Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a first cable segment; a second cable segment; and a splice enclosure. The first cable segment can have a different configuration than the second cable segment. The splice enclosure is coupled to the strength member and strength component of the first cable segment and the second cable segment. One example splice enclosure includes a first enclosure body having a first threaded connection region and a second enclosure body having a second threaded connection region. Another example splice enclosure includes a tubular enclosure with two end caps. Cable retention members are positioned within the splice enclosure at fixed axial positions.

Abstract: Provided is a spliced-on connector system which includes a connector body, an incoming fiber which is spliced to the connector body, a splice sleeve which covers a splice point at which the incoming fiber is spliced to the connector body, and an extender tube which covers the splice sleeve. Also provided is a method of producing the spliced-on connector system; a holder including a depression which holds a connector body in a position in which the connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the holder being disposed inside a splicer which splices the connector body to the incoming fiber; and a splicer including a tube heater which heat-shrinks a splice sleeve over a splice point at which a connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the tube heater accommodating the connector holder which holds the connector body.

Abstract: A laser guide optical fiber (100) used for transmitting a laser beam includes an optical fiber body (110) including a core (111) and a clad (112), and a quartz chip (120) integrally provided at an end surface on the light entering side of the optical fiber body (110) and including an optical waveguide portion, where at least the optical waveguide portion of the quartz chip (120) is made of pure quartz. The quartz chip (120) includes a light entering surface subjected to surface fusion treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel supported by a first cable oriented about a first axis on a first side of the discontinuity and supported by a second cable section oriented about a second axis on a second side of the discontinuity includes: (a) a first coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the first side; (b) a first supporting member fixed with the first coupling member in an installed orientation in a clamping relation with the first cable section; (c) a second coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the second side; (d) a second supporting member fixed with the second coupling member in an installed orientation clamped with the second cable section; and (e) a connecting member optically coupling the first coupling member with the second coupling member to establish the optical circuit path.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic furcation method for fiber optic cables having a plurality of optical fibers and a fiber optic junction made by said method. The method comprises the steps of threading each optical fiber into a separate fiber optic cable forming a junction; placing a first tube around the junction so that the tube covers the reinforcing members of the fiber optic cables; folding reinforcing fibers from the fiber optic cables over the first tube; applying an adhesive to the reinforcing fibers; placing a second tube around the junction; and shrink wrapping the junction.

Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.

Abstract: A holder capable of protecting an optical connector ferrule from an external shock, or the like and executing a fusion-splice of a short optical fiber not to take out the optical connector ferrule from the holder is obtained. A holder for holding a connector plug equipped with an optical connector ferrule to which a short optical fiber is fitted and a plug frame for covering an outer periphery of the optical connector ferrule therein, wherein, when the short optical fiber together with the holder is fitted to a fusion splicing apparatus that fusion-splices the short optical fiber and other coated optical fiber, the short optical fiber extended from the plug frame is positioned in a fusion position.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically splicing a pair of optic fibers or optic cables, the mechanical splice comprising: a ferrule having an axial capillary bore, the capillary bore configured to enclose the optic fibers at both ends of the ferrule; and cured epoxy disposed to secure together the ends of the optic fibers and to secure the optic fibers to an inside surface of the capillary bore, the ferrule optionally enclosed in a metal tube.

Abstract: An installation tool for installing and assembling a splice protector to a spliced region between a fiber optic connector and an optical fiber cable and a method of use are disclosed. Generally, the installation tool comprises a connector bay, a splice protector assembly area, and a cable management mechanism. The connector bay, and the splice protector assembly area, and the cable management mechanism are arranged substantially consecutively and substantially linearly on the workspace. The tool further comprises a cable component retaining feature positioned along and adjacent the workspace so that the retaining feature is proximate adjacent ends of the splice protector assembly area and the cable management mechanism.

Abstract: A three rod bundle confined inside a sleeve is constructed as a light guiding fiber mechanical splicing device which is stiff, strong and precise, with no moving parts. The design also applies to splicing fibers to pre-polished optical connectors through a built-in model of this innovative mechanical splicer. Applying the Soddy circles formula and using a bin approach assists in deriving the exact rod sizes needed and sleeve bore size to accommodate the three-rod bundle, so that this apparatus can be properly designed to guide any size of light guide fibers and studs with minimum clearance. Rods of varying diameters are sorted into bins and chosen based upon the aperture desired, thus eliminating the need for tight tolerance of the diameters of the three rods. This unique design allows for construction of a precision virtual hole of very long depth, which enables two optical fiber studs to butt against each other with a core to core misalignment of less than 1 um for single mode fiber optics cables.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector for forming a mechanical splice between first and second optical fibers comprises a connector body arranged to clamp the optical fibers therein, wherein the connector body is configured to be at least partially opened to release, or to allow insertion of, at least one of the optical fibers by a squeezing action applied to the connector body.

Abstract: An optical connector according to the present invention comprises a ferrule and a V-groove board connected to the ferrule, wherein a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber being butt jointed in a V-groove formed in the V-groove board so as to be interconnected; the second optical fiber is connected to the first optical fiber through a refractive index matching material of cross-link curing type applied to an end surface on the V-groove board side of the first optical fiber; and spaces are provided in the V-groove so as to relax stress loaded on the refractive index matching material of cross-link curing type.

Abstract: A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and a means of setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers contained within fiberoptic ribbons in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from soft durometer material (SDM) such as high strength silicone mold-making rubber or dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber by itself, or a fiber associated with a ribbon, into, and removal from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers, or ribbons, respectively, that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment SDM fills a four-sided hard plastic box to overflow. Slices in SDM are parallel to each other. The box has a hinged cover to exert pressure on overflow SDM material when the cover is closed to increase enveloping force on splice-junctions of embedded bare-glass optical fibers and on the ribbons containing those fibers.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice connector including a single connector element operable for providing optical fiber alignment and strain relief includes opposed splice components that define first and second grooves for receiving the bare glass portions of mating optical fibers, as well as the coated or buffered portion of at least one of the optical fibers when the splice components are biased together by an actuator. The mating optical fibers are aligned while the coated or buffered portion of one of the optical fibers is retained within the same connector element, thus eliminating positioning problems that occur when separate connector elements are utilized for fiber alignment and strain relief. The splice components may be unbiased to allow removal of at least one of the mating optical fibers without destroying the connector assembly or potentially damaging the optical fibers.

Abstract: A controlled radius splice protector includes a first fiber optic fiber, a second fiber optic fiber, a fiber splice connecting the first fiber optic fiber and the second fiber optic fiber, a hot melted splice tubing extending over the fiber splice and a jacket tubing receiving the hot melted splice tubing and pre-formed to a selected bend radius.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable system includes a fiber optic main cable having a strength member and a plurality of optical fibers extending therein within an outer cable sheath. A flexible longitudinally extending inner housing is positioned proximate the plurality of optical fibers on a section of the main cable having the outer cable sheath removed. At least one fiber optic drop cable has at least one optical fiber having an end portion extending outwardly from an end of the drop cable. The end portion is spliced together with an end portion of a corresponding at least one severed end portion of one of the plurality of optical fibers of the main cable to define at least one spliced together fiber portion coupling at least one of the plurality of optical fibers of the main cable to a corresponding one of the at least one fiber of the drop cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a splice protection device for spliced optical fibers and to a method particularly for providing an access point to an optical fiber cable in a dwelling unit of a multi dwelling unit. To facilitate mounting of a splice protection device, the splice protection device according to the invention comprises a first and a second tube, the second tube being arranged concentrically and slidable within the first tube, the first and second tubes being adapted to receive at least one spliced fiber. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for providing an access point to a provider optical cable in a dwelling unit of a multi-dwelling unit.

Abstract: A waveguide comprising photonic crystal fibre terminated by a re-imaging device. The re-imaging device may, for example, be a length of multimode fibre. Connectors for such waveguides are also disclosed. A method of attaching a connector to a photonic crystal fibre is also disclosed. The method comprises terminating the photonic crystal fibre by splicing multimode fibre onto an end of the photonic crystal fibre to form a terminated photonic crystal fibre end, locating a ferrule on the terminated photonic crystal fibre such that there is a predetermined length of multimode fibre between the splice and the output end of the ferrule, and locating the ferrule within a connector body.

Abstract: A wedge-type mechanical optical fiber splice is provided in the present invention. The splice comprises a housing, a V-grooved block, a pushing block, and a first wedge. The housing is a hollow block, and has two openings for guiding optical fiber at two opposite sides. The V-grooved block, so called a first block, is a long strip block having a V-shaped groove on its surface. The pushing block, so called a second block, confronts to the V-grooved block. The first wedge is a wedged-type block. The second block is moved toward the first block or the first block is moved toward the second block by pushing down the first wedge, so that two optical fibers are aligned and secured in the V groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing of optical waveguide sections is in the form of a handheld splicer. The splicer comprises a preprocessing unit, which may comprise a plurality of processing devices for carrying out removal, cleaning and cutting steps. The optical waveguide sections are clamped in a holding apparatus and are prepared in the preprocessing unit. The holding apparatuses are inserted with the prepared optical waveguide sections into a splicing unit, where they are spliced. The spliced optical waveguide sections can be fed by means of a transfer station to a shrinking oven for shrinking a shrink sleeve on. The preprocessing unit, the splicing unit and the shrinking oven can be controlled by means of one hand of an operator, while the splicer is held with the other hand.

Abstract: The present invention is a splicing structure of optical fibers for fusing a double clad fiber and a single clad fiber, the splicing structure is provided with a block covering a fusion splicing point of the double clad fiber and the single clad fiber, and which is made of a highly thermal conductive material.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically inserting optical-fiber (fiber-optics) cable jumpers into a patch panel to connect optical signal source equipment to optical signal destination equipment, and for automatically removing those jumpers from that patch panel to disconnect that equipment. This is accomplished robotically under computer control. Large scale fiber-optical splicings can be made, on the order often thousand (10,000) separate optical splices or more. Previous embodiments required hand insertion of these jumpers. Embodiments of the present invention permit any un-occupied port to be connected to any other un-occupied port, regardless of their input or output port status, where previous embodiments required only unoccupied input ports to be connected to unoccupied output ports.

Abstract: An optical fiber feedthrough assembly includes a glass plug disposed in a recess of a feedthrough housing. The glass plug may define a large-diameter, cane-based, waveguide sealed within the recess in the housing and providing optical communication through the housing. Sealing occurs with respect to the housing at or around the glass plug of an optical waveguide element passing through the housing by braze sealing to the glass plug and/or embedding the glass plug in a polymer bonded with the plug to form a molded body that is sealed in the housing by, for example, compression mounting of the molded body or providing a sealing element around the molded body.

Abstract: An end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule is made with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. The ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.

Abstract: A device for coupling multimode pump light and a laser signal into or out of a cladding-pumped fibre laser is disclosed, comprising an output optical fibre, a substantially un-tapered feed-through optical fibre, an annular waveguide having a tapered section, and a plurality of multimode pump fibres such that: the signal feed-through fibre is located within the annular waveguide; the signal feed-through fibre is fused into the annular waveguide in the tapered section so that the annular waveguide becomes an additional cladding layer of the feed-through fibre; the end of the feed-through fibre that is fused into the annular waveguide is optically coupled to the output optical fibre; the multimode pump fibres are optically coupled to the annular waveguide in the un-tapered section. Methods of forming the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical connector and a method of assembling an optical connector that is capable of avoiding generation of unnecessary tension in the optical fiber cable in which plain fiber portions are optically connected to each other using a splice assembly. The optical connector comprises a connector housing having splice means configured to abut a stripped and cleaved end surface of a plain fiber of an optical fiber cable (2) onto an end of a fiber stub predisposed in the splice means to form an optical connection; and a cable fixing assembly (26, 40), that includes a cable fixing member (26) and a cable holder (40), for fixing an outer covering (2c) of the optical fiber cable (2) introduced into said connector housing (10).

Abstract: An index-matching gel for use with nano-engineered optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel is cross-linked, which prevents the gel from wicking into the voids and down the nano-engineered optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The formulation comprises a non-reactive constituent A, two reactive constituents B and C, and a catalyst D. The gel is pre-cured and forms a cross-linked internal network that results in a single-component gel that does not require meter mixing of an additional constituent or heat curing. The gel is suitable for use in the mechanical splicing of optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nano-engineered optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nano-engineered optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus and reinforcement processing method are provided where it is not necessary to dispose a temperature detecting device such as a thermistor, and a heating control in which the detected temperature is not varied, the power consumption is low, and which is accurate is enabled. An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus in which a fusion-spliced portion of an optical fiber is covered by a heat-shrinkable reinforcing sleeve to perform reinforcement has: heating controlling means for performing a heating control on a heater which heats the reinforcing sleeve; and temperature detecting means for detecting a heating temperature of the heater on the basis of a change of the resistance of the heater. The heating control and the temperature detection are performed by controlling time periods of turning on/off a power supply to the heater.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for facilitating installing a fiber optic connector at the end of a fiber optic cable. One aspect of the disclosure involves splicing a first fiber optic cable to a second fiber optic cable. The second fiber optic cable may be pre-connectorized. In certain embodiments, a plurality of splice enclosure components are positioned to form a splice enclosure that encloses the portion of an optical fiber of the first cable that is spliced to an optical fiber of the second cable. The splice enclosure protects the optical fibers at the site of the splice and securely holds the strength members of the fiber optic cables. Furthermore, splice enclosure components are positioned to form a cable enclosure that encloses the splice enclosure and exposed portions of the fiber optic cables.

Abstract: A filter device is provided, including a first and second conductor tube and an outside tube. The first light conductor tube includes a first end for light input, a second end including a first slanted assembled end surface coated with a filter, a first tube, and a first light conductor inserted into the first capillary. The second light conductor tube includes a third end for light output, a fourth end including a second slanted assembled end surface, a second capillary, and a second light conductor inserted into the second capillary. The second assembled end of the fourth end is disposed next to and parallel to the first slanted assembled end surface of the second end of the first light conductor tube to coaxially couple to the first light conductor tube. The outside tube is jacketed outside of the first and second light conductor tubes.

Abstract: Multi-drop closure systems for fiber optic cabling include an enclosure and a ganged drop plug. The enclosure defines a splice chamber therein and has a main cable access opening and a drop cable access opening into the splice chamber. The drop cable access opening is displaced from the main cable access opening. The ganged drop plug is configured to be sealingly inserted into the drop cable access opening. The ganged drop plug has a plurality of drop cables extending therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optical interconnection.

Abstract: An index-matching gel for use with nano-engineered optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel is cross-linked, which prevents the gel from wicking into the voids and down the nano-engineered optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The formulation comprises a non-reactive constituent A, two reactive constituents B and C, and a catalyst D. The gel is pre-cured and forms a cross-linked internal network that results in a single-component gel that does not require meter mixing of an additional constituent or heat curing. The gel is suitable for use in the mechanical splicing of optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nano-engineered optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nano-engineered optical fiber.

Abstract: A new fiber optic cable splice for splicing optical fiber cables together and reconstructing fiber-optic cable that provide substantially enhanced reliability and broadened operating temperature range is disclosed. The disclosed cable splice offer reliable and user friendly solutions to applications in many harsh environments such as avionics, field vehicles, and defense related instrumentation. The cable splice consists of a preassembled one piece splice core and outer mechanical and thermal shielding layers. A simple splicing procedure and key fixtures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically inserting optical-fiber (fiber-optics) cable jumpers into a patch panel to connect optical signal source equipment to optical signal destination equipment, and for automatically removing those jumpers from that patch panel to disconnect that equipment. This is accomplished robotically under computer control. Large scale fiber-optical splicings can be made, on the order of ten thousand (10,000) separate optical splices or more. Previous embodiments required hand insertion of these jumpers. Embodiments of the present invention permit any un-occupied port to be connected to any other un-occupied port, regardless of their input or output port status, where previous embodiments required only unoccupied input ports to be connected to unoccupied output ports.

Abstract: A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has a viscosity ? at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s???100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibre optics and more particularly to flexible, durable, fibre optic splices, and methods of installing such splices. One embodiment of the invention comprises a fibre optic splice comprising: a flexible central tensile member; a flexible helical wrapping positioned about the flexible central tensile member; and an outer protective jacket positioned about the flexible helical wrapping. The flexible central tensile member and the flexible helical wrapping define a splice enclosure to accommodate optical fibres of the splice, at least a portion of the optical fibres being arranged in a generally helical orientation within the splice enclosure.

Abstract: An optical splicer 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of optical fibers 6, and an optical splice member 8 having a plurality of fiber holes 14 in each of which a portion including one end 6a of each fiber 6 is inserted, and a mode field diameter W1 in one end 6a of optical fiber 6 is enlarged relative to a mode field diameter W2 in the other portion of optical fiber 6.

Abstract: A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line includes the steps of providing an optic splice in the fiber optic line; providing a electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice; connecting a tube over the optic splice; installing a boot over the electrical splice; disposing the tube and the boot in a slotted sleeve; positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing; and anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices.

Abstract: A splice holder device includes a tray mountable in a telecommunications closure, the tray including a splice mounting mechanism configured to receive a splice device. The splice holder device also includes first and second fiber clamps disposed on the tray, wherein the first and second fiber clamps are each configured to releasably secure a buffered portion of an optical fiber. The tray can include a single splice device, such as a mechanical splice, mounted therein or can include a plurality of splice devices mounted therein. The splice holder device can be configured to be securedly mounted in a telecommunications enclosure.

Abstract: Provided is a spliced-on connector system which includes a connector body, an incoming fiber which is spliced to the connector body, a splice sleeve which covers a splice point at which the incoming fiber is spliced to the connector body, and an extender tube which covers the splice sleeve. Also provided is a method of producing the spliced-on connector system; a holder including a depression which holds a connector body in a position in which the connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the holder being disposed inside a splicer which splices the connector body to the incoming fiber; and a splicer including a tube heater which heat-shrinks a splice sleeve over a splice point at which a connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the tube heater accommodating the connector holder which holds the connector body.

Abstract: There are provided fiber optic local convergence points (“LCPs”) adapted for use with multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) that facilitate relatively easy installation and/or optical connectivity to a relatively large number of subscribers. The LCP includes a housing mounted to a surface, such as a wall, and a cable assembly with a connector end to be optically connected to a distribution cable and a splitter end to be located within the housing. The splitter end includes at least one splitter and a plurality of subscriber receptacles to which subscriber cables may be optically connected. The splitter end of the cable assembly of the LCP may also include a splice tray assembly and/or a fiber optic routing guide. Furthermore, a fiber distribution terminal (“FDT”) may be provided along the subscriber cable to facilitate installation of the fiber optic network within the MDU.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder automatically corrects the tendency of a buffered optical fiber to bend, can position an optical fiber so as to make contact with the V groove, and can readily perform an operation for positioning the optical fiber. The optical fiber holder includes a base stage having a groove configured and arranged to accommodate a buffered optical fiber or an optical fiber ribbon; and a lid that is disposed above the groove. The lid is openable and closeable and has a restraining member. The restraining member includes a contacting part configured and arranged to bend the buffered optical fiber or optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (1) for forming a mechanical splice between first and second bare optical fibers (9) stripped of coatings, the connector comprising a connector body that is divided into at least two parts (3, 5) along at least part of a length thereof arranged such that the optical fibers may be clamped between the parts, and the connector body comprises at least two independently openable main clamping sections (23) dimensioned to clamp directly onto the bare fiber of the first and second optical fibers, and the connector body includes at least one additional clamping section (25) dimensioned to clamp onto a coated portion of one of the optical fibers, and the clamping sections are arranged such that the first optical fiber may be clamped by a first of the main clamping sections independently of the second optical fiber, enabling the clamping of the first fiber against rotational and axial movement with respect to the connector body to remain substantially undisturbed by subsequent clamping or unc

Abstract: An splice enclosure for supporting a splice between the ends of a pair of fiber optic drop cables includes at least one longitudinally-extending flexible support member extending across the splice, a cover member which covers the splice and which overlaps the jackets of the two cables, and at least one collar. Each collar has a central aperture through which the buffer tube of a cable can be passed, at least one aperture for receiving a strength member of one of the cables, and at least one aperture for receiving an end of a support member. The support members preferably have similar or identical dimensions, composition and flexibility as the strength members of the cables so as to substantially preserve the flexibility of the cable across the splice. Also disclosed are kits for forming enclosures for optical fiber splices and methods for enclosing optical fiber splices.