US5680496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic cable assembly for perimeter lighting
Assignee: PAC-FAB Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-18
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2016-10-18
Abstract
Abstract The fiber optic cable assembly mounts to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa. The fiber optic cable assembly includes a bundle of fiber optic fibers, a tube, a track, and a plurality of fasteners. The front surface of the track and the rear surface of the tube cooperatively define a chamber between the track and the tube to eliminate interference between the fasteners and the tube such that the tube is uniformly received in the track. Another embodiment of the invention provides a track with a rear surface that defines a reservoir. The reservoir advantageously collects excess adhesive used in the mounting process of the track to prevent unsightly and difficult to remove excess adhesive from building up around the track.
Inventors
- 👤 Garrett J. Burkitt, III
- 👤 Dennis C. Dunn
- 👤 Kevin L. Potucek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A fiber optic cable assembly for mounting to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa, comprising: a tube having a front surface and a rear surface; a bundle of fiber optic fibers contained within the tube; a longitudinal track having a front surface; a plurality of fasteners engaging the front surface of the track to fasten the track to the perimeter surface; means for securing the tube to the track such that the rear surface of the tube faces the front surface of the track; and wherein the front surface of the track and the rear surface of the tube cooperatively define a chamber between the track and the tube when secured together to receive the fasteners and eliminate interference between the fasteners and the tube when the assembly is mounted to the perimeter surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A fiber optic cable assembly for mounting to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa, comprising: a tube having a front surface and a rear surface; a bundle of fiber optic fibers contained within the tube; a longitudinal track having a front surface; a plurality of fasteners engaging the front surface of the track to fasten the track to the perimeter surface; means for securing the tube to the track such that the rear surface of the tube faces the front surface of the track; and wherein the front surface of the track and the rear surface of the tube cooperatively define a chamber between the track and the tube when secured together to receive the fasteners and eliminate interference between the fasteners and the tube when the assembly is mounted to the perimeter surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the tube has first and second longitudinally extending edges and the front surface of the track defines two longitudinally extending edge flanges sized to accept the edges of the rear surface therein to secure the tube to the track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the tube is curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the tube defines a longitudinally extending depression to cooperate with the front surface of the track to define the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 4, wherein the front surface of the track also defines a longitudinally extending recess for cooperation with the rear surface of the tube to define the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the track defines a longitudinally extending recess for cooperation with the rear surface of the tube to define the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are screws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the track also defines a longitudinally extending notch located in the center of the front surface of the track for positioning of the fasteners in the center of the track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fiber optic cable assembly for mounting by adhesive to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa, comprising: a tube having a front surface and a rear surface; a bundle of fiber optic fibers contained within the tube; and a longitudinal track having a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface including means for receiving the tube to position the rear surface of the tube in opposed alignment with the front surface of the track, the rear surface of the track defining at least one longitudinally extending reservoir sized to retain excess adhesive therein such that the adhesive does not squeeze out from behind the track when the track is mounted on the perimeter surface of the pool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fiber optic cable assembly for mounting by adhesive to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa, comprising: a tube having a front surface and a rear surface; a bundle of fiber optic fibers contained within the tube; and a longitudinal track having a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface including means for receiving the tube to position the rear surface of the tube in opposed alignment with the front surface of the track, the rear surface of the track defining at least one longitudinally extending reservoir sized to retain excess adhesive therein such that the adhesive does not squeeze out from behind the track when the track is mounted on the perimeter surface of the pool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the rear surface of the track defines two longitudinally extending reservoirs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 10, wherein the rear surface of the track has an upper edge and a lower edge and the two longitudinally extending reservoirs are recesses, one such recess located adjacent to the upper edge of the rear surface of the track and the other located adjacent to the lower edge of the track.
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) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |