Patent US3624816A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3624816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible fiber optic conduit
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-28
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1990-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A flexible fiber optic conduit formed of a multiplicity of juxtaposed light-conducting fibers all connected together adjacent opposite ends of the conduit by a matrix of silica-free acid soluble glass with said connecting glass having been leached from the intermediate portion of the bundle leaving corresponding lengths of individual fibers thereof unconnected and free to flex individually. Short lengths of semiflexible heat-shrunken plastic tubing tightly surround transitional zones between unconnected and connected together portions of the individual fibers adjacent opposite ends of the conduit. These lengths of tubing strengthen and protect the aforesaid transitional zones against undue breakage during use of the conduit as a light and/or image transmitting device.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Strack
- 👤 Roland A Phaneuf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:59
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/10; C03B37/14; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit formed of a great multiplicity of juxtaposed light-conducting fibers each having a lightconducting core of high refractive index glass immediately surrounded by a relatively thin cladding of glass having a lower refractive index, said fibers being connected together adjacent opposite ends of the conduit by a matrix glass of compatible softening temperature and coefficient of expansion, the conduit being characterized by the improvement of: said matrix glass being silica-free and substantially completely cleanly leached from the intermediate section of the length of said conduit between said opposite ends thereof whereby said conduit is rendered flexible and free of obstructive and abrasive residue between individual fibers throughout said intermediate section including the areas of transition between connected and unconnected portions of the length of the fibers adjacent said opposite ends of said conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit formed of a great multiplicity of juxtaposed light-conducting fibers each having a lightconducting core of high refractive index glass immediately surrounded by a relatively thin cladding of glass having a lower refractive index, said fibers being connected together adjacent opposite ends of the conduit by a matrix glass of compatible softening temperature and coefficient of expansion, the conduit being characterized by the improvement of: said matrix glass being silica-free and substantially completely cleanly leached from the intermediate section of the length of said conduit between said opposite ends thereof whereby said conduit is rendered flexible and free of obstructive and abrasive residue between individual fibers throughout said intermediate section including the areas of transition between connected and unconnected portions of the length of the fibers adjacent said opposite ends of said conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit according to claim 1 wherein corresponding opposite ends of said fibers are substantially identically geometrically patterned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit according to claim 1 wherein corresponding opposite ends of said fibers are randomly differently geometrically patterned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit according to claim 1 further including lengths of tightly fitted plastic tubing surrounding said areas of transition for strengthening same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flexible fiber optic conduit according to claim 4 still further including a flexible sheath extending along at least the major portion of the length of said conduit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3004368A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |