US4789217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for securing elongate members of generally cylindrical form in end-to-end relationship
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-05
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2007-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for securing enlongatge members of generally cylindrical form in end-to-end relationship, particularly for forming an optic fiber splice. Optic fibers are spliced by pressing a form, preferably an optic fiber of the same diameter as those to be spliced, into a deformable body to create a groove for receiving the ends of the optic fibers in close alignment. To secure the optic fibers, an index matching adhesive is cured by UV irradiation through a glass cover plate bonded to the deformable body.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Mitch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:34
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/08; B29C51/082; B65; B65H; B65H69/00; B65H69/06; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/31; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of placing an end portion of a generally cylindrical elongate member in a predetermined position, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plastically deformable body, which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material, relatively harder than the plastically deformable material, disposing a form, which corresponds in its external cross-sectional shape to the end portion of the elongate member, in contact with the layer of ductile material, applying pressure to the form so as to create a groove in the deformable body, removing the form from the groove, and placing the end portion of the elongate member in the groove.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of placing an end portion of a generally cylindrical elongate member in a predetermined position, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plastically deformable body, which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material, relatively harder than the plastically deformable material, disposing a form, which corresponds in its external cross-sectional shape to the end portion of the elongate member, in contact with the layer of ductile material, applying pressure to the form so as to create a groove in the deformable body, removing the form from the groove, and placing the end portion of the elongate member in the groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the deformable body has a generally flat surface from which the groove extends into the body, and the method also comprises securing a cover plate to the body of deformable material over the groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first mentioned generally cylindrical member is circular in cross-section and a second generally cylindrical member which is circular in cross-section and is substantially equal in diameter to the first-mentioned member is placed in end-to-end alignment with the end portion of the first-mentioned member by placing an end portion of the second member into the groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said elongate member is an optic fiber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of splicing end portions of optic fibers, said method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order stated: providing a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material, said layer of ductile material having a generally flat surface; placing a form upon said layer of ductile material, said form corresponding in its external cross-section to the end portions of said optic fibers; pressing said form into said body so as to create a groove in said body of deformable material; placing said end portions of said optic fibers in said groove in end-to-end relationship; bonding a cover plate to said body of deformable material so that it covers said groove; and bonding said end portions of said optic fibers together.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of splicing end portions of optic fibers, said method comprising the following steps, not necessarily in the order stated: providing a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material, said layer of ductile material having a generally flat surface; placing a form upon said layer of ductile material, said form corresponding in its external cross-section to the end portions of said optic fibers; pressing said form into said body so as to create a groove in said body of deformable material; placing said end portions of said optic fibers in said groove in end-to-end relationship; bonding a cover plate to said body of deformable material so that it covers said groove; and bonding said end portions of said optic fibers together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said cover plate is bonded to said body before said end portions of said optic fibers are placed in said groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said ductile material is selected from the group consisting of metal and organic materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said organic material is selected from the group consisting of mylar, a polyimide and PTFE.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said end portions of said optic fibers are placed in said groove before said cover plate is bonded to said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said body comprises a layer of lead.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said form is a wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said form is an optic fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optic fiber splice comprising: a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material and is formed with a groove in a surface thereof, said groove being bounded at its interior by said layer of ductile material; optic fibers each having an end portion received in said groove, said end portions being in end-to-end relationship; and means which bond said end portions together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optic fiber splice comprising: a plastically deformable body which comprises a layer of plastically deformable material and a layer of ductile material relatively harder than the plastically deformable material and is formed with a groove in a surface thereof, said groove being bounded at its interior by said layer of ductile material; optic fibers each having an end portion received in said groove, said end portions being in end-to-end relationship; and means which bond said end portions together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A splice according to claim 13, further comprising a cover plate bonded to said deformable body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A splice according to claim 13, wherein said deformable material is lead.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A splice according to claim 13, wherein said ductile material is selected from the group consisting of metal, mylar, a polyimide and PTFE.
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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) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |