US4740052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for optical fiber
Assignee: Amphenol Corp
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Filing: 1982-04-26
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2002-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a connector for permanent attachment to an optical fiber, as well as to a method for the production of the connector and various types of adapters for mating with the connector. Specifically, the invention relates to a plug-in connector for attachment to an end of a light conducting cable including an optical fiber surrounded by a sheathing. The connector is preferably formed of a plastic material cast around the cable and holding the optical fiber in the center of the connector. The connector is formed as a plug-in connector to be used where the information transmission occurs at a comparatively low tolerance level and is formed from a one-piece, injection moulded plastic part. The connector is injection moulded around the fiber while the fiber is centrally held in an injection-moulding die and projects out from the sheathing. The connector extends over a part of the sheathing which is joined to it by moulding. The invention is also concerned with a coupling into which two of the above-described connectors can be inserted and various adapters which engage with the connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner G. Schrott
- 👤 Klaus Maaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3865; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; G02B6/3889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A connector system for permanent attachment to an optical fiber, said connector system comprising: a single-piece body; and at least one partially sheathed optical fiber, said fiber extending longitudinally through said body such that said sheathed portion of said fiber forms a first longitudinal length and the exposed portion of said fiber forms a second longitudinal length, said first and second longitudinal lengths being surrounded by and in intimate direct contact with said body, said body being integrally moulded about said fiber, said body comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion intimately surrounding substantially the full length of said first length of fiber, said second portion intimately surrounding substantially the full length of said second length of fiber and having a smaller diameter than said first portion, and a circumferential locking bead provided on said second portion of said body and having a larger diameter than said second portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A connector system for permanent attachment to an optical fiber, said connector system comprising: a single-piece body; and at least one partially sheathed optical fiber, said fiber extending longitudinally through said body such that said sheathed portion of said fiber forms a first longitudinal length and the exposed portion of said fiber forms a second longitudinal length, said first and second longitudinal lengths being surrounded by and in intimate direct contact with said body, said body being integrally moulded about said fiber, said body comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion intimately surrounding substantially the full length of said first length of fiber, said second portion intimately surrounding substantially the full length of said second length of fiber and having a smaller diameter than said first portion, and a circumferential locking bead provided on said second portion of said body and having a larger diameter than said second portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said body is injection moulded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said body is cast moulded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said fiber is made from plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said sheathing extends longitudinally through said first portion of said body and said fiber extends longitudinally through said sheathing in said first portion and continues beyond said sheathing through said second portion of said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein a strain relief element is located on said sheathing between said sheathing and said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said body is formed from a molding epoxy resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of said body has an exterior shape defined by a reaward conical section and a forward convex section, thereby providing a handle for said connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector of claim 8 wherein said second portion of said body includes a conical section extending forwardly of said convex section, said locking bead being located forwardly of said conical section of said second portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of producing a single piece connector comprising: partially exposing a sheathed optical fiber having two ends by complete removal of said sheathing along a first length beginning at one end of said fiber; placing longitudinally within a connector die said partially exposed optical fiber such that the exposed end of said fiber extends beyond that end of the die which forms that portion of a connector used for engagement with a corresponding body, filling the die with the material which forms the body of the connector; removing the die; and clipping off all exposed fiber which extends outside of the connector body.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of producing a single piece connector comprising: partially exposing a sheathed optical fiber having two ends by complete removal of said sheathing along a first length beginning at one end of said fiber; placing longitudinally within a connector die said partially exposed optical fiber such that the exposed end of said fiber extends beyond that end of the die which forms that portion of a connector used for engagement with a corresponding body, filling the die with the material which forms the body of the connector; removing the die; and clipping off all exposed fiber which extends outside of the connector body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein a strain relief element is fastened to the sheathing prior to forming the connector body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the material introduced into the die is a plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the material introduced into the die is a cast epoxy resin.
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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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |