US4643520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of terminating fiber optic connector without polishing optical fiber
Assignee: Amphenol Corp
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Filing: 1983-03-10
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2003-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A method of terminating the fiber core of a fiber optic cable relative to the mating end of a fiber optic connector. The connector includes a through hole for receiving the fiber optic cable with a length of the core, stripped of its outer coating, protruding from the through hole at the mating end of the connector. The method includes the steps of clamping the fiber optic cable within the connector against lengthwise movement of the cable, cleaving the length of the core flush with the mating end of the connector, and applying a separation force lengthwise of the core during the cleaving thereof. A flat, smooth end surface results and thereby eliminates subsequent polishing or other preparation of the core end.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Margolin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3862; G02B6/25; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of terminating an inner fiber core of a fiber optic cable relative to a mating end of a fiber optic connector, the cable having an outer coating about said inner fiber core, comprising the steps of: providing a substantially complete fiber optic connector with a mating end and means for coupling to an appropriate complementary component and means for receiving said fiber optic cable with a length of said core, stripped of said outer coating, protruding from said mating end of said connector; clamping said fiber optic cable within said connector against lengthwise movement of said cable; and cleaving said length of said inner core in situ within said connector flush with said mating end of said connector by scoring said fiber core at a point flush with the mating end of the connector while simultaneously applying a separation force to said length of said core along the axis thereof to cause a separation of said core at said scored portion as a result of said tension thereby eliminating subsequent polishing and other preparation and positioning of said core end relative to said connector with said core end flush with said mating end of said connector, and whereby an actual cutting through of the core is not required to effect termination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of terminating an inner fiber core of a fiber optic cable relative to a mating end of a fiber optic connector, the cable having an outer coating about said inner fiber core, comprising the steps of: providing a substantially complete fiber optic connector with a mating end and means for coupling to an appropriate complementary component and means for receiving said fiber optic cable with a length of said core, stripped of said outer coating, protruding from said mating end of said connector; clamping said fiber optic cable within said connector against lengthwise movement of said cable; and cleaving said length of said inner core in situ within said connector flush with said mating end of said connector by scoring said fiber core at a point flush with the mating end of the connector while simultaneously applying a separation force to said length of said core along the axis thereof to cause a separation of said core at said scored portion as a result of said tension thereby eliminating subsequent polishing and other preparation and positioning of said core end relative to said connector with said core end flush with said mating end of said connector, and whereby an actual cutting through of the core is not required to effect termination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, including applying tension to said length of the cable as said separation force during said cleaving step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2, including applying said tension to said length of the cable during said cleaving thereof and with the cable clamped within the connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said tension is applied lengthwise of said length of the cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, including stripping the outer coating from at least that portion of the core protruding from the mating end of the connector prior to said cleaving step and prior to clamping within said connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5, including applying tension to said length of the core as said separation force during said cleaving step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, including clamping the fiber optic cable within the connector against lengthwise movement of the cable prior to cleaving.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of terminating an inner fiber core of a fiber optic cable relative to a mating end of a fiber optic connector, said cable having an outer coating about said inner fiber core, comprising the steps of: providing a substantially complete fiber optic connector with a mating end and means for coupling to an appropriate complementary component and with a through hole for receiving said fiber optic cable with a length of said core, stripped of said outer coating, protruding from said through hole at said mating end of said connector; clamping said fiber optic cable within said connector against lengthwise movement of said cable; scoring said length of said core in situ within said connector at a point flush with said mating end of said connector to cause a separation of said core at said scored portion as a result of said tension thereby eliminating subsequent polishing and other preparation and positioning of said core end relative to said connector; and applying a separation force to said length of said core along the axis thereof simultaneously with said scoring thereof to cause the separation of said core at said scored position as a result of said tension, thereby forming a core end flush with said mating end of said connector and whereby an actual cutting through of the core is not required to effect termination.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of terminating an inner fiber core of a fiber optic cable relative to a mating end of a fiber optic connector, said cable having an outer coating about said inner fiber core, comprising the steps of: providing a substantially complete fiber optic connector with a mating end and means for coupling to an appropriate complementary component and with a through hole for receiving said fiber optic cable with a length of said core, stripped of said outer coating, protruding from said through hole at said mating end of said connector; clamping said fiber optic cable within said connector against lengthwise movement of said cable; scoring said length of said core in situ within said connector at a point flush with said mating end of said connector to cause a separation of said core at said scored portion as a result of said tension thereby eliminating subsequent polishing and other preparation and positioning of said core end relative to said connector; and applying a separation force to said length of said core along the axis thereof simultaneously with said scoring thereof to cause the separation of said core at said scored position as a result of said tension, thereby forming a core end flush with said mating end of said connector and whereby an actual cutting through of the core is not required to effect termination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8, including applying tension to said length of the core as said separation force during said cleaving thereof and with the cable clamped within the connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said tension is applied lengthwise of said length of the core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10, wherein an outer coated portion of the fiber optic cable is clamped within the connector prior to cleaving.
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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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |