US4991929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Index matching film
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1990-02-07
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2010-02-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an optical fiber connector comprising a connector receptacle, a mechanism associated with the connector receptacle for optically coupling two optical fibers together, and a compliant index matching film material positioned within the connector receptacle. When the optical fibers are inserted into the connector receptacle for optical coupling, the end faces of each of the optical fibers are in physical contact with the film material. Preferably, the connector is of the ferrule type, i.e., the optical fibers are located inside ferrules which are received and aligned within the connector receptacle so that the optical fibers are optically coupled together. A bayonet or threaded locking mechanism is associated with the connector receptacle and the ferrules for locking them into place within the connector receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry P. Bowen
- 👤 Paul R. Reitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3818; G02B6/382; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3877; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3889; G02B6/389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An optical fiber connector comprising, a receptacle having a sleeve into which corresponding alignment ferrules are inserted, each of the ferrules aligning a corresponding optical fiber along the sleeve, the improvement comprising; a film of optically transparent material of a thickness on the order of less than one-half the diameter of each corresponding optical fiber spanning across the interior of the sleeve, a periphery of the film being in frictional engagement with an inner diameter of the sleeve to hold the film stationary and self supporting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical fiber connector comprising, a receptacle having a sleeve into which corresponding alignment ferrules are inserted, each of the ferrules aligning a corresponding optical fiber along the sleeve, the improvement comprising; a film of optically transparent material of a thickness on the order of less than one-half the diameter of each corresponding optical fiber spanning across the interior of the sleeve, a periphery of the film being in frictional engagement with an inner diameter of the sleeve to hold the film stationary and self supporting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the improvement comprising; the sleeve has a discontinuous inner diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 2, the improvement comprising; the film conforms to the shape of one of the ferrules and is impelled to a desired position within the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 2, the improvement comprising; the periphery of the film is sheared.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 2, the improvement comprising; the film is deformed by direct contact with the ferrules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 2, the improvement comprising; the film is in a gap between the optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 2, the improvement comprising; the film is engaged on opposite sides by the optical fibers including any extension of any such optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the improvement comprising; the film conforms to the shape of one of the ferrules and is impelled to a desired position within the sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 8, the improvement comprising; the periphery of the film is sheared.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 8, the improvement comprising; the film is deformed by contact with the ferrules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 8, the improvement comprising; the film is in a gap between the optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 8, the improvement comprising; the film is engaged on posite sides by the optical fibers including any extension of any such optical fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the improvement comprising; the periphery of the film is sheared.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 5, the improvement comprising; the film is deformed by direct contact with the ferrules.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 13, the improvement comprising; the film is in a gap between the optical fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 13, the improvement comprising; the film is engaged on opposite sides by the optical fibers including any extension of any such optical fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the comprising; the film is deformed by direct contact with the ferrules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 17, the improvement comprising; the film is in a gap between the optical fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the improvement comprising; the film is in a gap between the optical fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical fiber connector as recited in claim 1, the improvement comprising; the film is engaged on opposite sides by the optical fibers including any extension of any such optical fibers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |