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US4383732A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fiber optic connector

Assignee: International Standard Electric Corp
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Filing: 1981-05-18
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Granted: 1983-05-17
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Expires: 2001-05-18
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Abstract

Abstract An optical fiber connector of the watch bearing jewel type. To prevent "growing out" of a fiber end to which the connector is terminated, a thin protective window is placed against the bearing jewel and supported by a fiber stub mounted in a second watch bearing jewel. The fiber and the fiber stub are optically coupled via the window.

Inventors

  • 👤 David G. Dalgoutte
  • 👤 Peter F. C. Burke
  • 👤 John D. Archer
  • 👤 Robert G. Pragnell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 09:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/3846; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3863

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
An optical fiber termination member for a plastic coated fiber comprising: a tubular body member having alignment means for receiving and aligning a fiber coaxial within the body member; a watch bearing jewel positioned adjacent to and in front of said alignment means; an optical fiber stub mounted in the bore in said jewel, said fiber stub having a length substantially the same as the axial length of said jewel; and a transparent solid protective window disposed between said alignment means and said jewel against which the fiber to be terminated and said fiber stub abut whereby the fiber and said fiber stub will be coupled optically via said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
An optical fiber termination member for a plastic coated fiber comprising: a tubular body member having alignment means for receiving and aligning a fiber coaxial within the body member; a watch bearing jewel positioned adjacent to and in front of said alignment means; an optical fiber stub mounted in the bore in said jewel, said fiber stub having a length substantially the same as the axial length of said jewel; and a transparent solid protective window disposed between said alignment means and said jewel against which the fiber to be terminated and said fiber stub abut whereby the fiber and said fiber stub will be coupled optically via said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical fiber termination member as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said alignment means comprises a second watch bearing jewel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 58 words
An optical fiber termination member as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fiber stub is retained in said watch bearing jewel by a body of a cured epoxy resin material, said resin body and said fiber stub being polished perpendicular to said body member axis so as to provide a mating surface for a similar termination member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical fiber termination member as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said epoxy resin is filled with a solid particulate material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 127 words
An optical fiber termination comprising: a plastic coated, clad optical fiber, said fiber having an end from which said plastic coating has been stripped; a connector member including a tubular ferrule; a first watch bearing jewel located in the ferrule bore receiving and aligning said stripped fiber and; a transparent window disposed adjacent to and in front of said jewel against which said fiber end abuts; a second watch bearing jewel located in said ferrule bore in front of and abutting said window; and an optical fiber stub located in the bore of said second jewel in abutment with said window, whereby said fiber end and said fiber stub are optically coupled across said window and said stub supports said window against axial pressure from said fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 127 words
An optical fiber termination comprising: a plastic coated, clad optical fiber, said fiber having an end from which said plastic coating has been stripped; a connector member including a tubular ferrule; a first watch bearing jewel located in the ferrule bore receiving and aligning said stripped fiber and; a transparent window disposed adjacent to and in front of said jewel against which said fiber end abuts; a second watch bearing jewel located in said ferrule bore in front of and abutting said window; and an optical fiber stub located in the bore of said second jewel in abutment with said window, whereby said fiber end and said fiber stub are optically coupled across said window and said stub supports said window against axial pressure from said fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 65 words
A coupling arrangement for first and second clad optical fibers comprising: a tubular ferrule; first and second watch bearing jewels located in the ferrule bore each receiving a respective fiber end; and a relatively thin, flat, solid transparent window trapped between the opposite faces of said first and second jewels against which said fiber ends abut, said fiber ends being optically coupled via said window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 65 words
A coupling arrangement for first and second clad optical fibers comprising: a tubular ferrule; first and second watch bearing jewels located in the ferrule bore each receiving a respective fiber end; and a relatively thin, flat, solid transparent window trapped between the opposite faces of said first and second jewels against which said fiber ends abut, said fiber ends being optically coupled via said window.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3861781A Cited
US4015894A Cited
US3963323A Cited
US4351586A Cited
JPS522441A Cited
US4090778A Cited
US4135781A Cited
US4158477A Cited
US4186998A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-05-16 1986-11-15 1987-05-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-05-16 1990-11-15 1991-05-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-05-16 1994-11-15 1995-05-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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