Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.

Abstract: A cable, of the twisted pair or fiber optic type, includes conductors for permitting patch cord tracing between ports. In the case of a twisted pair cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a separator. Alternatively, in the case of a twisted pair cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a jacket. In the case of a fiber optic cable, the conductors may be located amongst strength members. Alternatively, in the case of a fiber optic cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a jacket.

Abstract: A cable, of the twisted pair or fiber optic type, includes conductors for permitting patch cord tracing between ports. In the case of a twisted pair cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a separator. Alternatively, in the case of a twisted pair cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a jacket. In the case of a fiber optic cable, the conductors may be located amongst strength members. Alternatively, in the case of a fiber optic cable, the conductors may be embedded within, or attached to a surface of, a jacket.

Abstract: A lancing device for taking blood for medical examinations, comprising a base body, at least one needle which is arranged therein and which can be extended outwards with a tip end, and a manual actuating element for releasing a displacement movement of the needle, wherein a control curve section and a torsional spring that engages in the control curve section are arranged in a needle holding element, which at least partially encompasses the needle, in order to transform a radial movement of ends of the torsional spring into a translational displacement movement of the needle.

Abstract: A lancing device for taking blood for medical examinations, comprising a base body, at least one needle arranged therein which can be extended outwards with a tip end, having a needle holding element which at least partially encompasses the needle, and a manual actuating element for releasing a displacement movement of the needle together with the needle holding element relative to the base body, wherein a movable plastic spring element for generating a pretension by means of the manual actuating element, which is connected to a control curve section that can be moved in the base body, is arranged in at least one component in the base body, wherein the needle holding element is connected to the control curve section and can automatically be moved in the forward and backward direction during a pressure release of the plastic spring element by travelling along the control curve section.

Abstract: A coaxial cable includes: a metallic inner conductor formed of a first material and having a first thickness; a dielectric layer circumferentially surrounding the inner conductor formed of a second material and having a second thickness; a metallic outer conductor circumferentially surrounding the dielectric layer formed of a third material and having a third thickness; and a polymeric jacket circumferentially surrounding the outer conductor formed of a fourth material and having a fourth thickness.

Abstract: A lancing device for taking blood for medical examinations, comprising a base body, at least one needle which is arranged therein and which can be extended outwards with a tip end, having a needle holding element which at least partially encompasses the needle, and a manual actuating element for releasing a movement of the needle together with the needle holding element relative to the base body, wherein the needle is spring-loaded and wherein at least one leg spring, the first end of which is attached to the base body, and by means of the second end of which the needle holding element can be moved along a predefined control curve section during a pressure release of the leg spring.

Abstract: A twisted pair cable includes a jacket having a plurality of projections extending away from an inner surface of the jacket to define a plurality of air channels along the inner surface of the jacket. A cable core, including four twisted wire pairs and possibly a separator, resides within the jacket. A core wrap at least partially surrounds the cable core, such that the core wrap abuts the projections and prevents any wire of the cable core from entering into one of the air channels. In a preferred embodiment, the core wrap is formed by a tape in a helix shape about the cable core, wherein the tape partially overlaps itself in forming the helix shape, the tape includes an adhesive layer, and the overlapped portions of the tape are attached to each other via the adhesive to form an airtight connection.

Abstract: A coaxial cable includes: a metallic inner conductor formed of a first material and having a first thickness; a dielectric layer circumferentially surrounding the inner conductor formed of a second material and having a second thickness; a metallic outer conductor circumferentially surrounding the dielectric layer formed of a third material and having a third thickness; and a polymeric jacket circumferentially surrounding the outer conductor formed of a fourth material and having a fourth thickness.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing a pretensioned shift cable connected to a gear changing mechanism. The release mechanism includes a toothed disk having retention and capture teeth and is nonrotatably connected to a cable spool and a sliding member that includes retention and capture pawls. When the release mechanism is actuated the retention pawl disengages from the toothed disk, the cable spool rotates until the capture pawl engages the toothed disk and when the release mechanism is released the capture pawl disengages the toothed disk and the retention pawl once again engages the toothed disk, resulting in a stepwise release of the shifting cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes: a plurality of optical fibers; a tube circumferentially surrounding the optical fibers, the tube being formed of a first polymeric material; an armor circumferentially surrounding and fixed relative to the tube, the armor being formed of a metallic material; and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the armor, the jacket being formed of a second polymeric material. In this configuration, the cable can provide the requisite mechanical, electrical, handling and connectorizing properties for use in applications such as pavement crossings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trigger shifter with virtually no takeup distance during the takeup process. In its original position, the takeup pawl is located in the immediate vicinity of the transport tooth set, such that the takeup pawl and takeup lever do not need to cover a takeup distance. In the release process, the takeup pawl, which is in the ready position to engage, is moved out of the region of the transport tooth set by means of a connecting link, preferably a shackle spring, and subsequently the retaining pawl is disengaged so that so that the cable coil can be rotated by the prestressed cable pull without any obstacles. In addition to its function of controlling the takeup pawl, the shackle spring can also provide initial tension in the retaining direction to the sliding element with the retaining pawl.

Abstract: A bicycle shifter having a housing mountable to a handlebar, a takeup mechanism for pulling a shift cable and a release mechanism for releasing the shift cable. The takeup mechanism includes a takeup tooth segment, a takeup pawl and an actuation element. The release mechanism includes retaining and locking tooth segments, retaining and locking pawls and a release element. The takeup, retaining and locking tooth segments are arranged on one disk element.

Abstract: A multi-layer buffer tube for a fiber optic cable comprises: a radially inward first layer formed into an elongate cylinder, the first layer being formed of a first polymeric material; and a radially outward second layer formed into an elongate cylinder that circumferentially overlies the radially inner layer, the second layer being formed of a second polymeric material that differs from the second material. In this configuration, the buffer tube can be formed of materials that can provide the benefits associated with those materials, and the combination of materials can compensate for some of the shortcomings of the materials when used alone.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber-coaxial cable (HFC) network includes a coaxial cable and an optical fiber connected with the coaxial cable, typically at a node. Together the coaxial cable and optical fiber define a transmission path. The optical fiber has a zero dispersion wavelength of about 1310 nm, a loss at 1385 nm that is less than its loss at 1310 nm and a chromatic dispersion of between 1.5 and 8.0 ps/nm-km in the 1.4 &mgr;m wavelength region. The HFC network is particularly suitable for use in a broadband communications system that comprises a coaxial cable and a wavelength-division multiplexed optical (WDM) waveguide system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure member for an opening in an assembly on a housing for a bicycle gear box. Said closure member, consisting of a rubber elastic material, is captively connected to the housing by an extension and can be swung open and closed in a similar manner to a hinge. The confirmation can be optically improved by the formation of an upper lip.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes: a plurality of optical fibers; a tube circumferentially surrounding the optical fibers, the tube being formed of a first polymeric material; an armor circumferentially surrounding and fixed relative to the tube, the armor being formed of a metallic material; and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the armor, the jacket being formed of a second polymeric material. In this configuration, the cable can provide the requisite mechanical, electrical, handling and connectorizing properties for use in applications such as pavement crossings.

Abstract: A coaxial cable includes: a metallic inner conductor formed of a first material and having a first thickness; a dielectric layer circumferentially surrounding the inner conductor formed of a second material and having a second thickness; a metallic outer conductor circumferentially surrounding the dielectric layer formed of a third material and having a third thickness; and a polymeric jacket circumferentially surrounding the outer conductor formed of a fourth material and having a fourth thickness.

Abstract: A bicycle shifter having a housing mountable to a handlebar, a takeup mechanism for pulling a shift cable and a release mechanism for releasing the shift cable. The takeup mechanism includes a takeup tooth segment, a takeup pawl and an actuation element. The release mechanism includes retaining and locking tooth segments, retaining and locking pawls and a release element. The takeup, retaining and locking tooth segments are arranged on one disk element.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing a pretensioned shift cable connected to a gear changing mechanism. The release mechanism includes a toothed disk having retention and capture teeth and is nonrotatably connected to a cable spool and a sliding member that includes retention and capture pawls. When the release mechanism is actuated the retention pawl disengages from the toothed disk, the cable spool rotates until the capture pawl engages the toothed disk and when the release mechanism is released the capture pawl disengages the toothed disk and the retention pawl once again engages the toothed disk, resulting in a stepwise release of the shifting cable.