropriate for placement in an area having explosive or combustible material. The optical fiber can be cut to length in the field and can be installed without special tools or training. The fiber is held in place by a clip that is constrained to compress the fiber and grip it securely. A snap-action mirror reflects light back into the fiber in one position and does not reflect it in another position. An electronic circuit provides pulsed light and determines coincidence of sent and received pulses to discriminate against operation of the switch by ambient light or other spurious signals.

Abstract: A fiber-optic switch uses a single optical fiber for two-way communication with light. A switching mechanism has no electrical part and is thus appropriate for placement in an area having explosive or combustible materials. The optical fiber can be cut to length in the field and can be installed without special tools or training. The fiber is held in place by a clip that is constrained to compress the fiber and grip it securely. A snap-action mirror reflects light back into the fiber in one position and does not reflect it in another position. The mirror is maintained in one of the two positions by a spring force. An electronic circuit provides pulsed light and determines coincidence of sent and received pulses to discriminate against operation of the switch by ambient light or other spurious signals.

Abstract: A limit switch includes a housing which encloses a snap switch having first and second pairs of spaced fixed contacts and first and second movable contacts supported on a carrier and operated by first and second reciprocating plungers that are biased to a first position. Toggle springs are interposed between the respective plungers and the carrier to move the carrier and the associated contacts between fixed pairs of fixed contacts during reciprocation of the respective plungers. An actuator head is mounted on the switch housing and has cams for actuating the respective plungers.

Abstract: A proximity switch including a base assembly rotatably carries a sensing head formed of a support part rotatable about one axis extending through a base assembly for positioning a sensing face on a complementary sensing part in any one of four planes parallel to the one axis. A pivot between for the support and sensing parts enable the sensing face to be placed in a plane transverse to the one axis by rotation about a second axis at 45.degree. to the one axis. Flexible connections extend along the one axis and stops between the sensing and support parts avoid undue twisting of the connections. An annular printed circuit board supported by the base assembly and a plurality of fine wires carried on an elastomeric member supported in the support part provides separable multiple connections between each conductor on the board and the flexible connections.