Abstract: A housing for optical fibers to be spliced including a pair of movable sleds for supporting the opposing fibers and directing the fibers into opposite ends of a central alignment guide. Retainer sleeves crimped about the cable ends and locator sleeves crimped around individual coated fibers are positioned in slots in each sled to provide precise locations for the fibers. Grooves in the sleds align the fibers for insertion into the guide upon positioning the sleds in recesses at each end of the housing. Movement of the sleds feeds the stripped and cleaved fiber ends through internally tapered rings and into the ends of the alignment guide. Two or more fibers from respective cable ends may be supported on each sled to provide two or more splices in the same housing. The housing device is readily assembled with the fibers aligned and held securely in place so that negligible optical losses result.

Abstract: A scribing machine and method in which the fiber end projecting from a connector or other fiber holder is scribed and severed with a smooth, flat face having a mirror surface at a perpendicular angle to the fiber axis and at the precise length desired for the selected end use. The machine imparts a first preselected level of tension to the fiber during the scribing operation and a second preselected level of tension during the severing operation. The first level is below the tension needed to propagate a crack across the body of the fiber and the second level is above that level. The scribing operation is effected by a tool which is effective to score the surface of the fiber to generate a flaw during the scribing operation, and is withdrawn from engagement with the fiber during the severing operation so that the fiber is suspended without interference as the crack propagates from the flaw across its body.

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting two conductors comprises a plug component for mating engagement with a receptacle component. The plug component has a conductor means therein and a first elastomeric sealing membrance covering the mating end thereof to seal the same, the sealing membrane having a slit therein. The receptacle component includes conductor receiving means therein and a second elastomeric sealing membrane covering the mating end thereof to seal the same. The second sealing membrane also has a slit therein, the slits in each of the sealing membranes being positioned to register upon mating engagement of the plug and receptacle components. The connector further includes displacement means operable upon the mating engagement of the plug and receptacle components to stretch the first and second sealing membranes in a direction transverse to the slits to open the slits to permit the passage of the conductor means therethrough during engagement and disengagement of the components.

Abstract: The surgical instrument comprises a single housing having a barrel and handle. The barrel contains jaws to maintain a hemostatic clip, and a jaw wedge. When actuated by the jaw wedge, the jaws operate in a "scissors action" to compress the hemostatic clip onto the vessel.The barrel portion also contains a feed bar and magazine tape. The magazine tape contains a plurality of hemostatic clips. On retraction, the jaw wedge coordinates with the feed bar and magazine tape to deliver a new clip to the jaws.The jaw wedge is actuated by a trigger pivotally mounted to the handle.

Abstract: A digital tuning element and method of making same for an electronic tuning means for an automobile radio which has a drive means for positioning said element, detecting means providing an electrical output signal related to the position of said tuning element, and means receiving the output signal for controlling a tuning circuit. The tuning element is a body which is angularly positionable and includes a coding means on its surface, with the detecting means sensing the coding means for providing binary coded output signals over a plurality of output channels to a receiving means for controlling a tuning circuit.

Abstract: A magazine tape is described comprising a flat flexible belt and a plurality of units attached to the belt. Each unit contains a hemostatic clip. Each unit consists of, in succession, a parallel aligned pair of: leading tabs; side retaining tabs and apex retaining tabs; and feeding and positioning tabs.The retaining tabs contain a groove adjacent the sides of the belt to accomodate the sides of a hemostatic clip. The apex retaining tabs have a contour about equal to the clip apex contour.The feeding and positioning tabs have flanged upper portions parallel with the longitudinal direction of the belt and extending away from the apex retaining tabs. The flanged portions decrease in thickness away from the feeding and positioning tabs.