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Patent US4376566A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4376566A
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US
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Fiber optic switching method and apparatus with flexible shutter
Assignee: SHELTERED WORK SHOP FOR DISABLED
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Filing: 1981-11-20
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Granted: 1983-03-15
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Expires: 2001-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An extremely thin shutter is moved into and out of the space between closely-spaced ends of a pair of axially and angularly aligned optic fibers to prevent or establish transmission of light between the fibers. In one embodiment a cantilever shutter is rotated between two positions. In another embodiment a taut band-like shutter having an aperture is translated between two positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Blackington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/806; H04B10/807; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/353; H04B10/25; H04B10/2589; H04B10/25891; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3552; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for selectively establishing and preventing light transmission between first and second optical fibers, comprising, in combination: a support member having first and second recesses adapted to receive respective optic fiber connectors to fixedly space the ends of said fibers in axial and angular alignment with each other and with an air space between the ends of said fibers; an opaque flexible planar shutter having a thickness less than the width of said air space; means for moving said shutter between a first position in which a portion of said shutter completely intersects said air space between the ends of said fibers to prevent light transmission between said ends and a second position in which no portion of said shutter is interposed in said air space; and means for constraining movement of said portion of said shutter to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axes of said fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for selectively establishing and preventing light transmission between first and second optical fibers, comprising, in combination: a support member having first and second recesses adapted to receive respective optic fiber connectors to fixedly space the ends of said fibers in axial and angular alignment with each other and with an air space between the ends of said fibers; an opaque flexible planar shutter having a thickness less than the width of said air space; means for moving said shutter between a first position in which a portion of said shutter completely intersects said air space between the ends of said fibers to prevent light transmission between said ends and a second position in which no portion of said shutter is interposed in said air space; and means for constraining movement of said portion of said shutter to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axes of said fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the width of said space is less then the diameter of said optic fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for constraining movement comprises a pair of surfaces on said support member limiting axial movement of said flexible planar shutter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter comprises a thin piece of metal sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving comprises means for pivoting said shutter about a predetermined axis parallel to the axes of said ends of said fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving comprises means for translating said shutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter comprises a thin piece of sheet attached at one edge to said means for moving.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter comprises a thin piece of flexible sheet and said apparatus comprises means engaging opposite sides of said piece of sheet to maintain said piece taut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter has a thickness less than 0.005 inch (0.127 mm.).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving comprises a manually-operable member operable to toggle said shutter between said first and second positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving comprises an electromagnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said block member spaces apart said optic fiber connectors at a distance such that said surfaces are in between said ends of said fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4057719A
Cited
US4170731A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-14 | 1986-09-13 | 1987-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-14 | 1990-09-13 | 1991-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-14 | 1994-09-13 | 1995-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |