Abstract: A setting mechanism for a triggering device employs a knob fixed to a rotating part of the triggering device. The knob carries a selector lever that is pivotable to radially project from the knob in angularly spaced directions. Arcuate walls surround the knob to define gaps corresponding to alternative rotational periods for the knob. The selector is pivoted to travel in one or the other gap. The selected rotational period may correspond to a predetermined time.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped rotator is provided that can hold either a fiber or a fiber holder along its central axis. A drive roller running parallel to the central axis of the rotator drives the rotator. The diameter of the portion of the drive roller that operates on the rotator is smaller than the diameter of the rotator, so that even large rotational movement of the drive roller produces only small rotational movement of the rotator. The rotator may have a friction band wrapped about its circumference. The drive roller then contacts the friction band directly to rotate the rotator. Alternately, the drive roller may be connected to the rotator by a belt, chain, gear or the like. The rotator may also have markings on its surface, so that the rotational orientation of the rotator and rotational movement of the rotator can be identified. The markings may be binary markings that can be automatically recognized by, for example, a conventional bar code reader.

Abstract: Disclosed is a static line snap comprising an elongated body having front and rear portions separated by an attachment portion. The attachment portion defines an attachment cavity with a lock end. A slot is defined by the front portion for entry to and exit from the cavity. An outer gate is mounted to the body front portion for pivotal movement between a lock position and a load position. An inner gate is mounted to the body rear portion for pivotal movement between a lock position and a load position. Pivotal movement of the outer gate toward the load position forces the inner gate toward the load position. Each gate is independently biased toward the lock position.

Abstract: An adjustable cable slitting tool for longitudinally slitting optical fiber buffer tubes and other precision cables includes a T-shaped body and a guide that slides relative to the body to hold and guide the cable to be slit in a guide channel. A slitting blade is mounted on a blade carriage that can be precisely adjusted with an adjustment screw to control the depth the slitting blade projects into the guide channel. A scale and indicator marks allow the desired depth of cut to be adjusted with precision by comparing indicator marks on the adjustment screw with the scale and other indicator marks on the tool body. The adjustment screw has a tapered portion that drives the blade carriage through a single contact point via a ball bearing. A deformable pad material in contact with a threaded portion of the adjustment screw acts as both a friction adjustment and part of the backlash prevention mechanism.

Abstract: A load lowering descent controller having a fixed cylindrical body or capstan about which a rope or cable is turned. The descent controller allows for lowering of the load at a controlled rate by adjusting the amount of friction between the controller and the rope or cable as a function of rope or cable turning and relative contact with rope or cable engagement surfaces in the controller.

Abstract: A tool for removing insulation from coaxial cable includes a fixed double-edged cutting blade mounted on the tool body and a planar cutting blade that is mounted on a cassette to move perpendicular to the axis of the cable between a cutting position and a non-cutting position. The double-edged cutting blade includes a transverse cutting edge and a longitudinal cutting edge, the transverse cutting edge lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cable and the longitudinal cutting edge lying in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the cable. The planar cutting blade has a cutting edge lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cable. The blades may be mounted on the same end of the tool, requiring that the coaxial cable be inserted only once into the tool, or on opposite ends of the tool.

Abstract: A tool for removing insulation from coaxial cable includes a fixed double-edged cutting blade mounted on the tool body and a planar cutting blade that is mounted on a cassette to move perpendicular to the axis of the cable between a cutting position and a non-cutting position. The double-edged cutting blade includes a transverse cutting edge and a longitudinal cutting edge, the transverse cutting edge lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cable and the longitudinal cutting edge lying in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the cable. The planar cutting blade has a cutting edge lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cable. The blades may be mounted on the same end of the tool, requiring that the coaxial cable be inserted only once into the tool, or on opposite ends of the tool.

Abstract: A slitting and shaving tool for separating a coaxial cable with a curved outer surface from an adjacent cable connected to it with a web of insulating material. The tool includes a slitting blade for cutting through the web to separate the cables and a shaving blade with a curved cutting edge for shaving off excess web material to leave a smooth cylindrical outer surface on the coaxial cable. The tool is hinged to swing open, allowing the tool to be used at intermediate locations along the length of a messengered cable. A cable guide surface on the tool body has a double radius to accommodate cables that have a slight bend. The shaving blade is adjustable towards and away from the cable being shaved. A relief hole allows the shaved excess web material to exit the tool. The relief hole is specially shaped to make it easy to position the curved cutting edge of the shaving blade correctly by locating it in alignment with the apparent perimeter of the relief hole.

Abstract: A handheld coaxial cable trimmer tool has a removable and replaceable blade cartridge. The blade cartridge snaps into the tool with a hook engagement and is easily removed from the tool by pressing on a flexible lever on the top of the tool. The flexible lever has limited motion to protect it and the cartridge from being overstressed.

Abstract: A cable slitter for separating side-by-side cables connected by a web of insulating material, particularly coaxial cables, includes a slitting blade for separating the cables and a shaving blade for removing excess web material. The shaving blade is mounted on a hinge member between a pair of guide projections. The hinge member is mounted on the tool body and swings to an open position to receive the cable to be separated, allowing the cable to be positioned on a second pair of guide projections on the tool body. The hinge member swings to a closed position to pierce the web material and trap the cable between the guide projections on the hinge member and the guide projections on the body. The guide projections act relative to the "valleys" defined by the web material and the outer circumferences of the cables to guide the tool as the tool is moved lengthwise along the cables.

Abstract: A handheld coaxial cable trimmer tool has a removable and interchangeable blade cartridge and support insert so that the tool can easily be used with different types of coaxial cables without the need for additional tools. The cartridge is easily removed from the tool by pressing on a flexible lever on the top of the tool and the support insert snaps in and out of the tool without the need for separate fasteners.

Abstract: A tool for attaching a connector to an end of a cable by compressing the connector axially and driving it into a tapered cavity uses a light rigid O-frame. The tapered cavity is formed in a pair of die halves which are both pivoted to the frame and which are provided with oppositely mounted handles, allowing the dies to be opened by squeezing the handles together. Two different adjustment means are provided and the tool is provided with a full-cycle ratchet mechanism to ensure complete compression of the connector during each use.