Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprises a connector body, a ferrule, and a boot. The ferrule has a rear portion supported within the connector body and a front portion extending beyond a front end of the connector body. The boot has a front portion within the connector body and a funnel-shaped portion that extends beyond a back end of the connector body. The funnel-shaped portion defines a boot back end. Additionally, the funnel-shaped portion includes a tapered passage on an interior of the boot and a lip on an exterior of the boot. The tapered passage and the lip are curved toward each other proximate the boot back end so that the funnel-shaped portion terminates with a rounded configuration.

Abstract: A device for applying a distribution cabling tape system includes a distribution cabling tape having an adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt substrate and a distribution cable. The device includes an endoscope camera, wherein movement of the device in one direction simultaneously applies both the distribution cable and the distribution cabling tape at a location on the substrate viewable by the endoscope camera. A method for registering a cable and a cabling tape into a channel in a concrete or asphalt substrate includes using an endoscope to view the location at which the cable and cabling tape are applied.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are grinding machines for forming a trench. Embodiments relate to a grinding machine with a grind head and a vehicle mount. The grind head includes a housing body and a grinding drum. The vehicle mount is configured to attach the housing body to a vehicle. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a trunnion attachment configured to attach the housing body to a vehicle such that the housing body is configured to roll about a roll axis oriented in a travel direction relative to the vehicle mount. The roll axis is proximate an initial contact point of the blade set. In another embodiment, a caster attachment is configured to attach the housing body to a vehicle such that the housing body is configured to yaw about a yaw axis oriented in an upward direction relative to the vehicle mount.

Abstract: A device for applying a distribution cabling tape system includes a distribution cabling tape having an adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt substrate and a distribution cable. The device includes an endoscope camera, wherein movement of the device in one direction simultaneously applies both the distribution cable and the distribution cabling tape at a location on the substrate viewable by the endoscope camera. A method for registering a cable and a cabling tape into a channel in a concrete or asphalt substrate includes using an endoscope to view the location at which the cable and cabling tape are applied.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an applicator for an adhesive primer. The applicator includes a tank configured to hold the adhesive primer. The applicator also includes a peristaltic pump, having an inlet and an outlet, and a spray nozzle. A first conduit extends from an interior of the tank to the inlet of the peristaltic pump, and a second conduit extends from an outlet of the peristaltic pump to the spray nozzle. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a method of applying adhesive primer to a road surface using the applicator. In the method, the adhesive primer is pumped from the tank containing the adhesive primer through the peristaltic pump to the spray nozzle. Further, the adhesive primer is sprayed from the spray nozzle onto the road surface while the applicator moves across the road surface.

Abstract: An outdoor cable pathway splice comprises a splice tape comprising a first adhesive layer and a reinforcing layer disposed on one major surface of the adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer is capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt surface. The splice tape is configured to join first and second distribution cabling tapes in an end-to-end manner when deployed. Each distribution cabling tape includes a continuous lengthwise channel configured to receive at least one distribution cable, wherein the at least one distribution cable is covered by the splice tape when deployed.

Abstract: A sterilization cycle for sterilizing material and items containing diffusion restricted spaces and lumens is provided that introduces vaporous sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide, into the chamber in a controlled manner such that diffusion within the restricted spaces and lumens is enhanced as a precursor to additional sterilization steps thereby enhancing overall sterilization.

Abstract: A vehicle may have a seat and front wheel similar to those of a bicycle. However, the vehicle may have two rear wheels. The position of the two rear wheels may be adjustable. When the two rear wheels touch each other, the vehicle may function as a bicycle. When they are moved apart, the vehicle may function as a tricycle. In tricycle mode, the vehicle may travel autonomously without a human rider. In bicycle mode, a human may ride the vehicle like a bicycle. To transition between bicycle and tricycle modes, each rear wheel may rotate about a horizontal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In some cases, a bike chain is connected to only one of the rear wheels. In bicycle mode, motion imparted by the chain to one rear wheel may be transferred to the other by friction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are walk behind grinding tools with horizontally aligned guides and grinding drum. One embodiment relates to a grinding tool with a pair of guides on opposing sides of a blade set of a grinding drum, where the pair of guides is configured to limit a grinding depth of the grinding drum. At least a portion of a guide curvature is generally concentric with a mill curvature, and a guide radius is less than a mill radius. Another embodiment relates to a grinding system including a grinding tool with a vacuum shroud hingedly attached to a front of a main body of a grinding housing, and a vacuum including a vacuum tube in fluid communication with the vacuum shroud. Another embodiment relates to a method of forming a grinding tool.

Abstract: Several methods of deploying an optical fiber carrying structure along a road are provided. In one method a recess and channel are created within a road. The optical fiber carrying structure is deployed in the channel and a cover encloses the optical fiber carrying structure within the channel. In another method the optical fiber carrying structure is anchored to the road and/or curb. In another method the optical fiber carrying structure is coupled to a brace that is affixed to the road. The brace facilitates quickly installing lateral transitions from the primary channel in the road to installation environments off the road.

Abstract: A dual-sided fiber routing tray includes a body, a connector interface, and one or more strain relief assemblies. The body defines a connector side and a slack storage side opposite the connector side. The connector interface is arranged on the connector side of the body between the first end and the second end and is configured to connect one or more fibers. The one or more strain relief assemblies are configured to secure one or more strength members of a fiber optic cable to the body. The one or more strain relief assemblies extend through the body and engage the connector side and the slack storage side of the body. The one or more strain relief assemblies are configured to engage the one or more strength members of the fiber optic cable in the engaged position thereby restricting motion of the one or more strength members relative to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vehicle mounted grinding machines adaptable to ground contours. Embodiments relate to a grinding machine with a vehicle mount configured to attach a housing body, including a grinding drum to a vehicle. One embodiment of the disclosure relates a pair of guides on opposing sides of a blade set of a grinding drum, where each of the pair of guides is horizontally aligned with the grinding drum. In another embodiment, the housing body is configured to roll about a travel direction relative to the vehicle mount. In another embodiment, the grinding machine includes an alignment motor configured to laterally translate the housing body relative to the vehicle mount and perpendicular to a travel direction.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, cable sealing device is described herein for use in a port structure of fiber terminal, telecommunication enclosure, or a bulkhead. The exemplary cable sealing device comprises a unibody construction comprising a rigid body portion, the rigid portion having a generally tubular shape that includes an interior passageway extend from a first end to a second end of the rigid body portion; and an elastomeric body portion over molded onto and extending from an end of the rigid body portion, the elastomeric body portion comprises a front end having an interior sleeve that extends into interior passageway at the second end of rigid body portion and an exterior sealing sleeve that is formed over the second end of rigid body portion, and a closed end disposed opposite the open end, wherein the closed end includes a removable portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are switch devices in terminal ends of a network and methods of using same. One embodiment relates to a terminal end of a network including a terminal end transceiver configured to communicate with one or more end user devices, and a switch device configured to automatically route communication at the terminal end transceiver between a primary communication path with a central office and an auxiliary communication path with the central office. Another embodiment relates to a method of switching between primary and auxiliary communication paths at a terminal end. Automatic switching is particularly applicable in a looped communication architecture with redundant communication paths for preventing interruption and increasing reliability for an improved user experience. Another embodiment relates to indexing with splices to reduce connections in a communication path and increase signal quality.

Abstract: A device for applying a distribution cabling tape system includes a distribution cabling tape having an adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt substrate and a distribution cable. The device includes an endoscope camera, wherein movement of the device in one direction simultaneously applies both the distribution cable and the distribution cabling tape at a location on the substrate viewable by the endoscope camera. A method for registering a cable and a cabling tape into a conduit in a concrete or asphalt substrate includes using an endoscope to view the location at which the cable and cabling tape are applied.

Abstract: A distribution cabling tape system comprises a resilient polymeric base sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface being substantially continuous across a side to side width, an adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface, the adhesive layer capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt surface, and first and second spacer layers arranged in a spaced apart configuration on the adhesive layer to form a continuous lengthwise channel configured to receive at least a portion of at least one distribution cable, each of the first and second spacer layers comprising a second adhesive layer disposed thereon, the second adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt surface.

Abstract: A distribution cabling tape system comprises a resilient polymeric base sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface being substantially continuous across a side to side width, an adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface, the adhesive layer capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt surface, and first and second spacer layers arranged in a spaced apart configuration on the adhesive layer to form a continuous lengthwise channel configured to receive at least a portion of at least one distribution cable, each of the first and second spacer layers comprising a second adhesive layer disposed thereon, the second adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt surface.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprises a connector body, a ferrule, and a boot. The ferrule has a rear portion supported within the connector body and a front portion extending beyond a front end of the connector body. The boot has a front portion within the connector body and a funnel-shaped portion that extends beyond a back end of the connector body. The funnel-shaped portion defines a boot back end. Additionally, the funnel-shaped portion includes a tapered passage on an interior of the boot and a lip on an exterior of the boot. The tapered passage and the lip are curved toward each other proximate the boot back end so that the funnel-shaped portion terminates with a rounded configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are switch devices in terminal ends of a network and methods of using same. One embodiment relates to a terminal end of a network including a terminal end transceiver configured to communicate with one or more end user devices, and a switch device configured to automatically route communication at the terminal end transceiver between a primary communication path with a central office and an auxiliary communication path with the central office. Another embodiment relates to a method of switching between primary and auxiliary communication paths at a terminal end. Automatic switching is particularly applicable in a looped communication architecture with redundant communication paths for preventing interruption and increasing reliability for an improved user experience. Another embodiment relates to indexing with splices to reduce connections in a communication path and increase signal quality.

Abstract: A device for applying a distribution cabling tape system includes a distribution cabling tape having an adhesive capable of adhering to a concrete or asphalt substrate and a distribution cable. The device includes an endoscope camera, wherein movement of the device in one direction simultaneously applies both the distribution cable and the distribution cabling tape at a location on the substrate viewable by the endoscope camera. A method for registering a cable and a cabling tape into a channel in a concrete or asphalt substrate includes using an endoscope to view the location at which the cable and cabling tape are applied.