PULLING TORPEDO HAVING A MATING FEATURE THEREON THAT MATES WITH A MATING FEATURE FORMED ON A CABLE BOOT

摘要

A torpedo is provided for use in pulling an optical communications device through ducts, vents, pipes, and the like. The torpedo has at least one mating feature formed thereon that mates with at least one mating feature formed on a boot of an optical fiber cable when the torpedo is attached to the boot. The mating feature formed on the torpedo is typically a key and the mating feature formed on the boot is typically a keyway having a shape that is complementary to the shape of the key. The mating of the key and keyway eliminate the need to use a clamping force to ensure that the grip between the torpedo and the cable will not be lost or compromised when the torpedo is being pulled. The boot of the optical fiber cable may be a standard boot of a standard optical fiber cable, and therefore does not need to be a specialized boot designed specifically for the purpose of attaching to a torpedo. The boot of the optical fiber cable is attached in the normal manner to the strain relief device of the optical fiber cable. Consequently, pulling forces that are exerted by the torpedo on the boot are translated through the boot into the strain relief device of the cable, thereby preventing forces from being exerted on the cable that could possibly damage it.