Abstract: A fiber cable retention mechanism for securing an optical fiber cable to an optical fiber connector includes a sleeve assembly having a longitudinal axis. The sleeve assembly has an inner passageway which is disposed along the axis and sized to receive the cable connecting end of the connector. The assembly is further sized to securely receive at least a portion of the cable between the assembly and the cable connecting end.

Abstract: A fiber optic enclosure cabinet is disclosed having a housing with walls defining an interior. An opening is formed through the housing permitting access to the interior. An access panel is sized to cover the opening and secure it to the housing to selectively cover and expose the opening at an option of an operator. A plurality of platters are disposed within the interior and slidably mounted to extend through the access opening and be completely returned to the interior at an option of an operator. Each of the platters carries an optical fiber splice tray and an optical fiber take-up spool.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing access to plurality of telecommunication lines. The apparatus includes a frame which carries a plurality of normally closed contacts. The telecommunication lines are terminated on the normally closed contacts. A plurality of modules are provided to be releasably attached to the frame with electrical circuit elements on the modules engaging the normally closed contacts to open the contacts and create a new signal path through the module upon insertion of the module into the frame.

Abstract: A below ground fiber cable management system includes a base member having corrosion-resistant walls defining a base member interior. A termination box is provided sized to be received within the interior. A box actuator moves the termination box from said interior to permit access to said box and access to the base member interior.

Abstract: A fail-safe device is provided for an overvoltage protector element where the protector includes a body having first and second contact surfaces and a tip lead, a ring lead and a ground lead extending from the body. The fail-safe device includes a heat deformable dielectric base and an electrically conducted spring member having first and second contact ends. The base is disposed against the element body with the base having first and second spacer ends separating the spring's first and second ends from the protector body's first and second contact surfaces.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module is disclosed having a chassis with walls defining a chassis interior and with an access opening exposing the interior. A connector panel is provided sized to cover the access opening with the panel pivotally secured on one side to the chassis for the panel to be pivoted between an open and closed position. A plurality of fiber optic connectors are carried on the panel for pivotal movement therewith.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector is shown with connector elements dimensioned and having material selected to accommodate thermal expansion to certain alignment of elements. Also, the elements are selected to accommodate compressive force to ensure a desired distribution of compressive forces between a ferrule and a fiber. The balancing ensures that the fiber and the ferrule retain a desired alignment with desired opposing forces. Also, a non-circular split sleeve of uniform wall thickness dimensions is provided to ensure uniform pressure distribution on a fiber ferrule. The split sleeve is also offset to accommodate offsetting tendencies of fibers being aligned within the split sleeve.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly includes Bantam Jack-type spring assemblies carried in a housing. Coax cables connect the spring assemblies to coax connectors carried on the module.

Abstract: In an optical fiber connector subassembly, a ferrule is received within a hollow cylindrical crimp. The ferrule has a bore extending through the ferrule with a longitudinal slot formed within the ferrule exposing a portion of the bore. The crimp is provided with first and second crimping portions. The first crimping portion extends into the slot and opposes the ferrule bore. The second crimping portion is diametrically opposed to the first crimping portion and opposes an exterior surface of the ferrule. Application of a force to the sides of the crimp causes the first and second crimping portions to be spaced apart a distance sufficient to insert a fiber within the ferrule bore. Release of the force causes the first and second crimping portions to be biased toward one another to securely crimp the fiber within the ferrule.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-blocking event reporting from event reporting units to a monitoring circuit includes a first and second common wire coupling the units to the monitoring circuit. A constant level signal is generated on the first wire and a pulse signal is generated on the second wire. The monitoring circuit detects the level and pulse signals and reports multiple overlapping events occuring at the event reporting units.

Abstract: A fail-safe device is provided for a thyristor where the thryistor has a body member with extending tip, ring and ground leads. The fail-safe device includes an electrically conductive spring member having first, second and third contact ends. The spring member is sized to be fitted over the thyristor body with the first contact end opposing the tip lead, the second contact end opposing the ring lead and the third contact end opposing the ground lead. A dielectric spacer is provided disposed to space the first and second contact ends from the tip and ring leads. The spacer means is formed from a material selected to deform under a force of the bias of the spring at an elevated temperature generated in response to the thyristor failing to ground the tip or ring leads during an overvoltage condition.

Abstract: A switching coax jack is disclosed having a housing which contains first and second spaced apart electrical conductors. At least a first port is formed in the jack housing and sized to receive a jack plug which is inserted through the port into the housing with a jack plug in electrical communication with the first conductor. A switch assembly contains a normal spring for connecting the first and second conductors. The spring is resiliently deformable away from electrical engagement with the first and second conductors. As the spring deforms, it assumes a deformed shape. The switch assembly includes a support surface opposing the normal spring and having a shape complimentary to the deformed shape of the normal spring.

Abstract: A telephone jack assembly is disclosed having a frame and a plurality of spring contacts. The plurality of spring contacts include tip and ring contacts and normal spring contacts. The normal spring contacts include body portions and offset portions which are generally parallel to and spaced from one another. The spring contacts and normal spring contacts are carried on said frame for the offset portions of the normal contacts to oppose and abut the spring contacts in their rest positions.

Abstract: A method of construction is disclosed for an optical switch having a first and second array of optical fibers held in axial alignment and relatively rotatable about an axis of rotation to effect optical coupling and decoupling of fibers of the opposing arrays. The method provides for polishing terminal ends of fibers of the arrays. The method includes holding the array against a complimentarily shaped reference surface while polishing with a polishing medium disposed between the surface and the array.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module is disclosed having a chassis with walls defining a channis interior and with an access opening exposing the interior. A connector panel is provided sized to cover the access opening with the panel pivotally secured on one side to the chassis for the panel to be pivoted between an open and closed position. A plurality of fiber optic connectors are carried on the panel for pivotal movement therewith.

Abstract: A high density digital signal cross-connect module is disclosed. A plurality of jacks are carried on the module and disposed with jack sleeves being in generally horizontal aligned positions. The jacks are disposed in a vertical column in side-by-side relation. The orientation of the jacks permits a higher DSX density in the module.

Abstract: A cable routing system is disclosed having a plurality of troughs. Each of the troughs includes walls cooperating to define a cable pathway. The trough has attachment members secured to the walls. The attachment members present cooperating surfaces which receive a mounting bracket of predetermined dimensions. The trough and attachment members are extruded such that the same cooperating members are presented along the entire longitudinal dimension of the wall. The cable routing system is designed to carry optical fiber cables.

Abstract: A splice cabinet is disclosed having a chassis with a plurality of drawers slidably mounted in the chassis. Each of the drawers has a splice tray and a take-up spool slidably mounted on the drawer.