Abstract: A bat having a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The area(s) adjacent to the central portion of the barrel have an increased performance with respect to the central portion of the barrel to effectively enlarge the sweet spot, or preferred hitting area. At least one tubular member of the barrel is circumferential aligned and axially spaced from another tubular member.

Abstract: A bat having a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The area(s) adjacent to the central portion of the barrel have an increased performance with respect to the central portion of the barrel to effectively enlarge the sweet spot, or preferred hitting area. At least one tubular member of the barrel is circumferential aligned and axially spaced from another tubular member.

Abstract: A bat having a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The area(s) adjacent to the central portion of the barrel have an increased performance with respect to the central portion of the barrel to effectively enlarge the sweet spot, or preferred hitting area. At least one tubular member of the barrel is circumferential aligned and axially spaced from another tubular member.

Abstract: A connector includes component parts, such as a strain relief boot or a grip, formed of a non-halogen polymer. The non-halogen polymer is preferably fungus resistant, lead free, and flame resistant. In a preferred embodiment, the non-halogen polymer is flexible and formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer (TPVE), which may include rubber or polypropylenes.

Abstract: A multi channel connector includes a first connector housing and a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first termini, each first terminus resting upon a respective bench or within a respective channel. The second connector housing loosely holds a plurality of second termini. In a first embodiment, a biasing member is disposed in the first connector housing and when the first and second housings are mated, the biasing member engages the plurality of second termini to press the second termini onto engagement with respective benches within the first housing to thereby ensure accurate end-to-end alignments between the plurality of first termini and the plurality of second termini. In a second embodiment, chamfers are formed at openings to the respective channels and beveled outer edges are formed at tip ends of the second termini to guide the second termini into respective channels, when the first and second connector housings are mated.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and lens.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection is formed by a first connector including a first bench and a second connector. The first bench includes a first lens, an optical fiber in optical communication with the first lens, and a resting area. The first lens is attached to the first bench by an epoxy. The resting area is formed by a material having a hardness which is substantially equal to or greater than a hardness of a second lens which resides in the resting area when the second connector is mated to the first connector. The resting area can be formed by a hard layer over a softer material forming the remainder of the first bench. The epoxy may include additives which lower a thermal expansion coefficient of the epoxy.

Abstract: An attenuator for optical signals includes a base. A first ferrule has a first optic fiber passing through a central bore therein and attached to a first lens at an end of the first ferrule. The first ferrule is fixed in position relative to the base. A second ferrule has a second optic fiber passing through a central bore therein and attached to a second lens at an end of the second ferrule. The second lens faces the first lens. The second ferrule is fixed to the base and can be moved relative to the base by a user adjustment feature, so that the second lens may be moved relative to the first lens. The relative placement between the first and second lens controls the attenuation of the attenuator.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection is formed by a first connector including a first bench and a second connector. The first bench includes a first lens, an optical fiber in optical communication with the first lens, and a resting area. The first lens is attached to the first bench by an epoxy. The resting area is formed by a material having a hardness which is substantially equal to or greater than a hardness of a second lens which resides in the resting area when the second connector is mated to the first connector. The resting area can be formed by a hard layer over a softer material forming the remainder of the first bench. The epoxy may include additives which lower a thermal expansion coefficient of the epoxy.

Abstract: A connector includes component parts, such as a strain relief boot or a grip, formed of a non-halogen polymer. The non-halogen polymer is preferably fungus resistant, lead free, and flame resistant. In a preferred embodiment, the non-halogen polymer is flexible and formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer (TPVE), which may include rubber or polypropylenes.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.

Abstract: A multi channel connector includes a first connector housing and a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a plurality of first termini, each first terminus resting upon a respective bench or within a respective channel. The second connector housing loosely holds a plurality of second termini. In a first embodiment, a biasing member is disposed in the first connector housing and when the first and second housings are mated, the biasing member engages the plurality of second termini to press the second termini onto engagement with respective benches within the first housing to thereby ensure accurate end-to-end alignments between the plurality of first termini and the plurality of second termini. In a second embodiment, chamfers are formed at openings to the respective channels and beveled outer edges are formed at tip ends of the second termini to guide the second termini into respective channels, when the first and second connector housings are mated.

Abstract: An attenuator for optical signals includes a base. A first ferrule has a first optic fiber passing through a central bore therein and attached to a first lens at an end of the first ferrule. The first ferrule is fixed in position relative to the base. A second ferrule has a second optic fiber passing through a central bore therein and attached to a second lens at an end of the second ferrule. The second lens faces the first lens. The second ferrule is fixed to the base and can be moved relative to the base by a user adjustment feature, so that the second lens may be moved relative to the first lens. The relative placement between the first and second lens controls the attenuation of the attenuator.