Abstract: A caterpillar traction apparatus (110), wherein two pairs of pulleys (122 & 123, 132 & 133) can be driven at different speeds, so that the linear member (40) being driven by the mechanism is subjected to either compression or extension forces.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (100) for forming circumferential grooves (14) in the exterior surface of a linear member (10), such as a tube. The grooves are formed by rotating a cylindrical cutting element (120) around the tube such that cutting means in the cylindrical cutting element form the grooves. One rotation of the cylindrical cutting element causes multiple grooves to be formed in the surface of the tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector, and in particular to a Subscriber Connector (SC)-type push/pull optical fiber connector and to a method of forming and using such a connector. The SC-type optical fiber connector (101) is made up of an optical fiber (8), a cylindrical ferrule (14), a ferrule holder (16), a spring biasing means (17), a ferrule holder carrier (50), an inner housing (120), and an outer housing (40). The optical fiber (8) is held within the ferrule (14) and the ferrule (14) is held by the ferrule holder (16). The ferrule holder (16) is engaged within a receiving portion (54) of the ferrule holder carrier (50), said holder and carrier being relatively moveable with respect to each other along the ferrule axis (5) between limits defined by an interaction between the ferrule carrier (50) and the ferrule holder (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fibre connector (1) having a fibre connector sub-assembly (21) and an outer connection sleeve (40), sub-assembly (21) having an optical fibre and an inner housing (20). The optical fibre is held within housing (20) along axis (5), and is terminated for optical connection to a mating connector along a connection direction (61). Sleeve (40) has a securing portion (50) and a connecting portion (48). Securing portion (50) is fixed to sub-assembly (21) so that sleeve (40) extends around sub-assembly (21). Connecting portion (48) has an inner surface that provides a socket (44) for receiving a corresponding portion of a mating connector along direction (61). Socket (44)'s inner surface has at least one rib that extends transverse to direction (61), connecting portion (48) being elastic such that the rib(s) may, in use, stretch over and engage with a corresponding feature of a mating connector.

Abstract: A caterpillar traction apparatus (110), wherein two pairs of pulleys (122 & 123, 132 & 133) can be driven at different speeds, so that the linear member (40) being driven by the mechanism is subjected to either compression or extension forces.

Abstract: A linear member (10) comprises a first layer (30) and a second layer (40), the second layer being arranged around the first layer. The second layer comprises a series of annular grooves (60). The material for the second layer is substantially stronger than the material for the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector, and in particular to a Subscriber Connector (SC)-type push/pull optical fibre connector and to a method of forming and using such a connector. The SC-type optical fibre connector (101) comprises an optical fibre (8), a cylindrical ferrule (14), a ferrule holder (16), a spring biasing means (17), a ferrule holder carrier (50), an inner housing (120), and an outer housing (40). The optical fibre (8) is held within the ferrule (14) along an axis (5) of the ferrule, the optical fibre (8) being terminated at an end face (34). The ferrule (14) is held by the ferrule holder (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (100) for forming circumferential grooves (14) in the exterior surface of a linear member (10), such as a tube. The grooves are formed by rotating a cylindrical cutting element (120) around the tube such that cutting means in the cylindrical cutting element form the grooves. One rotation of the cylindrical cutting element causes multiple grooves to be formed in the surface of the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the cylindrical surfaces of tubes or rods has a passage through the apparatus with a grooving roller mounted adjacent the passage. The roller has a helically extending ridge formed on its circumference, with the ridge extending into the passage and the roller being mounted for rotation about an axis inclined to the axis of the passage. The angle of inclination of the axis is such that the ridge, where it extends into the passage, runs at right angles to the axis of the passage. The roller is made to rotate about the tube or rod as the tube passes through the apparatus.

Abstract: In an optical fibre clamping device to prevent relative movement between an optical fibre and a tube within which the optical fibre is located, a body part includes a through passageway to receive the optical fibre. The body part includes a first clamp to engage the tube and a second clamp to engage the optical fibre.

Abstract: A drop cable arrangement in which a carried line (9) is supported by a strength member (3), the carried line being attached to the strength member via a tubular member (7) that is a sufficiently loose fit around the strength member to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween. In the event of additional loading on the drop cable the strength member extends due to the increased tension, but this tension is not transferred to the carried line due to the permitted relative movement of the tubular member and strength member.

Abstract: An assembly 10 for use in connecting optical fibers to an optical fiber device having input and output tails includes a plurality of housings 12 for housing optical fiber connections and a housing 18 for housing at least one passive optical device. The tails of the one or more devices are routed through manifold 16 to the housings 12 via respective routing members 14 and the optical fibers to be connected to the tails are routed to the appropriate housings 12 via these routing members 14. The housings 12 are arranged in an aligned bank adjacent the manifold 16 and each housing 12 is moveable out of such alignment for providing access thereto.

Abstract: An assembly 10 for use in connecting optical fibers to an optical fiber device having input and output tails comprises a plurality of housings 12 for housing optical fiber connections. Each housing 12 is typically mounted to, and supported by a respective routeing member 14. The routeing members are rigidly connected one to another such that the housings are arranged in an aligned bank. Each housing is pivotable for providing access thereto from the stowed position out of alignment with the other housings.

Abstract: A system for guiding optical fibres comprises a device which includes a plurality of units, each of which defines a row of ducts extending from a first end of the unit to a second end thereof for guiding optical fibres. The units are arranged successively in overlapping relationship with their first ends in substantial alignment at an end portion of the device and their second ends being spaced apart at successively increasing distances from the device end portion.

Abstract: The securing of cable, and particularly the securing of laid light weight submarine telephone cable during repair operations, is difficult in that if the cable is merely gripped it tends to fillet and slip away. The invention seeks to overcome this problem by belaying a bight of the cable about an axis thus to secure the cable generally in the manner of a rope upon a windlass. Apparatus embodying the invention may be drawn over ground supporting the cable, in the manner of a trawl, with flukes ploughing the ground. When the apparatus crosses the path of the cable to be secured, the cable is ploughed up and guided into a lateral line, triggering an hydraulic circuit to cause an axially mounted spool to rotate and belay the bight of cable by wrapping the cable upon the spool. A second hydraulic circuit is then activated to cause the cable to be severed on one side of the spool axis and clamped on the other side, whereupon the secured section of cable can be raised for repair.