Abstract: A fiber optic connector for terminating an optical fiber is disclosed. The connector comprises a housing having opposed first and second ends, and the housing receives the optical fiber at its first end. An elongated member is retainable in the housing, and the elongated member includes a crimpable portion. An insert is disposable within the crimpable portion. The crimpable portion of the elongated member is disposed within the housing, and the crimpable portion includes opposed first and second ends and a point between the first and second ends. The crimpable portion is tapered from the point toward one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A low profile cable tie, preferably a two-piece cable tie, has a low profile locking head with a lateral strap accepting channel and a strap preferably molded with a right angle bend that is retained in this state during non-use. The cable tie has a clean exterior appearance, including a top surface free of openings and a smooth lateral opening. With this cable tie, a strap accepting channel is provided in the locking head that is substantially parallel to a strap attachment axis. The strap accepting channel divides the locking head into a first part, which is secured to the strap, and a second part which contains a locking device. By providing the locking device on the second part, the first part can be made thinner, allowing the strap accepting channel to be closer to the cable bundle being tied.

Abstract: A jack in a telecommunications system for receiving a plug therein, the jack including a housing having an aperture for receiving the plug, a sled having a mating side and a non-mating side, the mating side generally disposed to be accessible from the aperture by the plug, a first plurality of contacts wrapped around the sled so as to extend from the non-mating side of the sled to the mating side of the sled, the first plurality of contacts being accessible by the plug on the mating side of the sled when the plug is inserted into the aperture, a second plurality of contacts wrapped around the sled so as to extend from the non-mating side of the sled to the mating side of the sled, the second plurality of contacts being accessible by the plug on the mating side of the sled when the plug is inserted into the aperture, and a shield disposed generally between the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts on the non-mating side of the sled.

Abstract: A raceway section forms part of a raceway system for routing, protecting and enclosing cabling, and includes a base member, which may be U-shaped, and two split covers independently removably attached to side walls of the base member, such as by a hook and buckle attachment system. The base member defines a cable receiving channel and a longitudinally extending top opening. The split covers each have a laterally extending cover portion, an outside edge portion, and an inside edge portion, wherein the split covers each cover a portion of the longitudinally extending top opening such that a substantial amount of the top opening is covered. The inside edge portions are juxtaposed to form a longitudinally extending slot sufficiently wide to allow the removal or insertion of a cable through the slot without removal of the split covers. For insertion or removal of larger cables or bundles, one or both split covers can be removed.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal printhead mechanism having a stationary spring channel, a top bracket supported by the spring channel, and a printhead mounted to the top bracket. Additionally, the invention may include a cam, a bottom bracket, and a front mounting plate.

Abstract: A metal cable tie is disclosed. The cable tie includes an elongate metallic strap, a metallic locking head, and metallic roller means. The strap has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The head is secured to the first end of the strap for receiving the second end of the strap. The head comprises a strap entry face, a strap exit face, and a strap-receiving aperture extending therebetween. The head further comprises a floor and a roof which diverge in the direction of the exit face. The metallic roller means lockingly engages the strap, and the head comprises retention means disposed adjacent the exit face for captively holding the roller means within the head. The roller means is movable between a threading position wherein the roller means is disposed adjacent the exit face and the retention means, and a locking position wherein the roller means is closer the entry face.

Abstract: A flexible harness wrap for protecting bundles or cables laid therein is disclosed. The harness wrap includes a first row having a first plurality of slots and a second row having a second plurality of slots. A method of making a flexible harness wrap for protecting bundles or cables laid therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable identification system includes a split sleeve label spacer positionable substantially circumferentially around a cable, and an adhesive label securable circumferentially around the label spacer. A method of securing identifying indicia to small diameter fiber optic cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal cable tie is disclosed. The cable tie includes an elongate metallic strap, a metallic locking head, and metallic roller means. The strap has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The head is secured to the first end of the strap for receiving the second end of the strap. The head comprises a strap entry face, a strap exit face, and a strap-receiving aperture extending therebetween. The head further comprises a floor and a roof which diverge in the direction of the exit face. The metallic roller means lockingly engages the strap, and the head comprises retention means disposed adjacent the exit face for captively holding the roller means within the head. The roller means is movable between a threading position wherein the roller means is disposed adjacent the exit face and the retention means, and a locking position wherein the roller means is closer the entry face. The first end of the strap comprises an aperture disposed beneath the locking position of the roller means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a latch and guide rail arrangement that facilitates the insertion and removal of a module into and from a cable management system. This arrangement includes a latch arm assembly provided on a module and a guide rail assembly provided within an enclosure. As the module is inserted into the enclosure, the latch arms of the latch arm assembly mate with the guides of the guide rail assembly to lockingly engage the module with the enclosure. To remove the module from the enclosure, the latch arms are acted upon to release the arms from their mating relationship with the guides. With the present invention, modules can be replaced with great ease. Further, because the latch assembly is provided within the module itself, the latch assembly does not take up valuable space in the horizontal and vertical directions within the enclosure. As a result, the space within the enclosure can be fully utilized to accommodate the greatest number of connectors.

Abstract: A cable duct coupler for coupling a first cable duct section to a second cable duct section without the need for tools, the cable duct coupler comprising a channel portion, a first outer guide element and a second outer guide element, a barb mount extending from at least one of the channel portion and the outer guide elements, and a barb having a body and first and second arms extending from the body, the barb being mounted on the barb mount, wherein at least a portion of the first arm extends at an angle between the first portion of the channel portion and the barb body and at least a portion of the second arm extends at an angle between the second portion of the channel portion and the barb body.

Abstract: A crib including a pair of endwalls and a pair of sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls being descendable to facilitate placing a child into and removing the child from the crib over the descendable sidewall. The descendable sidewall has opposed ends, one of which adjoins one of the pair of endwalls and the other of which adjoins the other of the pair of endwalls. The crib further includes a leg-disposed proximately toward the descendable sidewall adjoins the one of the pair of endwalls and a leg disposed proximately to where the descendable sidewall adjoins the other of the pair of endwalls. The legs support the crib above a generally flat surface and provide clearance between the crib and the generally flat surface, such that the descendable sidewall is descendable toward the flat surface relative to the endwalls. The crib further includes a crib side rail for slidably supporting the descendable sidewall of the crib thereon between the endwalls.

Abstract: The invention is a slack cable management system for use with a cable management system, having a plurality of spools secured along a frame to receive slack cable. The spools have an elongate substantially half-cylindrical shaft having a curved cable-contacting surface, and a terminal flange. A main spool having a substantially cylindrical shaft to provide bend radius control for cable passing over and under the main spool is also included.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for terminating an optical fiber, the connector comprising a housing having opposed first and second ends, the housing receiving the optical fiber at the first end thereof, an elongated member retainable in the housing and extending generally from one of the opposed ends to the other of the opposed ends, the elongated member including a ferrule holding portion proximate the second end of the housing and a crimpable portion distinct from the ferrule holding portion, the crimpable portion being generally aligned with the ferrule holding portion and being closer to the first end of the housing than is the ferrule holding portion, a ferrule disposable within the ferrule holding portion of the elongated member, the ferrule including an aperture running therethrough and being generally aligned with the crimpable portion when the ferrule is disposed within the ferrule holding portion, the ferrule including a polished front face, at least one crimp supporting member disposable within the crimp

Abstract: A fiber optic wall mount cabinet includes a heavy gauge metal enclosure having a back wall, top and bottom walls, side walls, and covers. A patch panel wall disposed substantially parallel to a side wall and extending between the top and bottom wall separates the interior of the cabinet into an incoming chamber and exiting chamber. Both sides of the patch panel wall include a plurality of attachment sites to which a connector mounting plate or bend radius control clip may be releasably secured. The bend radius control clip may comprise a bend radius control arm adapted to prevent bending of fiber optic cables terminated on the patch panel wall. The cabinet further comprises a first cover hingedly connected to the side wall and a second cover hingedly connected to the back wall. In a closed position, both the first cover and second cover completely enclose the incoming chamber and exiting chamber, respectively.

Abstract: A reconfigurable modular bend radius control fixture system allows for customization of bend module sections to achieve a variety of configurations with only a minimal number of different parts. The system includes at least one main section having a curved surface with a predetermined radius that provides a first bend radius control surface and side walls, at least one straight side plate section removably mountable to the side walls of the main section, the side plate section having a side wall that extends beyond the curved surface when mounted, and at least one bend radius control side plate removably mountable to the side walls of the main section. The bend radius control side plate section forms a second bend radius control surface. These sections can be mounted in various configurations to form a bend radius control fixture that can be mounted to a mount member of a cable management system, such as a ladder rack.

Abstract: A two piece cable tie is provided having an improved metal locking device anchoring system. The cable tie includes a strap including a first end and a free end and a locking head secured to the first end of the strap that defines a strap accepting channel in the head having a strap entry end and a strap exit end. The locking head further includes a metal locking device receiving cavity adjacent to and open toward the strap exit end of the locking head and a mounting slot having an inner support wall, an outer support wall and a support slot communicating the mounting slot with the receiving cavity. A metal locking device is mounted through the metal locking device receiving cavity into the mounting slot. The metal locking device has a free end positioned within the strap accepting channel and a fixed end having at least one bent tang protruding outwardly from a surface of the metal locking device. The fixed end having the at least one bent tang is insertable through the support slot.

Abstract: The invention is an improved cable management system having an open frame, such as a telecommunications network rack, a plurality of enclosures for containing fiber optic equipment secured to the frame, at least one cable trough assembly defining a primary horizontal cable pathway, cable fanning guides secured to at least some of the enclosures, and a plurality of cable rings defining a primary vertical cable pathway to collect and route cable emerging from the fanning guides. Additionally, the invention may include a plurality of transverse cable troughs defining a plurality of secondary horizontal cable pathways, a second plurality of cable rings defining secondary vertical cable pathways to collect and route cable to the transverse cable troughs and a slack cable management system having a plurality of spools secured along the frame to receive slack cable.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic connection system including a fiber optic plug adapted to mate and lock with a fiber optic connector. The plug includes a housing and mated insert that cooperate to position and secure the plug pre-assemblies with respect to the plug and to structurally affix the cable strengthener to the plug.

Abstract: A low profile cable tie, preferably a two-piece cable tie, has a low profile locking head with a lateral strap accepting channel and a strap preferably molded with a right angle bend that is retained in this state during non-use. The cable tie has a clean exterior appearance, including a top surface free of openings and a smooth lateral opening. With this cable tie, a strap accepting channel is provided in the locking head that is substantially parallel to a strap attachment axis. The strap accepting channel divides the locking head into a first part, which is secured to the strap, and a second part which contains a locking device. By providing the locking device on the second part, the first part can be made thinner, allowing the strap accepting channel to be closer to the cable bundle being tied.