US3902784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector
Assignee: GTE Control Devices Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-19
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector are described. The optical fiber connector is formed by locating a main body for the connector so that a predetermined relationship is established between an axis and at least two external surfaces of the main body. The optical fiber is then positioned in a precise position with respect to the axis; hence, it is also precisely located relative to the two external surfaces. Finally, the optical fiber is secured firmly to the main body. The optical fiber connector so formed is capable of being mated to another similarly mounted optical fiber connector by use of the two external surfaces to provide a highly efficient optical coupling junction.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L Dakss
- 👤 Andrew Bridger
- 👤 Hubert J Ramsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3843
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector comprising a support extending in a generally vertical direction, a microscope having an optical axis and being attached to the support, the optical axis extending generally vertically along the support, an optical fiber connector main body fixture being attached to the support for positioning an optical fiber connector main body on the optical axis, the fixture controllably defining a relationship between the optical axis and a preselected longitudinal external surface of the optical fiber connector main body, an optical fiber fixture being movably attached to the support for orienting an optical fiber generally parallel to the optical axis and for positioning the optical fiber relative to the optical axis, the optical fiber fixture being movable laterally to and along the optical axis relative to the microscope and the optical fiber connector main body fixture so that an optical fiber may be located controllably within the optical fiber connector main body, and the microscope including means for determining the location of the optical fiber relative to the external surface of the optical fiber connector main body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector comprising a support extending in a generally vertical direction, a microscope having an optical axis and being attached to the support, the optical axis extending generally vertically along the support, an optical fiber connector main body fixture being attached to the support for positioning an optical fiber connector main body on the optical axis, the fixture controllably defining a relationship between the optical axis and a preselected longitudinal external surface of the optical fiber connector main body, an optical fiber fixture being movably attached to the support for orienting an optical fiber generally parallel to the optical axis and for positioning the optical fiber relative to the optical axis, the optical fiber fixture being movable laterally to and along the optical axis relative to the microscope and the optical fiber connector main body fixture so that an optical fiber may be located controllably within the optical fiber connector main body, and the microscope including means for determining the location of the optical fiber relative to the external surface of the optical fiber connector main body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 1, further including means for locating an end of the optical fiber relative to an external lateral surface of the optical fiber connector main body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein the optical fiber connector main body fixture includes a means for aligning the optical fiber connector main body in a predetermined manner relative to the optical axis including at least one aligned side locating surface to seat the optical fiber connector main body and means for retaining the external surface of the optical fiber connector main body against the side locating surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein the optical fiber fixture includes a translator for moving the optical fiber in a plane normal to the optical axis and a device for moving the optical fiber parallel to the optical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 4, wherein the optical fiber connector main body fixture is disposed along the optical axis between the microscope and the optical fiber fixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 5, wherein the means for determining the location of the optical fiber is a reticle disposed at an intermediate image plane of the microscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 5, wherein the means for locating an end of the optical fiber comprises the microscope having a narrow depth of focus and an index surface on the optical fiber connector main body fixture against which the external lateral surface on the optical fiber connector main body bears so that when the end of the optical fiber is in the object plane of the microscope its location relative to all parts of the optical fiber connector main body are determined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for forming an optical fiber connector according to claim 5, wherein the means for aligning the optical fiber connector main body in the optical fiber main body fixture and the means for aligning the optical fiber parallel to the optical axis are each V-shaped grooves all sides of which are disposed parallel to the optical axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3218059A
Cited
US3628036A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |