Abstract: A protective shell for a splice closure or the like has a flange base member and a flange cover member. A triangularly shaped ridge extends along each flange which hold triangularly shaped clamps in place against displacement, yet, in conjunction with the clamps, create room for the insertion of mounting hardware in the clamps. The closure is supported within the shell so that it is surrounded by space for an encapsulant. The supports for the closure are configured to permit passage of liquid encapsulant into the space between the-bottom of the closure and the base member.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicing device includes a clip (20) which aligns and secures cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32) utilized within a three-rod optical fiber splicing device. The clip (20) is a generally cylindrically shaped component which is made of a resilient material and is positionable so as to encase three cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32). The clip (20) comprises a circular body portion (22) and two protruding leg portions (24 and 26) which extend from an point on the outer periphery of clip body (22). The two leg portions (24 and 26) are constructed and oriented such that they may be manipulated to controllably expand the inner diameter of clip body (22). To facilitate an optical fiber splice or connection, the clip (20) of the present invention allows the clip body (22) to be expanded to loosen the grip on rods (28, 30 and 32) held therein, thereby allowing the optical fiber ends to be inserted between the rods.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicing device includes a clip (20) which aligns and secures cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32) utilized within a three-rod optical fiber splicing device. The clip (20) is a generally cylindrically shaped component which is made of a resilient material and is positionable so as to encase three cylindrical rods (28, 30 and 32). The clip (20) comprises a circular body portion (22) and two protruding leg portions (24 and 26) which extend from an point on the outer periphery of clip body (22). The two leg portions (24 and 26) are constructed and oriented such that they may be manipulated to controllably expand the inner diameter of clip body (22). To facilitate an optical fiber splice or connection, the clip (20) of the present invention allows the clip body (22) to be expanded to loosen the grip on rods (28, 30 and 32) held therein, thereby allowing the optical fiber ends to be inserted between the rods.

Abstract: Selected, relatively inaccessible, areas of surfaces (28) which define openings (21) that extend through a strip, which is being advanced at a relatively high velocity along a path through a closed plating cell, are electroplated with a minimum required thickness of metal. The strip (11) is cathodically charged and is masked along a portion of a path to expose at least the surfaces which define the openings. A flow passage for an electroplating electrolyte (41) is established from a source (42) past a charged anode (101) in a direction through the openings (21) and includes a linear portion extending substantially normal to the strip on each side thereof. The anode extends along the portion of the path, parallel to and spaced from the strip (11), and focused on the areas to be plated. The charged anode (101) and the exposed areas of surfaces of the strip (11) are contacted with the electrolyte (41) to charge the electrolyte and pass an electric current therethrough to plate the exposed areas of the surfaces.