Termination of a fiber optic transmission member and method therefore

Claim 3

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said viscous material is disposed in said bore of said ferrule means, and said surrounding step comprises insertion of said exposed fiber end length into said bore.

Claim 4

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a fiber-engaging insert is placed within said bore portion of said ferrule means in a rearward ferrule section thereof, said viscous material is disposed in said bore of said ferrule means and within said fiber-engaging insert prior to insertion of said exposed fiber end length through said fiber-engaging insert and said bore of said ferrule means, and said fiber-engaging insert is moved into mechanically securing engagement with said exposed fiber end length.

Claim 5

A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mechanical securing step includes placing a crimping sleeve around said rearward ferrule section containing said fiber-engaging insert and around an end section of said jacket material of said fiber optic cable means, and crimping said crimping sleeve at both locations, thereby securing said fiber-engaging insert to said exposed fiber end length and securing said ferrule means both to said fiber-engaging insert and to said fiber optic cable means.

Claim 6

A termination of a fiber optic transmission member of a fiber optic cable means comprising: an end portion of a fiber optic cable means having a selected end length of jacket material removed therefrom exposing an end length of a fiber optic transmission member; ferrule means including a front section having a front end face and a rear section having a rear end face and further including a profiled bore therethrough from said front end face to said rear end face, said exposed fiber end length extending along said profiled bore from said rear end face to said front end face; means mechanically securing said ferrule means to at least said fiber optic cable means; and viscous moisture-resistant material surrounding said exposed fiber end length at least within said rear section of said ferrule means protecting said exposed fiber end length from moisture and from becoming brittle.

Claim 7

A termination of a fiber optic transmission member of a fiber optic cable means comprising: an end portion of a fiber optic cable means having a selected end length of jacket material removed therefrom exposing an end length of a fiber optic transmission member; ferrule means including a front section having a front end face and a rear section having a rear end face and further including a profiled bore therethrough from said front end face to said rear end face, said exposed fiber end length extending along said profiled bore from said rear end face to said front end face; means mechanically securing said ferrule means to at least said fiber optic cable means; and viscous moisture-resistant material surrounding said exposed fiber end length at least within said rear section of said ferrule means protecting said exposed fiber end length from moisture and from becoming brittle.

Claim 8

A termination as set forth in claim 5 further including a fiber-engaging means secured within said profiled bore in said rear ferrule section and mechanically securing said exposed fiber end length within said ferrule means, and viscous material surrounds said exposed fiber end length within said fiber-engaging means.

Claim 9

A termination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said viscous material is selected to have the property of remaining viscous over the wide temperature range to which the termination will be subjected during in-service use.

Claim 10

A terminal assembly for terminating a fiber optic transmission member of a fiber optic cable means comprising: a ferrule member including a front section having a front end face and a rear section having a rear end face and further including a profiled bore therethrough from said front end face to said rear end face, said profiled bore adapted to receive therethrough an exposed fiber end length of said fiber optic transmission member of said fiber optic cable means inserted thereinto from said rear end face; fiber-engaging insert means secured within said rear section of said ferrule means and having a fiber-receiving passageway therethrough coaxial with said profiled ferrule bore and adapted to receive therethrough said exposed fiber end length inserted from a rear end thereof, and further adapted to be moved into mechanically securing engagment with said exposed fiber end length after said fiber end length has been inserted therethrough; means to secure said ferrule member to said fiber optic cable means; and viscous moisture-resistant material disposed at least within said rear section of said ferrule member and within said fiber-engaging insert means to protect an exposed fiber end length inserted and secured therewithin from moisture and from becoming brittle.

Claim 11

A terminal assembly for terminating a fiber optic transmission member of a fiber optic cable means comprising: a ferrule member including a front section having a front end face and a rear section having a rear end face and further including a profiled bore therethrough from said front end face to said rear end face, said profiled bore adapted to receive therethrough an exposed fiber end length of said fiber optic transmission member of said fiber optic cable means inserted thereinto from said rear end face; fiber-engaging insert means secured within said rear section of said ferrule means and having a fiber-receiving passageway therethrough coaxial with said profiled ferrule bore and adapted to receive therethrough said exposed fiber end length inserted from a rear end thereof, and further adapted to be moved into mechanically securing engagment with said exposed fiber end length after said fiber end length has been inserted therethrough; means to secure said ferrule member to said fiber optic cable means; and viscous moisture-resistant material disposed at least within said rear section of said ferrule member and within said fiber-engaging insert means to protect an exposed fiber end length inserted and secured therewithin from moisture and from becoming brittle.

Claim 12

A terminal assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said viscous material has sufficient viscosity to retain itself within said rear section of said ferrule member and within said fiber-engaging insert means.

Claim 13

A terminal assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said viscous material is selected to have the property of remaining viscous over the wide temperature range to which the termination will be subjected during in-service use.