Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.

Abstract: A bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a first clamp and a second clamp coupled to each other via a generally support tray, where the second clamp is movable with respect to the first clamp along an axis of the optical fiber. The first and second clamps each receive a portion of the optical fiber. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a tension force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion of the fiber under tension is exposed to receive contact from a flexible abrasive material, the flexible abrasive material introducing a flaw in the optical fiber where the cleave takes place.

Abstract: An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.

Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.

Abstract: A bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a first clamp and a second clamp coupled to each other via a generally support tray, where the second clamp is movable with respect to the first clamp along an axis of the optical fiber. The first and second clamps each receive a portion of the optical fiber. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a tension force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion of the fiber under tension is exposed to receive contact from a flexible abrasive material, the flexible abrasive material introducing a flaw in the optical fiber where the cleave takes place.

Abstract: An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.

Abstract: An organizing fixture provides space for a number of frame carriers used for releasable mounting of a number of filament-positioning frames. Each filament-positioning frame holds a filamentary coil and a plurality of filaments formed into a parallel array of filaments, extending from the filamentary coil. A frame carrier includes a divider wall on which filament-positioning frames may be mounted so that parallel arrays of filaments extend over the upper edge of each divider wall. Organizing fixtures accommodate several layers of frame carriers that produce a stack of divider walls having gaps between layers through which filament ends protrude in a suitable position for application of condensable materials using vacuum deposition techniques.

Abstract: A filament organizer comprises a filament container to hold a major portion of a filament. A filament clamp, having a spaced-apart relationship from the container; retains one or more filaments extending from the container. The filaments extend in a substantially parallel array over a frame between the container and the clamp. One embodiment of the present invention also includes a filament positioning frame comprising a first gripping plate attached in opposing relationship to a second gripping plate. The filament clamp is also held in spaced-apart relationship to the first gripping plate and the second gripping plate using the frame to join at least the first gripping plate to the filament clamp.

Abstract: A carrier for coiled filaments comprises a longitudinal base having a first end including a reinforced edge, a second end, and a first ledge opposite a second ledge. There is a raised platform between the first ledge and the second ledge. The raised platform has a first row of projections extending above the raised platform adjacent to the first ledge of the base. A second row of projections extends above the platform adjacent to the second ledge of the base, in parallel relationship to the first row of projections. The raised platform accommodates a plurality of rectangular envelopes each sized to mount in overlapping relationship between the first row of projections and the second row of projections. Each envelope contains a filament so that the ends of the filament extend out of the envelope from openings in the corners of the envelope. A first rail of resilient material mounted on the first ledge includes a plurality of slits each to receive one end of a filament.

Abstract: A filament organizer, for attaching an accessory to a section of filament, comprises a frame including a plurality of filament guides. The frame accommodates an accessory positioner adapted for sliding engagement therewith. A pair of spools, attached to the accessory positioner, has a section of filament extending from one to the other so that the filament passes around the plurality of filament guides of the frame to selectively position the section of filament. The accessory positioner includes an accessory cradle that moves from a retracted position to a proximate position. In its retracted position the accessory cradle receives an accessory to be placed in axial alignment with the section of filament. The accessory cradle then moves into the proximate position to attach the accessory to the filament section.

Abstract: A filament organizer, for attaching an accessory to a section of filament, comprises a frame including a plurality of filament guides. The frame accommodates an accessory positioner adapted for sliding engagement therewith. A pair of spools, attached to the accessory positioner, has a section of filament extending from one to the other so that the filament passes around the plurality of filament guides of the frame to selectively position the section of filament. The accessory positioner includes an accessory cradle that moves from a retracted position to a proximate position. In its retracted position the accessory cradle receives an accessory to be placed in axial alignment with the section of filament. The accessory cradle then moves into the proximate position to attach the accessory to the filament section.

Abstract: A protective package comprises an enclosure including a back plate that has a base, a top, a first sidewall and a second sidewall mounted thereon to form a cavity including an opening opposite the back plate. A plurality of filament positioning frames occupy the cavity to provide an organized distribution. Each of the filament positioning frames comprises a filament container having a filament clamp, in spaced-apart relationship from the filament container for gripping a plurality of filaments providing a plurality of filament tips extending from each filament clamp. Each of the filament positioning frames further comprises a frame between the filament container and the filament clamp. The frame has a first frame member parallel to a second frame member attached to the filament clamp with each of the plurality of filament tips located adjacent to the opening.

Abstract: A filament organizer comprises a filament container to hold a major portion of a filament. A filament clamp, having a spaced-apart relationship from the container; retains one or more filaments extending from the container. The filaments extend in a substantially parallel array over a frame between the container and the clamp. One embodiment of the present invention also includes a filament positioning frame comprising a first gripping plate attached in opposing relationship to a second gripping plate. The filament clamp is also held in spaced-apart relationship to the first gripping plate and the second gripping plate using the frame to join at least the first gripping plate to the filament clamp.

Abstract: A carrier for coiled filaments comprises a longitudinal base having a first end including a reinforced edge, a second end, and a first ledge opposite a second ledge. There is a raised platform between the first ledge and the second ledge. The raised platform has a first row of projections extending above the raised platform adjacent to the first ledge of the base. A second row of projections extends above the platform adjacent to the second ledge of the base, in parallel relationship to the first row of projections. The raised platform accommodates a plurality of rectangular envelopes each sized to mount in overlapping relationship between the first row of projections and the second row of projections. Each envelope contains a filament so that the ends of the filament extend out of the envelope from openings in the corners of the envelope. A first rail of resilient material mounted on the first ledge includes a plurality of slits each to receive one end of a filament.

Abstract: A communications cable terminal block switching mechanism employs a terminal block housing with a number of chambers and a number of openings for service wires to be inserted into the chambers. A cable stub enters the terminal block and contains feed-in pairs and feed-out pairs. Based on the condition of the switching mechanism, a wire pair may be expressed through the terminal block unterminated, or, a wire pair may be terminated to a service wire at the block. Specifically, a number of sets of electrical contact elements, corresponding to the number of openings, is provided, and one of each of the sets of contact elements is configured in one of each of the chambers.

Abstract: A package is provided for an optical fiber that includes a Bragg grating. The package includes a retaining member that supports the optical fiber and contacts the optical fiber along at least substantially the entire length of the Bragg grating. A housing is provided which is adapted to receive the retaining member therein. The housing has a conductivity below that of the retaining member so that the Bragg grating is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and conversion kit for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers, and a curved-angle end-face of a resulting optical fiber. The method requires fixing first and second portions of the optical fiber and introducing a flaw into the optical fiber between the first and second portions. Then, a substantially concentrated force is applied to the optical fiber between the flaw and the first portion of the optical fiber, on a side of the optical fiber opposite the flaw, in order to cause the optical fiber to cleave with a curved-angle cleave. Another embodiment of the method applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber before introduction of the flaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers. The method requires the introduction of a flaw in an optical fiber to be cleaved, and the application of predetermined stress and strain to the optical fiber in the vicinity of the flaw to cause curved-angle cleaving of the optical fiber at the flaw. The apparatus of the present invention includes first and second pairs of optical fiber clamps separated by first predetermined distance, a flaw-producing device that produces a flaw in a fiber clamped between the clamps, and a force-applying device that applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber at a second predetermined distance from the first pair of clamps, the flaw-producing device being located between the force-applying device and the second pair of optical fiber clamps at third predetermined distance from the force-applying device. The first, second and third predetermined distances are selected in order produce a curved-angle cleave in the optical fiber.

Abstract: An electrical connector formed of a polyolefin is more compliant than the connectors formed of polycarbonate and therefor the cap and base are formed with interlocking wedging elements to resist separation of the cap from the base prior to closing the connector onto a plurality of wires for making a connection therebetween.

Abstract: A solderless electrical connector formed of a polyolefin is formed with the same integrity as with harder polymeric materials when used with a connecting member of ductile material having a clearance slot between the wire receiving grooves and when formed to force the supporting cap into tight engagement with the inside surfaces of walls forming the base cap receiving cavity. The connecting member includes a passage for encapsulant to pass through the plate members.