US4214811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibre connector
Assignee: Kabelwerke Brugg AG
•
Filing: 1978-08-30
•
Granted: 1980-07-29
•
Expires: 1998-08-30
Abstract
Abstract An optical-fibre connector comprises a support piece 1, a first locking piece 2 and a second locking piece 3. Locking pieces 2 and 3 are respectively fixed to the support piece 1by screws 4 and 5 which are engaged in cylindrical bores containing sleeve of elastomer material. The locking piece 2 comprises at its base two bearings 8 and 9. To connect two series of optical fibres, two identical connectors are disposed end to end and connected by two spindles 10 comprising a threading 11 which engages in a metallic sleeve 12 containing a sleeve 13, made of an elastomer material. This assembly permits absorption of vibrations and limitation of the clamping in order to avoid breaking of the optical fibre during use or connection of the two series of optical fibres.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre A. Benoit
- 👤 Gilbert Widmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/3869; G02B6/389; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
365 words
An optical-fibre connector for the connection of two groups of optical fibres provided with a sheath or a protective coating, the connector comprising a support piece provided with longitudinal grooves, a first locking piece and means for fixing it over a part of the length of the grooves at the connector end remote from that at which the connection is to be made to thereby retain and lock the unstripped fibres in the corresponding part of the grooves, and a second locking piece and means for fixing it over a part of the length of the grooves at the connection end of the connector to thereby retain and lock the stripped fibres in the corresponding part of the grooves, the bottom of the support piece grooves having a V-shaped cross-section at the connection end of the connector and the second locking piece comprising in its corresponding end part a comb of longitudinal bars of a shape complementary to said grooves, these bars being of a material which is deformable by pressure exerted by the fixing means of the second locking piece on the optical fibres during locking, the connector further comprising the improvements consisting of: the support piece comprising grooves of V shape over its whole length and being provided in its part for taking up the stripped fibres with at least two transverse grooves; the first locking piece likewise comprising longitudinal grooves; the second locking piece comprising, over at least a part of the length of its part facing the support piece, a recess which houses a comb of longitudinal bars of deformable material with a form which is complementary to the grooves of the support piece; the comb of bars being provided with at least two removable transverse bars, provided with a device for limiting the forces of compression of the fibres, arranged so as to penetrate during assembly into said transverse grooves of the support piece; the support piece comprising at least two cylindrical longitudinal bores housing two spindles for assembling two similar connectors; and screws for clamping the locking pieces onto the support piece and the spindles for assembling two similar connectors comprising a self-locking device for limiting the tightening force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
365 words
An optical-fibre connector for the connection of two groups of optical fibres provided with a sheath or a protective coating, the connector comprising a support piece provided with longitudinal grooves, a first locking piece and means for fixing it over a part of the length of the grooves at the connector end remote from that at which the connection is to be made to thereby retain and lock the unstripped fibres in the corresponding part of the grooves, and a second locking piece and means for fixing it over a part of the length of the grooves at the connection end of the connector to thereby retain and lock the stripped fibres in the corresponding part of the grooves, the bottom of the support piece grooves having a V-shaped cross-section at the connection end of the connector and the second locking piece comprising in its corresponding end part a comb of longitudinal bars of a shape complementary to said grooves, these bars being of a material which is deformable by pressure exerted by the fixing means of the second locking piece on the optical fibres during locking, the connector further comprising the improvements consisting of: the support piece comprising grooves of V shape over its whole length and being provided in its part for taking up the stripped fibres with at least two transverse grooves; the first locking piece likewise comprising longitudinal grooves; the second locking piece comprising, over at least a part of the length of its part facing the support piece, a recess which houses a comb of longitudinal bars of deformable material with a form which is complementary to the grooves of the support piece; the comb of bars being provided with at least two removable transverse bars, provided with a device for limiting the forces of compression of the fibres, arranged so as to penetrate during assembly into said transverse grooves of the support piece; the support piece comprising at least two cylindrical longitudinal bores housing two spindles for assembling two similar connectors; and screws for clamping the locking pieces onto the support piece and the spindles for assembling two similar connectors comprising a self-locking device for limiting the tightening force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said transverse bars are in the form of a thin rectangular plate with rectangular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein said bars comprise at their bottom edge a serrated segment having each hollow with an inverted V shape corresponding to the V-shaped hollow of one of the longitudinal grooves of the support piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein said bars comprise on the central part of their bottom edge a zone covered with an elastomer material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein said bars are covered over the entire length of their upper edge with a layer of elastomer material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A connector according to claim 2, further comprising a spring mechanism which bears against said transverse bars so that these project beyond the end of the grooves in which they are housed in order to ensure pre-positioning of the fibres during their assembly on the connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said bars consist of a cylindrical segment of an elastomer material and are housed in grooves with at least approximately square cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein the clamping screws and the assembling spindles are respectively engaged in sleeves of synthetic material provided in the corresponding bores to thereby constitute said self-locking device.
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) | 1983-07-29 | 1984-01-28 | 1984-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-01-28 | 1988-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-29 | 1992-01-28 | 1992-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |