Abstract: An electrical crimp connector includes a plurality of dimples disposed between an outer surface of a crimping body and an inner surface of a polymeric envelope, with an insulating gel being disposed in a space between the crimping body and the envelope formed by the dimples. Upon crimping the connector, the insulating gel is forced into an interior cavity of the connector thus insulating wires being crimped.

Abstract: A heating element having a positive temperature coefficient conductive polymer with positive and negative electrodes formed on opposite faces thereof includes a high tensile strength coating layer on the electrodes. Buss bars are electrically connected to their respective electrode by stapling, with staples forming burrs in the buss bar which penetrate the coating layer and electrically connect with the corresponding electrode.

Abstract: A signal coupler for buffered optical fibers comprises a soft, transparent, polymeric rod against which the fiber is pressed by a rigid "key" having regularly spaced protrusions which induce periodic microbending of the fiber. An optical signal passing down the fiber may be coupled into the polymeric rod by the key pressing the fiber into the rod, and the signal extracted from the end of the rod. A similar process may be used to inject an optical signal into the fiber. The coupler may be used either as a termination for a fiber or as part of a non-destructive tap. The induced attenuation and the intensity of the extracted signal may be varied by varying the pressure on the key.

Abstract: A coupling assembly and a method of connecting and terminating coaxial cable is disclosed herein. The coupling assembly includes a connector body having a mating area for the cable, a driver, means for urging the driver and the body toward each other, a compressive member positioned between the connector body and driver which is deformable and which has sufficient compressive strength to deform the cable jacket. When the compressive member is deformed by the driver the compressive force from the member is focused by the connector body to deform the cable at the mating area and to provide an environmental seal and EMI seat between the cable and coupling assembly.

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 tap which is especially useful as a node in a ring topology data processing system. The tap, which does not interrupt the physical continuity of the fiber, has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a signal passing down the optical fiber passes through the tap without alteration. In the closed position, a signal passing down the optical fiber is extracted through a first bend which is put into the fiber by the tap; the extracted signal, or an electrical counterpart thereof, is processed and a counterpart of the extracted signal, or a new signal obtained by operating on the extracted signal, e.g. in a data processor, is injected into the fiber through a second bend which is put into the fiber by the tap.

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 heat-shrinkable article comprising (1) a heat-shrinkable layer of polymeric material, (2) a laminar heater which comprises a conductive polymer layer sandwiched between apertured metal electrodes and which is secured to the inner surface of the layer, and (3) a member which is secured to the inside of the heater and which protects a substrate from damage caused by the heater when the layer shrinks. The protective member (3) has a first shape before the layer shrinks and a second shape after the layer shrinks. The member possesses sufficient strength to resist piercing by the electrodes when the layer shrinks. Such articles are particularly useful for enclosing splices in telephone cables.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable article carrying a thermoplastic polymeric material and a heat-softenable adhesive of smaller thickness and lower softening or melting point than the polymeric material is used to encapsulate objects such as joints in cables. The heat-softenable adhesive allows low installation temperature while the polymeric material allows excellent cycling performance to be maintained. The article may be in the form of a wrap-around sleeve.

Abstract: An assembly for enclosing a telecommunication cable splice comprising a wraparound sleeve having longitudinal edges which can be brought together and secured by for example a metal channel. A seal is made between these edges by an internal sealing member which bridges the abutting edges of the sleeve and is urged into contact with the sleeve by expansive urging means between the sealing member and underlying cable splice. The urging means is preferably a foam strip.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable polymeric sheet is coated with a solid sheet of heat-activatable sealant by heating the sheet preferably to a temperature above the crystalline melt point of the polymer, applying, preferably by means of a roller, the sealant sheet to the heated polymer sheet while the polymer sheet is at a temperature capable of activating the sealant so as to adhere it to the polymer sheet. The polymer sheet may be flame-brushed after heating and before application of the sheet of sealant. The technique is particularly useful for sheets intended as wrap-around sleeves for use as enclosures, and which thus have closure rails adjacent opposing longitudinal edges thereof.

Abstract: Aluminum-shielded coaxial cable is repaired by using a wraparound metallic sheet, such as copper, having a contact means on the sheet, such as "dragon skin" brass strips, and a sealing means, such as a mastic. The metallic sheet provides the electrical continuity and radio frequency shielding and the sealing means provides the environmental seal to prevent moisture from entering the opening in the aluminum shield. The sheet and contact means are held in position by compression means, such as clamps, and the sheet and compression means can then be covered with a wraparound heat-recoverable closure to protect the entire assembly.

Abstract: A method of transmitting light which has a substantial component having a wavelength below 300 nm includes passing said light through an optical fiber which has a core of synthetic fused silica containing between 500 and 1500 ppm water and a cladding of fluorine-doped synthetic fused silica. Apparatus employing such a fiber is also described.

Abstract: A method and device for organizing a bight of an optical fiber and the like at a splice or slack point is provided. The method comprises wrapping the bight about a cylindrical core to form a helix or a pair of helices of opposite handedness, thereby both minimizing the diameter of a container necessary to enclose that bight and maximizing the bend radius of the fiber. The bight may be laid on a sheet for convenient wrapping, and a plurality of fibers per sheet, sheets per core, or cores per splice may be used if the number of fibers to be organized is large. A ready means of encapsulation is also provided.

Abstract: A wraparound recoverable closure, wherein a portion of the closure is not recovered against a substrate, which has a flap to seal across the gap between the abutting edge portions of the closure. Where the closure does not recover against and contact a substrate, the flap does not seal adequately for some applications. This invention provides means for supporting the flap to improve the seal. The preferred embodiment is a bag inside the closure which contains a resilient liner which supplies pressure on the flap to seal the flap across said gap.

Abstract: A method and device for organizing the bight of an optical fiber and the like at a splice or slack point is provided. The method comprises laying the bight on a sheet in such a fashion that, when the sheet is wrapped about itself (and, generally, about a cylindrical core) in a spiral fashion, the radius of any bend in the fiber is greater than the minimum bending radius; and wrapping the sheet about itself (and the core). The method is suitable for both in-line and butt splices between fiber optic cables, and a ready means of encapsulation is also provided.

Abstract: A device for enclosing elongate objects comprises a dimensionally-recoverable cover which can be wrapped-around the object and closed by means of closure elements located on the cover. The closure elements are preferably in the form of a row of protuberances spaced apart along the edge portions of the cover the protuberances of one edge portion being nestable within the protuberances of the other edge portion. The protuberances are preferably provided with retaining elements which lock the nested protuberances together and will accommodate relative movement between adjacent pairs of nested protuberances to allow the device to be recovered onto objects of varying dimensions.

Abstract: A flame coloring device makes a flame, such as a flame from a propane burner, visible even when the burner is used outdoors or in a bright environment. The device includes a carrier adapted for placement on the burner barrel and a solid colorant emitter such as sodium chloride supported by the carrier. When the carrier and colorant emitter are heated by the burner flame, the emitter emits a material that provides visible light, thereby defining the flame.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing and protection of cable splices comprising a recoverable, preferably heat-recoverable outer sleeve 5 surrounding a cable or other body 1; a thermoplastic support layer 7 surrounding the body 1 and within the sleeve 5; and a heat barrier layer, preferably foamed, between the support 7 and the sleeve 5, to prevent thermal deformation of the support 7 during heat recovery of the sleeve or during other heat treatment 5.