Abstract: Drop lines are supported and routed from a an ADSS trunk cable to designated users. Each of a number of non-metallic elongated support members has a main passage, and a first slit for enabling the cable to be urged into the passage from outside. Each member also has a number of aligned outer passages, and associated second slits for enabling a drop line to be urged into a given outer passage from outside. A band may be applied about each support member to prevent the cable and the drop lines from escaping the member through the slits. One end of each drop line is connected to the cable fibers inside a closure fixed at one end of a cable span. A drop line exiting an outer passage in a given support member is routed either through an outer passage in a successive member, or away from the cable to a designated user.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable may include a cable jacket, a rigid tensile reinforcement member centered within the cable jacket, and a plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons around the rigid tensile reinforcement member. The optical fiber cable does not include any buffer tubes but may include a cushioning layer adjacent the ribbons.

Abstract: A system for installing an optical fiber cable in a building hallway or living unit includes an elongated cylinder for containing an adhesive, and a continuous length of an optical fiber cable embedded in the adhesive in a configuration that avoids kinks or knots in the cable. An elongated nozzle is fixed at a first end of the cylinder for depositing the adhesive and the cable from an open tip of the nozzle, along a desired routing path in the hallway or living unit. An applicator assembly is constructed and arranged for receiving the cylinder, and for applying a dispensing force at a second end of the cylinder opposite the first end so as to urge the adhesive and the cable out of the open tip of the nozzle.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable may include a cable jacket, a rigid tensile reinforcement member centered within the cable jacket, and a plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons around the rigid tensile reinforcement member. The optical fiber cable does not include any buffer tubes but may include a cushioning layer adjacent the ribbons.

Abstract: A guide tool device for an optical fiber or cord includes a tool base that mounts on an adhesive syringe. A cord guide head has a flat leading edge, a key removably insertable into a keyway in the tool base, a guide channel for guiding a fiber toward the leading edge, and a tube for receiving an adhesive. An opening in the guide channel communicates adhesive from the tube into the channel, for applying the adhesive along a fiber while it is guided toward the leading edge on the guide head. A fitting is arranged to connect in sealing relationship with a distal end of the syringe, and a flexible tubing is connected between the fitting and the other end of the tube on the cord guide head. When urged toward the distal end of the syringe, the adhesive is communicated into the guide channel in the cord guide head.

Abstract: A guide tool device for an optical fiber or cord includes a tool base that mounts on an adhesive syringe. A cord guide head has a flat leading edge, a key removably insertable into a keyway in the tool base, a guide channel for guiding a fiber toward the leading edge, and a tube for receiving an adhesive. An opening in the guide channel communicates adhesive from the tube into the channel, for applying the adhesive along a fiber while it is guided toward the leading edge on the guide head. A fitting is arranged to connect in sealing relationship with a distal end of the syringe, and a flexible tubing is connected between the fitting and the other end of the tube on the cord guide head. When urged toward the distal end of the syringe, the adhesive is communicated into the guide channel in the cord guide head.

Abstract: A device for retaining an optical fiber or cord at a desired position while the cord is being installed along a defined route at a user premises. The device includes a bend limiter having an open channel that extends between opposite ends of the limiter, wherein the channel is sized to receive a cord and allow the cord to slide freely inside the channel. An elongated retainer is arranged to overlie the bend limiter and thus close the channel when the retainer is secured to the bend limiter, so that the cord is confined inside the channel as the cord slides between the opposite ends of the bend limiter. A latch is arranged to close the device by securing the retainer to the bend limiter, and the bend limiter is configured to conform in shape with one or more surfaces against which it will be installed at the premises.

Abstract: A device for retaining an optical fiber or cord at a desired position while the cord is being installed along a defined route at a user premises. The device includes a bend limiter having an open channel that extends between opposite ends of the limiter, wherein the channel is sized to receive a cord and allow the cord to slide freely inside the channel. An elongated retainer is arranged to overlie the bend limiter and thus close the channel when the retainer is secured to the bend limiter, so that the cord is confined inside the channel as the cord slides between the opposite ends of the bend limiter. A latch is arranged to close the device by securing the retainer to the bend limiter, and the bend limiter is configured to conform in shape with one or more surfaces against which it will be installed at the premises.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based cable is formed to include pre-manufactured wireless access nodes included at spaced-apart locations along a length of the optical fiber cable. Each wireless access node is formed to include an antenna, a wireless radio transceiver, and an optical transceiver. The cable is formed to include an optical transmission fiber (or fibers) and an electrical power conductor. The optical fiber(s) couples to the optical transceiver within each wireless access node, and a power conductor from the cable terminates at the node and is used to energize both the wireless transceiver and the optical transceiver. The antenna is preferably formed as a sheathing member around at least a portion of components forming the node. Upon deployment, the wireless node portion of the cable is able to provide communication between the cable and wireless devices in its vicinity.

Abstract: A method of installing a bundle of optical fibers associated with a fiber network through hallways or corridors in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) to service a number of premises in the MDU. The bundle is adhered along a wall or other supporting surface in a hall or corridor leading to the premises, by dispensing or activating an adhesive material or component over one or both of the bundle and a desired installation path along the supporting surface, and applying the bundle to the supporting surface over the installation path. A cover layer surrounding the fiber bundle is opened at locations along the length of the bundle corresponding to each premises for which a bundle fiber is designated. At each location, the designated fiber is cut and removed from the bundle, and retained to connect to a drop fiber originating from the premises. Installation tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based cable is formed to include pre-manufactured wireless access nodes included at spaced-apart locations along a length of the optical fiber cable. Each wireless access node is formed to include an antenna, a wireless radio transceiver, and an optical transceiver. The cable is formed to include an optical transmission fiber (or fibers) and an electrical power conductor. The optical fiber(s) couples to the optical transceiver within each wireless access node, and a power conductor from the cable terminates at the node and is used to energize both the wireless transceiver and the optical transceiver. The antenna is preferably formed as a sheathing member around at least a portion of components forming the node. Upon deployment, the wireless node portion of the cable is able to provide communication between the cable and wireless devices in its vicinity.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based cable is formed to include pre-manufactured wireless access nodes included at spaced-apart locations along a length of the optical fiber cable. Each wireless access node is formed to include an antenna, a wireless radio transceiver, and an optical transceiver. The cable is formed to include a plurality of optical transmission fibers, as well as a plurality of separate electrical power conductors. An optical fiber is terminated at the optical transceiver within the wireless node, and a power conductor from the cable terminates at the node and is used to energize both the wireless transceiver and the optical transceiver. The antenna is preferably formed as a sheathing member around at least a portion of components forming the node. Upon deployment, the wireless node portion of the cable is able to provide communication between the cable and wireless devices in its vicinity.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based cable is formed to include pre-manufactured wireless access nodes included at spaced-apart locations along a length of the optical fiber cable. Each wireless access node is formed to include an antenna, a wireless radio transceiver, and an optical transceiver. The cable is formed to include a plurality of optical transmission fibers, as well as a plurality of separate electrical power conductors. An optical fiber is terminated at the optical transceiver within the wireless node, and a power conductor from the cable terminates at the node and is used to energize both the wireless transceiver and the optical transceiver. The antenna is preferably formed as a sheathing member around at least a portion of components forming the node. Upon deployment, the wireless node portion of the cable is able to provide communication between the cable and wireless devices in its vicinity.

Abstract: A storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable includes a base having a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has a raised boss. A number of spool mounting fingers are arranged and configured on top of the boss to retain a fiber supply spool containing slack windings of an optical fiber. The bottom wall of the base, the boss, and an end face of the spool when retained on the mounting fingers, define a storage region underneath the spool for storing a slack length of a provider cable. A bracket is fixed inside the base, and the bracket is formed to support a connector adapter for connecting a first connector that terminates the slack fiber windings contained on the supply spool when retained on the mounting fingers, with a second connector that terminates the slack length of provider cable stored in the region under the spool.

Abstract: A method of installing a bundle of optical fibers associated with a fiber network through hallways or corridors in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) to service a number of premises in the MDU. The bundle is adhered along a wall or other supporting surface in a hall or corridor leading to the premises, by dispensing or activating an adhesive material or component over one or both of the bundle and a desired installation path along the supporting surface, and applying the bundle to the supporting surface over the installation path. A cover layer surrounding the fiber bundle is opened at locations along the length of the bundle corresponding to each premises for which a bundle fiber is designated. At each location, the designated fiber is cut and removed from the bundle, and retained to connect to a drop fiber originating from the premises. Installation tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage and distribution module for optical fiber and cable includes a base having a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has a raised boss. A number of spool mounting fingers are arranged and configured on top of the boss to retain a fiber supply spool containing slack windings of an optical fiber. The bottom wall of the base, the boss, and an end face of the spool when retained on the mounting fingers, define a storage region underneath the spool for storing a slack length of a provider cable. A bracket is fixed inside the base, and the bracket is formed to support a connector adapter for connecting a first connector that terminates the slack fiber windings contained on the supply spool when retained on the mounting fingers, with a second connector that terminates the slack length of provider cable stored in the region under the spool.

Abstract: A solid phase extraction apparatus includes a sample adsorption assembly and a needle. The adsorption assembly includes a housing, a distal housing opening, and an adsorption bar disposed in the housing. The adsorption bar includes an outer surface coated with an adsorption material. The adsorption bar is located between the distal housing opening and a proximal housing opening. The outer surface is spaced from an inner housing surface, wherein the adsorption assembly includes an adsorption region between the inner housing surface and the outer surface. The adsorption assembly establishes a fluid flow path from the distal housing opening, through the adsorption region along a longitudinal direction, and to the proximal housing opening.

Abstract: A method for accessing career information located in a computer database through interactive CD-ROM technology or other suitable computer-accessible means. The method involves the use of several levels of inquiry from which a user can select various careers, and for each career ask specific questions. The answers to these questions can be answered through digitized speech and video enactments of a person employed in a particular career field, or through text displayed on a computer screen. The textual material contained in the database can be printed through an attached printer. The user may also operate the method in various selectable languages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing solder on selected portions of a printed circuit board. Solder is first electroplated over copper conductor patterns on the board by means of a first photoresist layer. After stripping the first photoresist, a second photoresist layer is laminated over the board and developed to expose selected portions of the solder. The exposed portions are selectively stripped. The copper exposed by the selective stripping is then subjected to a scrubbing while the photoresist protects the remaining solder, and the second photoresist is removed.