US4171867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for and method of splicing fiber-optical cables
Assignee: Telecom Italia SpA
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Filing: 1977-11-22
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Granted: 1979-10-23
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Expires: 1997-11-22
Abstract
Abstract One or more optical fibers, forming part of a cable for the transmission of luminous signals, are divided into sheathed sections spliced together inside a junction box having opposite walls provided with a pair of nipples in which the incoming and outgoing cable portions are resiliently clamped. Between these nipples the two sections of each fiber, partly stripped of their sheaths, are bent into a loop along which they are joined together by a sleeve. Adjacent fiber loops of the same cable can be separated within the box by interposed sheets. The loops not only relieve stresses on the bared fiber ends but also facilitate the equalization of ray paths in a multifiber optical cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Cocito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4428; G02B6/4439; G02B6/444; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for splicing together sections of at least one light-conducting fiber forming part of respective portions of an optical cable, each of said sections being provided with a surrounding sheath, comprising: relatively fixed supporting means engaging said portions at points spaced from the ends of their respective fiber sections; and junction means engaging said sections at their free ends for establishing a continuous light path therebetween, said sections being bent into a closed loop with said sheaths stripped away in the vicinity of said junction means, the latter being positioned substantially midway of the loop.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for splicing together sections of at least one light-conducting fiber forming part of respective portions of an optical cable, each of said sections being provided with a surrounding sheath, comprising: relatively fixed supporting means engaging said portions at points spaced from the ends of their respective fiber sections; and junction means engaging said sections at their free ends for establishing a continuous light path therebetween, said sections being bent into a closed loop with said sheaths stripped away in the vicinity of said junction means, the latter being positioned substantially midway of the loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a box enclosing said loop, said supporting means including a pair of holders on opposite walls of said box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said holders comprise a pair of nipples provided with cap nuts and resilient gaskets compressed between said nipples and said cap nuts for elastically gripping said portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said holders form fluidtight joints around said portions, said box being filled with a fluid under pressure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of splicing together sections of at least one light-conducting fiber forming part of respective portions of an optical cable, each of said sections being provided with a surrounding sheath, comprising the steps of supporting said portions at relatively fixed points spaced from the free ends of their respective fiber sections, stripping said sheath from each fiber section in the vicinity of its free end, coiling said fiber sections into a closed loop between their points of support, and interconnecting their free ends substantially midway of said loop.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of splicing together sections of at least one light-conducting fiber forming part of respective portions of an optical cable, each of said sections being provided with a surrounding sheath, comprising the steps of supporting said portions at relatively fixed points spaced from the free ends of their respective fiber sections, stripping said sheath from each fiber section in the vicinity of its free end, coiling said fiber sections into a closed loop between their points of support, and interconnecting their free ends substantially midway of said loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the cable includes a plurality of individually sheathed fiber sections in each of said portions, corresponding fiber sections of said portions being interconnected in separate loops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 6, comprising the further step of interposing separating sheets between adjoining loops.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein each sheath is cut away approximately half-way between a point of intersection with the opposite sheath and the interconnected free ends.
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) | 1982-10-22 | 1983-04-23 | 1983-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-22 | 1987-04-23 | 1987-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-22 | 1991-04-23 | 1991-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |