Patent US4730894A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4730894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber cable having a prefabricated strength system and methods of making
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1986-03-27
•
Granted: 1988-03-15
•
Expires: 2006-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber cable includes a core (22) comprising at least one optical fiber, a plastic tubular member (28) which encloses the core, a jacket (54) which encloses the tubular member and a prefabricated strength system which is interposed between the jacket and the tubular member. The strength system includes a carrier tape (82) which may be comprised of woven glass or impregnated woven glass, for example, and which is wrapped longitudinally about the tubular member. The carrier tape has an adhesive material disposed on one surface thereof for causing a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members (86--86) to remain attached to the tape while the jacket is being extruded over the strength system. In one embodiment, a metallic shield system (52) is disposed about the tubular member and the prefabricated strength system is disposed in engagement with an outer surface of the shield system.
Inventors
- 👤 Candido J. Arroyo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/441; G02B6/4411; G02B6/4479; G02B6/448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An optical fiber cable, which includes: a core which comprises at least one optical fiber; a strength member system which is disposed about said core and which includes a carrier tape that encloses said core and a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members spaced about the periphery of the core in a predetermined relationship to one another, said strength member system having sufficient resistance to tensile and compressive forces to prevent damage to the at least one optical fiber; and a jacket which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said strength member system, said tape being effective to hold said strength members in the predetermined relationship to one another while said jacket is being caused to enclose said strength member system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An optical fiber cable, which includes: a core which comprises at least one optical fiber; a strength member system which is disposed about said core and which includes a carrier tape that encloses said core and a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members spaced about the periphery of the core in a predetermined relationship to one another, said strength member system having sufficient resistance to tensile and compressive forces to prevent damage to the at least one optical fiber; and a jacket which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said strength member system, said tape being effective to hold said strength members in the predetermined relationship to one another while said jacket is being caused to enclose said strength member system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 1, which also includes a tubular member which encloses said core and which is enclosed by said strength member system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein said longitudinally extending strength members are equally spaced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said strength members are disposed on an outer side of said carrier tape and a binder is wrapped helically about the strength members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said longitudinally extending strength members are without an intended lay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 5, wherein said strength members are such that they are capable of moving with respect to said jacket when said cable is subjected to tensile forces during handling and installation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said longitudinally extending strength members have a predetermined lay and are attached to said tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 7, wherein the strength member tape includes an adhesive material disposed on one side of said tape and the plurality of longitudinally extending strength members are held to said tape by said adhesive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said longitudinally extending strength members have a reverse oscillated lay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said tape comprises a material which is moisture absorbant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said tape comprises a woven glass material which is flame retardant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 11, wherein said woven glass material is impregnated with a plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein each of said longitudinally extending strength members is made of a metallic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein each of said longitudinally extending strength members is made of a yarn.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said tape is made of a metallic material and forms a shield for said cable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, which also includes a metallic shield which encloses said tubular member, said carrier tape being wrapped about said shield.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein said strength system is wrapped helically with a binder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 3, wherein each of said longitudinally extending strength members comprises a glass rod.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein an outer surface of said tape is provided with a layer of an adhesive material to cause said tape to bond to said jacket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
105 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein said carrier tape is a first carrier tape and said strength member system also includes: a second carrier tape and an associated plurality of longitudinally extending strength members spaced about the periphery of the core, the strength members associated with the first carrier tape and with the second carrier tape being undulated; and said first tape being assembled to said second tape in a manner which causes the longitudinally extending members of said first tape to cross periodically those of said second tape and provide a laminate of two tapes having the strength members thereof disposed therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 20, wherein said first tape of said strength member system faces outwardly and includes a plurality of openings formed therein with portions of the plastic material of said jacket being disposed in said opening to lock circumferentially said strength members about said core.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 21, wherein said strength member system is a first strength member system and said cable also including a second strength member system which is substantially identical to said first strength member system and which is superimposed on said first strength member system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 20, wherein an outer surface of an outer one of said tapes is provided with an adhesive material to cause said strength member system to become bonded to said jacket.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of making an optical fiber cable, said method comprising the steps of: moving a core comprising at least one optical fiber along a path of travel; advancing a strength member system comprising a carrier tape and a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members which are attached to the tape in a predetermined relationship to one another into juxtaposition with the core; causing successive portions of the strength member system tape to enclose the core; and extruding a plastic material about the strength member system to form a jacket.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of making an optical fiber cable, said method comprising the steps of: moving a core comprising at least one optical fiber along a path of travel; advancing a strength member system comprising a carrier tape and a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members which are attached to the tape in a predetermined relationship to one another into juxtaposition with the core; causing successive portions of the strength member system tape to enclose the core; and extruding a plastic material about the strength member system to form a jacket.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 24, which also includes the steps of enclosing the core in a tubular member and causing a metallic tape to be wrapped about the tubular member to form a shield and the strength member system is caused to be wrapped about the shield.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the carrier tape is a metallic material and provides a shield for the cable as well as being a carrier to which the strength members are attached prior to the strength member system becoming disposed about the core.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the longitudinally extending strength members which are attached to the carrier tape have an equal spacing between each two adjacent strength members.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the strength member system disposed about the core is such that the strength members are without an intended lay and the strength members are capable of movement with respect to the jacket when the cable is subjected to tensile forces.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 24, which also includes the step of wrapping helically a binder about the strength member system prior to said step of extruding a plastic material to form a jacket.
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) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |