US4021098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber bundle consolidation
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-04
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic cable for use in a fiber optic connector in which a ferrule is compressed around the end of the fiber bundle in the cable. The bore in the ferrule has a cylindrical wall with circumferentially spaced flat surfaces thereon which minimize the compression hoop effects on the peripheral fibers of the bundle, thereby maximizing fiber bundle consolidation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L. McCartney
- 👤 Vaughn C. Hogan
- 👤 Eleanor A. Landgreen
- 👤 Michael I. Bauerkemper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/40; G02B6/403; G02B6/406; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49925; Y10T29/49927; Y10T29/49929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A fiber optic cable for use in a fiber optic connector comprising: a fiber optic bundle including a plurality of light transmitting fibers terminating in a planar end surface; a hollow ferrule compressed around said bundle having a forward end coplanar with said end surface, said fibers being arranged in a closed pack array in the bore in said ferrule; and said bore having a generally cylindrical wall with circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, flat surfaces thereon extending rearwardly from said forward end of said ferrule for minimizing compression hoop effects on the peripheral fibers of said bundle, said spaced flat surfaces being joined by arcuate segments of said cylindrical wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A fiber optic cable for use in a fiber optic connector comprising: a fiber optic bundle including a plurality of light transmitting fibers terminating in a planar end surface; a hollow ferrule compressed around said bundle having a forward end coplanar with said end surface, said fibers being arranged in a closed pack array in the bore in said ferrule; and said bore having a generally cylindrical wall with circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, flat surfaces thereon extending rearwardly from said forward end of said ferrule for minimizing compression hoop effects on the peripheral fibers of said bundle, said spaced flat surfaces being joined by arcuate segments of said cylindrical wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: six of said flat surfaces are formed on said wall of said bore substantially equally, circumferentially spaced from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said bore has forward and rear axial sections, said rear axial section having a cross section greater than that of said forward axial section of said bore and sufficiently large to allow unrestricted fiber bundle entry therein from the rear end of said ferrule.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said forward and rear sections of said bore are axially spaced and joined by a tapered transitional section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said fiber bundle includes a cylindrical jacket therearound extending into said rear axial section of said bore and terminating short of said forward axial section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
. A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said ferrule is formed of a stable plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said ferrule is formed of a stable plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A fiber cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the ends of any three adjacent fibers in a substantial area of the central region of said fiber bundle engage each other and are disposed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle; and the ends of any three adjacent fibers in a substantial area of the peripheral region of said fiber bundle lie in a pattern other than at the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the outer surface of said ferrule is cylindrical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fiber bundle includes a jacket therearound, said jacket being removed from the forward end portion of said bundle to provide a bare bundle end; and said bare bundle end being surrounded along its entire axial length by said cylindrical wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fiber optic cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the forward portion of said ferrule tapers toward said forward end thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3655275A
Cited
US3846010A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |