Fiber optic cable clamp

Claim 2

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member and an optical fiber; inner and outer sleeves each having a forward end; said cable extending forwardly through said inner sleeve with its strength member extending around said forward end thereof and rearwardly in helical form around said inner sleeve; and said outer sleeve being crimped around said helically wound portion of said strength member and said inner sleeve to tightly secure said strength member to said inner sleeve.

Claim 3

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said cable includes an outer jacket surrounding said strength member and said optical fiber; and said inner sleeve has a rear portion crimped onto said cable jacket.

Claim 4

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly as set forth in claim 2 including: a support having a recess therein formed by a plurality of flat surfaces; and one of said crimped elements having flat sides bearing against said flat surfaces for preventing rotation of said cable relative to said support and, thereby, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber of the cable.

Claim 5

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said strength member is a metallic wire.

Claim 6

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member and an optical fiber; inner and outer sleeves, said inner sleeve terminating in a front edge; an axially extending slot in said inner sleeve opening at said front edge; said cable extending forwardly through said inner sleeve with its strength member extending outwardly through said slot and rearwardly in helical form around said inner sleeve; and said outer sleeve being crimped around said helically wound portion of said strength member and said inner sleeve to tightly secure said strength member to said inner sleeve.

Claim 7

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member and an optical fiber; inner and outer sleeves, said inner sleeve terminating in a front edge; an axially extending slot in said inner sleeve opening at said front edge; said cable extending forwardly through said inner sleeve with its strength member extending outwardly through said slot and rearwardly in helical form around said inner sleeve; and said outer sleeve being crimped around said helically wound portion of said strength member and said inner sleeve to tightly secure said strength member to said inner sleeve.

Claim 8

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said strength member comprises a pair of metallic wires; said inner sleeve embodies a pair of said slots generally diametrically opposed from each other; said wires extending outwardly through said slots and being wound helically as a single layer around said inner sleeve; and said outer sleeve is crimped around said helically wound portions of said wires.

Claim 9

A fiber optic cable clamp assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said front edge of said inner sleeve is rounded and extends outwardly to provide a rearwardly facing shoulder in front of said outer sleeve.

Claim 12

A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said inner sleeve is provided with an axially extending slot opening at its forward end; and said strength member is pulled outwardly through said slot prior to winding the strength member around said inner sleeve.

Claim 13

A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cable has an outer jacket and including the additional step of: crimping said inner sleeve to said jacket prior to said folding step.

Claim 16

A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said cable contains a plurality of strength members which are tensioned uniformly while folding the end portions thereof over the forward end of said sleeve.

Claim 17

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member, at least one optical fiber and an outer jacket; a clamp surrounding said cable and having a portion thereof crimping to said outer jacket providing a plurality of flat sides; means connecting said strength member to said clamp; a support for said clamp having a recess therein formed by a plurality of flat surfaces; said flat sides of said crimped portion of said clamp bearing against said flat surfaces for preventing rotation of said cable relative to said support and, thereby, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber or fibers of said cable.

Claim 18

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member, at least one optical fiber and an outer jacket; a clamp surrounding said cable and having a portion thereof crimping to said outer jacket providing a plurality of flat sides; means connecting said strength member to said clamp; a support for said clamp having a recess therein formed by a plurality of flat surfaces; said flat sides of said crimped portion of said clamp bearing against said flat surfaces for preventing rotation of said cable relative to said support and, thereby, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber or fibers of said cable.

Claim 19

A connector assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein: said crimped portion is in the form of a hex crimp.

Claim 20

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member, at least one optical fiber and an outer jacket; a clamp surrounding said cable having a forward portion and a rear portion, said rear portion being crimped to said outer jacket; said strength member being laid over said forward portion of said clamp; an outer sleeve having a portion crimped around said strength member and said clamp to tightly secure said strength member to said clamp; at least one of said crimped portions having flat sides; a support for said clamp having a recess therein formed by a plurality of flat surfaces; said flat sides of said one crimped portion bearing against said flat surfaces for preventing rotation of said cable relative to said support and, thereby, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber or fibers of said cable.

Claim 21

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable having a strength member, at least one optical fiber and an outer jacket; a clamp surrounding said cable having a forward portion and a rear portion, said rear portion being crimped to said outer jacket; said strength member being laid over said forward portion of said clamp; an outer sleeve having a portion crimped around said strength member and said clamp to tightly secure said strength member to said clamp; at least one of said crimped portions having flat sides; a support for said clamp having a recess therein formed by a plurality of flat surfaces; said flat sides of said one crimped portion bearing against said flat surfaces for preventing rotation of said cable relative to said support and, thereby, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber or fibers of said cable.