US4743085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber cable having non-metallic sheath system
Assignee: AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH Co AT&T BELL LABORATORIES
•
Filing: 1986-05-28
•
Granted: 1988-05-10
•
Expires: 2006-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (22) comprising at least one optical fiber (23) which is enclosed in a tubular member (28) and which includes a non-metallic sheath system (30). The sheath system includes two contiguous layers (40, 50) of non-metallic strength members which extend longitudinally along the cable and which are wrapped helically in opposite directions about the tubular member. The layers of strength members are enclosed in a plastic jacket (36). At least some of the strength members which are capable of withstanding expected compressive as well as tensile loading are coupled sufficiently to the jacket to provide a composite arrangement which is effective to inhibit contraction. Those strength members cooperate with the remaining strength members to provide the cable with a predetermined tensile stiffness and to cause the cable to be relatively flexible.
Inventors
- 👤 Artis C. Jenkins
- 👤 Parbhubhai D. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/4431; G02B6/44384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An optical fiber cable, which comprises: a core comprising at least one optical fiber; a tubular member which is made of a dielectric material and which encloses said core; a jacket which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said tubular member; and a strength member system which is interposed between said tubular member and said jacket and which comprises strength members made of a dielectric material with a first plurality of said strength members being relatively flexible and with a second plurality thereof having sufficient compressive stiffness and being coupled sufficiently to said jacket to provide a composite which is effective to inhibit contraction of said cable, said first and second pluralities of strength members cooperating to provide said cable with a predetermined tensile stiffness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An optical fiber cable, which comprises: a core comprising at least one optical fiber; a tubular member which is made of a dielectric material and which encloses said core; a jacket which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said tubular member; and a strength member system which is interposed between said tubular member and said jacket and which comprises strength members made of a dielectric material with a first plurality of said strength members being relatively flexible and with a second plurality thereof having sufficient compressive stiffness and being coupled sufficiently to said jacket to provide a composite which is effective to inhibit contraction of said cable, said first and second pluralities of strength members cooperating to provide said cable with a predetermined tensile stiffness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical fiber cable, which comprises: a core comprising at least one optical fiber; a tubular member which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said core; a jacket which is made of a plastic material; and a strength member system which is disposed between said tubular member and said jacket and which is effective to provide said cable with a predetermined tensile stiffness, said strength member system comprising: an inner layer of longitudinally extending strength members which are made of a dielectric material; and an outer layer of longitudinally extending strength members which are made of a dielectric material and which engage said inner layer of strength members and said jacket, with a plurality of the strength members of said outer layer having sufficient compressive stiffness and being coupled sufficiently to said jacket to provide a composite arrangement which is effective to inhibit contraction of said cable and with the remaining strength members of said outer layer being relatively flexible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical fiber cable, which comprises: a core comprising at least one optical fiber; a tubular member which is made of a plastic material and which encloses said core; a jacket which is made of a plastic material; and a strength member system which is disposed between said tubular member and said jacket and which is effective to provide said cable with a predetermined tensile stiffness, said strength member system comprising: an inner layer of longitudinally extending strength members which are made of a dielectric material; and an outer layer of longitudinally extending strength members which are made of a dielectric material and which engage said inner layer of strength members and said jacket, with a plurality of the strength members of said outer layer having sufficient compressive stiffness and being coupled sufficiently to said jacket to provide a composite arrangement which is effective to inhibit contraction of said cable and with the remaining strength members of said outer layer being relatively flexible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein the strength members of said inner layer engage said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein each of said relatively flexible strength members comprises a glass roving having a tensile stiffness of about 88 lbs. per 1% strain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 4, wherein each of said strength members of said inner layer comprises a glass fiber roving which has been impregnated with a polyurethane material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein a plurality of the strength members of said outer layer are relatively inflexible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 6, wherein each of said relatively stiff strength members is rod-like and is made of a glass material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 6, wherein each of the rod-like strength members of said outer layer comprises a glass fiber strand material which has been impregnated with an epoxy material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein said strength members are such that said cable is capable of being loaded with about 600 lbs at a strain which does not exceed about 0.33%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein each of said strength members of said inner layer is wrapped helically about said tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 10, wherein each of said strength members of said inner layer has a lay length of about 12.5 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 10, wherein each of said strength members of said outer layer is wrapped helically about said inner layer of strength members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 12, wherein each of said strength members of said outer layer has a lay length of about 12.5 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 12, wherein said inner and outer layers are wrapped helically about said tubular member in opposite directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber cable of claim 2, wherein each of said strength members is caused to be disposed about said core without intended stranding.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4146302A
Cited
US4330173A
Cited
US4331378A
Cited
US4169657A
Cited
US4241979A
Cited
US4374608A
Cited
US4342500A
Cited
US4557560A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |