Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling outward movement of flexible walls defining an enclosed chamber of a device inflatable by air or other compressible fluid, the outward movement occurring in response to application of an external force over portions of a flexible wall to decrease the volume and increase the internal pressure of the chamber. Spring-like couplings, preferably in the form of elastic members such as "rubber bands," are attached at spaced points to portions of the flexible, relatively moveable walls inside and/or outside the chamber. The couplings are so attached as to be expanded or stretched by relative movement of the flexible wall portions as the external force is applied, whereby the members exert a force resiliently opposing movement of the flexible walls in response to the increase in internal pressure caused by application of the external force.

Abstract: A bare fiber adapter for holding an end portion of an optical fiber in a predetermined position. A pair of gripper members are pivotally attached to a support member for relative movement to engage and disengage the fiber between opposed gripping surfaces. An axial ferrule fiber optic connector is attached to the support member which is adapted to accept any of a plurality of industry-standard styles of such connectors. A locking member in the nature of a hollow sleeve is movable with respect to the support and gripping members to releasably lock the latter in the fiber-engaging position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring circumferential surface dimensions of workpieces. A circular table is mounted with its upper surface in a horizontal plane for both rotational and reciprocal vertical movement. A plurality of through slots in the table extend radially with respect to its central axis of rotation. A like plurality of gripper fingers having both vertical and angularly disposed edges are affixed to a common cable for radial movement with respect to the table axis. When the table is in its upper position the fingers are positioned below corresponding ones of the slots, and when in the lower position portions of the fingers extend through the slots. As the fingers are moved toward the workpiece it is engaged by and rides up the angularly disposed edges until it abuts the vertical edges of the fingers. While the workpiece is supported above the table surface, one or more wheels rotatable about vertical axes are moved to engage the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A novel die member for positioning in a uniformly tapering, frustoconical portion of a through bore in a body member of co-extrusion, cross-head coating apparatus. The die member has an external surface with a first, frustoconical portion dimensioned for mating engagement with the body member bore extending from the front end of the die member and tapering outwardly to terminate in a plane parallel to and intermediate of the planes of the front and rear ends of the member. A second, cylindrical, external surface portion, of smaller diameter than the adjacent, larger end of the first surface portion, extends to the rear end of the die member. An annular groove of substantially semi-circular cross section extends into and 360.degree. about the second surface portion rearwardly adjacent the first surface portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining presence or absence of light activity in an optical fiber without separation or disconnection thereof from other fibers or from apparatus to which the fiber is connected, and without interruption of transmission. The method involves contacting the fiber with a probe and moving it laterally to produce a macro-bend at which a portion of light traveling through the fiber, if any, escapes from the fiber. The escaping light is reflected from a concave surface in a fixture through which the fiber passes and is detected by a photocell in the probe which contacts and moves the fiber. The probe is engageable with the fixture in either of two rotational orientations to receive light reflected from two different areas of the reflecting surface, thereby indicating the direction of light travel. Initial calibration and positional adjustment of the probe relative to the fixture also permits determination of light intensity.

Abstract: A fixture of disc-like form for holding connector mounted optical fiber ferrules. When the connector is attached to the fixture, the ends of the ferrule and fiber extend slightly beyond the plane of the bottom surface of the fixture so that the end surfaces may be polished by movement of the fixture over a sheet of polishing paper. The ferrule, and consequently the fiber, are rotationally locked to the fixture to prevent relative movement therebetween during the polishing operation by an element removably positionable in cooperative engagement with the disc. The element is rotationally locked to both the disc and the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A device for releasably connecting ferrle-mounted optical fibers in optical communication to other such fibers or to optical equipment having the same or different styles of connector assemblies, for purposes of conducting testing, calibration and similar operations of the fibers. The device essentially comprises a plurality of optical fiber connector assemblies and a single mounting sleeve. Each of the connector assemblies includes structure compatible with a particular form of fiber optic ferrule, and an externally threaded portion at one end. The mounting sleeve is hollow at both ends and internally threaded over a portion of its axial length from each end. The internal threads adjacent one end of the sleeve are engageable with the exteral threads on each of the connector assemblies, whereby any one of such assemblies may be threadedly engaged to a predetermined depth with one end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A universal coupling device compatible with several industry-standard fiber optic connector styles to releasably couple the axial ferrule of one such connector in optical communication with the ferrule of another connector of the same or different style, or with the connector port of industry-standard test equipment. The device includes a split-spring bushing for receiving, in frictional engagement, a standard ferrule in either or both ends, and housing means defining a cavity closely surrounding the bushing and having coaxial bores aligned with the busing. The housing means is formed in two sections, mutually engageable by threaded or snap-fit connection. A spacer member may be positioned in the bushing to provide an air gap for controlled attenuation of light passing through the fibers of ferrules coupled by the device.

Abstract: A cross-head die for applying one or more layers of coating materials to a single, longitudinally fed, filamentary member, or to a plurality of such members in spaced, side-by-side relation. Tip and die members of relatively flat, wafer-like configuration are placed in a cylindrical cavity of the body member of the apparatus with central openings in each of the tip and die members coaxially arranged and a protrusion surrounding the opening in the tip extending into the opening in the die. Flowable coating material is injected through a radial opening in the body member and flows in both directions about an annular passageway formed by cooperatively arranged grooves in the peripheries of the tip and die members. The coating material flows from the annular passageway to the die aperture through opposing, spaced, angularly arranged surfaces on the tip and die members.

Abstract: A cross-head die for applying one or more layers of coating materials to a single, longitudinally fed, filamentary member, or to a plurality of such members in spaced, side-by-side relation. Tip and die members of relatively flat, wafer-like configuration are placed in a cylindrical cavity of the body member of the apparatus with central openings in each of the tip and die members coaxially arranged and a protrusion surrounding the opening in the tip extending into the opening in the die. Flowable coating material is injected through a radial opening in the body member and flows in both directions about an annular passageway formed by cooperatively arranged grooves in the peripheries of the tip and die members. The coating material flows from the annular passageway to the die aperture through opposing, spaced, angularly arranged surfaces on the tip and die members.

Abstract: Co-extrusion cross-head die apparatus for applying two coating materials in inner and outer layers to an electrical wire, or the like. A body member has a through, axial bore in which a tip and die members, with respective tip and die holders, are positioned. A pair of radial bores, with which sources of two flowable coating materials communicate, extend from the exterior of the body member to the axial bore. The first coating material flows forwardly of the apparatus through a first flow passage, the second coating material flows rearwardly through a second flow passage, and the two materials flow forwardly, in superposed relation, through a third flow passage from a confluence of the first and second passages to an orifice in the die member where they are deposited in uniform, inner and outer layers, on the wire.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling outward movement of flexible walls defining an enclosed chamber of a device inflatable by air or other compressible fluid, the outward movement occurring in response to application of an external force over portions of a flexible wall to decrease the volume and increase the internal pressure of the chamber. Spring-like couplings, preferably in the form of elastic members such as "rubber bands," are attached at spaced points to portions of the flexible, relatively moveable walls inside and/or outside the chamber. The couplings are so attached as to be expanded or stretched by relative movement of the flexible wall portions as the external force is applied, whereby the members exert a force resiliently opposing movement of the flexible walls in response to the increase in internal pressure caused by application of the external force.

Abstract: An insert is located in the forming groove of the tire bead former so that the first convolutions of the wire, which form the tire bead, are wound on the insert as the tire bead former is rotated, the insert having an upstanding side portion which defines a space in the inner surface of the formed tire bead which receives the gripped inner terminal end of the wire when the formed tire bead is remove from the tire bead former.

Abstract: A reinforcing and support system and method of installation thereof including both a mechanical expansion anchor on the distal end of an elongated bolt and a resin grouting mix installed in a blind drill hole in a mine roof, or the like. A pair of elongated leg members, fixed with respect to the shell, extend into the annular space surrounding the bolt below the shell for a distance about as great as the axial length of the shell. Upon advance of the bolt, carrying the expansion anchor and leg members, into the drill hole to break a cartridge containing the initially flowable components of the grouting material, the bolt is rotated to effect expansion of the anchor and tensioning of the bolt. Mixing of the components in the annular space surrounding the bolt below the anchor as the bolt is rotated is enhanced by hydraulic turbulence produced by flow of the components about the leg members.

Abstract: A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device in the form of a duplex wall receptacle. A pair of electrically conducting members in the form of small buss bars each carry two, spaced contacts. The buss bars are moveable to bring their respective contacts into and out of engagement with fixed contacts on the hot and neutral terminals on the line and load sides of the receptacle. The buss bars are biased toward movement to the circuit-breaking position by respective coil springs extending through openings in a separator member dividing the interior of the receptacle housing into front and rear compartments. One end of each spring rests upon a respective buss bar and the other end is contacted by an integral portion of the front housing section, the springs being compressed to apply a biasing force to the buss bars only upon placing the front housing section in mating engagement with the rear section.

Abstract: A mobile storage cabinet in combination with a shelf structure horizontally and vertically adjustable with respect to the cabinet. In a first embodiment, the shelf structure comprises an inner cabinet having vertically spaced shelves slidingly mounted therein. In the stored position, the inner cabinet including shelves rests inside the outer cabinet beneath the top surface thereof; in the extended position, the inner cabinet rests forwardly of the outer cabinet and may be further moved vertically between fully lowered and raised positions. In a second embodiment, a unitary shelf is horizontally and vertically adjustable with respect to the cabinet, this embodiment being especially useful as a work table while the first embodiment is especially useful for transporting and storing equipment.

Abstract: A keypad structure includes a printed circuit board with a plurality of miniature push-button switches mounted thereon in a predetermined array with the operating surfaces of the buttons substantially in a common plane. An array of holes is formed in a layer material termed a spacer member which is releasably secured to the pcb with the wall defining each hole surrounding a corresponding switch. A plurality of openings is formed in a template sheet which is adhesively secured to the spacer member. The openings in the template sheet are of larger diameter than the holes in the spacer member and provide a positioning guide for dome-type spring members which are supported on the spacer member and overlie the respective operating surfaces of the switch buttons. A flexible, outer sheet is adhesively secured to the outer surface of the template sheet, capturing the springs between the spacer member and the outer sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning the terminal end surface of a cleaved optical fiber in a predetermined plane relative to a base fiber adapter which serves to interface the fiber surface with optical test equipment, or the like. The bare fiber adapter includes a pair of gripping members having opposed surfaces of resilient material movable into and out of engagement with an end portion of the fiber. A so-called connector module at the forward end of the adapter has an axial passageway for the fiber and is configured for releasable coupling to a fixture having a polished surface which serves as an abutment or stop for the end of the fiber when it is advanced through the passageway of the adapter connector module. Versatility is provided by releasable coupling of the connector modules to the gripping portion of the adapter, thereby permitting use of a variety of interchangeable connector modules configured for cooperative engagement with various types of test equipment and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding an insulated electrical wire, or the like, axially with respect to a transverse plane in which a single pair of blade cutting edges are supported for movement toward and away from the axis of the wire. Each blade has a continuous cutting edge forming the periphery of an opening through the blade. The wire is advanced a predetermined distance through the aligned blade openings by a pair of conveyors on opposite sides of the plane of the blade edges. The blades are moved in opposite directions to sever a premeasured length of wire from the supply by first portions of each blade edge. The severed wire portion is then moved by the conveyors to a second axial position and the blades are again moved to cause second portions of the cutting edges to pass partially through the layer of insulation, stopping before contacting the conductor. Axial movement of the wire then causes the engaged blades to sever a slug of insulation and strip it partially or fully from the conductor.