Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging articles with an article holder includes a vertical mast having a vertical mast axis and a shuttle ring assembly. The shuttle ring assembly has a central aperture surrounding the mast and is coupled to the mast to allow the shuttle ring assembly to be translated vertically along the mast through multiple heights between a lower height and an upper height. The shuttle ring assembly includes a rotary member coupled to the mast to be rotated through multiple orientations about the mast axis. The rotary member includes multiple article-holding fixtures, angularly spaced from each other about the mast axis. The multiple orientations include a respective exchange orientation for each of the article-holding fixtures. The rotary member can be positioned in any one of the exchange orientations so that a selected one of the article-holding fixtures is in an associated exchange position.

Abstract: Two (2) optical fibers each having a core, a cladding enveloping the core and a buffer enveloping the cladding are spliced. First and second positions are adjacent the first fiber and third and fourth positions are adjacent the second fiber. The second and third positions are respectively closer to the splice than the first and fourth positions. Light emitters are at the first and fourth positions and light detectors are at the other positions. Light from each emitter is selectively passed to individual ones of the detectors. Members (e.g. solid gels) adjacent the emitters direct light into the associated fibers. Other members (e.g. solid gels) respectively between the first and second positions and between the third and fourth positions inhibit the light passage in the fiber claddings and buffers so that only the light in the fiber cores passes to the detectors. The gels and the fibers are clamped to provide matching dimples for trapping in the gels the light in the claddings and buffers.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes fiber end aligning jaws which have pyramid shaped entrances which are keyed to pyramid shaped collets for keeping the jaws in an expanding attitude to allow for easy fiber insertion into the jaws. Subsequent to fiber insertion, a fiber contact is locked to the connector so as to simultaneously release its corresponding collet an amount sufficient so that the jaws are urged into aligning contact with the fiber.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the thread (14) of a worm (13) from the teeth (17) of a worm gear (16). The worm (13) is mounted in a carrier block (47), disposed in a cavity (39) of a housing (12), from translatory movement towards and away from the worm gear. Springs (52) normally bias the worm away from engagement with the worm gear, while air pressure (34) is used to force the worm towards and into engagement with the worm gear. The cavity (39) and block (47) are tapered to prevent binding during movement of the block, and a spur gear drive is used to drive the worm (13) by motor (22), with the spur gears (18) and (19) being in mesh at all times during movement of the block (47).

Abstract: A chuck for holding an optical fiber in precise position includes first and second contiguous V-grooves, a chuck cover having a plurality of inter-leaving fingers for urging an optical fiber into the first V-groove so as to roughly position the optical fiber, and a plate for subsequently urging the optical fiber into the second V-groove for precise positioning of the optical fiber. The second V-groove is much smaller than the first V-groove and has a width which is less than the diameter of the optical fiber.

Abstract: This invention provides an article for storing and dispensing tubes open at two ends and containing materials which are pure or must be protected from the environment or which are present in premeasured amounts. The article of this invention comprises a flexible tape for sealing the ends of the tubes, flexible tape being movable within a case to hold the tubes sealed in the case and discharge the tubes from the case. One embodiment is a cassette for tubes containing adhesive for splicing optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber chuck for use in an optical fiber splicer may be both accurate and inexpensive because the fiber moves through a stationary chuck rather than a moving chuck carrying the fiber. The fiber slides between precision V-grooves, and is advanced and retracted by frictional engagement with a drive wheel.

Abstract: A cargo shoring device and foot assembly therefor is disclosed. The foot assembly includes a body formed for mounting to a cargo support member, an extensible element movably mounted to the body and carrying a wall engaging foot portion, manually engageable pivotally mounted lever formed and coupled for extension and retraction of the extensible element upon rotation of the lever and a latch element formed in the body to engage the lever when rotated to a position extending the extensible element. By the lever is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the latch element by manipulating the lever laterally of the plane of rotation of the lever in order to enable manipulation of the lever by one hand of the operator to effect extension of the foot portion, latching and unlatching of the lever and retraction of the foot portion.