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US4792204A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process and apparatus for elimination of tolerance dependent variations of a selectable spacing between components in optical communication equipment

Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1987-06-08
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-06-08
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Abstract

Abstract A process and a device for substantially eliminating tolerance-dependent variations of a preselectable space between the components of an optical communication apparatus is described. U-shaped recesses are provided in a metal casing for pressing in flange-type necks of, for example, optical transmitting and receiving devices. The parallel arranged devices are so spaced from each other that they are not subject to tolerance-dependent variations. For this purpose the metallic necks are coated with a plastic layer, and ribs provided at the lateral walls of the U-shaped recesses dig into the plastic layer. The necks are pressed in precisely at a predetermined spacing by means of a gauge. By the application of varying degrees of pressure when the ribs are pressed in on one side and the other side of the neck, one of the U-shaped recesses can be off-center.

Inventors

  • 👤 Heinz Praeur
  • 👤 Alfred H. Johnson
  • 👤 Dietmar Schulz
  • 👤 Peter Pohl

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 23:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 195 words
A process for substantially eliminating tolerance-dependent variations of a selectable space between at least two optical communication components arranged in parallel to each other, said components each being provided with a flange-type neck, and which are respectively fixed with said neck at right angles to their longitudinal extension in a U-shaped recess of a wall of a casing provided for jointly holding at least two of said components, comprising the steps of: Covering each of said necks with a layer of a deformable plastic and soft material relative to a hard material of which said necks are comprised; Pressing each of said necks at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks in between lateral walls of said U-shaped recesses, which walls are provided with at least one projecting rib running parallel to said walls, such that at least one of said projecting ribs at one side of each neck is pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks into the plastic deformable material a lesser amount than is the rib located on the other side of the said neck, thereby obtaining said preselectable space with respect to the adjacent component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 195 words
A process for substantially eliminating tolerance-dependent variations of a selectable space between at least two optical communication components arranged in parallel to each other, said components each being provided with a flange-type neck, and which are respectively fixed with said neck at right angles to their longitudinal extension in a U-shaped recess of a wall of a casing provided for jointly holding at least two of said components, comprising the steps of: Covering each of said necks with a layer of a deformable plastic and soft material relative to a hard material of which said necks are comprised; Pressing each of said necks at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks in between lateral walls of said U-shaped recesses, which walls are provided with at least one projecting rib running parallel to said walls, such that at least one of said projecting ribs at one side of each neck is pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks into the plastic deformable material a lesser amount than is the rib located on the other side of the said neck, thereby obtaining said preselectable space with respect to the adjacent component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said necks are metallic and are coated with a plastic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 42 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 comprising the further step of inserting two prefabricated U-shaped plastic semi-shells at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the neck into a U-shaped recess on the neck, said necks being rectanglar in their cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein U-shaped sides of a prefabricated plastic component are slid upon each of the said necks parallel to the U-shaped walls of the U-shaped recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
In a flange-type neck for a transmitting and receiving optical communication module, a metallic neck element coated with a plastic layer for use in the process as claimed by claim 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 190 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating tolerancedependent variations of spacing between at least two components arranged in parallel to each other, said components each being provided with a flange-type neck, and which are respectively fixed with said neck at right angles to their longitudinal extension in a U-shaped recess of a wall of a casing provided for jointly holding at least two of said components, comprising: A plurality of necks each covered with a layer of a deformable plastic and soft material relative to a material of which said necks are comprised; whereby each of the said necks is adapted to be pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks in between lateral walls of said U-shaped recesses, which walls include at least one projecting rib running parallel to said walls, such that at least one of said projecting ribs at one side of each neck is pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks into the deformable plastic material a lesser amount than is the rib located on the other side of the said neck, thereby obtaining said spacing with respect to the adjacent component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 190 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating tolerancedependent variations of spacing between at least two components arranged in parallel to each other, said components each being provided with a flange-type neck, and which are respectively fixed with said neck at right angles to their longitudinal extension in a U-shaped recess of a wall of a casing provided for jointly holding at least two of said components, comprising: A plurality of necks each covered with a layer of a deformable plastic and soft material relative to a material of which said necks are comprised; whereby each of the said necks is adapted to be pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks in between lateral walls of said U-shaped recesses, which walls include at least one projecting rib running parallel to said walls, such that at least one of said projecting ribs at one side of each neck is pressed at right angles to the longitudinal extension of said necks into the deformable plastic material a lesser amount than is the rib located on the other side of the said neck, thereby obtaining said spacing with respect to the adjacent component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said necks are metallic and are coated with a plastic layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further including two prefabricated U-shaped plastic semi-shells at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the neck into a U-shaped recess on the neck, said necks being rectangular in their cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said components are optical communication components.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4291943A Cited
US4364064A Cited
US4657338A Cited
US4657341A Cited
US4647149A Cited
US4657340A Cited
US4639074A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-12-20 1992-06-20 1992-12-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-12-20 1996-06-20 1996-12-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-12-20 2000-06-20 2000-12-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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