Abstract: A re-enterable environmentally sealed enclosure for housing circuitry and/or cable components of a communication network employs a removable cover attached to an enclosure base by a pivoting cam-tracking system. The tracking configuration positions the cover in a manner that, as it approaches the enclosure base when being closed, a seal located in the cover is evenly compressed along its entire perimeter against a corresponding mating surface on the base, thereby distributing the compressive force equally across the entire seal, with any shear forces substantially eliminated. A single tensioning system is provided adjacent the cam-tracking system, so that the tracking system does not operate as a counter-lever to the tensioning system, and visa versa, thereby improving the distribution of force across the seal.

Abstract: An intregal cable retention and sealing apparatus has reusable clamping mechanisms for the entry and exit of a wide variety of cable types and sizes to a sealed enclosure. The device is formed by "mirror-image" body halves having, when assembled, at least one axial passageway formed therethrough to accomodate one or more respective cables. One end of the apparatus includes a chamber for housing a sealing medium, whereas the other end includes a cable retention mechanism.

Abstract: A modular optical fiber splice holder, having a rigid base and a flexible portion to hold optical fiber splices, has an opening extending through the base adjacent an edge thereof. Preferably there is a pair of such openings respectively extending longitudinally along opposite edges of the base.

Abstract: An optical fiber water sensor includes a mandrel having a convex or concave shape adjacent to an optical fiber which is adjacent to a water swellable material held in a reservoir. Upon coming in contact with water, the material swells and deforms a section of the optical fiber about a contour defined by the mandrel thus attenuating a signal propagating through the fiber which is detected by an optical detector to indicate the presence of water.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure includes a series of stacked splice trays pivotally secured within a housing, and oval shaped generally flexible transport tubes carrying the exposed optical fibers to the splice trays within the closure. The transport tubes have a differential flexibility to permit bending i a direction generally normal to the major dimension of the tube while preventing bending in a direction generally normal to the minor dimension of the tube. Accordingly, optical fiber ribbons carried by the transport tubes are protected from bending in a direction normal to their minor dimension. The splice trays are pivotally secured at one end to a bracket secured to an end cap of the housing. A hinge for each splice tray includes detents to hold an individual tray in a raised position to thereby facilitate access to an underlying tray. In addition, splice holders are provided on each splice tray and include a series of generally flexible walls extending outwardly from a base.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice tube holder includes a plurality of torsion bars and cantilever bars which provide a resilient retaining force for an optical fiber splice container to be retained therein. The use of torsion bars helps distribute stress generated by a spring force of the fiber splice member holder about a large amount of material so as to achieve an efficient spring construction so that a plurality of splice holders can be accommodated in a reduced space on a fiber storage tray.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cable splice enclosure comprises a base having an outlet capable of receiving a cable a hollow cover which can be fixed to the base to close at least partially the enclosure such that the adjacent external surfaces of the base and the cover lay substantially flush, in which the base and cover, and a ring means which prevents the separation of the base and cover, said means lying substantially flush with or below said adjacent external surfaces and said ring means having a broader base adjacent the enclosure than the side facing away from the enclosure. The invention also includes a device for joning two items in interdigitated fashion wherein a ring having a cross-sectional base greater adjacent the two items to be joined than away therefrom lies in a recess between the two parts to be joined.

Abstract: A re-enterable closure assembly for enclosing an elongate substrate such as a telephone or power cable, has an outer sleeve, preferably heat recoverable, and an inner liner to protect the cable against heat and mechanical damage. The liner has two major parts, a support and a disposable layer, thus allowing the outer sleeve to be removed, for repair etc, without damaging the liner. This could not easily be acheived in a one piece liner since a bond generally must be formed between the liner and the outer sleeve to prevent wicking of moisture vapour.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting light into or withdrawing light from an optical fiber using a resiliently deformable material includes a hard transparent member disposed in contact with a surface of the resiliently deformable material in a vicinity of a light element which minimizes material creep of the resiliently deformable material in a vicinity of the light element which stabilizes a coupling and decoupling efficiency with an optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical coupler for withdrawing light from an optical fiber includes first and second movable members on which are mounted a plurality of bending posts offset longitudinally relative to one another. A retaining post, offset longitudinally from the bending posts, has a groove therein so that an optical fiber can be wrapped therearound. Thereafter, the first and second members are moved towards each other such that the bending posts interleaf and bend the optical fiber in a plurality of positions causing light to be emitted from the optical fiber at bent portions thereof, which light is detected by optical detectors located behind the bending posts.

Abstract: A chuck for holding an optical fiber in precise position includes first and second contiguous V-grooves, a chuck cover having a plurality of inter-leaving fingers for urging an optical fiber into the first V-groove so as to roughly position the optical fiber, and a plate for subsequently urging the optical fiber into the second V-groove for precise positioning of the optical fiber. The second V-groove is much smaller than the first V-groove and has a width which is less than the diameter of the optical fiber.

Abstract: This invention provides an article for storing and dispensing tubes open at two ends and containing materials which are pure or must be protected from the environment or which are present in premeasured amounts. The article of this invention comprises a flexible tape for sealing the ends of the tubes, flexible tape being movable within a case to hold the tubes sealed in the case and discharge the tubes from the case. One embodiment is a cassette for tubes containing adhesive for splicing optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber chuck for use in an optical fiber splicer may be both accurate and inexpensive because the fiber moves through a stationary chuck rather than a moving chuck carrying the fiber. The fiber slides between precision V-grooves, and is advanced and retracted by frictional engagement with a drive wheel.

Abstract: A re-enterable assembly for protecting and sealing a junction between conduits, comprising a split tube and support means for positioning at each end of the tube, one on each side of the junction. The support means has apertures to provide channels for the conduits, and in one embodiment, is extended about the conduits to within the cavity about the junction to provide a seal that improves with an increase in pressure within the cavity.