Fiber optic cables with strength members and an apparatus for making the same

A generally flat fiber optic cable, comprising:

• at least one optical transmission component;
• at least two strength components, said strength components being disposed adjacent said optical transmission component;
• and
• a cable jacket, said cable jacket surrounding said at least one optical transmission component and said at least two strength components;
• said cable jacket being about 10 mm wide or less and about 5 mm in height or less.

An extrusion tooling apparatus comprising a tip and a die, said extrusion tooling apparatus being operative to extrude jacketing compound about strength components and at least one optical transmission component for making a generally flat cable, at least one of said strength components having a nominal radius that is less than said nominal radius of said optical transmission component, said extrusion tooling apparatus comprising:

• an inlet port for receiving a jacketing compound under suitable temperature and pressure conditions;
• channels for channeling said jacketing compound from said inlet port toward said tip and said die;
• said tip comprising an orifice defined within an end portion of said tip for receiving said strength and optical transmission components therein, said tip comprising at least two generally flat and generally parallel surfaces on opposite sides of said tip, said tip further comprising arcuate sections, said arcuate sections that generally complement said shape of said strength components;
• and
• said die comprising a die orifice for shaping said jacketing compound as it exits said extrusion-tooling apparatus.