US6052502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon optical cable having improved strength
Assignee: CCS Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1997-09-22
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Granted: 2000-04-18
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Expires: 2017-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic cable (10) having a slotted rod (12) with grooves (22) formed therein. At least one groove includes a buffer tube (13) having a ribbon stack (14) supported in a tensile window position within buffer tube (13) by a water blocking material (15). Fiber optic cable (10) has an ample tensile window, whereby macrobending and microbending of optical fibers in the ribbon stacks (14) is minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Douglas Coleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407; G02B6/441; G02B6/4411; G02B6/4429; G02B6/44384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; a water blocking material located in said groove; at least one fiber optic ribbon stack located in said groove; the water blocking material generally supports said ribbon stack in a tensile window position relative to said groove; whereby said ribbon stack is moveable from said tensile window position to a second position relative to said groove upon sufficient stress in said fiber optic cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; a water blocking material located in said groove; at least one fiber optic ribbon stack located in said groove; the water blocking material generally supports said ribbon stack in a tensile window position relative to said groove; whereby said ribbon stack is moveable from said tensile window position to a second position relative to said groove upon sufficient stress in said fiber optic cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said ribbon stack is disposed in a ribbon organizer, said organizer also being supported and moveable along with said ribbon stack upon sufficient stress acting in said fiber optic cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said ribbon stack is disposed in a ribbon organizer, said organizer being moveable along with said ribbon stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 3, wherein a space defined between said ribbon organizer and said groove narrows during movement of said ribbon stack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said ribbon stack and said water blocking material are within a buffer tube disposed in said groove, said ribbon stack being moveable from said tensile window position toward a portion of said buffer tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein said ribbon stack tensile window position is generally in a medial location with respect to said buffer tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the ribbon stack is SZ or helically stranded in said groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said water blocking material comprises a hydrophobic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said water blocking material comprises a hydrophilic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein said tensile window position is defined by said ribbon stack not contacting adjacent surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; a ribbon stack disposed in a ribbon organizer within said groove; said ribbon organizer includes wall sections interconnected by a web section, said wall and web sections define a ribbon stack receiving area wherein said ribbon stack is received with clearance for minimizing microbending of ribbon edge fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; a ribbon stack disposed in a ribbon organizer within said groove; said ribbon organizer includes wall sections interconnected by a web section, said wall and web sections define a ribbon stack receiving area wherein said ribbon stack is received with clearance for minimizing microbending of ribbon edge fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein said organizer is located in a buffer tube of said fiber optic cable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 12, wherein said organizer is supported in said buffer tube by a water blocking material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 12, wherein said organizer is initially not in contact with said buffer tube, said organizer being moveable within said buffer tube towards a center of said fiber optic cable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 12, wherein the organizer is located in a generally medial position with respect to said buffer tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein said organizer is supported by a water blocking material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein said organizer is initially not in contact with other surfaces, said organizer being moveable towards a center of said fiber optic cable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein said web comprises a thickness, and at least one of said walls comprises a thickness generally equal to said web thickness.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein said ribbon organizer comprises a plurality of ribbon stack-receiving areas separated by at least one of said web sections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; said at least one groove has a buffer tube therein; said buffer tube has a water blocking material and a ribbon stack therein; said water blocking material supports said ribbon stack in a tensile window position in said buffer tube, said ribbon stack is initially not in contact with adjacent surfaces; whereby said ribbon stack is moveable from said tensile window location upon a sufficient tension acting in said fiber optic cable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fiber optic cable, comprising: a crush-resistant slotted rod with at least one groove; said at least one groove has a buffer tube therein; said buffer tube has a water blocking material and a ribbon stack therein; said water blocking material supports said ribbon stack in a tensile window position in said buffer tube, said ribbon stack is initially not in contact with adjacent surfaces; whereby said ribbon stack is moveable from said tensile window location upon a sufficient tension acting in said fiber optic cable.
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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) | 2003-04-18 | 2003-10-18 | 2004-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-18 | 2007-10-18 | 2008-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-18 | 2011-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |