US4589727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber retainer
Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd
•
Filing: 1983-08-29
•
Granted: 1986-05-20
•
Expires: 2003-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber retaining member for insertion into a tubular optical cable. The retaining member includes a fiber accommodating surface for supporting the fiber and placing the fiber in frictional engagement between the inner wall of the tubular cable and the fiber accommodating surface. A plurality of fibers extending from a single cable can be supported in similar fashion with a retaining member having a plurality of fiber accommodating surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell H. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for separating and supporting a plurality of optical fibers extending from a tubular optical cable comprising: an elongate member havining an insertion end for inserting into said tubular cable and having a plurality of fiber accommodating surfaces along the longitudinal extent thereof, said elongate member being dimensioned for placing said fibers in frictional engagement between said fiber accommodating surfaces and the inner wall of said tubular cable; and a stop member at the end of said elongate member opposite said insertion end for preventing over insertion of said elongate member into said cable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for separating and supporting a plurality of optical fibers extending from a tubular optical cable comprising: an elongate member havining an insertion end for inserting into said tubular cable and having a plurality of fiber accommodating surfaces along the longitudinal extent thereof, said elongate member being dimensioned for placing said fibers in frictional engagement between said fiber accommodating surfaces and the inner wall of said tubular cable; and a stop member at the end of said elongate member opposite said insertion end for preventing over insertion of said elongate member into said cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of fiber accommodating surfaces accommodates a single fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insertion end of said elongate member is tapered for facilitating ease of insertion into said tubular cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said stop member is a transverse member having an extent greater than the inner diameter of said tubular cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said cable includes a pair of optical fibers extending therefrom and said elongate member has a pair of opposed spaced-apart fiber accommodating surfaces, each surface accommodating one fiber of said pair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said elongate member has substantially a rectangular transverse cross section, the opposed sides of said elongate member adjacent said opposed fiber accommodating surfaces being curved and having a distance between said opposed curved sides which is substantially equal to said inner diameter of said cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cable is resilient and the distance between said opposed fiber accommodation surfaces of said elongate member is defined by the relationship da>(di-2df) where da is the distance between said fiber accommodation surfaces of the elongate member; di is said inner diameter of said cable; and df is the diameter of each of said fibers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for retaining a fiber having a given fiber diameter in an elongate tubular, resilient optical fiber cable comprising: an elongate member having an insertion end for insertion into said cable; a fiber accommodating surface on said elongate member for supporting said fiber and holding said fiber in frictional engagement between an inner wall of said tubular cable and said fiber accommodating surface, said elongate member having a given transverse dimension, said given dimension being greater than the quantity of the inner dimension of said tubular cable minus the given fiber diameter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for retaining a fiber having a given fiber diameter in an elongate tubular, resilient optical fiber cable comprising: an elongate member having an insertion end for insertion into said cable; a fiber accommodating surface on said elongate member for supporting said fiber and holding said fiber in frictional engagement between an inner wall of said tubular cable and said fiber accommodating surface, said elongate member having a given transverse dimension, said given dimension being greater than the quantity of the inner dimension of said tubular cable minus the given fiber diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said elongate member includes a stop surface at the end opposite said insertion end having an extent greater than the inner diameter of said cable, for preventing over-insertion of said elongate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device in accordance with claim 9 wherein said insertion end of said elongate member is tapered.
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) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |