US4952020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon cable with optical fibers and electrical conductors
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1989-08-09
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Granted: 1990-08-28
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Expires: 2009-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A ribbon cable 1 is disclosed in which optical fibers 2 and electrical conductors 3 are spaced side to side within a flexible jacket, 4, webs 5 of the jacket 4 extend laterally between corresponding optical fibers 2 and corresponding conductors 3, the cable 1 is formed into a roll 9, the cable 1 can be unrolled to position the optical fibers 2 and the conductors 3 laterally spaced apart from one another, and a removable sheath 10 surrounds the roll 9 and prevents the cable 1 from being unrolled.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/4431; G02B6/4403; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A ribbon cable comprising, optical fibers and electrical conductors, the optical fibers and the conductors are spaced side to side within a surrounding, flexible jacket, wherein the improvement comprises; each optical fiber and each conductor is contained within a corresponding sleeve of the jacket, adjacent sleeves are connected by a corresponding flexible web extending transversely between the adjacent sleeves, the cable is rolled transversely of its length to form a roll, an interstitial space extends lengthwise of the roll and is bounded by the sleeves, an elongated cord extends in the interstitial space, the roll is constructed to be unrolled to space apart the sleeves one from another, and a removable sheath surrounds the roll and prevents the cable from being unrolled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A ribbon cable comprising, optical fibers and electrical conductors, the optical fibers and the conductors are spaced side to side within a surrounding, flexible jacket, wherein the improvement comprises; each optical fiber and each conductor is contained within a corresponding sleeve of the jacket, adjacent sleeves are connected by a corresponding flexible web extending transversely between the adjacent sleeves, the cable is rolled transversely of its length to form a roll, an interstitial space extends lengthwise of the roll and is bounded by the sleeves, an elongated cord extends in the interstitial space, the roll is constructed to be unrolled to space apart the sleeves one from another, and a removable sheath surrounds the roll and prevents the cable from being unrolled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; corresponding sleeves engage one another along the interstitial space, and the interstitial space is bounded by the sleeves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; each web is offset from a plane extending through centerlines of corresponding adjacent sleeves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; means of each web for permitting corresponding adjacent sleeves to shift longitudinally of the cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord is offset from a central axis of the cable when the cable is unrolled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the cable is constructed to unroll to position the conductors and the optical fibers in a flat plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the sleeves form a single interstitial space extending lengthwise of the roll.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; each web includes a series of strips spaced apart along the length of the cable, the strips being flexible to permit corresponding adjacent sleeves to shift longitudinally of the cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord is secured to the cable opposite a portion of a corresponding conductor or a corresponding optical fiber that faces the interstitial space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord projects outwardly of a plane of the conductors and the optical fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord is asymmetrically located with respect to lateral sides of the cable and with respect to a plane containing the conductors and the optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A ribbon cable comprising; optical fibers and electrical conductors spaced side to side within a surrounding, flexible jacket, the jacket has corresponding webs extending laterally between corresponding optical fibers and corresponding conductors, the cable is rolled transversely of its length to form a roll, the roll is constructed for unrolling to position the optical fibers and the conductors laterally spaced apart from one another, and a removable sheath surrounds the roll and prevents the roll from unrolling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A ribbon cable comprising; optical fibers and electrical conductors spaced side to side within a surrounding, flexible jacket, the jacket has corresponding webs extending laterally between corresponding optical fibers and corresponding conductors, the cable is rolled transversely of its length to form a roll, the roll is constructed for unrolling to position the optical fibers and the conductors laterally spaced apart from one another, and a removable sheath surrounds the roll and prevents the roll from unrolling.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ribbon cable, as recited in claim 12, comprising; each web is offset from a plane extending through centerlines of the optical fibers and the centerlines of the conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 12, wherein the improvement comprises; the cable is constructed to unroll to position the conductors and the optical fibers within a flat plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 12, wherein the improvement comprises; each web includes a series of strips spaced apart along the length of the cable, the strips being flexible to permit corresponding adjacent sleeves to shift longitudinally of the cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 12, comprising; means of each web for permitting corresponding optical fibers and corresponding conductors to shift longitudinally of the cable during flexure of the cable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 12, comprising; an elongated cord within the sheath extends along the length of the cable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord extends along an interstitial space extending lengthwise of the roll.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord projects outwardly of a common plane of the conductors and the optical fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A ribbon cable as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement comprises; the cord is asymmetrically located with respect to lateral sides of the cable and with respect to a plane containing the conductors and the optical fibers.
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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) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |