US4401361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical guides
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
•
Filing: 1977-01-31
•
Granted: 1983-08-30
•
Expires: 1997-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical cable comprises at least one optical bundle and at least two separate elongate reinforcing members. The axes of the or each optical bundle and the reinforcing members lie substantially in a common plane with the or each optical bundle located between and spaced from two reinforcing members. Each reinforcing member has an overall dimension perpendicular to said common plane that is substantially greater than the corresponding overall dimension of the or each optical bundle so that the or each bundle lies in the space bounded by two planes one located on each side of the two members and touching both members. An extruded outer sheath surrounds and fills the interstices between the optical bundle or bundles and the reinforcing members.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J. Slaughter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle comprising at least one group of fibres of which at least some are optical fibres; at least two separate elongate reinforcing members arranged with their axes and the axis of at least one optical bundle lying substantially in a common plane and with the at least one optical bundle located between and spaced from two reinforcing members, each reinforcing member having an overall dimension perpendicular to said common plane that is substantially greater than the corresponding overall dimension of the at least one optical bundle so that the at least one optical bundle lies in the space bounded by two planes one located on each side of the two members and each touching both members; and an extruded outer protective sheath which surrounds and fills the interstices between the at least one bundle and the reinforcing members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle comprising at least one group of fibres of which at least some are optical fibres; at least two separate elongate reinforcing members arranged with their axes and the axis of at least one optical bundle lying substantially in a common plane and with the at least one optical bundle located between and spaced from two reinforcing members, each reinforcing member having an overall dimension perpendicular to said common plane that is substantially greater than the corresponding overall dimension of the at least one optical bundle so that the at least one optical bundle lies in the space bounded by two planes one located on each side of the two members and each touching both members; and an extruded outer protective sheath which surrounds and fills the interstices between the at least one bundle and the reinforcing members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein each elongate reinforcing member has an overall dimension perpendicular to the common plane containing the axes of the reinforcing members that is substantially greater than the corresponding overall dimension of the optical bundle or of the larger or largest of the optical bundles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said dimensions of the reinforcing members are substantially equal to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein each elongate reinforcing member comprises a plurality of elongate elements stranded together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 4, wherein each stranded elongate reinforcing member is die-formed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the elongate elements of each of at least two of the stranded reinforcing members is of a metallic material of high electrical conductivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of some or all of the conductor elements of each reinforcing member is individually insulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 7, wherein each conductor element is of a colour distinguishable from that of the other conductor elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical cable includes at least two elongate reinforcing members each of which has an outer surface of a metallic material of high electrical conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer protective sheath is an extruded sheath of plastics material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2628998A
Cited
US3060260A
Cited
US3544192A
Cited
GB1250823A
Cited
US3847483A
Cited
US3763306A
Cited
US3887265A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |