British Telecommunications Public Limited Company

Mark Edward Scopes

Christopher Nigel Munnings

Alan M Hill

Derek Nesset

Albert Rafel

Alan Michael Hill

The present invention relates to the introduction of an outstation into an optical network. The optical network has a central station, and a plurality of previously introduced outstations which are optically connected to the central station. The network is operable in: a normal operating state in which data traffic is received from previously introduced outstations at a normal data rate; and, a set-up state in which the transmission of data traffic from the previously introduced outstations is restricted relative to the normal state, the method including the step of: when the network is in the set-up state, performing a set-up operation for introducing the outstation into the optical network, the set-up operation involving the transmission of set-up data from the outstation being introduced, wherein the set-up data is transmitted at a reduced rate relative to the normal operating rate.

Method of introducing an outstation into an optical network and outstation therefor

A ram for boring through soil, including an elongate body terminating at one end in a head, wherein during use the head is separated from the body to form a channel therebetween for the soil to pass through from one side of the ram to another side of the ram.

Boring ram

An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through one of a plurality of sidewalls of a pit, including a gripping arrangement for releasably gripping the elongate component, a lever arm comprising a handle at a first end and the gripping arrangement at the second end, and a frame to which the lever arm is attached, wherein during use the frame is positioned substantially above the pit, and the gripping arrangement hangs downwardly from the frame into the pit.

Trenchless ducting apparatus frame

An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through a sidewall of a pit, including a frame, a lever arm pivotably attached to the frame and comprising a handle at a first end, a gripping arrangement pivotably attached to the lever arm at a second end at a gripping pivot point, allowing the gripping arrangement to pivot about the gripping pivot point to assume a first and a second installation position, wherein in a first installation position during use the gripping arrangement grips the elongate component as the lever arm pivots in a first direction and releases the elongate component as the lever arm pivots in a second, opposite, direction, and wherein in a second installation position during use the gripping arrangement releases the elongate component as the lever arm pivots in a first direction and grips the elongate component as the lever arm pivots in a second, opposite, direction.

An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through a sidewall of a pit, including a lever arm having a handle at a first end and a gripping arrangement for gripping the elongate component at a second end, the lever arm being pivotably attached to a frame via a sleeve and arranged in use to be pivoted about a pivot point by moving the first, handle, end through an arc, and movement translation means for translating the pivoting movement of the lever arm at the first end into a substantially linear movement at the second, gripping, end.

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Ipswich, United Kingdom

Mark Edward Scopes