US3981706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making flexible colored fiber optic device
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-16
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Granted: 1976-09-21
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Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A leached fiberscope formed of a multiplicity of optical fibers each surrounded by a stray light absorber adjacent opposite ends of the fiberscope. This light absorber is formed by adding a light-absorbing constituent to leachable overcladdings initially provided on the optical fibers which are retained adjacent opposite ends of the fiberscope as the absorber and removed from intermediate portions of the length of the fiberscope to render it flexible.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R. Strack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/10; C03B37/14; C03B37/15; C03C; C03C15/00; C03C25/00; C03C25/10; C03C25/104; C03C25/106; C03C25/1061; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2461; G02B23/2469; G02B6/02; G02B6/036; G02B6/03694
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
The method of forming a flexible fiber optic image-transmitting conduit comprising the steps of: preparing a composition of leachable glass containing a light-absorbing colorant; overcladding each of a multiplicity of long and thin glass clad glass optical fibers with said colored leachable glass, said overcladding in each case of each fiber comprising a second fiber cladding; arranging said overclad optical fibers in intimately juxtaposed relationships with each other; heating and fusing said overcladdings together as a matrix between said optical fibers; leaching said matrix away from said optical fibers throughout a substantial portion of their lengths intermediately of corresponding opposite ends thereof while leaving an appreciable amount of said matrix adjacent each of said opposite ends of said fibers as fiber interconnecting and stray light-absorbing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
The method of forming a flexible fiber optic image-transmitting conduit comprising the steps of: preparing a composition of leachable glass containing a light-absorbing colorant; overcladding each of a multiplicity of long and thin glass clad glass optical fibers with said colored leachable glass, said overcladding in each case of each fiber comprising a second fiber cladding; arranging said overclad optical fibers in intimately juxtaposed relationships with each other; heating and fusing said overcladdings together as a matrix between said optical fibers; leaching said matrix away from said optical fibers throughout a substantial portion of their lengths intermediately of corresponding opposite ends thereof while leaving an appreciable amount of said matrix adjacent each of said opposite ends of said fibers as fiber interconnecting and stray light-absorbing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of leaching said matrix is performed by exposing same to an acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said composition of leachable glass includes manganese as said colorant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said composition of colored leachable glass consists essentially of the following ingredients in the following approximate proportions: 7.6% (by weight) lanthanum oxide (La 2 O 3 ) 44.65% (by weight) boron trioxide (B 2 O 3 ) 42.75% (by weight) barium oxide (BaO) 5.00% (by weight) manganese (MnO 2 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of drawing said juxtaposed fibers longitudinally as a unit to a reduced cross-sectional size during said step of heating and fusing said overcladdings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3387959A
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US3554721A
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US3624816A
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US3690853A
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US3830667A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-21 | 1980-03-22 | 1980-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-21 | 1984-03-22 | 1984-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-21 | 1988-03-22 | 1988-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |