US5002356A — Optical fiber tap handling tray with fiber instal…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 147 words

An apparatus for loading an intermediate segment of a section of an optical fiber into an optical fiber tap which couples light between the intermediate segment of the fiber and an optical element, comprising: an optical fiber tap which includes means for bending the intermediate segment of the optical fiber within a plane such that light can be coupled between a core of the fiber and a light element; and a substrate disposed over the optical fiber tap bending means, the substrate defining an aligning and guiding groove which has a top area descending transversely relative to the plane of the optical fiber tap to a bottom area adjacent the tap bending means, the top area being larger than the bottom area such that the groove converges towards the bending means so as to allow the optical fiber section to be guided into the bending means plane.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 147 words

An apparatus for loading an intermediate segment of a section of an optical fiber into an optical fiber tap which couples light between the intermediate segment of the fiber and an optical element, comprising: an optical fiber tap which includes means for bending the intermediate segment of the optical fiber within a plane such that light can be coupled between a core of the fiber and a light element; and a substrate disposed over the optical fiber tap bending means, the substrate defining an aligning and guiding groove which has a top area descending transversely relative to the plane of the optical fiber tap to a bottom area adjacent the tap bending means, the top area being larger than the bottom area such that the groove converges towards the bending means so as to allow the optical fiber section to be guided into the bending means plane.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aligning and guiding groove has a first sidewall extending substantially perpendicular to the optical fiber containing plane and a second slanted sidewall which forms an acute angle with the plane.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber tap bending means includes a second groove for holding and bending the fiber intermediate segment, the second groove having a linear length less than 3 cm.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool for inserting the optical fiber into the aligning groove and the fiber bending means, the tool and substrate including interconnecting members which, when interconnected gently move the fiber through the aligning and guiding groove and into the plane.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 55 words

The apparatus of claim 4, the substrate members comprising third and fourth grooves which intersect the aligning, groove on opposite sides of a portion of the fiber bending means which forms a bend in the fiber, the tool members including first and second tines sized so as to mate with the third and fourth grooves.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 101 words

A tool for inserting an intermediate segment of an optical fiber into a tap which bends the intermediate segment so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: first and second tines; a bridging member interconnecting the first and second tines; the first and second tines being sized so as to be receivable into first and second tine grooves of a tap loader which each forms an angle with a fiber guiding groove of the tap loader for guiding the intermediate segment of the optical fiber into a tap bend guiding region plane.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 101 words

A tool for inserting an intermediate segment of an optical fiber into a tap which bends the intermediate segment so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: first and second tines; a bridging member interconnecting the first and second tines; the first and second tines being sized so as to be receivable into first and second tine grooves of a tap loader which each forms an angle with a fiber guiding groove of the tap loader for guiding the intermediate segment of the optical fiber into a tap bend guiding region plane.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 139 words

A method of attaching an intermediate segment of an optical fiber to a tap which bends the intermediate segment of the fiber so as to allow either light injection into or light withdrawal from a core of the fiber, comprising the steps of: disposing the optical fiber in a first groove having an enlarged opening at a top of the groove, the groove converging inwardly and having a bottom opening which confronts a fiber bend guiding region of the tap, the tap bend guiding region being capable of bending the intermediate segment of the optical fiber in a plane so as to allow either light injection into or light withdrawal from the fiber core; and urging a tool and the intermediate segment of the optical fiber together to press the fiber into the first groove and into the plane.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 139 words

A method of attaching an intermediate segment of an optical fiber to a tap which bends the intermediate segment of the fiber so as to allow either light injection into or light withdrawal from a core of the fiber, comprising the steps of: disposing the optical fiber in a first groove having an enlarged opening at a top of the groove, the groove converging inwardly and having a bottom opening which confronts a fiber bend guiding region of the tap, the tap bend guiding region being capable of bending the intermediate segment of the optical fiber in a plane so as to allow either light injection into or light withdrawal from the fiber core; and urging a tool and the intermediate segment of the optical fiber together to press the fiber into the first groove and into the plane.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: wrapping the optical fiber around a mandrel having a tip, the mandrel defining the first groove and the tool; and rotating the mandrel until the tip forces the fiber through the first groove and into the tap, the first groove defining a helix relative to the tap bend guide region.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 7, wherein the opening of the first groove is a bottom opening and defines an apex of this groove and is contiguous with the tap end guiding region, an end of the tool being moved downwards and into a second groove formed in a substrate containing the first groove, the first and second grooves intersecting one another.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 84 words

A fiber loading mechanism for loading an intermediate section of an optical fiber into a predetermined plane in an optical tap which bends the fiber intermediate section so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: first and second interconnecting members which, when interengaged, form a gap which lies in a vicinity of the predetermined plane, a part of the fiber intermediate section being disposed in the gap when the first and second members are interengaged.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 84 words

A fiber loading mechanism for loading an intermediate section of an optical fiber into a predetermined plane in an optical tap which bends the fiber intermediate section so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: first and second interconnecting members which, when interengaged, form a gap which lies in a vicinity of the predetermined plane, a part of the fiber intermediate section being disposed in the gap when the first and second members are interengaged.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The mechanism of claim 10, the first and second interconnecting members comprising a tray lid and substrate or a tool and a substrate.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 67 words

The mechanism of claim 10, the first and second interconnecting members comprising a substrate having a groove therein which terminates at the predetermined plane and a piece having a shape complementary to that of the groove, a surface of the piece which confronts the predetermined plane when the piece is interconnected with the groove having a recess therein which, together with the predetermined plane forms the gap.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

The mechanism of claim 12, the groove being traverse to a second groove formed in the substrate which guides an entire length of the intermediate section of the optical fiber into the predetermined plane.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

The mechanism of claim 13, the gap being approximately as deep as an outside diameter of the fiber intermediate section, and further comprising third and fourth interconnecting members having a shape similar to that of the first and second interconnecting members.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 120 words

A fiber loading mechanism for loading an intermediate section of an optical fiber into a predetermined plane in an optical tap which bends the fiber intermediate section so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: a substrate disposed over the tap, the substrate including a groove having a bottom opening confronting the optical tap plane through which the fiber intermediate section can be urged so as to be placed in the plane; means interconnectable with the substrate such that when the fiber intermediate section is disposed in a vicinity of the groove and the interconnectable means is interconnected with a substrate the fiber intermediate section is urged into the predetermined plane.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 120 words

A fiber loading mechanism for loading an intermediate section of an optical fiber into a predetermined plane in an optical tap which bends the fiber intermediate section so as to allow light coupling between a core of the fiber and a light element, comprising: a substrate disposed over the tap, the substrate including a groove having a bottom opening confronting the optical tap plane through which the fiber intermediate section can be urged so as to be placed in the plane; means interconnectable with the substrate such that when the fiber intermediate section is disposed in a vicinity of the groove and the interconnectable means is interconnected with a substrate the fiber intermediate section is urged into the predetermined plane.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

The mechanism of claim 15, the interconnectable means comprising a member which is insertable into a second groove of a substrate and has a shape complementary to that of the second groove.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 37 words

The mechanism of claim 16, the interconnectable means comprising first and second members which are insertable into second and third grooves respectively of the substrate, each member having a shape complementary to that of its respective groove.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 85 words

The mechanism of claim 17, the second and third grooves terminating at the predetermined plane, surfaces of the second and third members which confront the predetermined plane having a recess formed therein which have a depth at least as large as a diameter of the fiber intermediate section, first and second parts of the fiber intermediate section being retained in the recesses and being urged into the predetermined plane subsequent to inserting the first and second members are inserted into the second and third grooves.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-03-25	1994-09-24	1995-03-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-03-25	1998-09-24	1999-03-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-03-25	2002-09-24	2003-03-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical fiber tap handling tray with fiber installation tool

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