US4142776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber ribbon cartridge connector
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1976-09-20
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Granted: 1979-03-06
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Expires: 1996-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Two groups of optical communications fibers are optically joined within a single cartridge that receives and abuts two optical fiber ribbon end arrays. A two-piece connector consisting of a substrate with fiber-receiving grooves and a mating cover houses the fibers. In turn two such connectors are contained within the cartridge, either in a tight fit requiring no retaining means or a loose fit requiring set screws to retain the two connectors in abutting relation. Variations of the basic hardware provide both a rearrangeable splice and a permanent splice. Several cartridges may be housed in a fixture to accommodate the several layers of a multi-layer optical fiber ribbon cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen H. Cherin
- 👤 Anthony Osborne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3881; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3831; G02B6/3851; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3862
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for connecting a first linear array of optical fibers to a second linear array, comprising: first and second connectors each comprising: a substrate having a lengthwise-running cavity with spaced, parallel fiber-receiving grooves in its floor; a cover including an insert for mating engagement in said cavity, for containing fibers in said grooves; means for consistently distinguishing between the two ends of each substrate; a cartridge having an interior chamber of uniform cross-section for receiving said first and second connectors, said cartridge having reference surfaces for registration with corresponding reference surfaces on said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for connecting a first linear array of optical fibers to a second linear array, comprising: first and second connectors each comprising: a substrate having a lengthwise-running cavity with spaced, parallel fiber-receiving grooves in its floor; a cover including an insert for mating engagement in said cavity, for containing fibers in said grooves; means for consistently distinguishing between the two ends of each substrate; a cartridge having an interior chamber of uniform cross-section for receiving said first and second connectors, said cartridge having reference surfaces for registration with corresponding reference surfaces on said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 1 wherein said reference surfaces in said cartridge and on said substrate consist in each instance of two planar surfaces disposed with respect to each other at the same angle, with said planar surfaces of said cartridge actually intersecting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 2 wherein said distinguishing means comprises offset of said substrate cavity with respect to a plane bisecting the reference surfaces of said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 3 wherein said each cover includes a flat top and wherein said cartridge interior includes a flat ceiling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 4 wherein said connectors each comprise a said substrate and a said cover fit into said cartridge by engagement of said reference surfaces leaving a clearance between said cartridge ceiling and the top of said cover, said cartridge further comprising means operable from the cartridge exterior for mechanically engaging each said cover top to maintain said reference surfaces together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 4 wherein said connectors each comprise a substrate and a cover fit into said cartridge tightly by engagement of said reference surfaces and of said cartridge ceiling with said cover roof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A splice between a first and a second optical fiber ribbon comprising: first and second connectors, each comprising: a substrate having an upper exterior surface with a lengthwise-running cavity, said cavity having a floor with spaced parallel fiber-receiving grooves; and lower portion comprising two flat bottom reference surfaces disposed at a predetermined angle to each other; a cover including a lengthwise-running member extending into said cavity; the fibers of said first and second ribbons being contained in respective substrate grooves of the respective said first and second connectors; a cartridge including an interior chamber receiving said first and second connectors in end abutting relation, said chamber comprising two flat substrate support surfaces oriented with respect to each other at the said predetermined angle, said cartridge interior also having a flat ceiling; means for maintaining said substrate bottom reference surfaces and said cartridge support surfaces in engagement; and means for securing said two connectors in end abutting relation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A splice between a first and a second optical fiber ribbon comprising: first and second connectors, each comprising: a substrate having an upper exterior surface with a lengthwise-running cavity, said cavity having a floor with spaced parallel fiber-receiving grooves; and lower portion comprising two flat bottom reference surfaces disposed at a predetermined angle to each other; a cover including a lengthwise-running member extending into said cavity; the fibers of said first and second ribbons being contained in respective substrate grooves of the respective said first and second connectors; a cartridge including an interior chamber receiving said first and second connectors in end abutting relation, said chamber comprising two flat substrate support surfaces oriented with respect to each other at the said predetermined angle, said cartridge interior also having a flat ceiling; means for maintaining said substrate bottom reference surfaces and said cartridge support surfaces in engagement; and means for securing said two connectors in end abutting relation.
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) | 1982-03-05 | 1982-09-04 | 1983-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-05 | 1986-09-04 | 1987-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-05 | 1990-09-04 | 1991-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |