Optical fiber ribbon peel tool

Abstract

The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for peeling matrix material from a fiber optic ribbon structure. The present invention uses a peel tool which has a base portion and a lever portion, where the two portions are connected to each other such that they pivot with respect to each other. Both portions are wide enough to allow a fiber optic ribbon to be adhered to opposing surfaces of the lever and base portions when the portions are closed. The ribbon is secured to the opposing surfaces with an adhesive, such that when the lever portion is pivoted away from the base portion an even peel force is distributed across the width of the ribbon matrix, causing an even portion of the ribbon matrix material to be removed, thus exposing the individual fibers for splicing, repair etc. without requiring multiple peel operations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.