US4709983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical cables
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
•
Filing: 1985-09-19
•
Granted: 1987-12-01
•
Expires: 2005-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member suitable for use as a strengthening member of an optical cable comprises a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material, e.g. non-optical glass or an aromatic polyamide, bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material, e.g. polypropylene or nylon, and is coated with a release agent, e.g. a film of silicone oil. The flexible elements of the assembly are so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl W. Plessner
- 👤 Michael J. Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/4434; G02B6/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising six non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that the central flexible element has a transverse cross-sectional shape of approximately hexagonal form and each of the surrounding six flexible elements has a transverse cross-sectional shape approximating to a sector of an annulus and that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising six non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that the central flexible element has a transverse cross-sectional shape of approximately hexagonal form and each of the surrounding six flexible elements has a transverse cross-sectional shape approximating to a sector of an annulus and that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the filaments of the multiplicity of filaments of each flexible element is made of non-optical glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the filaments of the multiplicity of filaments of each flexible element is made of an aromatic polyamide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat-softenable bonding material encapsulating the multiplicity of non-metallic filaments of each flexible element is a thermoplastics polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat-softenable bonding material encapsulating the mulitplicity of non-metallic filaments of each flexible element is a thermosetting resin which, until the flexible elements of the assembly have been deformed and compacted together, is only partially cured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release agent coating each flexible element is a film of silicone oil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical cable element and in supporting relationship therewith at least one non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical cable element and in supporting relationship therewith at least one non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member comprising a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8 wherein the at least one optical cable element comprises at least one optical fibre supported by a flexible elongate carrier member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member of the or each optical cable element is a tape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member of the or each optical cable element comprises a tube of plastics material in which at least one optical fibre is loosely housed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical cable comprising a plurality of tubes of plastics material in each of at least some of which is loosely housed at least one optical fibre, which tubes are arranged helically in at least one layer around and are so secured to a central elongate strengthening member that relative movement in a lengthwise direction between the tubes and the strengthening member is substantially prevented and, surrounding the assembly, an outer protective sheath, wherein the central elongate strengthening member comprises a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical cable comprising a plurality of tubes of plastics material in each of at least some of which is loosely housed at least one optical fibre, which tubes are arranged helically in at least one layer around and are so secured to a central elongate strengthening member that relative movement in a lengthwise direction between the tubes and the strengthening member is substantially prevented and, surrounding the assembly, an outer protective sheath, wherein the central elongate strengthening member comprises a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material and is coated with a release agent, the flexible elements of the assembly being so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.
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) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |