US4101198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector with split ferrule assembly
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The fiber optic connector described herein comprises a three-piece ferrule suitable for very small optical fibers, a boot and a shoulder nut for coupling with outside-threaded split sleeve, and provides closer concentricity tolerances and low-loss transmission of light from the end of one fiber to the end of another.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl R. Heldt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3877; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3857; G02B6/3862
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A connector for end-to-end coupling of an individual optical fiber cable to another, each cable having an optical fiber, a fiber jacket and a cover, said connector comprising: a ferrule for retaining the optical fiber and fiber jacket; boot means for maintaining the cover in gripping relationship with the ferrule; and coupling means for coupling the ferrule to another ferrule; said ferrule including a retainer sleeve and two half-shells, each of said half-shells having a flat face formed with a coaxially aligned groove to provide a bore of substantially uniform diameter for slidably retaining the optical fiber when mounted in the retainer sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A connector for end-to-end coupling of an individual optical fiber cable to another, each cable having an optical fiber, a fiber jacket and a cover, said connector comprising: a ferrule for retaining the optical fiber and fiber jacket; boot means for maintaining the cover in gripping relationship with the ferrule; and coupling means for coupling the ferrule to another ferrule; said ferrule including a retainer sleeve and two half-shells, each of said half-shells having a flat face formed with a coaxially aligned groove to provide a bore of substantially uniform diameter for slidably retaining the optical fiber when mounted in the retainer sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein the assembly of half-shells form a cylinder having substantially uniform outside diameter, a large inside diameter at one end to retain a jacketed portion of the optical fiber, a small inside diameter at the other end to retain the optical fiber and a transition portion of inside diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A connector as in claim 2 wherein the transition portion of inside diameter of the ferrule is tapered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A connector as in claim 3 wherein the transition portion of inside diameter of the ferrule is conical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector as in claim 1 further including a connector sleeve for coupling with the coupling means and for receiving a second connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein the retainer sleeve includes an outside threaded portion for gripping the inside surface of the cover in cooperation with the boot means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector as in claim 1 wherein a portion of the large diameter of the ferrule is crimped to grip the jacketed portion of the optical fiber contained therein.
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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |