US5094552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking strain relief
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-16
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2010-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A strain relief (9) for right angle coupling of a fiber optic cable (2) with a connector (1) comprises, a generally tubular length of flexible material provided with a cylindrical axial bore (18) sized for receiving the fiber optic cable (2), and formed with narrow openings (24), an imposing tongue (27) in each of the openings (24) and a complementary groove (29) across the opening (26), whereby upon bending of the tubular length, tongues (27) lodge in the grooves (29).
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin T. Monroe
- 👤 Robert N. Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/56; H01R13/562; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3887; G02B6/38875; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471; G02B6/4478; G02B6/3888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A strain relief for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connector comprising; a generally tubular length of flexible material provided with a bore receiving said fiber optic cable therewithin, the tubular length being formed with narrow openings extending normally with respect to the axis of said bore, a tongue extending in each of said openings, and a groove located across each of said openings in opposed relationship to a corresponding tongue, said tubular length is curved in an arc, and each tongue is interlocked in a complementary groove to maintain said arc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A strain relief for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connector comprising; a generally tubular length of flexible material provided with a bore receiving said fiber optic cable therewithin, the tubular length being formed with narrow openings extending normally with respect to the axis of said bore, a tongue extending in each of said openings, and a groove located across each of said openings in opposed relationship to a corresponding tongue, said tubular length is curved in an arc, and each tongue is interlocked in a complementary groove to maintain said arc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
A strain relief for a cable terminated by a connector, comprising: an elongated tubular boot of flexible material for encircling a cable, coupling means on the tubular boot for coupling to a connector terminating the cable, at least one series of tongues and a corresponding series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, each said tongue being released from a respective groove when the tubular boot is substantially uncurved, and when the tubular boot is curved in an arc, each said tongue being interlocked with a respective groove to maintain the tubular boot in an arc, whereby when a cable is encircled by the tubular boot the cable is also maintained in an arc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
A strain relief for a cable terminated by a connector, comprising: an elongated tubular boot of flexible material for encircling a cable, coupling means on the tubular boot for coupling to a connector terminating the cable, at least one series of tongues and a corresponding series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, each said tongue being released from a respective groove when the tubular boot is substantially uncurved, and when the tubular boot is curved in an arc, each said tongue being interlocked with a respective groove to maintain the tubular boot in an arc, whereby when a cable is encircled by the tubular boot the cable is also maintained in an arc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2 wherein, each tongue is separated from a respective groove by a respective opening in the tubular boot when the tubular boot is substantially uncurved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 3 wherein, the outer diameter of the tubular boot is tapered toward an end of the tubular boot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2 wherein, the outer diameter of the tubular boot is tapered toward an end of the tubular boot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 5, and further including; multiple series of tongues and corresponding multiple series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, and multiple series of openings in the tubular boot are between the tongues and grooves when the tongues are released from the grooves, one of the series of openings being overlapped by openings in another of the series of openings, and the openings in said one and said another of the series being staggered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2, and further including; multiple series of tongues and corresponding multiple series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, and multiple series of openings in the tubular boot are between the tongues and grooves when the tongues are released from the grooves, one of the series of openings being overlapped by openings in another of the series of openings, and the openings in said one and said another of the series being staggered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 3, and further including; multiple series of tongues and corresponding multiple series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, and multiple series of openings in the tubular boot are between the tongues and grooves when the tongues are released from the grooves, one of the series of openings being overlapped by openings in another of the series of openings, and the openings in said one and said another of the series being staggered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 4, and further including; multiple series of tongues and corresponding multiple series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, and multiple series of openings in the tubular boot are between the tongues and grooves when the tongues are released from the grooves, one of the series of openings being overlapped by openings in another of the series of openings, and the openings in said one and said another of the series being staggered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2 wherein, the tongues have contoured heads and necks, and the grooves have shapes so as to interlock with respective tongues.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2 wherein, the outer diameter of the tubular boot is tapered toward an end of the tubular boot, and openings through the thickness are between the tongues and the grooves when the tongues are released from the grooves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2 wherein, the cable is a fiber optic cable, and the tubular boot encircles the fiber optic cable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A strain relief as recited in claim 2, and further including multiple series of tongues and corresponding multiple series of grooves distributed along the elongated tubular boot, each said tongue being released from a respective groove when the tubular boot is substantially uncurved, and when the tubular boot is curved in an arc, each said tongue of one of said series being interlocked with a respective groove to maintain the tubular boot in an arc, whereby a cable encircled by the tubular boot is also maintained in an arc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |