Abstract: A variable attenuator has first and second substantially identical ferrules or capillaries, each being mounted in a barrel or splice housing and extending toward each other, with their distal ends being separated by a gap of a first width. The width of the gap is controlled by a sleeve into which the ferrules are inserted, the ends of the sleeve butting against the front faces of the barrels. The ferrules are made by producing a glass rod mounted between the barrels and having a bore offset from and parallel to the centerline of the rod and breaking or cleaving the rod at its longitudinal center. The broken ends are then polished. The barrels are keyed to a housing member so that the offset bores are coincident in the zero position as defined by the keys.

Abstract: A variable attenuator has first and second substantially identical ferrules or capillaries, each being mounted in a barrel or splice housing and extending toward each other, with their distal ends being separated by a gap of a first width. The width of the gap is controlled by a sleeve into which the ferrules are inserted, the ends of the sleeve butting against the front faces of the barrels. The ferrules are made by producing a glass rod mounted between the barrels and having a bore offset from and parallel to the centerline of the rod and breaking or cleaving the rod at its longitudinal center. The broken ends are then polished. The barrels are keyed to a housing member so that the offset bores are coincident in the zero position as defined by the keys.

Abstract: A U-shaped universal ground assembly with oversheath protection for use in grounding a cable, the grounding clip having a ground `block` including a framework with a generally open end and a spaced closed end. The framework includes a pair of bifurcated leg members extending from the open end of the framework toward the closed end thereof. An arcuate toothed portion is formed as a lower grip member at the closed end of the framework, and an opposed upper grip member, slidably positioned on the framework, is adapted to be moved toward the closed end of the framework. The grounding block also includes a wire retainer pivotally and slidably supported on the open end of the framework and adapted to be moved into a generally closed position across the open end of the framework. At least one ground wire opening is defined in the framework, and at least one ground wire opening is defined in the wire retainer in substantial registry therewith.

Abstract: A seal for use in an optical closure is formed in the general shape of a truncated cone. The seal has an aperture which extends completely through the conical shape portion of the seal and which terminates within a plug located at the larger end of the seal. A sinusoidal shaped slit is formed completely through the seal from the small end of the seal to a small distance away from the large end of the seal. The seal is placed within an angled section of a port within an optical closure and an end cap is screwed into the port thereby forcing the seal further into the angled section. The seal can be used for both sealing ports which receive optical cables and ports which do not receive any cables. For the ports that do receive an optical cable, the plug is removed from the seal and the slit is extended all he way to the rear of the seal. When the optical cable is passed through the slit into the aperture of the seal, portions of the seal on either side of the slit become separated from each other.

Abstract: A splice tray for holding and protecting optical fiber splices within a splice closure is adapted to be mounted on support members within the closure. The tray has a longitudinal axis and passages formed therein for holding and guiding the fibers to a splice area of the tray while protecting them from being bent too sharply. A splice holder insert is removably mounted to the splice tray in the splice area, and has a plurality of alternating pass-through channels and splice holding channels extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tray and arrayed across the width of the tray in two such arrays, longitudinally spaced from each other. In one embodiment, each of the splice holding channels is defined by a wall of a pass-through channel and a longitudinally extending a resilient member. In this embodiment, resilient fiber holder is located at each end of each pass-through channels. In another embodiment, the splice holding channels are defined by U-shaped end members at each end of the channel.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable closure assembly includes a base member and a mating cover which, when assembled form a hollow splice closure with openings at each end. Mounted to the base member at at least one end thereof is a grip block assembly which grips the optical cable entering the adjacent open end, and which automatically adjusts to differing sizes of cables. The grip block assembly has an upper member and a lower member and includes first and second pivotally mounted arms on the lower member which are actuated by actuating pins on the upper member and which, as the upper member is tightened down on the lower member, pivot until they bear against and grip the cable. Included within the closure assembly are one or more optical fiber splitters which are used to separate and segregate individual fibers or groups of fibers to be spliced.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable closure assembly includes a base member and a mating cover which, when assembled form a hollow splice closure with openings at each end. Mounted to the base member at at least one end thereof is a grip block assembly which grips the optical cable entering the adjacent open end, and which automatically adjusts to differing sizes of cables. The grip block assembly has an upper member and a lower member and includes first and second pivotally mounted arms on the lower member which are actuated by actuating pins on the upper member and which, as the upper member is tightened down on the lower member, pivot until they bear against and grip the cable. Included within the closure assembly are one or more optical fiber splitters which are used to separate and segregate individual fibers or groups of fibers to be spliced.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicer for use in a splice closure assembly has a base potion with vertical side walls and first and second ends. A plurality of fiber separating fingers are located at the first end with the fingers extending across the width of the base as defined by the side walls. The fingers can be arrayed as a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, or in a comb-like structure. A core tube insert member has a first portion adapted to be locked to the base portion, and a tube insert portion extends therefrom. A cap member has latch means thereon for latching to the base portion. The entire splitter is preferably made of a clear acrylic plastic material.