Patent US4433898A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4433898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic assembly for coupling an optical fiber and a light source
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1980-12-22
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Granted: 1984-02-28
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Expires: 2000-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A heat molded optical fiber interconnect molds one end of a plastic optical fiber around light emitting surfaces of a light source such as a light emitting diode to provide a highly efficient optical and mechanical coupling between the optical fiber and the light source. In one preferred embodiment an efficient interconnect for coupling large diameter optical fibers has a converging lens heat molded in the other end of the plastic optical fiber to efficiently couple light to another optical fiber or receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Saeed Nasiri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421; G02B6/4212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source having a light emitting surface and mounted to a base, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light source; heating one end of the plastic optical fiber; aligning the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber with the heated light source; abutting the heated one end of the plastic optical, fiber against the heated light source to encapsulate the light emitting surface of the light source in plastic optical fiber; and cooling the plastic optical fiber and the light source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source having a light emitting surface and mounted to a base, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light source; heating one end of the plastic optical fiber; aligning the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber with the heated light source; abutting the heated one end of the plastic optical, fiber against the heated light source to encapsulate the light emitting surface of the light source in plastic optical fiber; and cooling the plastic optical fiber and the light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 1 further comprising the step of: restricting the flow of the plastic to heat mold the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 1 wherein the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber encapsulates the exposed surfaces of the light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 1 wherein the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fiber is heat molded to a concave cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a reflective coating on the outer surface of the one end of the plastic optical fiber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a spherical lens positioned partially in an etched well of a light emitting diode, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light emitting diode; heating one end of the plastic optical fiber; aligning the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber with the heated light emitting diode; abutting the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber against the heated light emitting diode to encapsulate the exposed surface of the spherical lens; and cooling the plastic optical fiber, the spherical lens and the light emitting diode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a spherical lens positioned partially in an etched well of a light emitting diode, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light emitting diode; heating one end of the plastic optical fiber; aligning the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber with the heated light emitting diode; abutting the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber against the heated light emitting diode to encapsulate the exposed surface of the spherical lens; and cooling the plastic optical fiber, the spherical lens and the light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 6 further comprising the step of restricting the flow of the plastic to heat mold the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the heated one end of the plastic optical fiber encapsulates the exposed surfaces of the light emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fiber is heat molded to concave cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 6 further comprising the step of forming a reflective coating on the outer surface of the one end of the plastic optical fiber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
95 words
A method or heat molding two plastic optical fibers to a light source having a light emitting surface and mounted to a base, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light source; heating one end of each of the plastic optical fibers; aligning the heated ends of the plastic optical fibers with the heated light source; abutting the heated ends of the plastic optical fibers against the heated light source to encapsulate the light emitting surface of the light source in plastic optical fibers; and cooling the plastic optical fibers and the light source.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method or heat molding two plastic optical fibers to a light source having a light emitting surface and mounted to a base, the method comprising the steps of: heating the light source; heating one end of each of the plastic optical fibers; aligning the heated ends of the plastic optical fibers with the heated light source; abutting the heated ends of the plastic optical fibers against the heated light source to encapsulate the light emitting surface of the light source in plastic optical fibers; and cooling the plastic optical fibers and the light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for heat molding plastic optical fibers to a light source as in claim 11 further comprising the the step of: restricting the flow of the plastic to heat mold the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 11 wherein the heated one end of the plastic optical fibers encapsulate the exposed surfaces of the light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 11 wherein the outer shape of the one end of the plastic optical fibers are heat molded to a concave cross section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for heat molding a plastic optical fiber to a light source as in claim 11 further comprising the step of forming a reflective coating on the outer surface of the one end of the plastic optical fibers.
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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) | 1987-02-27 | 1987-08-29 | 1988-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-27 | 1991-08-29 | 1992-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-08-29 | 1996-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |