US5293582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity LLC
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Filing: 1993-04-19
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2013-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly having a fiber within a The ferrule is received within a hub held in a barrel. An inner spring urges the ferrule and hub outwardly from the barrel. A nut is movably attached to the barrel. An outer spring biases the barrel toward a connector end of a housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. Beard
- 👤 Curtis Puetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3869; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/3821; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3831; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3851; G02B6/389; G02B6/3891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly comprising; a ferrule having a longitudinal axis and a bore therethrough for receiving an optical fiber of a fiber cable; a housing sized to slidably receive at least a portion of said ferrule with said ferrule extending outwardly along said longitudinal axis; first biasing means for biasing said ferrule outwardly along said longitudinal axis from a cable entrance end of the housing to an opposite end thereof; said first biasing means includes an elongated hub disposed within said housing and having one end adapted for securely receiving said ferrule and first spring means disposed about a portion of said hub and biased to urge said hub toward said opposite end; a cap enclosing said housing including means for causing said nut to be releasably secured to a connection member; means for permitting limited movement of said housing relative to said ferrule along said longitudinal axis when the nut is secured to the connection member, said cable including a protective sheathing secured to said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly comprising; a ferrule having a longitudinal axis and a bore therethrough for receiving an optical fiber of a fiber cable; a housing sized to slidably receive at least a portion of said ferrule with said ferrule extending outwardly along said longitudinal axis; first biasing means for biasing said ferrule outwardly along said longitudinal axis from a cable entrance end of the housing to an opposite end thereof; said first biasing means includes an elongated hub disposed within said housing and having one end adapted for securely receiving said ferrule and first spring means disposed about a portion of said hub and biased to urge said hub toward said opposite end; a cap enclosing said housing including means for causing said nut to be releasably secured to a connection member; means for permitting limited movement of said housing relative to said ferrule along said longitudinal axis when the nut is secured to the connection member, said cable including a protective sheathing secured to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for permitting limited movement of the housing means includes second biasing means positioned to urge the housing towards said opposite end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optical, fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 2 wherein said means for permitting limited movement of the housing further includes a first abutment surface connected to an inner surface of said nut and a second abutment surface connected to an outer surface of said housing wherein said second spring means is disposed about said outer surface of said housing between said lip and shoulder such that said housing is movable along said longitudinal axis with respect to said nut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 1 wherein said ferrule assembly further comprises retention means attached to said housing at the cable entrance end of the ferrule assembly for securely attaching an optical fiber cable to the ferrule assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 4 wherein said retention means includes a generally a first member securely attached to said housing and having a bore therethrough for receiving the optical fiber and a fiber cable retention mechanism, said retention mechanism including a sleeve assembly having a longitudinal axis, said assembly having first and second opposing sleeve members, said sleeve members each having an inner arcuate surface cooperating to define a passageway through said assembly sized to receive a portion of said first member, said assembly further including attachment means for connecting said first sleeve member to said second sleeve member to securely retain an end of said cable and the first member within said inner passageway of the sleeve assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 5 wherein said attachment means includes at least one male and one female fastening portion integrally formed on each of said sleeve members such that the female portion of each sleeve member engages the male portion of the other sleeve member to lock the sleeve members together such that said inner arcuate surfaces of the sleeve members enclose the cable end and the first member disposed within said passageway of the sleeve assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 5 wherein said inner arcuate surfaces of the sleeve members include arcuate rib segments extending radially inwardly into said passageway and sized to contact and compress an outer jacket of the fiber cable disposed in said passageway such that the fiber cable is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the sleeve assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 7 wherein said first member is provided with annular grooves of predetermined dimension therein and said arcuate rib segments of said sleeve members are positioned at spaced intervals such that when a portion of the fiber cable is disposed about an outer surface of said annular grooves, said rib segments of the sleeve members are received in said grooves with the cable portion compressed between said ribs and grooves to prevent longitudinal movement of the fiber cable and the first member with respect to the sleeve assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical fiber connector ferrule assembly according to claim 5 wherein said first member includes a surface enlargement and wherein said inner arcuate surfaces of the sleeve members include a channel adapted for receiving said enlargement to retain the first member within the sleeve assembly.
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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) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |