US4911525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical communication cable
Assignee: All Optical Networks Inc
•
Filing: 1988-10-05
•
Granted: 1990-03-27
•
Expires: 2008-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical communication cable includes an elongated flexible strip or tape, one or more optical fibers affixed to the tape, and an adhesive on a surface of the tape. The optical cable is utilized for interconnecting points within a building by applying the adhesive to an interior wall, ceiling, floor or partition. When a transparent tape is utilized, the optical cable is nearly invisible on a wall. The cable can include protective stands that run parallel to the optical fibers. Various fixtures are provided for interconnecting and installing the optical cable. Applicator tools for installing the optical cable on a surface are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Hicks
- 👤 Charles H. Olmstead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and a removable film covering said adhesive prior to installation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and a removable film covering said adhesive prior to installation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip is substantially transparent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip is substantially transparent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip is a material that is substantially invisible when firmly attached to a surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip is a material that is substantially invisible when firmly attached to a surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and at least one protective strand affixed to said flexible strip parallel to said optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and at least one protective strand affixed to said flexible strip parallel to said optical fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and a pair of protective strands embedded in said flexible strip on opposite sides of and parallel to said optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and a pair of protective strands embedded in said flexible strip on opposite sides of and parallel to said optical fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical cable as defined in claim 5 wherein said protective strands are larger in diameter than said optical fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip includes a first layer and a second layer and wherein said optical fiber is sealed between said first layer and said second layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said flexible strip includes a first layer and a second layer and wherein said optical fiber is sealed between said first layer and said second layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said optical fiber has a diameter in the range of 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said optical fiber has a diameter in the range of 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said optical fiber is embedded in said flexible strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip, wherein said optical fiber is embedded in said flexible strip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical cable as defined in one of claims 2-9 further including a removable film covering said adhesive prior to installation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and interconnection means attached to at least one end of said optical fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical cable comprising: an elongated flexible strip; at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip; an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and interconnection means attached to at least one end of said optical fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical cable as defined in claim 11 wherein said interconnection means includes a graded index lens connected to one end of said optical fiber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical interconnection system for interconnecting a first location and second location within a building, comprising: an optical cable comprising an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and interconnection means attached to opposite ends of said optical fiber for coupling said optical cable to equipment or to another optical cable, wherein each interconnection means comprises a graded index lens connected to one end of said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical interconnection system for interconnecting a first location and second location within a building, comprising: an optical cable comprising an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and interconnection means attached to opposite ends of said optical fiber for coupling said optical cable to equipment or to another optical cable, wherein each interconnection means comprises a graded index lens connected to one end of said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical interconnection system as defined in claim 13 further including a connector block for supporting said graded index lens and the end of said at least one optical fiber coupled thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optical interconnection system for interconnecting a first location and second location within a building, comprising: an optical cable comprising an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; interconnection means attached to opposite ends of said optical fiber for coupling said optical cable to equipment or to another optical cable; and curvature limiting means for limiting the radius of curvature of said at least one optical fiber at bends in said optical cable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optical interconnection system for interconnecting a first location and second location within a building, comprising: an optical cable comprising an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; interconnection means attached to opposite ends of said optical fiber for coupling said optical cable to equipment or to another optical cable; and curvature limiting means for limiting the radius of curvature of said at least one optical fiber at bends in said optical cable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical interconnection system as defined in claim 15 wherein said curvature-limiting means includes a fitting for limiting the curvature of said optical fiber at an outside corner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical interconnection system as defined in claim 15 wherein said curvature-limiting means includes a fitting for limiting the curvature of said optical fiber at an inside corner.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical interconnection system as defined in claim 15 wherein said curvature-limiting means includes a fitting for limiting the curvature of said optical fiber at a bend in the plane of said optical cable.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for interconnecting a first location and a second location within a building with an optical fiber comprising the steps of: providing an optical cable including an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and attaching said optical cable to one or more walls of said building between said first location and said second location by applying the adhesive of said flexible strip to said one or more walls.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for interconnecting a first location and a second location within a building with an optical fiber comprising the steps of: providing an optical cable including an elongated flexible strip, at least one optical fiber affixed to said flexible strip and an adhesive on a surface of said flexible strip; and attaching said optical cable to one or more walls of said building between said first location and said second location by applying the adhesive of said flexible strip to said one or more walls.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tool for applying to a surface an optical cable having a removable film, comprising: a reel for holding a rolled length of optical cable; means for unrolling said optical cable from said reel as said tool is advanced along the surface; means for pressing said optical cable against the surface as it is unrolled from said reel; and means for stripping said removable film from said optical cable as it is unrolled from said reel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tool for applying to a surface an optical cable having a removable film, comprising: a reel for holding a rolled length of optical cable; means for unrolling said optical cable from said reel as said tool is advanced along the surface; means for pressing said optical cable against the surface as it is unrolled from said reel; and means for stripping said removable film from said optical cable as it is unrolled from said reel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tool as defined in claim 20 wherein said unrolling means comprises a drive wheel which rolls on said surface and an idler wheel in edge contact with said drive wheel and said reel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tool as defined in claim 21 wherein said pressing means comprises a pressure roller.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tool for applying at least one optical fiber, a flexible strip and an adhesive to a surface to form an optical cable on the surface, comprising: first reel means for holding a rolled length of at least one optical fiber; means for unrolling said at least one optical fiber from said first reel means as said tool is advanced along the surface; second reel means for holding a rolled length of flexible strip, said second reel means being positioned to unroll the flexible strip over the optical fiber; and means for applying an adhesive between the flexible strip and the surface such that the flexible strip and the optical fiber are secured to the surface to form the optical cable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tool for applying at least one optical fiber, a flexible strip and an adhesive to a surface to form an optical cable on the surface, comprising: first reel means for holding a rolled length of at least one optical fiber; means for unrolling said at least one optical fiber from said first reel means as said tool is advanced along the surface; second reel means for holding a rolled length of flexible strip, said second reel means being positioned to unroll the flexible strip over the optical fiber; and means for applying an adhesive between the flexible strip and the surface such that the flexible strip and the optical fiber are secured to the surface to form the optical cable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tool as defined in claim 23 wherein said unrolling means comprises a drive wheel which rolls on said surface and an idler wheel in edge contact with said drive wheel and said first reel means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tool as defined in claim 24 further including means for pressing said flexible strip against the surface as it is unrolled from the second reel means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as defined in claim 25 wherein said first reel means includes means for holding a rolled length of at lease one protective strand.
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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) | 1993-03-26 | 1993-09-25 | 1994-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-26 | 1997-09-25 | 1998-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-26 | 2001-09-25 | 2002-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |