Patent US6183343B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6183343B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polishing apparatus with defined pattern
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-09-03
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2019-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for creating and maintaining a substantially perfect figure eight polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components. The apparatus is capable of simultaneously performing this figure eight polishing pattern on the multiplicity of such connectors and components. Moreover, the specific embodiment disclosed includes a computer program that controls the apparatus. By simultaneously polishing a minimum of forty-eight fiber optic connectors, or similarly configured industrial components, with a polish being better than any now capable of being obtained by the prior art, this invention enables the output of polished fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components to be increased three to four fold over currently employed polishing apparatus while significantly reducing the cost of such polishing.
Inventors
- 👤 Mike Buzzetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:51
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B47/00; B24B47/02; B24B51/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a first stage including a first mounting member and a first staging member supported on the first mounting member for movement along a first path, a second stage including a second mounting member supported on the first staging member and a second staging member supported on the second mounting member for movement along a second path in angular relation to the first path, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism operable to simultaneously move the first and second staging members along their respective paths so that the polishing member traces a predetermined pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a first stage including a first mounting member and a first staging member supported on the first mounting member for movement along a first path, a second stage including a second mounting member supported on the first staging member and a second staging member supported on the second mounting member for movement along a second path in angular relation to the first path, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism operable to simultaneously move the first and second staging members along their respective paths so that the polishing member traces a predetermined pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the paths of movement of the first and second staging members are rectilinear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first path is an x-axis, and wherein the second path is a y-axis substantially perpendicular to the x-axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the speed of movement of the one staging member is a multiple of the speed of movement of the other staging member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the multiple is 2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pattern is a figure eight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting member is mounted for movement along a third path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movement along said paths is reciprocal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes motors connected to the first and second staging members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is computer-controlled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a support, a first stage including a first track mounted on the support and a first staging member supported on the track for movement along an x-axis, a second stage including a second track mounted on the first staging member and a second staging member mounted on the second track for movement along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism connected to the first and second staging members for moving the staging members along their respective axes so that the polishing member traces a closed arcuate pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a support, a first stage including a first track mounted on the support and a first staging member supported on the track for movement along an x-axis, a second stage including a second track mounted on the first staging member and a second staging member mounted on the second track for movement along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism connected to the first and second staging members for moving the staging members along their respective axes so that the polishing member traces a closed arcuate pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the stroke of one of the members is a multiple of the stroke of the second member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the multiple is 2.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the pattern is a figure eight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first track is mounted on the support for movement along a third axis substantially parallel to one of the x- and y-axes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism includes x and y motors connected to each stage, computer controlled x and y motor drives respectively connected to the motors, and a programmable x-y controller connected to the x-y motor drives.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the movement of the first and second staging member is reciprocal and rectilinear.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
156 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a support, a first stage including a first rectilinear track mounted on the support and a first staging member supported on the track for reciprocal movement along an x-axis, a second stage including a second rectilinear track mounted on the first staging member and a second staging member mounted on the second track reciprocal movement along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism including x and y motors having a driving connection to the first and second stages respectively, x and y motor drives respectively connected to the x and y motors, and a programmable x-y controller connected to the x-y motor drives for moving the staging members along their respective axes with the stroke of one of the members being a multiple of the stroke of the second member so that the polishing member traces a closed arcuate pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
A polishing apparatus comprising: a support, a first stage including a first rectilinear track mounted on the support and a first staging member supported on the track for reciprocal movement along an x-axis, a second stage including a second rectilinear track mounted on the first staging member and a second staging member mounted on the second track reciprocal movement along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and a drive mechanism including x and y motors having a driving connection to the first and second stages respectively, x and y motor drives respectively connected to the x and y motors, and a programmable x-y controller connected to the x-y motor drives for moving the staging members along their respective axes with the stroke of one of the members being a multiple of the stroke of the second member so that the polishing member traces a closed arcuate pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the multiple is 2.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the pattern is a figure eight.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |