Abstract: A crimper tool for use in attaching lugs to the metallic sheath covering on fiber optic cables includes a pair of blocks, with a trough formed in each block to accommodate the cable when one block is placed on top of the other. Each block includes at least one slot for positioning a proper-sized die to perform the crimping action. The use of this block crimper tool is particularly advantageous when a hand-held crimper is too small to accommodate a large diameter fiber cable.

Abstract: A bond device for fiber optic cables allows for an electrical bond to be made between the cables without the need to first strip away the outer poly covering on each cable. The bond device comprises a metallic lug element which includes a cable-receiving channel, the interior surface of the channel having at least one (and, preferably, a plurality of) outwardly extending barbed tooth. As the metallic lug is clamped around the cable, the tooth/teeth penetrate the outer poly layer and contact the underlying metallic sheath material. The lug may then be coupled to another such lug via a stranded wire bonding ribbon attached between the lugs.

Abstract: The location of a casing (10) as it is pushed through the earth during installation is monitored by transmitting a locating signal into a water reservoir (24) that supplies water into an auxiliary water pipe (18) that runs substantially the length of the casing for the purpose of monitoring the level of the casing. The water carries the signal into the pipe so that the signal radiates above the ground along the length of the casing. By detecting the signal via a cable locator (30), the location of the casing can be monitored during installation.

Abstract: A utility worker seeking to exit a manhole (13) in a roadway (14) receives a warning of an approaching vehicle (12) via a warning device (18) within the manhole and signaled from at least one vehicle-detecting device (15) on the roadway for detecting approaching vehicles. The vehicle-detecting device (15) includes a motion detector (19) for detecting the approaching vehicle by its motion and, preferably, a noise detector (20) and band pass filter (22) for detecting the approaching vehicle by its motion. The motion detector (19) provides a “far end” or early warning of an approaching vehicle, whereas, the combination of the noise detector (20) and filter (22) provide a “near-end” or late warning. The combination of near-end and far-end warnings increases the margin of safety afforded the worker seeking to exit the manhole onto the roadway, in contrast to a far end or near end warning by itself.

Abstract: A color-coded restoration splice block is formed to match the coloring of the individual fibers within a standard ribbon cable. Thus, during the splicing operation, the proper pairs of fibers will be mated and laid within the same fiber-holding groove, eliminating the problem of “crossing” fibers from one ribbon to another as they are spliced together. In a preferred embodiment, the entire groove is colored to match the sheath color of the pair of fibers disposed in the groove.

Abstract: A manhole cover lifting tool includes three separate pieces that are mated together to allow for the entire cover to be lifted in one motion. A pair of hook arms are inserted over opposing holes in the manhole cover and joined together. A lifting arm is then attached to the joined hook arms and used to remove the cover from the opening.

Abstract: The relative position of a cable (10) within a pipe (16) is obtained by first applying a locating signal to a metallic part (12) of the cable so that the locating signal radiates beyond the pipe. The strength of the locating signal is measured at two separate distances from the cable via a pair of signal detectors (24, 26). By comparing the difference in the locating signal strengths to a predicted differential locating signal strength for a given cable depth within a pipe of known parameters, the actual cable depth can be detected.

Abstract: A service provider that buries multiple utility conveyances (12a. 12b and 12c) along a common right of way (14) may facilitate their location via a technician (24) by impressing a pulsed confirmation signal (23) on each conveyance in addition to a conventional locate signal (16). The pulsed confirmation signal is uniquely identifies that conveyance, but also contains information that identifies the total number of conveyances and their relationship with each other.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable (12) is installed within an enclosure (14) a duct by pushing the cable into the duct via a motorized pushing mechanism (38). As the optical fiber cable enters the enclosure, the image of interior of the enclosure is focused by a lens (22) onto a first end of the optical cable for transmission to the opposite end in which is optical registration with a television camera (24). The television camera captures the image of the enclosure interior for display on a monitor (26) to enable installation personnel to observe any possible narrowing of the enclosure that could impede fiber installation. Upon detecting such a restriction or obstruction narrowing the enclosure, the installation personnel actuate a pair of fingers (28a, 28b) carried by a casing (18) circumscribing the forward end of the optical fiber cable to push outwardly against the interior of the enclosure to reduce the narrowing and facilitate installation of the cable in the enclosure.

