Abstract: Disclosed is a network interface device having wire connections encased in a potting compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying filling compound or the like to a rotating optical ribbon stack comprising a stationary bearing through which a viscous substance is applied under pressure, a rotatable journal, and a ribbon wiping die secured within the journal through which a light waveguide ribbon stack may be passed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light waveguide having one end over which the fiber coating is removed, the prestripped light waveguide contained in an optical transmission cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic cable in which a plurality of buffer tubes each contain optical fibers and a filling compound. The cable outer jacket and the coating on a central member are each made from a flame resistant plastic material. The cable has an NEC listing of OFNR.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cable reel having a dismountable end flange mounted on the same side of the hub as a fixed annular flange. The reel can be rolled on the annular flange when the dismountable flange is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating light waveguide ends in which the light waveguide is mechanically polished and thereafter the reflectance of the light waveguide is reduced by vaporizing at least some glass at the light waveguide end by the use of a laser beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for making a loose tube buffered optical fiber, the apparatus comprising an extrusion crosshead having an inlet and exit port connecting a plastic flow passageway circumscribing another passageway in which there is disposed a grease injection unit having three concentrically disposed tubes, the first tube delimiting a path for optical fiber travel, the first and second tubes spaced apart from one another forming a travel path therebetween for jelly or grease-like hydrocarbon filling material and the third tube (circumscribing the first and second tube) forming a chamber at a terminal end portion, the chamber in communication with the travel paths of both the grease and optical fibers and in which the grease comes in contact with the optical fibers, the chamber being so disposed that the contact point of the grease and fibers is only after the grease and fibers have traveled a majority of the length of the grease injection unit.

Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an installation fixture for preassembly of a portion of a fiber optic connector. The fixture can be separately assembled including a ferrule, a ferrule holder, coupling hardware, and heat shrinkable tubing to seat an optical fiber during curing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic attenuator for holding two fiber optic ferrules such that the longitudinal axes of the ferrules are laterally offset by a predetermined distance. The attenuator housing is compatible with standard fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector assembly tool that performs three assembly functions on FC and ST type connectors having a factory installed fiber in response to moving a handle from a first to a second position, namely activating an optical fiber alignment device (a slider) to align an optical fiber of a given cable with a factory installed fiber in a connector and securing such alignment in place by crimping a crimp tube disposed about the cable sought to be connectorized while maintaining an abutment between the factory installed fiber of the connector and the optical fiber sought to be connected to the connector, such tool comprising a base, a car slideably disposed on the base moveable from a first to a second position, a handle pivotably mounted on the base slideably engageable with the car and moveable from a first to a second position, a stop device on the base engageable with the handle when the car is in the second position and a fiber holder affixed to the base and spaced apart from the car and stop devic

Abstract: Disclosed is a light waveguide ribbon mold having a nozzle port shaped to closely receive the heated nozzle of a portable melt adhesive gun. Light waveguides are pulled by hand through a slot in the mold so that the melt adhesive forms a ribbon matrix around the light waveguide. The ribbon cools and hardens upon exiting from the mold.

Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.

Abstract: Described is a furcation kit for a multiple optical fiber cable. The cable end is secured by a mechanical compression fitting and optical fibers are routed into one or more plugs each having a plurality of single optical fiber passages. A protective shell is mechanically secured around the area of furcation. The kit eliminates the need for epoxies, and capsulants, and thereby decreases the time needed for installation of the furcations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for polishing fiber optic connectors. After a light waveguide distal end is mechanically ground and/or polished, the distal end is slightly melted in order to reduce reflectance. Melting may be induced by a laser, microtorch, or electric arc.

Abstract: A simplified loose tube fiber optic cable, and a method for making the cable, is disclosed. A plurality of transmission units, each including a plurality of light waveguides and filling compound in a buffer tube, are provided. The transmission units are stranded together with a plurality of tensile yarns coated with a hardenable material. After the hardenable material is cured, an outer tube is extruded over the buffer tubes and coated tensile yarns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light waveguide splice closure having lifting handles for removing the closure end cap. The closure contains an open top vessel for holding waterblocking material.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon composite, each ribbon joined to adjacent ribbon by a flexible web member, the web member having sufficient length so that the optical fiber ribbons can be moved to positions where the plane delimited by the optical fibers of any given ribbon is spaced apart from, but generally parallel with the plane(s) delimited by the optical fibers of the other ribbons of the composite. One or more of the composites is used as a component of a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network interface unit which includes customer bridges and an array of circuits such as maintenance termination units (MTUs). The MTUs are provided on printed circuit boards, each including a male and female connector. Each board is inserted in between posts in the unit housing so that the female connectors plug into a mother board at the bottom. Jack wires are plugged into the male connectors and extend to the customer bridge portion of the unit.