Fiber optic saddle

Abstract

A method for attaching an interduct to a duct by forming a groove on an outer surface of the duct and pressing out that portion of the duct encompassed by the groove to form an opening in the duct. A saddle is then attached to the duct and the interduct the attached to the saddle. The apparatus used for forming the opening in a duct comprises a template having an arcuate portion with a radius substantially the same as the duct. The template has a window portion having substantially the same shape as the opening to be formed in the duct. A base plate is provided having an arcuate portion with a radius substantially the same as the radius of the arcuate portion of the template such that the base plate is slidably fittable over the template. A cutting device is attached to the base plate and has a cutting element extending through the base plate. The saddle has an arcuate portion having a radius substantially the same as the radius of the duct such that the saddle is slidably fittable against the duct and grips the duct. The arcuate portion has a hole formed for accepting a sleeve portion attached to the arcuate portion and communicating with the hole in the arcuate portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.