US3855897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of protecting a bundle of flexible optical fibers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-05
•
Granted: 1974-12-24
•
Expires: 1992-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A bundle of flexible optical fibers for an endoscope is protected by inserting the bundle axially into a tubular braid of intertwined filaments extending about the tube axis in a righthanded and left-handed helix respectively, thereafter axially stretching the tube so as to increase the pitch of each helix and to decrease the diameter of the braid until it compresses the inserted bundle, impregnating the stretched tube with liquid synthetic resin composition, and solidifying the composition.
Inventors
- 👤 T Oouchi
- 👤 N Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/26; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of protecting an elongated bundle of flexible optical fibers which comprises: a. loosely enveloping said bundle with a tubular braid of intertwined filaments, the braid having an axis and the enveloped bundle being elongated in the direction of said axis; b. axially stretching said braid until it contracts transversely to said axis and exerts radial pressure on said bundle; c. impregnating the contracted braid with a liquid synthetic resin composition; and d. solidifying said composition while maintaining said braid in the contracted condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of protecting an elongated bundle of flexible optical fibers which comprises: a. loosely enveloping said bundle with a tubular braid of intertwined filaments, the braid having an axis and the enveloped bundle being elongated in the direction of said axis; b. axially stretching said braid until it contracts transversely to said axis and exerts radial pressure on said bundle; c. impregnating the contracted braid with a liquid synthetic resin composition; and d. solidifying said composition while maintaining said braid in the contracted condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said braid includes two sets of filaments, each filament of one set extending about said axis in a right-handed helix, and each filament of the other set extending about said axis in a left-handed helix, the helix of each filament in one set intersecting the helix of each filament in the other set, the pitch of each helix being increased by said stretching and the diameter thereof being reduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bundle is axially inserted into said tubular braid until enveloped by the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein each set of filaments includes a plurality of groups of filaments, the filaments of each group being parallel and closely juxtaposed and intertwined jointly with groups of filaments of the other set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein groups of filaments alternating in at least one of said sets transversely to the direction of filament elongation consist of metallic and non-metallic filaments respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3048078A
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US3368017A
Cited
US3249666A
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US3253619A
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US3457962A
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |