Patent ID: 7837396

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving a fiber optic cable that comprises: an optical fiber that is capable of transmitting light that conveys data; a buffer tube that surrounds the optical fiber; a strength member that provides additional tensile strength to the fiber optic cable; and a jacket that surrounds the strength member, the buffer tube, and the optical fiber; creating a lengthwise slit in the jacket of the fiber optic cable, thereby exposing an interior segment of the buffer tube; creating a lengthwise slit in the exposed interior segment of the buffer tube, thereby exposing an interior segment of the optical fiber; bending the fiber optic cable into a bent position at the slit in the buffer tube; while the fiber optic cable is in the bent position, sliding the optical fiber lengthwise within the buffer tube such that a terminal segment of the optical fiber protrudes outwardly beyond an end of the buffer tube and such that the interior segment of the optical fiber slides out of the slit in the buffer tube; after sliding the optical fiber within the buffer tube, attaching a connector to an end of the terminal segment of the optical fiber; after attaching the connector, unbending the fiber optic cable such that the interior segment of the optical fiber returns to its original position within the buffer tube; and after unbending the fiber optic cable, sealing the slit in the jacket.