US5440658A — Modular fiber optic cable assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a lens unit mountable to a panel and having a lens and a depending skirt attachable to the connector, whereby the end of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the lens, d) a light source including an LED positioned in openly spaced relation to the lens, and LED mounting means including grip means to resist endwise separation of the LED from the connector.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 120 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a lens unit mountable to a panel and having a lens and a depending skirt attachable to the connector, whereby the end of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the lens, d) a light source including an LED positioned in openly spaced relation to the lens, and LED mounting means including grip means to resist endwise separation of the LED from the connector.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said means to grip the cable comprises barb means on the connector.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said lens unit skirt and connector have telescopic interfit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combination of claim 3 including barb means on at least one of the skirt and connector to resist endwise separation of said skirt and connector.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The combination of claim 4 wherein said connector has a reduced bore section receiving the cable, and an enlarged bore section receiving said skirt.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 5 wherein said barb means is on said enlarged bore section of the connector.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein the lens unit and connector define a common axis of interfit, said cable extending axially of said lens unit and connector.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The combination of claim 1 including said panel an end of the connector engaging the panel.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 68 words

The method of providing the combination of claim 8 which includes first inserting the fiber optics cable into the connector, to bring the cable end into predetermined spaced and fixed relation to the connector end facing the panel, and then attaching the connector end to the panel by inserting the lens unit skirt through the panel opening to telescopically connect to the connector and to engage the panel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 10 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein the connector is tubular.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The combination of claim 10 wherein said means comprises annularly located barbs projecting forwardly toward the lens unit, and inwardly to grip the cable and block its retraction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 11 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said grip means comprises barbs.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination of claim 12 wherein said barbs extend annularly relative to said LED.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 78 words

In combination, a) a connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and position the end of said cable in the connector, b) an LED mount to receive an LED, the mount having structure to telescopically connect to the connector to position the LED in light transmitting relation to said cable end, there being grip means to resist endwise separation of the mount from said connector, c) said mount configured for connection to a panel.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 78 words

In combination, a) a connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and position the end of said cable in the connector, b) an LED mount to receive an LED, the mount having structure to telescopically connect to the connector to position the LED in light transmitting relation to said cable end, there being grip means to resist endwise separation of the mount from said connector, c) said mount configured for connection to a panel.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 14 wherein said panel comprises a circuit board to which the mount is connected.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 182 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a lens unit mountable to a panel and having a lens and a depending skirt attachable to the connector, whereby the light-emitting end of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the lens, d) the cable having another end, there being another hollow connector having a primary portion coupled to said other end of the cable, a light source also coupled to said other hollow connector, and an auxiliary lens positioned in said other hollow connector to receive light from said source and to direct light at said other end of the cable, e) said light source comprising an LED, and an LED socket, and wherein said other connector has additional means thereon to grip said socket to resist endwise separation thereof from said other connector.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 182 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a lens unit mountable to a panel and having a lens and a depending skirt attachable to the connector, whereby the light-emitting end of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the lens, d) the cable having another end, there being another hollow connector having a primary portion coupled to said other end of the cable, a light source also coupled to said other hollow connector, and an auxiliary lens positioned in said other hollow connector to receive light from said source and to direct light at said other end of the cable, e) said light source comprising an LED, and an LED socket, and wherein said other connector has additional means thereon to grip said socket to resist endwise separation thereof from said other connector.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 31 words

The combination of claim 16 wherein said other connector has auxiliary means thereon to grip said other end of the cable, and to resist endwise separation thereof from said other connector.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 11 words

The combination of claim 17 wherein said auxiliary means comprises barbs.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination of claim 18 wherein said barbs extend annularly relative to the cable.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 13 words

The combination of claim 16 wherein said auxiliary lens comprises a Fresnel lens.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The combination of claim 16 including a lens mount extending endwise in said other connector, and coupled to the other connector to position the auxiliary lens axially in the other connector.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combination of claim 21 including a coupling tongue on the lens mount, and a coupling groove in the other connector to receive said tongue.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The combination of claim 16 wherein said socket has an end wall defining openings to pass LED terminals, and means on the socket to position the socket relative to a circuit board.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

The combination of claim 23 wherein said LED terminals are turned 90° relative to an axis defined by the socket, to pass through openings in the circuit board.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 30 words

The combination of claims 23 wherein said LED terminals extend in the direction of an axis defined by the circuit board for direct passage through openings in the circuit board.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 92 words

In combination: a fiber optics cable having a light entrance end, a hollow connector coupled to said entrance end of the cable, an LED socket associated with said connector, an LED coupled to said connector via said socket, and a light directing means positioned in said hollow connector to receive light from said LED and to direct light at said end of the cable, there being barb means acting at least in part to provide said coupling, there being grip means to grip said socket to resist separation thereof from said connector.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 92 words

In combination: a fiber optics cable having a light entrance end, a hollow connector coupled to said entrance end of the cable, an LED socket associated with said connector, an LED coupled to said connector via said socket, and a light directing means positioned in said hollow connector to receive light from said LED and to direct light at said end of the cable, there being barb means acting at least in part to provide said coupling, there being grip means to grip said socket to resist separation thereof from said connector.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination of claim 26 wherein said barb means extends annularly relative to an axis defined by the connector.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 16 words

The combination of claim 27 wherein said barb means includes multiple barbs in an axial series.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

The combination of claim 28 wherein certain of said barbs extend adjacent the cable and other of said barbs extend adjacent the LED.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 130 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a light directing unit in the connector and attachable to the connector, whereby said end extent of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the light directing unit, d) an LED and an LED socket coupled to the connector and locating the LED in openly spaced relation to the light directing unit, opposite the cable end extent, e) there being grip means to grip said socket to resist endwise separation thereof from the connector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 130 words

In combination, a) a hollow connector having a first portion to receive a fiber optics cable and to position end extent of said cable relative to the connector interior, b) the connector having means thereon to grip the cable and to resist endwise withdrawal of the cable relative to the connector, c) and a light directing unit in the connector and attachable to the connector, whereby said end extent of the cable is maintained in selected openly spaced relation to the light directing unit, d) an LED and an LED socket coupled to the connector and locating the LED in openly spaced relation to the light directing unit, opposite the cable end extent, e) there being grip means to grip said socket to resist endwise separation thereof from the connector.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-08-07	1999-02-06	1999-08-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-08-07	2003-02-06	2003-08-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-08-07	2007-02-06	2007-08-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Modular fiber optic cable assembly

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