Self-locking fiber optic seal

Sealing apparatus comprising

• a block,
• first and second passageways intersecting within the block, each passageway having an inlet opening on a surface of the block for receiving an end fitting, and
• link means having first and second ends provided with first and second interlocking end fittings respectively,
• wherein the first and second end fittings are received in said first and second passageways respectively, the first and second end fittings interlocking with each other at the intersection of the first and second passageways,
• further comprising means for aligning the end fittings in the block to enable locking interconnection of said first and second end fittings, wherein said passageways have cross-sectional shapes related to the cross-sectional shapes of their respective end fittings, wherein the cross-sectional shape of said first passageway differs from the cross-sectional shape of the second passageway.

Sealing apparatus comprising

• a block,
• first and second passageways intersecting within the block, each passageway having an inlet opening on a surface of the block for receiving an end fitting, and
• link means having first and second ends provided with first and second interlocking end fittings respectively,
• wherein the first and second end fittings are received in said first and second passageways respectively, the first and second end fittings interlocking with each other at the intersection of the first and second passageways,
• further comprising means for aligning the end fittings in the block to enable locking interconnection of said first and second end fittings, wherein said passageways have cross-sectional shapes related to the cross-sectional shapes of their respective end fittings, wherein the first passageway has a generally T-shaped cross-section and the first end fitting has a generally triangular cross-section, the base of said triangular cross-section being held within the first passageway perpendicular to the leg of said T-shaped cross-section.

Sealing apparatus comprising

• a block,
• first and second passageways intersecting within the block, each passageway having an inlet opening on a surface of the block for receiving a link end,
• link means having first and second ends received in the first and second passageways respectively, the second end passing through the first end at the intersection of the first and second passageways, and
• wherein the second passageway is provided with locking means for preventing withdrawal of the second link end from the block.

A method for making an end fitting on a fiber optic bundle comprising

• providing a cylindrical tubular member,
• shaping the cylindrical member to form divided passageways therein,
• dividing the fiber optic bundle,
• inserting the bundle into the member, a portion of the fibers entering one passageway and the remainder of the fibers entering the other passageway,
• crimping an end of the member onto the fiber optic bundle, and
• flatening the cylindrical member.

Sealing apparatus comprising

• a block,
• first and second passageways intersecting within the block, each passageway having an inlet opening on a surface of the block for receiving an end fitting, and
• link means having first and second ends provided with first and second interlocking end fittings respectively,
• wherein the first and second end fittings are received in said first and second passageways respectively, the first and second end fittings interlocking with each other at the intersection of the first and second passageways, wherein the second end fitting passes through the first end fitting at said intersection.