US5193133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of terminating optical fiber utilizing a plastic alignment ferrule with polishing pedestal
Assignee: Stratos International Inc
•
Filing: 1992-01-21
•
Granted: 1993-03-09
•
Expires: 2012-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip W. Schofield
- 👤 Paul R. Stonikas
- 👤 James W. McGinley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:45
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B19/00; B24B19/22; B24B19/226; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3865; G02B6/25; G02B6/3854; G02B6/3863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making a fiber optic connector comprising the steps of forming a plastic ferrule comprising an elongated body having an opening therethrough, said opening having an entry end and an exit end, said opening being flared at the entry end for facilitating entry of a fiber, said ferrule having a raised pedestal surrounding the exit end of the opening, introducing a fiber into said opening for extension through said exit end and beyond said raised pedestal, bonding said ferrule to said fiber, cleaving the fiber, severing the free end of the fiber, and polishing the ferrule to remove the raised pedestal and provide a smoothly polished end surface on the ferrule.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of making a fiber optic connector comprising the steps of forming a plastic ferrule comprising an elongated body having an opening therethrough, said opening having an entry end and an exit end, said opening being flared at the entry end for facilitating entry of a fiber, said ferrule having a raised pedestal surrounding the exit end of the opening, introducing a fiber into said opening for extension through said exit end and beyond said raised pedestal, bonding said ferrule to said fiber, cleaving the fiber, severing the free end of the fiber, and polishing the ferrule to remove the raised pedestal and provide a smoothly polished end surface on the ferrule.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1 including the step of applying an adhesive to the opening before introducing the fiber and bonding the fiber to the ferrule after introducing the fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 including the step of applying an epoxy to the opening before introducing the fiber and bonding the fiber to the ferrule.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the ferrule is formed by injection molding a partially glass filled resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the ferrule is formed by injection molding a partially carbon filled resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4512630A
Cited
US4084308A
Cited
US4362356A
Cited
US4367011A
Cited
US4303304A
Cited
US4648688A
Cited
US4666241A
Cited
US4634214A
Cited
US4812009A
Cited
US4991929A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-08 | 1996-09-07 | 1997-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-08 | 2000-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-08 | 2004-09-07 | 2005-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |