Abstract: A support for fitting a shrinkable sleeve onto an object inside the support and the sleeve 11 mounted on it includes at least two tubular parts removed in turn from under the sleeve. It further includes means for temporarily immobilizing the last part to be removed from under the sleeve during removal of the other tubular part.

Abstract: A process for encasing articles, particularly encasing cable splices, cable termination, a radially expanded tube made of a rubbery elastic material is positioned on the article. The tube is maintained in the expanded condition by a tension medium in the form of a plastic tube attached to the outer surface of the tube. The attachment between the surface of the tube and the tension medium is removed for the purpose of resetting the tube. The resetting is accomplished by cooling the plastic tube to a sub-ambient temperature thereby destroying the plastic tube.

Abstract: There is provided a method for joining the buss wires of a pair of flexible cables by splicing and encapsulating the ends of the cables together. This method involves the splicing of the two cables together by stripping oppositely disposed ends of the two cables such that the buss wires are left exposed. The exposed wires are inserted into respective ends of a connector tube formed of a material having a similar melting point, tensile strength and electrical conductivity properties to the buss wires disposed therein. Both ends of the connector tube are then welded to the oppositely disposed buss wires. Thereafter, the welded wires are encapsulated within an polymer encapsulation layer which overlaps with portions of the flexible sheath that had not been stripped. The polymer encapsulation layer is preferably one which exhibits a similar melting point and tensile strength to the flexible polymer sheath.

Abstract: A wire connector having a conductive barrel with a solder disc disposed in the barrel with wire retaining means to hold the wires in place during heating and melting of the solder disc to form a permanent connection. A shrinkable sleeve, provided with means of sealing, formed around the barrel and extending beyond the ends of the barrel is also shrunk down onto the wires to seal and insulate the connection and hold the wires.

Abstract: A wire connector having a conductive barrel with a solder mass disposed in the barrel is formed with wire retaining means to hold the wires in place during heating and melting of the solder to form a permanent connection. A shrinkable sleeve, provided with means of sealing, formed around the barrel and extending beyond the ends of the barrel is also shrunk down onto the wires to seal and insulate the connection and hold the wires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing communications cable and splices in the cable. The method involves suspending the cable from poles so that a cable to be spliced terminates adjacent a desired pole in a loop of a length insufficient to reach the ground. A work platform assembly is installed on the pole in a position spaced from the platform and is leveled. A worker is suspended adjacent to the work platform on a support independent of the work platform. From the independent support a splicing device is mounted on the work platform, an end of the looped cable is organized in the splicing tool, the end of a second, third or fourth cable is organized in the splicing tool and the splice formed, all from the independent support. The support, worker, and work platform are then removed. The pole supported platform includes a planar work surface supported in an adjustable spaced relationship to the pole.

Abstract: A fastener for splicing wires and the like is mace by forming a tubular sleeve of spring material such as phosphor bronze. In its unrestrained shape, the tubular sleeve is too small to receive the wires, but the tubular sleeve is expanded elastically and held expanded by solder, so that the wires can be inserted. Upon the application of heat the solder melts, flowing into the joint and allowing the sleeve to spring back to its original size or at least to the diameter of the wires. The fastener can be mounted on a stud to provide a replacement for the familiar solder cup terminal. An expanded sleeve can be placed around a piece of heat shrinkable tube. When heated, the tube and the sleeve contract, the sleeve reinforcing the tube giving a much greater compressive force during shrinking. The sleeve then becomes a metallic protector for the tube.

Abstract: A connector with filter contacts enables removal of an individual surge suppression contact from the mating front end of the connector. The connector includes inserts (30-36, FIG. 1 ) forming contact-receiving passages (60), with the inserts inserted through the rear of a shell (14) until a frontmost insert (30) abuts a flange (40) at the front of the shell. The frontmost insert has a cavity (50) that holds a contact-retention clip (100), with the clip oriented so its band (102) is frontmost and its tines (104) extend rearwardly therefrom. A suppression contact (62) in each passage has a front end (64) projecting forward of the frontmost insert and has a forwardly-facing shoulder (110) lying substantially against the rear ends of the retention clip tines. The rear end (66) of each contact engages a wiring terminal (132) in a pin-and-socket connection.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes powerways and power outlets for positioning in a plurality of furniture units. The powerways may include a plurality of power blocks each having at least three hermaphrodite ports. The power blocks of each powerway are interconnected by flexible conductors. Outlet blocks for the system include a flexible conductor and a connector for connection to the port. The hermaphrodite ports are for connection with other power blocks, outlet blocks, and a power tap-in.

Abstract: A device for joining sections of solid-dielectric underground cable comprises conductor extension pieces or ferrules respectively attached to the center conductors of each of the cable sections, conductor inserts installed in a cavity of each of the ferrules, and a conductor clamp for clamping the ferrules together in a predetermined longitudinal arrangement. The conductor clamp comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical shell pieces which, when assembled together, form a modified cylindrical structure having a central aperture for receiving the ferrules. Each conductor insert includes a disk-shaped flange plate on its outer end. Fasteners are used to compress the shell pieces toward one another into secure engagement with the ferrules, so that the ferrules, and the center conductors to which they are attached, are retained in a desired predetermined mechanical relationship.

Abstract: Interconnecting two insulation sheathed conductors in subsea environments is done using a subsea connector including a metal conductor splice pin arrangement and a splice insulation sleeve. A metal tube is placed over the splice insulation sleeve. The conductor insulation sheaths are molded to respective opposite sides of the metal tube.

Abstract: A process is indicated for producing an electrical connection between a ribbon line and a connecting line, which have at least two electrical conductors each. To relieve the strain on the conducting areas, the exposed ends of the conductors of both lines are placed in a support which is made of insulated material and is equipped with corresponding recesses. Subsequently, the conductors of the lines to be connected are soldered to each other. Finally, an insulation material cover, which adheres firmly to the support, is molded over the connections of the conductors and the ends of both lines.

Abstract: A splice connector (10) includes first and second outer shells (20,50) which are press fit together and secure therewithin an inner dielectric sleeve (80) defining a subassembly (12). Inner contacts (100,110) are terminated onto inner conductors of coaxial cables (160,170) and insertable into a bore (82) of the inner sleeve (80) and mate therewithin during assembly. Inner ferrules (120,140) are placed over the outer jackets of the cables, lengths of the Outer jacket (162,172) are removed and the shielding braid (164,174) folded back over forward portions (128,148) of ferrules (120,140), and the ends of the cables are inserted into large recesses (28,58) of the subassembly (12). The annular flanges (30,60) of the outer shells (20,50) defining the large recesses are then crimped onto the ferrule forward portions (128,148) carefully but firmly compressing the shielding braids (164,174) between the flange and ferrule surfaces to define an electrical grounding connection and also forming a splice joint (14).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding the ends of two metal rods which are to be joined, cutting a face on each of the two metal rods, maintaining alignment of the two cut faces, and providing proper compressive force on the two rods while they are joined by a brazing operation.

Abstract: A partially stripped reinforced electric signal cable and processes for its manufacture and termination by use of an easily-removable hardenable reinforcing material which allows maintenance of conductor alignment and manipulation during termination of the cable with removal of the reinforcing material during the termination process in order to facilitate completion of the termination.

Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaner collector and/or ionizer section has their oppositely charged elements being formed of single, continuous, electrically conductive elements, spirally wound around insulator rods to jointly define a spiral passage through which air is caused to flow. The collector and ionizer may be assembled separately by such a winding process, or they may contain common insulator rods around which the conductive element of both sections may be simultaneously wound. A conductive rod may be inserted to electrically interconnect the high voltage elements of the respective ionizer and collector sections.

Abstract: This semiconductor device has two leads (3) lying in the same axis, a prefabricated plastic can (1) which is filled with a plastic compound and has one of the leads passed through its bottom (1a), and a prefabricated die (4) attached between those sides of the inner ends (60, 70) of the leads (3) facing each other, the leads being inserted into, and having an offset within, the can. The manufacture of the leads starts with a wire (30) which unwinds from a spool (39), passes through a major part of the manufacturing stages unseparated, and is separated into the individual semiconductor devices only after the mounting of the cans (1).

Abstract: An electrical connector includes terminals and receptacles mating at an angle relative to the horizontal force applied to couple them. Keying flanges mounted on a terminal housing slide along guide channels of a receptacle frame in a first direction, and are then directed along keying slots in a second direction, angularly related to the first direction, to mate the terminals and receptacles mounted in the receptacle frame. The connector is compact and may be assembled with application of a single coupling force in one direction. The angular disposition of terminals and receptacles provides improved resistance to uncoupling. A system of such electrical connectors is provided, including means for preventing cross-connection of unrelated circuits and components. Finally, a method for interconnecting electrical circuits and components with such electrical connectors is provided.

Abstract: Connectors for optical cables in ribbon form and a process for making such connectors in which metal plates for the enclosing the cable ends are made by cold, plastic flow forming of grooves in the plates with a punch having ridges produced by a process which produces grooves which hold the positions of the optical fibers between the plates within narrow tolerances. In the process, a punch body with partially formed ridges is mounted on a head rotatable about the axis of the body and movable toward a grinding wheel which is movable in a path perpendicular to the direction of movement of the head toward the grinding wheel. After two opposite passes of the grinding wheel along the side of a ridge, the punch body is rotated 180 degrees, and the side of a corresponding ridge on the opposite side of the punch body axis is ground. The process is repeated with movement of the head toward the grinding wheel, which is measured, until the sides of all ridges are ground.

Abstract: A system for electrically connecting a first power cable end to a second power cable end, the system including a first probe adapted to be electrically connected to the first power cable end, a second probe adapted to be electrically connected to the second power cable end, and a cable splice including a first female contact assembly adapted to engage, in electrically connection therewith, the first probe, and a second female contact assembly electrically connected to the first female contact assembly and adapted to engage, in electrical connection therewith, the second probe.

Abstract: Metal pipes containing optical fibers are connected to each other directly or indirectly by use of a sleeve. In case of using the sleeve, the sleeve is connected at one end to one of the metal pipes, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the sleeve is elongated by a predetermined length, so that the sleeve is connected at the other end to the other metal pipe. Consequently, no tensile stress resides in the connected optical fibers in the connected structure. When the metal pipes are connected directly to each other, one or both of the metal pipes are elongated, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the metal pipes are connected by use of the elongated portions. Consequently, the same result is obtained as using the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making electrical contact with a thin conductive film comprising, in one embodiment, a base with a thin conductive strip and a flexible substrate affixed to the base such that the strip and the substrate abut and form a substantially planar surface. An electrical lead is affixed to the conductive strip and a thin conductive film is applied to the planar surface such that it covers at least a portion of the conductive strip.

Abstract: A twist-on or wire-nut electrical connector having a rigid, electrically insulative upper body, a flexible, elastic, electrically insulative lower skirt, and a coil spring within the body for gripping wires which may be inserted therein. The provision of a flexible, elastic skirt allows the insertion of a larger number of wires (or larger sized wires) into the connector; the skirt further deforms to fit more easily within a crowded junction box or other high-density wiring environment. Unlike prior art twist-on connectors, the lower skirt is attached directly to the open end of the polymeric body, allowing greater application of torque to the rigid body. In the preferred embodiment, the upper body is formed of polypropylene, the lower skirt is formed of a styrenebutylene compound or an olefinic thermoplastic vulcanizate, and the connector is constructed by multicomponent injection molding.

Abstract: A nuclear qualified in-containment electrical connection comprises an insulated, sheathed instrument lead having electrical conductors extending from one end thereof to provide two exposed lead wires, a watertight cable having electrical conducting wires therein and extending from one end of the cable to provide two lead wires therefrom, two butt splice connectors each connecting the ends of respective ones of the lead wires from the instrument lead and cable, a length of heat shrinkable plastic tubing positioned over each butt splice connector and an adjacent portion of a respective lead wire from the cable and heat shrunk into position, a length of heat shrinkable plastic tubing on the end portion of the instrument lead adjacent the lead wires therefrom and heat shrunk thereon and a length of outer heat shrinkable plastic tubing extending over the end portion of the instrument lead and the heat shrinkable tubing thereon and over the butt splice connectors and a portion of the cable adjacent the cable lead l

Abstract: A method of replacing a portion of an old telephone cable by a new cable portion without interrupting service to the line is handled by forming parallel circuits, redundant circuits and then disconnecting the old cable.

Abstract: A method and product for coupling the ends of a pair of superconducting cored wires are provided, the core of the wires consisting essentially of a substantially unitary structure of a sintered powered superconducting compound material confined within a tubular element of a metal having an electrical conductivity of at least about 20% of that for pure copper taken as unity which metal forms a clad around the core material. The method comprises providing a pair of superconducting cored wires with the cladding material removed from an end of each of the wires to be coupled together to expose a finite length of said core material. A coupling device comprised of a tubular segment of the same metal as the cladding material is used to join the wires together, the tubular segment having disposed therein a green pellet of the superconducting material. The pellet is positioned inwardly from both ends of the tubular segment to allow for entry of the exposed end of the superconducting cored wires.

Abstract: A method of connecting superconducting wires have the steps of preparing a connecting superconducting wire piece, exposing the filaments of the superconducting layers to be connected and the filaments of the connecting superconducting wire piece by partially dissolving and removing the coating layers, inserting the filaments of the superconducting wires to be connected into the filaments of the connecting superconducting wire piece such that the filaments of the connecting superconducting wire piece cross and envelope the filaments of the superconducting wires to be connected, fitting a metallic connecting pipe on the region where the filaments cross each other, and crimping the metallic connecting pipe onto the crossing filaments thereby tightly fixing and connecting the exposed filaments to each other.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming a joint between electrical cables comprises a connector arrangement, e.g. a crimp connector, a fusible block capable of being positioned to enclose the connector and a heat-shrinkable sleeve having a recovery temperature at least 10.degree. C. above the melting point of the fusible block. Preferably the fusible block is formed from a number of interlocking component parts. The arrangement is particularly suitable for forming joints between submarine cables, and may include a tubular shield portion for connecting the shields and shielded cables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing a reversal in the relative displacement of male and female components when these components reach a particular position. One component is adapted to be displaced by hand relative to the other component in a first direction to couple the components and in a second direction opposite from the first direction to disengage the components. A support is rigidly attached to one of the components. A stud is mounted in the support to be displaceable away from an initial position in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A guide ramp extending parallel to the first and second directions is positioned on the other component. The ramp has an abutment surface extending perpendicular to the first direction. One of the components is first displaced in the first direction, which causes a first surface of the ramp to displace the stud perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A high tension feeding cable, includes:a body of cable which has a high tension core for supplying a high tension current, and an inner covering layer provided on the outer surface of said high tension core, cylindrical terminals, attached to said cable body, for connecting the high tension core to mating electrical apparatus, said cylindrical terminal having a connecting section which connects the inside and outside of the cylinder, said cylindrical terminal being attached to said cable body so as to have the connecting section positioned in the neighborhood of the end surface position of said cable body, and terminal caps, provided on the end sections of the body of cable with the cylindrical terminal, for protecting said cylindrical terminals and further for connecting the high tension feeding cable mechanically to mating electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a mechanically strong and fluid tight assembly of an electrode along the length of an implantable lead, such as those leads suitable for cardiac pacing and diagnosis and the like. In the preferred embodiment, a short annular sheath polymeric tube is closely positioned over a coiled insulated conductor, an electrode is positioned over the short annular sheath, and a section of the insulating sheath of the lead is positioned over a flange of the electrode and sealed to a shape that is substantially isodiametric with the electrode surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector for particular use in the data communications industry includes an improved latching mechanism for engagement with a like electrical connector or with an apertured panel of a terminal box or the like. The latching mechanism includes a movable arm pivotally mounted integrally with the housing of the connector. The arm comprises a latch on the front end facing the mating end of the connector. A lever captively supported on the housing includes a cam for engagement in a first position with a cam surface on the back portion of the movable arm to dispose the arm in an inclined relation with the latch located closely adjacent the housing so that the latch may be placed for connection another component. When the lever is slid to a second position, a locking spacer thereon engages the front portion of the arm to move the latch away from the housing and cause engagement of the latch with the other component.

Abstract: A method of electrically connecting a flat-conductor ribbon line (1) to a flexible connecting line (6) having stranded conductors. The wires (8, 9) of the connecting line (6) are of different length, with a difference in length which corresponds to the distance of the flat conductors (2, 3) from each other. The one flat conductor (3) can be bent back until it rests against the insulation of the flat-conductor ribbon line (1). The two lines (1, 6) are connected to each other at a right angle and the line ends are embedded in the protective body (10) which is formed by injection.

Abstract: A superconductor comprises two superconducting wires butt-jointed, a superconducting doubling wire electrically and mechanically connecting the superconducting wires, and a stabilizer attached to the superconductors and the doubling wire to extend therealong, the superconductors, the doubling wire and the stabilizer together forming a superconductor of a constant cross-sectional area. A manufacturing process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Making a gas pressurizable closure for a splice region of a telecommunications cable in which plastic ends of the closure are molded in position by locating molds for the ends in axially spaced-apart positions one at each side of the splice region. While the cable is allowed to follow its natural path through and between the molds, the molds are held fixed relative to one another and aligned with one another and the plastic ends are molded. A shroud means of the closure is then located between and sealed to the plastic ends with the cable still following its natural path.

Abstract: A flat cable system includes at least three types of insulated cables with flat conductors, the conductor spacing being either a distance D or a multiple thereof. A connector block for electrically connecting the cables to each other or to wires leading to outside devices includes upper and lower plastic blocks, the lower block having recess with internally threaded backing nuts therein in a staggered pattern, the nuts being spaced by distances D. The upper block carries a puncturing member, a threaded bolt, a spring washer and a terminal connected to a wire. The bolt has a drill point to penetrate one or more cables and threadedly engage one of the backing nuts, forming a clamp assembly which forces the puncturing member into electrical contact with the conductor. An intermediate board for interconnecting plural cables is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprising first and second mateable connectors is disclosed herein. The first connector includes a collet having an expandable mouth in a concave interior, and the second connector includes a convex member, such as a sphere, which is substantially complementary in shape to the concave interior surface of the collet. The concave interior of the first connector, and the convex member of the second connector surround a male pin and female barrel connector, respectively. The male pin and female barrel mate when the convex member of the second connector is inserted into the concave interior of the first connector. Additionally, the collet is split along its longitudinal axis in order to form a plurality of collet fingers which are closeable by means of a collet which is movable along the outside surface of the collet. A water-tight seal between the male pin and the female barrel of the connectors is accomplished by an O-ring disposed in the mouth of the female barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for remotely connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting a flexible communication member between two spaced apart bodies which are in predetermined relative positions to one another within given tolerances, and more particularly, to the connecting of an electrical connector to a carried spacecraft from an orbiter while providing for a minimum transfer of energy therebetween. A remote actuation of an electrical connector between two bodies is accomplished by driving an extendable member carrying a detachable connector from one of the bodies into mating contact with a fixed connector on the other body. A locking means associated with the other body retains the detachable connector in such mating contact while the extendable member is withdrawn. A flexible cable is first secured between said one of the bodies and the detachable connector.

Abstract: In a cable stub assembly (20) which is used to interconnect two cables (22 and 24), at least one of which is pressurized with a gaseous medium, a portion of a plastic jacket is removed from an interior portion of a length (31) of cable to expose conductors (33--33) of a core (32). Heat shrinkable sleeves (61 and 66) each of which comprises an irradiation cross-linked polyolefin material are positioned over the jacket of the cable on each side of the interior portion from which the jacket has been removed. The heat shrinkable sleeves are caused to contract about the cable jacket. Inner surfaces of the sleeves are coated with an adhesive material which is helpful in providing a sealed engagement of the sleeves with the jacket. A length of tubing (81) is disposed about the cable jacket and the contracted sleeves. A polyurethane filling material (82) is introduced into the tubing and is adhered sufficiently to the sleeves to prevent substantially the escape of the gaseous medium from the at least one cable.

Abstract: A sleeve, terminal body, plug body, or the like receives tubular or ring-shaped, normally solid but thermoplastic filler elements, being traversed by a cable or conductor, particularly a portion from which insulation has been stripped. A plunger-like element receives also the cable or conductor and is inserted in one end of the sleeve, or body, the other end being closed by another plunger or body structure. Upon heating, the filler element melts and the plunger or plungers are forced further in to cause melted filler material to fill all voids; the deformed material resolidifies and seals and bonds all parts together.

Abstract: Optical fibers are cleaved with high precision by a technique that yields flat endfaces that are perpendicular to the axis of the fiber within 1 degree, and typically within 0.5 degree. This is very advantageous for obtaining low loss splices of fibers, especially single mode fibers. In the present technique, a fiber is secured in two linearly aligned chucks in a sequence that allows one end to rotate unconstrained to minimize tortion. An axial tension is then applied in the fiber, which is next scored. The fiber then typically breaks, but cleaving can be promoted by applying further tension, or introducing moisture, if necessary.

Abstract: Thin film resistors (FIG. 1) are produced on flexible tape 1 to provide at low cost a very wide range of precision resistors having low inductance. A reel of tape 70 coated with resistive material is etched to create a plurality of sinuous resistor patterns 3 and an array of spaced interconnection pads 102 suitable for connection to external leads via intermediate wires. Formation of a resistor of the desired precision value is performed by a selection of two pads, preferably by automated means by a trial and error technique. Prior to pad selection, the resistor can be covered with a material 4 which provides stability of resistance, mechnical protection and facilitation of assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article suitable for making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors, for example an earth conductor and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The article comprises a first, heat-shrinkable, sleeve (1), a quantity of solder (2) positioned within the sleeve, and a second sleeve (5) an outer surface of which, together with an inner surface of the first sleeve, forms a passage for receiving the earth conductor. Stop means are provided for axial location of the earth conductor. On shrinking of the sleeve and fusing of the solder, an electrical connection can be made between an earth conductor received, in use, in the passage and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable received, in use, in the first sleeve but not in the passage.

Abstract: Cable ends (1 and 2) are to be joined. The cables are armored by stainless steel sheaths, and have two conductors (9 & 11, and 8 & 10 respectively) insulated by means of compressed mineral insulation (14). The cables are typically for thermocouples and have an outside diameter of a few millimeters. Joining proceeds as follows: The cable ends are reduced in diameter by swaging, e.g. with initial conical portions (5,4) followed by smaller diameter portions (7,6). The ends of the swaged portions are stripped to reveal the conductors which are joined end-to-end by welding. A longitudinally slotted length of tubing (3) is placed around the join, and the tubing is filled, via its slot, with powdered mineral insulation. The length of tubing 3 is then closed by welding, and the entire join is drawn down around the join to ensure that the entire joined cable is of uniform outside diameter.

Abstract: An electrical connector suitable for use in connecting together electrical cables underwater comprises a first portion secured to a first cable and a second portion secured to a second cable. The first and second portions include a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact respectively. The first and second portions engage together so that the first and second contacts are in electrical contact with one another and so that a closed free space is formed between the two portions. A means is provided to enable flushing and drying fluids and electrically insulating fluid to be introduced into the free space. The electrical connector is particularly useful for connecting a down hole electric pump in a subsea oil well to a source of electricity.

Abstract: A termination between a lightweight submarine coaxial cable (1) and a tail cable (2) connectible to a submersible repeater includes slip inducing means (8, 14) arranged on the joint (4) and a portion of the submarine cable (1) adjacent the joint such that armour wires arranged on a predetermined length of the submarine cable (1), including the portion, and on the joint (4) will slip during transfer of tensile load from the cable (1) to the repeater housing and not cause compression forces that can damage the joint (4). The length of the armour wires applied directly to the submarine cable sheath is chosen to be sufficient to transfer the tensile load on the cable safely to the repeater housing.

Abstract: A flexible connector cable for providing high density and reliable electrical interconnections between printed circuit boards or any other surfaces having conductive paths that need connection to conductive paths on adjacent surfaces. The connector cable comprises a flat flexible laminar structure including an electrically-insulative layer and an electrically-conductive layer. The insulative layer is typically formed on a bonded plastic such as Polyimide and the conductive layer is typically formed of copper. Openings are formed in the insulative layer to expose the conductive layer and raised contacts or buttons are deposited on the conductive layer on both surfaces of the cable. The raised contacts are formed of ductile conductive material which exhibits plastic deformation under pressure to form good electrical connections.

Abstract: A splice assembly tool for assembling component parts of an electrical conductor while producing a splice connection between electrical cables therewith, comprises a first structural member adaptable for supporting force applying means thereon, said force applying means enabling a rotary force applied manually thereto to be converted to a longitudinal force for subsequent application against a first component part of said electrical connection, a second structural member adaptable for engaging a second component part in a manner to assist said first structural member in assembling the component parts relative to one another and transmission means for conveying said longitudinal force between said first and said second structural members, said first and said second structural members being coupled to one another by said transmission means, wherein at least one of said component parts comprises a tubular elastomeric sleeve and said force applying means provides a relatively high mechanical advantage when said r

Abstract: A splice for an optical ribbon utilizes the elongated strain relief members in the ribbon as guide members to form a space in which the optical channels of the two ribbons are axially aligned to optically connect them. The splice and corresponding splicing method are particularly useful to gang splice two optical ribbons.