US4490006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centering piece for a precision junction for optical fibres
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-08-21
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Granted: 1984-12-25
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Expires: 2001-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Centering piece having an exterior conical surface (14) for centering an optical fibre (20) in a connector member (4) intended for assembly with another connector member which has a matching interior cone. The centering piece has at one end an adaptor (2, 3) to the connector member (4), and at its other end a truncated exterior conical surface (14) at the outer end of which there is a circle (6) defining an end plane (1), a through-hole (7) passing from end to end and an arrangement for centering (8, 9, 10), at the center of the circle, an inserted end of an optical fibre. The arrangement may be a precision-centered hole which centers the fibres when cast in plastic, or an outwardly open exterior cone, cooperating either with a centering body with a hole or with a plurality of centering bodies in the form of balls.
Inventors
- 👤 Lars R. Lidholt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3841; G02B6/3835; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/3863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Centering piece having means for mounting in a connector member for optical fibres, for centering and fixing the position of an end of an optical fibre in a center hole in the centering plane, said centering piece (5) consisting of a body rotatable about an axis coinciding with said center hole (8) and having in one direction a stiff frusto-conical exterior surface (14), the exterior conical surface of which, by virtue of the fact that it is centered in relation to the axis, acts as a support and fitting surface against an interior conical surface fitting thereon in another connector member, centering means being arranged to center said optical fibre (20) in the middle of said axis of the rotatable body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Centering piece having means for mounting in a connector member for optical fibres, for centering and fixing the position of an end of an optical fibre in a center hole in the centering plane, said centering piece (5) consisting of a body rotatable about an axis coinciding with said center hole (8) and having in one direction a stiff frusto-conical exterior surface (14), the exterior conical surface of which, by virtue of the fact that it is centered in relation to the axis, acts as a support and fitting surface against an interior conical surface fitting thereon in another connector member, centering means being arranged to center said optical fibre (20) in the middle of said axis of the rotatable body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 1, including adaptor means consisting of a shoulder (2) parallel to said circle and a cylindrical surface (3) concentric with the axis of said exterior conical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said concentric cylindrical surface is threaded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Centering piece as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said means for centering said fibre consists of a hole centered to said axis with an accuracy of at least 5 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hole is centered to said axis with an accuracy of 2 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Centering piece as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said means for centering said fibre comprise an outwardly opening interior conical surface (11) concentric with said exterior conical surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 6, wherein said interior conical surface and said exterior conical surface have equal angles of conicity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for centering comprise a centering body (9) arranged to bear against said interior conical surface and against said fibre.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 8, wherein said centering body has an exterior conical surface fitting said interior conical surface, and a hole adapted for said fibre and centered in relation to said exterior conical surface of said centering body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Centering piece as claimed in claim 8, wherein said centering body (9) is made of plastic.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of centering an optical fibre in a contact having a longitudinal hole provided therefore, said contact having a conical exterior centering surface (14), including the steps of providing at the end of said contact an outwardly diverging interior cone (11) concentric to said exterior cone (14), arranging an end of said optical fibre to project outwardly into said interior cone, arranging a plurality of balls around said fibre in contact therewith and with said interior cone (11), fixing said balls and said fibre in place, and then grinding down said balls from the front side of said contact until only about half of said balls remain.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of centering an optical fibre in a contact having a longitudinal hole provided therefore, said contact having a conical exterior centering surface (14), including the steps of providing at the end of said contact an outwardly diverging interior cone (11) concentric to said exterior cone (14), arranging an end of said optical fibre to project outwardly into said interior cone, arranging a plurality of balls around said fibre in contact therewith and with said interior cone (11), fixing said balls and said fibre in place, and then grinding down said balls from the front side of said contact until only about half of said balls remain.
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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) | 1987-12-25 | 1988-06-25 | 1988-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-25 | 1992-06-25 | 1992-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-25 | 1996-06-25 | 1996-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |