Patent ID: 8229259
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a case defining an enclosed volume; an input optical fiber connected to the case that extends into the volume; an output optical fiber connected to the case that extends into the volume; a light path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber; a light path interrupting element disposed within the enclosed volume, the light path interrupting element being movable from a first position at which it interrupts at least a portion of the light path so that a first amount of light can reach the output optical fiber to a second position at which a second amount of light can reach the output optical fiber, the first amount is different than the second amount; and a retainer that extends through the case and into the interior volume, the retainer is moveable relative to the case from a retaining position to a disengaged position, and at the retaining position the retainer is engaged with the light path interrupting element to retain the light path interrupting element at the first position, and at the disengaged position the retainer is disengaged from the light path interrupting element and the light path interrupting element is at the second position.