Patent US3532407A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4374608A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4374608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fiber optic cable
Assignee: ELECTRONIC BALLAST TECHNOLOGY Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1980-12-17
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Granted: 1983-02-22
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Expires: 2000-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic cable and method for making same wherein the cable includes at least one elongate fiber optic element, a nonmetallic tubular shield disposed substantially coaxially along the length of the fiber optic element, and a nonmetallic braided strength member disposed coaxially along the length of the tubular shield layer in tight fitting relation thereon. The braided strength member is selected to have greater tensile strength and lower elongation per unit length than the fiber optic element so that any tensile load applied to the cable is taken substantially by the braided strength member so as to prevent undesirable elongation and damage to the fiber optic element. In a preferred embodiment, an abrasion resistant layer is disposed between the braided strength member and the tubular shield, and a protective jacket is formed over the braided strength member. In another embodiment, a second braided strength member is formed coaxially over the first jacket layer and a second outer protective jacket is formed coaxially over the outer braided strength member.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene S. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A fiber optic cable comprising at least one elongated fiber optic element, a nonmetallic tubular flexible and substantially radially noncompressible shield layer disposed substantially coaxially along the length of said fiber optic element in loose fitting relation thereon, and a nonmetallic braided strength member disposed coaxially along the length of said shield layer in tight fitting relation thereon, said braided strength member consisting of a plurality of discrete strands of nonmetallic material braided together along the length of said tubular shield layer so as to cover substantially the full outer peripheral surface of said tubular shield layer, said discrete strands being braided so that the discrete strands are wound in intertwined opposite helical relation along the length of said shield layer with the strands common to each helical direction being in substantially parallel contacting relation, said braided strength member having greater tensile strength and lower elongation per unit length than said fiber optic element so that the major portion of any tensile load acting on said cable is taken substantially by said braided strength member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A fiber optic cable comprising at least one elongated fiber optic element, a nonmetallic tubular flexible and substantially radially noncompressible shield layer disposed substantially coaxially along the length of said fiber optic element in loose fitting relation thereon, and a nonmetallic braided strength member disposed coaxially along the length of said shield layer in tight fitting relation thereon, said braided strength member consisting of a plurality of discrete strands of nonmetallic material braided together along the length of said tubular shield layer so as to cover substantially the full outer peripheral surface of said tubular shield layer, said discrete strands being braided so that the discrete strands are wound in intertwined opposite helical relation along the length of said shield layer with the strands common to each helical direction being in substantially parallel contacting relation, said braided strength member having greater tensile strength and lower elongation per unit length than said fiber optic element so that the major portion of any tensile load acting on said cable is taken substantially by said braided strength member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claim 1 including an abrasion resistant layer disposed coaxially along the length of said tubular shield between said shield and said braided strength member, said abrasion resistant layer being adapted to protect said tubular shield from abrasion by said braid member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claim 2 wherein said abrasion resistant layer comprises a polyester film strip applied longitudinally along said tubular shield with the longitudinal axis of said strip being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claims 1 or 2 including a protective jacket disposed coaxially over said braided strength member along the length of said cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fiber optic cable as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular shield comprises a polycarbonate tubular sheath formed in loose fitting relation along the length of said fiber optic element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular shield layer has an outer diameter of approximately 0.079 inch, and wherein said braided strength member is braided to form approximately 2.28-6 picks per inch along the length of said tubular shield.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claims 1 or 6 wherein each of said discrete strands comprises a high strength yarn made from a suitable aramid material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of fiber optic elements carried along an axial nonmetallic strength member internally of said braided strength member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fiber optic cable as defined in claim 8 wherein each of said fiber optic elements has a tubular sheath coaxially thereon, said fiber optic elements and their associated coaxial sheaths being disposed in helically wound relation about said axial strength member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of making a flexible fiber optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a tubular shield layer along the length of at least one fiber optic element in loose fitting relation thereon, said tubular shield layer being flexible and substantially radially noncompressible, forming a nonmetallic tubular braided strength member coaxially along the length of said tubular shield layer in tight fitting relation thereon, said braided strength member consisting of a plurality of discrete strands of nonmetallic material braided together along the length of said tubular shield layer so as to cover substantially the full outer peripheral surface of said shield layer, said discrete strands being braided so that the discrete strands are wound in intertwined opposite helical relation along the length of said shield layer with the strands common to each helical direction being in substantially parallel contacting relation, said braided strength member having greater tensile strength and lower elongation per unit length than said fiber optic element so that the major portion of a tensile load applied to the cable is taken substantially by said braided strength member, and forming an outer protective jacket coaxially along the length of said braided strength member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of making a flexible fiber optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a tubular shield layer along the length of at least one fiber optic element in loose fitting relation thereon, said tubular shield layer being flexible and substantially radially noncompressible, forming a nonmetallic tubular braided strength member coaxially along the length of said tubular shield layer in tight fitting relation thereon, said braided strength member consisting of a plurality of discrete strands of nonmetallic material braided together along the length of said tubular shield layer so as to cover substantially the full outer peripheral surface of said shield layer, said discrete strands being braided so that the discrete strands are wound in intertwined opposite helical relation along the length of said shield layer with the strands common to each helical direction being in substantially parallel contacting relation, said braided strength member having greater tensile strength and lower elongation per unit length than said fiber optic element so that the major portion of a tensile load applied to the cable is taken substantially by said braided strength member, and forming an outer protective jacket coaxially along the length of said braided strength member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined in claim 10 including the step of forming an abrasion resistant layer coaxially along said tubular shield prior to forming said braided strength member coaxially along the length of said tubular shield so that said abrasion resistant layer prevents abrasion of said shield by said braided strength member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said discrete strands of nonmetallic material comprises a relatively high strength yarn made of a suitable aramid material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said step of forming said abrasion resistant layer along said tubular shield comprises forming a strip layer of polyester film along the outer peripheral surface of said tubular shield such that the polyester film strip extends with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular shield.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said tubular shield has an outer diameter of approximately 0.079 inch, and wherein said braided strength member comprises eight strands braided so as to establish approximately 2.28-6 picks per inch along the length of said shield layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-21 | 1986-08-23 | 1987-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-21 | 1990-08-23 | 1991-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-21 | 1994-08-23 | 1995-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |