US4681398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector and method of assembly
Assignee: Switchcraft Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-17
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Granted: 1987-07-21
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Expires: 2005-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector comprising a coupling shell encircling a glass end portion of a bushing disposed axially within an encircling ferrule having an end portion extended axially out of the shell and terminating in a dish-shaped end surface provided with a central aperture through which an optical fiber element extending axially through the glass end portion of the bushing and the ferrule protrudes to terminate at a planar end surface spaced axially from the aperture, the dish-shaped end surface being curved concavely and continuously from the aperture radially to a circular rim which is spaced a greater axial distance from the aperture than the planar end surface of the optical fiber element. The method of assembling the fiber optic connector onto the optical fiber element including the steps of securing the glass end portion of the bushing to a body portion thereof with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet light and securing the optical fiber element to the glass end portion with bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet light. A fiber optic junction assembly comprising two of the fiber optic connectors having the circular rims of their respective dish-shaped end surfaces disposed in abutting relationship and forming a biconvex enclosure wherein the planar end surfaces of the respective optical fiber elements are disposed in axial spaced alignment with one another.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Bailey
- 👤 Eric L. Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/245; G02B6/25; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/389; G02B6/3894
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: tubular means for supporting an axially disposed optical fiber end portion having a substantially flat end surface; and apertured wall means disposed transversely of said tubular means and secured thereto for receiving said optical fiber end portion and supporting said end surface of the optical fiber end portion in fixed spaced relationship with respect to said wall means, said wall means including rigid surface means curved concavely in the radial direction with respect to said optical fiber end portion for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: tubular means for supporting an axially disposed optical fiber end portion having a substantially flat end surface; and apertured wall means disposed transversely of said tubular means and secured thereto for receiving said optical fiber end portion and supporting said end surface of the optical fiber end portion in fixed spaced relationship with respect to said wall means, said wall means including rigid surface means curved concavely in the radial direction with respect to said optical fiber end portion for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of said tubular means and said optical fiber end portion are made of vitreous materials and attached to one another by means sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular means includes a bushing having an end portion disposed for receiving said optical fiber end portion and having an opposing end portion made of glass material transparent to ultraviolet radiation, the glass end portion being fixedly attached to said bushing by means insensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apertured wall means comprises a terminal end wall provided with a central aperture through which said optical fiber end portion extends, and said rigid surface means comprises an outer surface of said terminal end wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said outer surface of said terminal end wall curves concavely outward from said central aperture to a circular rim defining a transverse plane spaced a greater axial distance from said central aperture than said substantially flat end surface of said optical fiber end portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface provided with recess means within which said optical fiber end portion terminates in a planar end surface spaced axially from said aperture, said recess means including a light-reflecting bottom surface curved concavely and continuously in the radial direction from said aperture to the periphery of said recess means for reflecting light relative to said planar end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface provided with recess means within which said optical fiber end portion terminates in a planar end surface spaced axially from said aperture, said recess means including a light-reflecting bottom surface curved concavely and continuously in the radial direction from said aperture to the periphery of said recess means for reflecting light relative to said planar end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said periphery comprises a component contacting rim portion of said rigid outer surface spaced axially from said aperture a greater distance than said planar end surface of said optical fiber end portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
202 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface curved arcuately in the radial direction from said aperture to a component contacting rim portion of said outer surface and forming a recess wherein said optical fiber end portion is provided with a substantially flat end surface in axially spaced relationship with said aperture, said component contacting rim portion of said outer surface being spaced axially from said aperture a greater distance than said substantially flat end surface of said optical fiber end portion, and said outer surface being curved concavely with respect to said end surface of said optical fiber end portion and providing focusing means for light emanating from said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
202 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface curved arcuately in the radial direction from said aperture to a component contacting rim portion of said outer surface and forming a recess wherein said optical fiber end portion is provided with a substantially flat end surface in axially spaced relationship with said aperture, said component contacting rim portion of said outer surface being spaced axially from said aperture a greater distance than said substantially flat end surface of said optical fiber end portion, and said outer surface being curved concavely with respect to said end surface of said optical fiber end portion and providing focusing means for light emanating from said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
190 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface curved arcuately in the radial direction from said aperture to a component contacting rim portion of said outer surface and forming a recess wherein said optical fiber end portion is provided with a substantially flat end surface in axially spaced relationship with said aperture, said component contacting rim portion of said outer surface being spaced axially from said aperture a greater distance than said substantially flat end surface of said optical fiber end portion, and said arcuately curved outer surface being provided with means for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
190 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: coupling means attachable to an optical fiber end portion for coupling said optical fiber end portion to a component; and terminal means connectable to said coupling means for supporting said optical fiber end portion in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said component, said terminal means including a tubular member disposed in encircling relationship with said optical fiber end portion and having a transverse end wall provided with an aperture through which said optical fiber end portion protrudes, said end wall having a rigid outer surface curved arcuately in the radial direction from said aperture to a component contacting rim portion of said outer surface and forming a recess wherein said optical fiber end portion is provided with a substantially flat end surface in axially spaced relationship with said aperture, said component contacting rim portion of said outer surface being spaced axially from said aperture a greater distance than said substantially flat end surface of said optical fiber end portion, and said arcuately curved outer surface being provided with means for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: tubular means for supporting an axially disposed optical fiber end portion having a substantilly flat end surface; and terminal means connectable to said tubular means and having a rigid end surface provided with a central aperture through which said optical fiber end portion extends for supporting said substantially flat end surface of the optical fiber end portion in spaced relationship with respect to said aperture, said rigid end surface of the terminal means being concavely curved with respect to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion and forming a concave-bottomed recess having therein said end surface of the optical fiber end portion, said concavely curved rigid end surface being light-reflective and provided with continuous curvature means in the radial direction from said aperture to the periphery of said recess for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: tubular means for supporting an axially disposed optical fiber end portion having a substantilly flat end surface; and terminal means connectable to said tubular means and having a rigid end surface provided with a central aperture through which said optical fiber end portion extends for supporting said substantially flat end surface of the optical fiber end portion in spaced relationship with respect to said aperture, said rigid end surface of the terminal means being concavely curved with respect to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion and forming a concave-bottomed recess having therein said end surface of the optical fiber end portion, said concavely curved rigid end surface being light-reflective and provided with continuous curvature means in the radial direction from said aperture to the periphery of said recess for reflecting light relative to said end surface of the optical fiber end portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said tubular means includes a bushing having an end portion disposed for receiving said optical fiber end portion and having an opposing end portion made of material similar to the material of the optical fiber end portion and fixedly attached by means insensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said opposing end portion of the bushing and said optical fiber end portion are made of glass material and are fixedly attached to one another by means sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said end surface of the optical fiber end portion is cleaved substantially mirror-flat at a transverse plane spaced axially from said central aperture a lesser distance than the maximum depth of said recess.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fiber optic connector assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rigid end surface of the terminal means curves concavely outward from said central aperture to a circular rim spaced axially from said central aperture a distance equivalent to the maximum depth of said recess.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of assembling a fiber optic connector onto an optical fiber end portion and comprising the steps of: securing first and second tubular portions of the connector to one another with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet radiation; and securing said optical fiber end portion to said second tubular portion of the connector with bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of assembling a fiber optic connector onto an optical fiber end portion and comprising the steps of: securing first and second tubular portions of the connector to one another with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet radiation; and securing said optical fiber end portion to said second tubular portion of the connector with bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of assembling a fiber optic connector onto an optical fiber end portion and comprising the steps of: securing to one another with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet radiation a first tubular portion of the connector made of opaque material and a second tubular portion of the connector made of material transparent to ultraviolet radiation; inserting said optical fiber end portion into said second tubular portion of the connector; and applying between said optical fiber end portion and said second tubular portion of the connector a layer of bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of assembling a fiber optic connector onto an optical fiber end portion and comprising the steps of: securing to one another with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet radiation a first tubular portion of the connector made of opaque material and a second tubular portion of the connector made of material transparent to ultraviolet radiation; inserting said optical fiber end portion into said second tubular portion of the connector; and applying between said optical fiber end portion and said second tubular portion of the connector a layer of bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 16 including the additional step of exposing said layer of bonding material to a source of ultraviolet radiation for a sufficient interval of time to cure said layer of bonding material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said interval of time is less than five minutes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
167 words
A fiber optic junction comprising: a first fiber optic connector assembly including a first rigid end surface having an axially projecting peripheral portion and first recess means witha light-reflecting bottom surface curved concavely and continuously in the radial direction from said peripheral portion to a central aperture in said first rigid end surface for reflecting light relative to a line extended axially through said central aperture in the first rigid end surface and a first optical fiber end portion extended from said central aperture, said optical fiber end portion having a substantially flat end surface disposed at a transverse plane within the concave curvature of said light-reflecting bottom surface of the first recess means; and light-related component means coupled to said first fiber optic connector assembly for having a second surface of the light-related component means disposed in butting relationship with said axially projecting peripheral portion of said first rigid end surface and spaced from said substantially flat end surface of the first optical fiber end portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
167 words
A fiber optic junction comprising: a first fiber optic connector assembly including a first rigid end surface having an axially projecting peripheral portion and first recess means witha light-reflecting bottom surface curved concavely and continuously in the radial direction from said peripheral portion to a central aperture in said first rigid end surface for reflecting light relative to a line extended axially through said central aperture in the first rigid end surface and a first optical fiber end portion extended from said central aperture, said optical fiber end portion having a substantially flat end surface disposed at a transverse plane within the concave curvature of said light-reflecting bottom surface of the first recess means; and light-related component means coupled to said first fiber optic connector assembly for having a second surface of the light-related component means disposed in butting relationship with said axially projecting peripheral portion of said first rigid end surface and spaced from said substantially flat end surface of the first optical fiber end portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
A fiber optic junction as set forth in claim 19 wherein said light-related component means comprises a second fiber optic connector assembly including a second rigid end surface disposed in butting relationship with said axially projecting peripheral portion of said first rigid end surface and provided with a respective aperture from which extends a second optic fiber end portion having a substantially flat end surface disposed in light coupling relationship with said substantially flat end surface of said first optical fiber end portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
A fiber optic junction as set forth in claim 20 wherein said second rigid end surface has an axially projecting peripheral portion disposed in abutting relationship with said axially projecting peripheral portion of said first rigid end surface and has a second recess means with a light-reflecting bottom surface curved concavely and continuously in the radial direction from said peripheral portion of said second rigid end surface to a central aperture therein for reflecting light relative to a line extended axially through said central aperture in the second rigid end surface, said first and second concavely curved bottom surface forming an interposed enclosure wherein the respective substantially flat end surface of said first and second optical fiber end portions are disposed in light couplng relationship with one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fiber optic junction as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first and second concavely curved bottom surfaces have similar curvatures and form respective symmetrical boundaries of said enclosure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
A fiber optic junction as set forth in claim 22 wherein said first and second concavely curved bottom surfaces have respective concave curvatures extending away from said central apertures to respective circular rims comprising the respective axially projecting portions of said first and second arcuately curved end surfaces.
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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) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |