Abstract: A system for automatically brazing joints in a manifold has a loading station, a brazing station, and a cooling station. The brazing station has a plurality of brazing torches moveable to a joint in the manifold to braze the joint. First, second and third fixture frames extend from a common rotatable platform. The platform rotates each of the fixture frames to each of the loading station, brazing station, and cooling station in turn. The fixture frames support manifolds with joints requiring brazing. The torches are disposed on a lifting platform that lifts the torches up to a desired joint. The lifting platform is disposed on a sliding platform that slides the torches horizontally to the desired joint. The torches surround the joint and braze it from all sides simultaneously. While brazing is being performed at the brazing station, loading and unloading of manifolds may be done at the loading station, and cooling of already-brazed manifolds may take place at the cooling station.

Abstract: In a method for closing open ends of tubes, an open tube end is closed using spin-tubing methods known in the art. Following the tube end closing, a concavity is formed in the tube end in a tube end forming machine. The tube end is brazed with the tube end facing upright, so that the braze alloy pools in the concavity, strengthening the tube end.

Abstract: A system for automatically brazing joints in a manifold has a loading station, a brazing station, and a cooling station. The brazing station has a plurality of brazing torches moveable to a joint in the manifold to braze the joint. First, second and third fixture frames extend from a common rotatable platform. The platform rotates each of the fixture frames to each of the loading station, brazing station, and cooling station in turn. The fixture frames support manifolds with joints requiring brazing. The torches are disposed on a lifting platform that lifts the torches up to a desired joint. The lifting platform is disposed on a sliding platform that slides the torches horizontally to the desired joint. The torches surround the joint and braze it from all sides simultaneously. While brazing is being performed at the brazing station, loading and unloading of manifolds may be done at the loading station, and cooling of already-brazed manifolds may take place at the cooling station.

Abstract: In a method for closing open ends of tubes, an open tube end is closed using spin-tubing methods known in the art. Following the tube end closing, a concavity is formed in the tube end in a tube end forming machine. The tube end is brazed with the tube end facing upright, so that the braze alloy pools in the concavity, strengthening the tube end.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a clip 14 with a first clip member 22 and a second clip member 24. The second clip member 24 is resiliently pivotable relative to the first clip member 24, such that a flat object may be resiliently clamped between the first and second clip members 22, 24. The clip 14 comprises a strap holding portion 30, where a first end of a flexible strap 16 is held within the strap holding portion 30. The clip 14 further comprises a strap receiving portion 32 arranged at a distance from the strap holding portion 30. The strap receiving portion is shaped to receive a portion of the strap. By use of the fastening device, an element, and in particular a lighting device 12, may be alternatively fixed to another element by the flexible strap 16 or may engage a flat object within the clip 14.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method which by calculating in advance what material is to be sent to a particular device and under what conditions that material is to be delivered, the material can be delivered ahead of time and used when the conditions are met. In one embodiment, a server is used to download to certain mobile devices (or to other devices having a limited bandwidth) a portion of an advertisement campaign together with the rules for displaying the various advertisements at the mobile device. The server can, if desired, keep track of the downloaded advertisements to all of the mobile devices so that the demographics of the advertising campaign are met within the desired time frame. The server can make use of the captured information, including demographics, to select ads for delivery to the mobile client that will be more likely to be acted upon by user, or more likely to meet future criteria and be shown.

Abstract: A multi-fiber fiber optic ferrule comprising a ferrule body, at least one optically functional optical fiber received within at least one optical fiber bore defined by the ferrule body, and at least one optically non-functional guard fiber received within at least one guard fiber bore defined by the ferrule body. A multi-fiber ferrule defining at least one optical fiber bore opening through a front face, at least one optically functional optical fiber received within the ferrule and maintained within the at least one optical fiber bore, at least one guard fiber bore opening through the front face, and at least one optically non-functional guard fiber received within the at least one guard fiber bore.

Abstract: A bracket assembly includes a bracket including a flexible hinge, and a furcation assembly attached to the bracket.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.

Abstract: A factory-manufactured, preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube, a C-shaped molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber and a protective means. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective tubing.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A slack storage receptacle for storing an excess length of a pre-connectorized fiber optic drop cable extending between an optical connection terminal and a network interface device (NID) includes a housing and a storage means disposed within the housing for receiving the drop cable such that the drop cable slack is stored external to the NID. The slack storage receptacle may be secured to an exterior wall of a subscriber premises and the NID mounted thereon. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be positioned around and formed to the NID. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be buried in the ground adjacent the NID. The drop cable slack may be wound onto the storage means after deployment. Alternatively, the slack storage receptacle may be pre-assembled, shipped to the subscriber premises, and the drop cable unwound from the storage means with the drop cable slack remaining wound on the storage means.

Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.

Abstract: A factory-prepared preterminated and pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable having at least one mid-span access location for providing access to a plurality of preterminated optical fibers pre-connectorized with a multi-fiber connector is provided. Also provided is a method of forming a pre-connectorized fiber optic distribution cable by terminating and pre-connectorizing a predetermined number of the plurality of optical fibers of the cable to create a pre-connectorized mid-span access location. The fiber optic distribution cable provides a low profile mid-span access location that is sufficiently flexible to be installed through relatively small-diameter buried conduits and over aerial installation sheave wheels and pulleys without violating the minimum bend radius of the cable or the optical fibers.

Abstract: A factory-manufactured, preterminated fiber optic distribution cable having at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one preterminated optical fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one buffer tube comprising at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning the at least one optical fiber from the at least one buffer tube into at least one protective tube, a C-shaped molded member defining a longitudinally extending optical fiber guide channel operable for storing a length of the at least one preterminated optical fiber and a protective means. A method of mid-span accessing at least one optical fiber from a fiber optic distribution cable. A buffer tube transition piece operable for transitioning a plurality of preterminated optical fibers from a buffer tube into protective tubing.

Abstract: A connector housing includes a housing assembly and a tray assembly. The tray assembly being slidably mounted relative to the housing assembly and having a first position within the housing assembly so that the tray assembly is fully inserted within the housing assembly in a stored position. The tray assembly also has a first position beyond an interior of the housing assembly. In the first position, a first portion of a tray of the tray assembly is rotatable relative to a second portion of the tray at a hingeable section of the tray, thereby allowing easier access to components, connections, and/or cables on the tray. In another embodiment, the tray assembly is slidable into a rearward position beyond the interior of the housing assembly.

Abstract: A connector housing for a communications network includes a housing assembly having a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel. In one configuration, the connector housing includes a jumper management panel that is rotatable into at least two different positions relative to the top panel of the housing assembly. In another configuration, the connector housing has a splice shelf assembly. The splice shelf assembly is attached to the housing assembly and rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the housing assembly. Another configuration of the connector housing has at least one cable entry plate that is removably attached to a side panel of the housing assembly. Additionally, one strain relief assembly has a furcation plug of a cable assembly that is attachable to a mounting rail for securing the same.

Abstract: A pulling grip includes a pulling grip sleeve, a pulling grip housing and a furcation plug attached to the terminated end of a fiber optic cable. The pulling sleeve includes a bag adapted to be positioned over the pulling grip housing and the furcation plug and to be opened and closed by a lengthwise extending zipper. The pulling grip housing has a first compartment defining an elongate channel for routing optical fibers of the fiber optic cable and a second compartment defining a plurality of pockets that each store a plurality of fiber optic connectors mounted upon the ends of the optical fibers. The pulling grip housing may be formed as a plurality of injection molded modules to increase rigidity and to reduce manufacturing cost. The furcation plug includes means for readily integrating the furcation plug with a conventional distribution frame or rack, or with a cross-connect housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.