Abstract: A conduit for housing an optical waveguide is described comprising a rectangular cross-sectional exterior configuration and a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical interior bore. Also described is a method of installing a fiber optic conduit system, including forming a bundle of said conduits arranged as a stack one conduit in width, and forming a trunk line and at least one branch line. Also disclosed is a node housing for an optical waveguide network and a junction protector for an optical waveguide network installation comprising a hollow structure configured to retain a plurality of waveguide conduits, said protector comprising a trunk portion having open ends to receive first and second waveguide conduits, and a branch portion having an open end to receive a third wave guide conduit.

Abstract: A fiber optic network system for a multi-staged installation to a plurality of present and future user locations includes an aggregation point, a trunk line with a plurality of optic fiber cables leading from the aggregation point and at least one branch junction location to serve a future cable user. The trunk line includes at least one dark cable having a free end for removal from the branch junction location. The trunk line includes a trunk conduit having opposing side walls defining an interior space between the side walls for housing the cables. The conduit is configured to permit withdrawal of the length of dark cable from the conduit at a stage subsequent to installation of the trunk line to form a branch leading to the future user location. The dark cable stored within the interior of the conduit has sufficient length to reach the location of the future user.

Abstract: A conduit for housing an optical waveguide is described comprising a rectangular cross-sectional exterior configuration and a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical interior bore. Also described is a method of installing a fibre optic conduit system, including forming a bundle of said conduits arranged as a stack one conduit in width, and forming a trunk line and at least one branch line. Also disclosed is a node housing for an optical waveguide network and a junction protector for an optical waveguide network installation comprising a hollow structure configured to retain a plurality of waveguide conduits, said protector comprising a trunk portion having open ends to receive first and second waveguide conduits, and a branch portion having an open end to receive a third wave guide conduit.

Abstract: A dust collector is provided for use with a SLAB saw, especially suited for dry-cutting a channel within pavement or similar exterior surface. The collector includes telescoping upper and lower housings, an open front and lower base to receive a portion of a circular saw into the interior of the housing, and an exhaust outlet, for attaching to a vacuum duct, so as to exhaust dust-laden air from the interior of the housing. The housing includes a pivot mount, pivotally mounting the unit to a slab saw. Also provided is a system, including the dust collector with a circular saw and optionally a vacuum source and dust filter unit or units. Also provided is a method for dry-cutting a trench or channel within pavement or similar hard outside surface, which is particularly suitable for laying of cable such as fiber optic cable. The method may include the step of cutting through the pavement into the underlying hard-packed substrate.

Abstract: A fibre optic network system for a multi-staged installation to a plurality of present and future user locations includes an aggregation point, a trunk line with a plurality of optic fibre cables leading from the aggregation point and at least one branch junction location to serve a future cable user. The trunk line includes at least one dark cable having a free end for removal from the branch junction location. The trunk line includes a trunk conduit having opposing side walls defining an interior space between the side walls for housing the cables. The conduit is configured to permit withdrawal of the length of dark cable from the conduit at a stage subsequent to installation of the trunk line to form a branch leading to the future user location. The dark cable stored within the interior of the conduit has sufficient length to reach the location of the future user.

Abstract: A system for protecting buried optic fibre nodes which permits surface inlay installation of cable without the need to expose free ends of the cable for threading through any apertures, includes a protective housing composed of spaced apart panels which define an interior space. The panels open to expose the interior for installation of a length of cable therein. An insert fits within the space, which includes a channel which is exposed when the panels open for insertion of a cable. The insert includes a void to receive a cable junction box. A removable protective outer casing may be provided, either in the form of a pair of outer walls with a removable cap or base, or a can-like container having a removable top and two or more opposed slots communicating with the upper rim of the container. The housing fits within the container, with the cable entering and exiting through the slots, which also permit a saw cut to pass through the slots to facilitate installation of the system.

Abstract: A system for protecting buried optic fibre nodes which permits surface inlay installation of cable without the need to expose free ends of the cable for threading through any apertures, includes a protective housing (10) composed of spaced apart panels (14,16) which define an interior space. The panels open to expose the interior for installation of a length of cable (50) therein. An insert (30) fits within the space, which includes a channel (38) which is exposed when the panels (14,16) open for insertion of a cable. The insert includes a void (32) to receive a cable junction box (34). A removable protective outer casing may be provided, either in the form of a pair of outer walls with a removable cap or base, or a can-like container having a removable top and two or more opposed slots communicating with the upper rim of the container.

Abstract: A system for protecting buried optic fibre nodes which permits surface inlay installation of cable without the need to expose free ends of the cable for threading through any apertures, includes a protective housing composed of spaced apart panels which define an interior space. The panels open to expose the interior for installation of a length of cable therein. An insert fits within the space, which includes a channel which is exposed when the panels open for insertion of a cable. The insert includes a void to receive a cable junction box. A removable protective outer casing may be provided, either in the form of a pair of outer walls with a removable cap or base, or a can-like container having a removable top and two or more opposed slots communicating with the upper rim of the container. The housing fits within the container, with the cable entering and exiting through the slots, which also permit a saw cut to pass through the slots to facilitate installation of the system.

Abstract: A dust collector is provided for use with a SLAB saw, especially suited for dry-cutting a channel within pavement or similar exterior surface. The collector includes telescoping upper and lower housings, an open front and lower base to receive a portion of a circular saw into the interior of the housing, and an exhaust outlet, for attaching to a vacuum duct, so as to exhaust dust-laden air from the interior of the housing. The housing includes a pivot mount, pivotally mounting the unit to a slab saw. Also provided is a system, including the dust collector with a circular saw and optionally a vacuum source and dust filter unit or units. Also provided is a method for dry-cutting a trench or channel within pavement or similar hard outside surface, which is particularly suitable for laying of cable such as fiber optic cable. The method may include the step of cutting through the pavement into the underlying hard-packed substrate.

Abstract: A method of installing fibre optic cables consists of cutting a shallow and narrow trench or channel within a road surface or building wall. A narrow fibre optic cable is laid within the channel, and subsequently covered with a patch material. A branching cable network is provided by cutting at periodic and selected locations, a slightly broader and deeper region of the channel, within which cable loops and/or junction boxes are installed. The nodes may consist of branching nodes, or alternatively non-branching nodes containing a cable loop and/or junction box, the installation of which at a location permits a junction node to be formed at a close by location. The invention also consists of a junction box for use with the system.

Abstract: A system for protecting buried optic fibre nodes which permits surface inlay installation of cable without the need to expose free ends of the cable for threading through any apertures, includes a protective housing (10) composed of spaced apart panels (14,16) which define an interior space. The panels open to expose the interior for installation of a length of cable (50) therein. An insert (30) fits within the space, which includes a channel (38) which is exposed when the panels (14,16) open for insertion of a cable. The insert includes a void (32) to receive a cable junction box (34). A removable protective outer casing may be provided, either in the form of a pair of outer walls with a removable cap or base, or a can-like container having a removable top and two or more opposed slots communicating with the upper rim of the container.

Abstract: A method of installing fibre optic cables consists of cutting a shallow and narrow trench or channel within a road surface or building wall. A narrow fibre optic cable is laid within the channel, and subsequently covered with a patch material. A branching cable network is provided by cutting at periodic and selected locations, a slightly broader and deeper region of the channel, within which cable loops and/or junction boxes are installed. The nodes may consist of branching nodes, or alternatively non-branching nodes containing a cable loop and/or junction box, the installation of which at a location permits a junction node to be formed at a close by location. The invention also consists of a junction box for use with the system.

Abstract: A method of installing fibre optic cables consists of cutting a shallow and narrow trench or channel within a road surface or building wall. A narrow fibre optic cable is laid within the channel, and subsequently covered with a patch material. A branching cable network is provided by cutting at periodic and selected locations, a slightly broader and deeper region of the channel, within which cable loops and/or junction boxes are installed. The nodes may consist of branching nodes, or alternatively non-branching nodes containing a cable loop and/or junction box, the installation of which at a location permits a junction node to be formed at a close by location. The invention also consists of a junction box for use with the system.

Abstract: A method of installing fiber optic cables consists of cutting a shallow and narrow trench or channel within a road surface or building wall. A narrow fiber optic cable is laid within the channel, and subsequently covered with a patch material. A branching cable network is provided by cutting at periodic and selected locations, a slightly broader and deeper region of the channel, within which cable loops and/or junction boxes are installed. The nodes may consist of branching nodes, or alternatively non-branching nodes containing a cable loop and/or junction box, the installation of which at a location permits a junction node to be formed at a close by location. The invention also consists of a junction box for use with the system.

Abstract: A method of installing fibre optic cables consists of cutting a shallow and narrow trench or channel within a road surface or building wall. A narrow fibre optic cable is laid within the channel, and subsequently covered with a patch material. A branching cable network is provided by cutting at periodic and selected locations, a slightly broader and deeper region of the channel, within which cable loops and/or junction boxes are installed. The nodes may consist of branching nodes, or alternatively non-branching nodes containing a cable loop and/or junction box, the installation of which at a location permits a junction node to be formed at a close by location. The invention also consists of a junction box for use with the system.

Abstract: A game platform for use with darts, with a surface designed to allow for a wide range of games to be played on the surface. This is achieved by having removable and interchangeable printed surfaces which are simply sheets, each with a different game printed on its surface, that can be held in place over top of the game platform surface with a clear film. The game platform is designed so that it may be used in conjunction with a floor tape, corresponding to the game sheet used, marked with a series of gradations, which is used to determine the throwing distance that a player must throw his darts from, which in turn depends on the player's "position" on the platform.