Patent US4729619A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4729619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector incorporating means for isolating connection from external stresses
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1986-05-01
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A simplified and low cost optical fiber connector incorporating strain relief means comprising a hollow housing within which a connection of optical fibers is isolated and stabilized from external strains and stresses by chocks located at opposing ends of the passageway through the housing which releasably secure the fibers in cooperation with the housing. The novel connector may be used with both polymeric and glass optical fibers, and with optical fibers which have or do not have buffer coatings. The novel connector may also be used to provide optical fiber connections incorporating strain relief means to a fiber optic splitter, a fiber optic coupler, and an opto-electronic package.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack P. Blomgren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/3805; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/382; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An optical fiber connector comprising: (A) an elongate, resiliently deformable housing with a passageway therethrough; (B) a first chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a first end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least a first optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; and (C) a second chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a second end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least a second optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; whereby a connection of said optical fibers located within said passageway is isolated and stabilized from stresses external to said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical fiber connector comprising: (A) an elongate, resiliently deformable housing with a passageway therethrough; (B) a first chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a first end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least a first optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; and (C) a second chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a second end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least a second optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; whereby a connection of said optical fibers located within said passageway is isolated and stabilized from stresses external to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said chocks is secured with an adhesive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connector as defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive is radiation curable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing is substantially transparent to curing radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially transparent to visible light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as defined in claim 5 wherein said housing further comprises a lens element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said first chock is adapted to releasably secure an optical fiber of different outer diameter than the optical fiber which said second chock is adapted to releasably secure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 further comprising: (D) a mandrel, located within said passageway between said first and second chocks and adapted to receive and support said optical fibers in proper optical alignment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said passageway is filled with a sealant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said second chock is adapted to secure two optical fibers and said connection is an optical fiber splitter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said first chock and said second chock are each adapted to secure at least two optical fibers and said connection is an optical fiber coupler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical fiber connector comprising: (A) an elongate, resiliently deformable housing with a passageway therethrough; (B) a first chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a first end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least one wire in cooperation with said housing; (C) a second chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a second end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least one optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; and (D) an opto-electronic package, located within said passageway between said first and second chocks, to which said wire and said optical fiber are connected; whereby the connections of said wire and said optical fiber to said opto-electronic package are isolated and stabilized from stresses external to said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical fiber connector comprising: (A) an elongate, resiliently deformable housing with a passageway therethrough; (B) a first chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a first end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least one wire in cooperation with said housing; (C) a second chock, secured within said passageway proximate to a second end of said housing and adapted to releasably secure at least one optical fiber in cooperation with said housing; and (D) an opto-electronic package, located within said passageway between said first and second chocks, to which said wire and said optical fiber are connected; whereby the connections of said wire and said optical fiber to said opto-electronic package are isolated and stabilized from stresses external to said housing.
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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) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |