Apparatus and method for establishing an optical path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel

An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in at least one optical channel;

• said at least one optical channel being supported by a first cable section generally oriented about a first axis on a first side of said discontinuity;
• said at least one optical channel being supported by a second cable section generally oriented about a second axis on a second side of said discontinuity;
• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) a first coupling member coupled with said at least one optical channel on said first side of said discontinuity;
• (b) a first supporting member substantially fixedly situated with said first coupling member;
• said first supporting member being substantially fixedly situated in an installed orientation in a generally clamping relation with said first cable section;
• (c) a second coupling member coupled with said at least one optical channel on said second side of said discontinuity;
• (d) a second supporting member substantially fixedly situated with said second coupling member;
• said second supporting member being substantially fixedly situated in an installed orientation in a generally clamping relation with said second cable section;
• and
• (e) a connecting member optically coupling said first coupling member with said second coupling member to establish said optical circuit path.

A method for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in at least one optical channel;

• said at least one optical channel being supported by a first cable section generally oriented about a first axis on a first side of said discontinuity;
• said at least one optical channel being supported by a second cable section generally oriented about a second axis on a second side of said discontinuity;
• the method comprising:
• (a) providing a first coupling member coupled with said at least one optical channel on said first side of said discontinuity;
• (b) providing a first supporting member substantially fixedly situated with said first coupling member;
• said first supporting member being substantially fixedly situated in an installed orientation in a generally clamping relation with said first cable section;
• (c) providing a second coupling member coupled with said at least one optical channel on said second side of said discontinuity;
• (d) providing a second supporting member substantially fixedly situated with said second coupling member;
• said second supporting member being substantially fixedly situated in an installed orientation in a generally clamping relation with said second cable section;
• (e) providing a connecting member;
• and
• (f) installing said connecting member to effect optically coupling said first coupling member with said second coupling member to establish said optical circuit path.