Abstract: Location of an underground utility conveyance having a metallic part (10) running along its length is enhanced by providing a plurality of selective conduction units (30) spaced along the length of the conveyance. Each selective conduction unit selectively shunts the metallic part of the conveyance to ground at a point between its first and second ends in response to a particular pattern of pulses modulated onto the locating tone impressed on the metallic part by a cable-locating signal generator (14) to cause only that portion of the metallic part lying between the first end and said point to radiate the locating signal. In this way, the amplitude of the locating signal radiated above the earth for locating purposes is increased.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) is buried below ground, either by direct burial, or by being pulled through a previously buried duct. During cable burial, the instantaneous resistance between the sheath and ground (the sheath-to-ground resistance) is continuously monitored. If the instantaneous sheath-to-ground resistance drops below a prescribed value, an alarm is generated, signaling a sheath fault. During burial, the length of cable paid out and placed underground is monitored, thus providing an indication of the relative location of the sheath fault.

Abstract: A boring operation performed by a boring head (18) is controlled to avoid interference with an adjacent buried conveyance (20) by first locating the conveyance and thereafter establishing a safety zone (24) thereabout. After establishing the safety zone, a check is made along the border (24a) of the safety zone adjacent the intended bore path for the presence of a monitor signal radiated by the bore head. If the bore monitor signal is detected at the safety zone border, an alert is generated.

Abstract: A hand-held spray paint marking tool includes a lower chamber for holding at least one can of spray paint in an inverted position. The chamber extends upward and terminates in a handle grip that includes an activation mechanism. A stencil including the desired marking pattern is attached to the underside of the lower chamber. When the activation mechanism is depressed by the user, the spray paint cans are activated such that the paint passes through the stencil and marks the ground underneath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an in-line fiber optic cable splice is sufficiently compact so as to allow for the spliced assembly to be wound onto a conventional fiber reel. Various short lengths (for example, 1000 to 3000 feet) of fiber cable can thus be spliced together to form a more conventional length of cable that can be used in different situations. The in-line splice comprises a pair of grip blocks for supporting the end portions of a pair of fiber cables to be spliced together. A pair of metallic sleeves are disposed over the fiber ends, with the cable strength members bent backward over the sleeves, exposing the bundle of optical fibers in the center of the cable. After splicing the cables together, a buffer tube is positioned over the fused region to protect the fibers. An outer heat shrink protective layer is disposed to cover the pair of grip blocks, as well as the buffer tube encased splice region.

Abstract: A plurality of remotely-situated cable-locating transmitters (141-14n) are centrally managed using a database (18) that stores information about each transmitter, including information about the particular version of its operating software. When a software upgrade becomes available, the database is accessed to identify and select those transmitters that need the upgrade. The upgrade is then communicated to each selected cable-locating transmitter, typically via a dial-up communication links (27a-27d, 281-28n).

Abstract: A quick restoration splice block comprises a rectangular block of transparent material including an opening for accepting the prepared endfaces of the pair of fibers to be spliced. A brightly colored indicator stripe is formed on the underside of the fiber opening. As the fiber endfaces are moved toward each other, the indicator stripe will be covered. When the stripe is no longer visible, butt-to-butt coupled of the fibers is achieved.

Abstract: A ribbon marking tool (10) for dispensing a length of warning tape (14) along the ground above a buried conveyance tool includes a housing (20) within which a roll of warning tape (36) is mounted for rotation. A mechanism (32) within the housing serves to feeds the tape out through the housing and to staple the tape to the ground and to sever the tape once a sufficient length of tape is dispensed.

Abstract: More accurate location of a buried utility conveyance (10) is obtained by first detecting, via a detector (34) the actual pattern of radiation (26, 28) of a locating signal impressed on the conveyance. The actual pattern of radiation is compared, by a processor (36) to each of a plurality of reference patterns stored in a database (38), each pattern representing the radiation for a conveyance having a known location. The processor selects the reference pattern that most closely the actual pattern and then provides an indication of the conveyance location associated with the selected reference pattern.

Abstract: A mapping system (10) serves to automatically map a route (13) for a utility conveyance (12) by first establishing the starting and end points (14 and 16) between which the conveyance will run. After establishing the starting and end points, the system automatically determines whether an available right-of-way exists that encompasses the starting and endpoints. If an available right of way exists, the system maps the route along the available right-of-way. After mapping the route, the system automatically identifies any obstacles (39, 40) that lie along the route. The system may also determine whether it is possible to modify the automatically mapped route to avoid such obstacles, and if so, then re-mapping the route accordingly.

Abstract: A cutting tool for removing encapsulant surrounding a fiber optic cable splice includes a rotating cutting head, with the head coupled through a vacuum tube to a collection bag. The cutting head preferably includes alternating rows of cutting blades and brushes, where the brushes function to direct the debris from the cutting head into the vacuum tube.