US4440471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connectors
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1981-11-09
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Granted: 1984-04-03
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Expires: 2001-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which receives the end of a fiber optic cable. The optic fiber of the cable is located in an axial bore in the terminal face of the ferrule, and an annular central portion defined by a groove which surrounds the axial bore is radially inwardly pinched to position the optic fiber in the center of the terminal face.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Knowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A fiber optic connector having at least one optic terminal comprising a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than an optic fiber of a selected fiber optic cable, one end of said selected fiber optic cable disposed within said ferrule having its optic fiber located within said axial bore, a circular groove in said ferrule face defining an annular central portion concentric with said ferrule axis, and said annular central portion sloping towards the center of said terminal face into engagement with said optic fiber so as to define a constricted portion of said axial bore at said terminal face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A fiber optic connector having at least one optic terminal comprising a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than an optic fiber of a selected fiber optic cable, one end of said selected fiber optic cable disposed within said ferrule having its optic fiber located within said axial bore, a circular groove in said ferrule face defining an annular central portion concentric with said ferrule axis, and said annular central portion sloping towards the center of said terminal face into engagement with said optic fiber so as to define a constricted portion of said axial bore at said terminal face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fiber optic connector according to claim 1 wherein said circular groove is formed in said ferrule by impacting said terminal face with a staking tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fiber optic connector according to claim 1 wherein said groove defining said annular central portion is molded into said ferrule, and said constricted portion of said axial bore is formed by radially inwardly compressing said annular central portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A fiber optic connector having at least one optic terminal comprising a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of a fiber optic cable, and a circular groove in said ferrule face defining an annular central portion concentric with the ferrule axis, whereby a radially inward force may be applied to said annular central portion to constrict said annular central portion about the optic fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A fiber optic connector having at least one optic terminal comprising a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of a fiber optic cable, and a circular groove in said ferrule face defining an annular central portion concentric with the ferrule axis, whereby a radially inward force may be applied to said annular central portion to constrict said annular central portion about the optic fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fiber optic terminal for use with a fiber optic cable in a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic terminal comprising: a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of said fiber optic cable, one end of said fiber optic cable positioned within said hollow ferrule and having its optic fiber positioned within said axial bore, and a raised annular central portion of said terminal face surrounding said axial bore, said raised annular central portion having a conical shape defining a sloping wall, whereby a force may be applied to said sloping wall to radially constrict said axial bore around said optic fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fiber optic terminal for use with a fiber optic cable in a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic terminal comprising: a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of said fiber optic cable, one end of said fiber optic cable positioned within said hollow ferrule and having its optic fiber positioned within said axial bore, and a raised annular central portion of said terminal face surrounding said axial bore, said raised annular central portion having a conical shape defining a sloping wall, whereby a force may be applied to said sloping wall to radially constrict said axial bore around said optic fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fiber optic terminal of claim 5, wherein said raised annular central portion is molded onto said terminal face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiber optic terminal of claim 5, wherein said raised annular central portion is formed in said terminal face with a staking tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fiber optic terminal for use with a fiber optic cable, the fiber optic terminal comprising: a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of said fiber optic cable, and a raised annular central portion of said terminal face surrounding said axial bore, said raised annular central portion having a conical shape defining a sloping wall, whereby a force may be applied to said sloping wall to radially constrict said axial bore to the size of said optic fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fiber optic terminal for use with a fiber optic cable, the fiber optic terminal comprising: a hollow cylindrical ferrule having a terminal face on one end, an axial bore through said terminal face communicating with the interior of said ferrule, said axial bore being dimensioned slightly larger than the optic fiber of said fiber optic cable, and a raised annular central portion of said terminal face surrounding said axial bore, said raised annular central portion having a conical shape defining a sloping wall, whereby a force may be applied to said sloping wall to radially constrict said axial bore to the size of said optic fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |