Patent US3963308A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3963308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focusing coupling device for multi optical-fiber cable
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1973-06-25
•
Granted: 1976-06-15
•
Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A coupling device is provided for a multi optical-fiber cable in which the bared free ends of the individual fibers to be coupled or terminated are geometrically oriented in a substantially focusing relation to each other to enable the propagated light beam patterns being transmitted through each fiber end to be concentrated by being superimposed substantially at a common focal plane thereby enhancing the intensity of light being available for transmission across the coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Lebduska
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/382; G02B6/40; G02B6/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A coupling device for a fiber optic cable containing a plurality of bared free fiber ends comprising: a connector body having a longitudinal internal bore extending therethrough providing an opening at both ends to receive said cable; a tapered mandrel positioned within the bore approximately at the longitudinal axis of the cable and centrally to the fibers; said internal bore being funnel-shaped for bending the free ends of said fibers and to coact with the mandrel as they are freely inserted within said body at predetermined acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the connector body so that the longitudinal centerlines of a substantial number of the fibers when projected will intersect approximately at a common focal point beyond the faces of the fibers' ends and spaced therefrom to enable the light beam patterns emitting from the fiber ends to be substantially superimposed on each other at a transverse plane passing through said common focal point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A coupling device for a fiber optic cable containing a plurality of bared free fiber ends comprising: a connector body having a longitudinal internal bore extending therethrough providing an opening at both ends to receive said cable; a tapered mandrel positioned within the bore approximately at the longitudinal axis of the cable and centrally to the fibers; said internal bore being funnel-shaped for bending the free ends of said fibers and to coact with the mandrel as they are freely inserted within said body at predetermined acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the connector body so that the longitudinal centerlines of a substantial number of the fibers when projected will intersect approximately at a common focal point beyond the faces of the fibers' ends and spaced therefrom to enable the light beam patterns emitting from the fiber ends to be substantially superimposed on each other at a transverse plane passing through said common focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupling device of claim 1 wherein said tapered mandrel has means for pulling the mandrel in a direction to compress the bared fiber ends into engagement with the funnel-shaped bore surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |