Patent US5146532A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5146532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber retention device
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-20
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Granted: 1992-09-08
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Expires: 2010-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber retention device which is adapted to positively locate and retain one or more optical fibers while providing strain-relief. The optical fiber retention device includes a pair of resilient strip members which snap fit together to positively restrain the optical fibers between them. The strip members include a base strip having one or more generally U-shaped channels which support individual optical fibers in a common plane. The other strip member comprises a top member which includes two resilient keys which snap fit into resilient keyways in the base member. The top member has an elongated generally rectangular surface which retains the optical fibers in the channels for strain relief. The base member additionally includes a pair of resilient keys which snap fit into the keyways of other base members to allow the base member to be stacked on one another for tiers or racks of support channels and to allow mounting on a plate of a termination or branch box.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L. Hodge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471; G02B6/44785; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; G02B6/3664; G02B6/3676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating, retaining, and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; a cover member integrally formed of a resilient material and having a substantially strip-shaped covering section; and means for resiliently locking said cover member to said base member such that the optical fiber strands are positively located by said channels, and retained and strain-relieved by said cover member, wherein said means for resiliently locking said cover member to said base member are integrally formed in at least one of said cover member and said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating, retaining, and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; a cover member integrally formed of a resilient material and having a substantially strip-shaped covering section; and means for resiliently locking said cover member to said base member such that the optical fiber strands are positively located by said channels, and retained and strain-relieved by said cover member, wherein said means for resiliently locking said cover member to said base member are integrally formed in at least one of said cover member and said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for resiliently locking said cover member to said base member further include: an integrally formed keyway in said base member; an integrally formed key in said cover member; and wherein said key is adapted to resiliently snap fit into said keyway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said keyway includes: a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally triangular trough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said key includes: a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for resiliently locking said base member to said cover member further include: an integrally formed keyway in said cover member; an integrally formed key in said base member; and wherein said key is adapted to resiliently snap fit into said keyway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said keyway includes: a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally triangular trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said key includes: a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member further includes: mounting means integrally formed with said base member for mounting said base member to a mounting plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said mounting means further include: a key which is adapted to snap fit into an aperture of said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said key further includes: a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said key is adapted to snap fit into said keyway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating, retaining and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; at least two keyways, one at each end of said support section, each keyway formed as a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally rectangular trough; and at least two keys, one at each end of said support section aligned with said keyways, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into apertures of a mounting plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating, retaining and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; at least two keyways, one at each end of said support section, each keyway formed as a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally rectangular trough; and at least two keys, one at each end of said support section aligned with said keyways, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into apertures of a mounting plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 12 which further includes: a cover member formed from a resilient material and having a substantially strip-shaped covering section; and at least two keys, one at each end of said covering section, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into said keyways.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a plurality of base members, each base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; at least two keyways, one at each end of said support section, each keyway formed as a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally rectangular trough; and at least keys, one at each end of said support section aligned with said keyways, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into apertures of a mounting plate and adapted to snap fit into said keyways.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical fiber retention device for positively locating and strain-relieving optical fiber strands, said retention device comprising: a plurality of base members, each base member integrally formed of a resilient material and including a substantially strip-shaped support section having one or more generally U-shaped support channels; at least two keyways, one at each end of said support section, each keyway formed as a generally rectangular channel connected to a generally rectangular trough; and at least keys, one at each end of said support section aligned with said keyways, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into apertures of a mounting plate and adapted to snap fit into said keyways.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical fiber retention device as set forth in claim 14 which further includes: a cover member formed from a resilient material and having a substantially strip-shaped covering section; and at least two keys, one at each end of said covering section, each key formed as a generally rectangular post connected to a generally wedge-shaped head; and wherein said keys are adapted to snap fit into said keyways.
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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) | 1995-09-08 | 1996-03-09 | 1996-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-08 | 2000-03-09 | 2000-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-03-09 | 2004-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |