US4529265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber joints and method of joining optical fibers
Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd
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Filing: 1982-03-31
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Granted: 1985-07-16
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Expires: 2002-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber joint and a method of forming such optical fiber joint being reinforced by a reinforcement material, having a prescribed coefficient of thermal expansion, integrally molded thereon by applying heat so as to obtain a predetermined thermal gradient in the reinforcing material, whereby bends in the optical fiber core wire joints are suppressed and the transmission loss of the optical fiber is reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeo Toya
- 👤 Koichi Abe
- 👤 Mitsumasa Zobuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
An optical fiber joint comprising optical fiber core wires joined together to form a core wire joint, and reinforcing mold means for completely enveloping an outer periphery of said core wire joint, said reinforcing mold means have a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or less than 14×10 -6 /°C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
An optical fiber joint comprising optical fiber core wires joined together to form a core wire joint, and reinforcing mold means for completely enveloping an outer periphery of said core wire joint, said reinforcing mold means have a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or less than 14×10 -6 /°C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
An optical fiber joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing mold means includes a plurality of layers of a plastic material, and a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, said plastic material and said material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion being arranged in a laminar form, with said plastic material forming at least an inner most and outermost layer of the laminar form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical fiber joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plastic material is nylon, said material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion includes glass fibers, and the outermost layer has a nylon content volume ratio of 40-90%.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of joining optical fibers, the method comprising the steps of: joining optical fiber core wires together to form a core wire joint; enveloping an outer periphery of the core wire joint by a mold reinforcement means having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 14×10 -6 /°C., and heating and pressing said reinforcement means, with the heat being applied so as to yield a predetermined thermal gradient in said reinforcement means from a central part thereof to opposite ends thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of joining optical fibers, the method comprising the steps of: joining optical fiber core wires together to form a core wire joint; enveloping an outer periphery of the core wire joint by a mold reinforcement means having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 14×10 -6 /°C., and heating and pressing said reinforcement means, with the heat being applied so as to yield a predetermined thermal gradient in said reinforcement means from a central part thereof to opposite ends thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of joining optical fibers as claimed in claim 4, wherein said thermal gradient is in a range of 30°-70° C.
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) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |