Patent EP0486189A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0486189A2
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EP
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Crimp and cleave assembly of an optical connector
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1991-11-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-11-04
Abstract
Abstract An optical connector comprises an alignment ferrule (11) receiving a plunger (38) and receiving an insert (35) between the plunger (38) and a constriction (32), the plunger (38) being constructed to receive an optical fiber (3) and a buffer (4) covering the optical fiber (3) and the plunger (38) and the insert (35) being constructed for movement forwardly to compact the insert (35) in the constriction (32) and to apply compression concentrically on the optical fiber (3).
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin Thomas Monroe
- 👤 David Donald Erdman
- 👤 Alan Edward Plotts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An optical connector comprising, an alignment ferrule (11) having a passage (14) receiving a plunger (38) and receiving an insert (35) between the plunger (38) and a constriction of the passage (14), characterized by; the plunger (38) being constructed to receive an optical fiber (3) and a buffer (4) covering the optical fiber (3), and the plunger (38) and the insert (35) being constructed for movement forwardly of the passage (14) to compact the insert (35) in the constriction and to apply compression concentrically on the optical fiber (3), and the plunger (38) being restrained from movement to retain the insert (35) under compression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical connector comprising, an alignment ferrule (11) having a passage (14) receiving a plunger (38) and receiving an insert (35) between the plunger (38) and a constriction of the passage (14), characterized by; the plunger (38) being constructed to receive an optical fiber (3) and a buffer (4) covering the optical fiber (3), and the plunger (38) and the insert (35) being constructed for movement forwardly of the passage (14) to compact the insert (35) in the constriction and to apply compression concentrically on the optical fiber (3), and the plunger (38) being restrained from movement to retain the insert (35) under compression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical connector as recited in claim 1, further characterized by; longitudinal slits (34) (43) in a rear end of the plunger (38) and in a rear end of the alignment ferrule (11) and a crimp ferrule (8) for radial compression of the rear end of the plunger (38) and the rear end of the alignment ferrule (11).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical connector as recited in claim 1 or 2, further characterized by; the plunger (38) being held in the alignment ferrule (11) with the plunger (38) projecting from a rear end of the alignment ferrule (11) prior to receiving the optical fiber (3).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical connector as recited in claim 1,2 or 3, further characterized by; the insert (35) being unitary with a fiber receiving bore (37).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical connector as recited in claim 1,2,3 or 4, further characterized by; a strain relief boot (9) mounted to the alignment ferrule (11).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical connector as recited in any one of the preceding claims, furthekr characterized by: a frictional surface (44) on the outer surface of the plunger (38) force fit in the alignment ferrule (11).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical connector as recited in any one of the preceding claims, further characterized by: the insert (35) being formed of unsintered powdered metal compacted by a fraction of the total compaction required for sintering the powdered metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical connector as recited in any one of the preceding claims, further characterized by: the insert (35) being retained between the plunger (38) and the constriction substantially without axial compression prior to the plunger (38) receiving the buffer covered optical fiber (3,4).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of assembling an optical connector with a buffer covered optical fiber, comprising the steps of: assembling a deformable insert (35) and a plunger (38) in a passage of an alignment ferrule (11) of an optical connector, with the insert (35) being retained between a constriction of the passage and the plunger (38) substantially without compression, retaining the plunger (38) with a force fit in the passage, assembling a buffer covered optical fiber (3,4) in the plunger (38), with the optical fiber (3) projecting through the insert (35) and through a front end of the alignment ferrule (11), moving the plunger (3,8) and the buffer covered optical fiber (3,4) forwardly with respect to the alignment ferrule (11), compressing the insert (35) in the constriction and compressing the insert (35) concentrically on the optical fiber (3), restraining the plunger (38) from further movement to retain the insert (35) under compression, and finishing the optical fiber (3) with an optical face.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of assembling an optical connector with a buffer covered optical fiber, comprising the steps of: assembling a deformable insert (35) and a plunger (38) in a passage of an alignment ferrule (11) of an optical connector, with the insert (35) being retained between a constriction of the passage and the plunger (38) substantially without compression, retaining the plunger (38) with a force fit in the passage, assembling a buffer covered optical fiber (3,4) in the plunger (38), with the optical fiber (3) projecting through the insert (35) and through a front end of the alignment ferrule (11), moving the plunger (3,8) and the buffer covered optical fiber (3,4) forwardly with respect to the alignment ferrule (11), compressing the insert (35) in the constriction and compressing the insert (35) concentrically on the optical fiber (3), restraining the plunger (38) from further movement to retain the insert (35) under compression, and finishing the optical fiber (3) with an optical face.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 9, and further including the step of: radially collapsing the rear ends of the alignment ferrule (11) and the plunger(38) toward the buffer covered optical fiber (3,4).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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