(19)

(11)

EP 1 135 779 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/39 (21) Application number: 99960559.5 (22) Date of filing: 22.11.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01B 13/26 (86) International application number: PCT/US9927/712 (87) International publication number: WO 0031/755 (02.06.2000 Gazette 2000/22)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 25.11.1998 US 109874 P (71) Applicant: Corning Cable Systems LLC Hickory,North Carolina 28603 (US)	(72) Inventors: DUGAN, Timothy, V. Goose Creek, SC 29445 (US) HILLBURN, Ralph, D. Hanahan, SC 29406 (US) (74) Representative: Epping Hermann & Fischer  Ridlerstrasse 55 80339 München 80339 München (DE)