Patent US4264128A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4264128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded optical fiber connectors
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1979-11-21
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Granted: 1981-04-28
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Expires: 1999-11-21
Abstract
Abstract An insert (21) is molded within an optical fiber connector (2,3) to provide more precisely defined and symmetric alignment surfaces (5,6). The insert may be used for connectors directly molded about an optical fiber or for field mountable connectors subsequently affixed thereto. During molding, the insert partitions the mold cavity into two portions. The first portion (53) defines the alignment surfaces and the second defines the balance of the connector. Filler material (55) fills the second portion first and then is conducted through the insert to symmetrically fill the first portion. This directed flow control also precludes bending of the optical fiber (32) during direct molding of a connector about the fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3857; G02B6/3865; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3889; G02B6/3863; G02B6/38875
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An optical fiber connector plug (2,3) having a body molded from filler material comprising a first body portion (53) having a predetermined shape for alignment, a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of said connector body, and a sleeve (22) embedded in said molded body and adapted to receive an optical fiber, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said sleeve includes a flange (23) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second body portions, and one or more holes (24) accepting the flow of filler material (55) into said sleeve after said second portion is substantially filled and directing the same through said sleeve to said first portion thereby providing precise definition of said predetermined shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An optical fiber connector plug (2,3) having a body molded from filler material comprising a first body portion (53) having a predetermined shape for alignment, a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of said connector body, and a sleeve (22) embedded in said molded body and adapted to receive an optical fiber, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said sleeve includes a flange (23) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second body portions, and one or more holes (24) accepting the flow of filler material (55) into said sleeve after said second portion is substantially filled and directing the same through said sleeve to said first portion thereby providing precise definition of said predetermined shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical fiber connector plug (2,3) having a body molded from filler material (55) comprising a first body portion (53) having a predetermined shape for alignment, a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body, and a sleeve (22) embedded in said molded body and adapted to receive an optical fiber, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said sleeve includes a flange (23) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion to accept said filler material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical fiber connector plug (2,3) having a body molded from filler material (55) comprising a first body portion (53) having a predetermined shape for alignment, a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body, and a sleeve (22) embedded in said molded body and adapted to receive an optical fiber, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said sleeve includes a flange (23) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion to accept said filler material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical fiber connector of claim 2 wherein said sleeve further includes a second flange (25) smaller than said first flange, extending from the outer surface of said sleeve in said first body portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical fiber connector of claim 3 wherein said sleeve further includes two spaced protuberances (26, 27) in said second body portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical fiber connector of claim 4 wherein said first body portion is substantially frustoconical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber connector of claim 5 wherein said sleeve contains an optical fiber extending completely through said first and second body portions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of molding an optical fiber connector having a first body portion (53) of a predetermined shape for alignment and a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body CHARACTERIZED BY the steps of inserting a sleeve (22) adapted to receive an optical fiber (31) in the mold cavity, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions, said sleeve having a flange (25) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion, inserting a mandrel (71) within said sleeve and completely through said mold cavity, said mandrel having a first section (72, 73) which seals off said sleeve and terminates proximate to said holes, and a second section (74, 75) extending from said first section having a cross section equivalent to that of said optical fiber, and injecting filler material (55) into said second portion of said mold cavity, said filler material being accepted into said holes and conducted through said sleeve to said first portion after said second portion substantially fills.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of molding an optical fiber connector having a first body portion (53) of a predetermined shape for alignment and a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body CHARACTERIZED BY the steps of inserting a sleeve (22) adapted to receive an optical fiber (31) in the mold cavity, said sleeve extending substantially through said first and second portions, said sleeve having a flange (25) extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion, inserting a mandrel (71) within said sleeve and completely through said mold cavity, said mandrel having a first section (72, 73) which seals off said sleeve and terminates proximate to said holes, and a second section (74, 75) extending from said first section having a cross section equivalent to that of said optical fiber, and injecting filler material (55) into said second portion of said mold cavity, said filler material being accepted into said holes and conducted through said sleeve to said first portion after said second portion substantially fills.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said sleeve further includes a second flange (25), smaller than said flange, in said first body portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said first body portion is frustoconical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of molding an optical fiber connector of claim 9 wherein said sleeve further includes two spaced protruberances (26,27) in said second body portion.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of molding an optical fiber connector having a first body portion (53) of predetermined shape for alignment and a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body CHARACTERIZED BY the steps of inserting an optical cable end (31) having an extending optical fiber (32) into a sleeve (22) long enough to pass substantially through said first and second portions, said sleeve having a flange extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions of the molded cavity when inserted therein, and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion, sealing said sleeve between said cable end and said one or more holes, inserting said sleeve and retained optical fiber within the mold cavity, said optical fiber passing completely through the mold cavity, and injecting filler material (55) into said second portion of the mold cavity, said filler material being accepted into said holes and conducted through said sleeve to said first portion after said second portion substantially fills.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of molding an optical fiber connector having a first body portion (53) of predetermined shape for alignment and a second body portion (54) defining the remainder of the connector body CHARACTERIZED BY the steps of inserting an optical cable end (31) having an extending optical fiber (32) into a sleeve (22) long enough to pass substantially through said first and second portions, said sleeve having a flange extending from the outer surface of said sleeve to substantially separate said first and second portions of the molded cavity when inserted therein, and one or more holes (24) disposed in said sleeve wall within said second portion, sealing said sleeve between said cable end and said one or more holes, inserting said sleeve and retained optical fiber within the mold cavity, said optical fiber passing completely through the mold cavity, and injecting filler material (55) into said second portion of the mold cavity, said filler material being accepted into said holes and conducted through said sleeve to said first portion after said second portion substantially fills.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said sleeve further includes a second flange (25), smaller than said flange, in said first body portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said first body portion is frustoconical.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said sleeve further includes two spaced protuberances (26,27) in said second body portion.
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) | 1984-04-27 | 1984-10-27 | 1985-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-27 | 1988-10-27 | 1989-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-27 | 1992-10-27 | 1993-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |