US4909593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical cable having at least two separate multiple-fiber units each having its own soft plastic envelope
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent NV
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Filing: 1988-12-20
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical cable with at least one tube (1) is disclosed which contains several multiple-fiber units (2). Each multiple-fiber unit (2) has an envelope (4) of soft plastic that can be easily removed with bare fingers.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Harbort
- 👤 Jorg Widler
- 👤 Ferdinand Grogl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407; G02B6/441; G02B6/4413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube made of a rigid plastic material, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said multiple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, said envelope being made of a soft plastic material whereby a predetermined portion of the envelope is easily removed from the vicinity of said optical fibers without tools.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube made of a rigid plastic material, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said multiple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, said envelope being made of a soft plastic material whereby a predetermined portion of the envelope is easily removed from the vicinity of said optical fibers without tools.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the envelopes are made of a soft thermoplastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said envelopes further comprises a respective rip filament contained in the space enclosed by the envelope or integral with the envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rip filament is a glass or aramid fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid plastic material from which the tube is made is selected from the group consisting essentially of amorphous polyamide, polyester, and a polycarbonate compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is filled with a soft, pasty compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional tube, the at least one tube and the at least one additional tube being arranged concentrically around a central member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiple-fiber units are filled with a soft, pasty compound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said mulitple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, wherein the envelopes are made of a vulcanizable elastomer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said mulitple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, wherein the envelopes are made of a vulcanizable elastomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said mulitple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, wherein the envelopes are made of a soft thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting essentially of polyesteramide copolymer, a soft ethylene-propylene copolymer, and a styrene-butadiene rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
Optical cable comprising at least one tube, and two or more multiple-fiber units loosely carried within said tube, each of said mulitple-fiber units further comprising a respective plurality of optical fibers and a respective envelope surrounding said respective plurality of optical fibers, wherein the envelopes are made of a soft thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting essentially of polyesteramide copolymer, a soft ethylene-propylene copolymer, and a styrene-butadiene rubber.
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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) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |