US3871744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector
Assignee: GTE Control Devices Inc
•
Filing: 1974-08-19
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1994-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber connector is described which has particular utility with those optical fibers having a protective sheath normally therearound. The main body of the connector has a pair of communicating bores therein commencing from the opposite end faces thereof. Each of these bores has an enlarged first portion, the far surface of which serves as a stop for a component of the completed optical fiber connector assembly. The optical fiber is held relatively rigidly at each end of the connector; however, it is left relatively unsupported in the center portion. A bow is formed in the optical fiber in the unsupported center portion such that any physical stresses which are placed on the optical fiber connector during normal handling thereof are transferred to the protective sheath rather than to the optical fiber thereby enhancing the reliability.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Bridger
- 👤 Mark L Dakss
- 👤 Stanley Zemon
- 👤 Samuel M Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/381; G02B6/3823; G02B6/3843; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/3863; G02B6/3887; G02B6/38875
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A connector for an optical fiber having a protective sheath normally therearound comprising a main body having a generally cylindrical external configuration and front and rear surfaces, the optical fiber entering the main body through the rear surface and terminating adjacent to the front surface, the main body having a first, generally axial bore extending inwardly from the rear surface toward the front surface and being sized to receive the optical fiber freely therethrough, the first bore having a forward portion and an enlarged diameter rear portion, the enlarged portion being sized to receive freely the sheath and optical fiber over the full length thereof, the main body also having a second bore extending rearwardly from the front surface generally parallel to the first bore and having a rear portion and an enlarged diameter forward portion, and communicating at the rear thereof with the first bore, an inner rigid right circular cylindrical sleeve being disposed in the enlarged forward portion of the second bore and having an axial bore therethrough, the bore of the inner sleeve being sized to enable the optical fiber to be inserted therein, the outer diameter of the inner sleeve being within the range of diameters defined by the rear portion of the second bore and the enlarged portion thereof, means for affixing the optical fiber to the inner sleeve, means for forming a bow in the optical fiber in the rear portion of the second bore so that external forces are exerted on the sheath rather than the optical fiber, means for affixing the inner sleeve to the main body, and means for affixing the sheath to the main body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A connector for an optical fiber having a protective sheath normally therearound comprising a main body having a generally cylindrical external configuration and front and rear surfaces, the optical fiber entering the main body through the rear surface and terminating adjacent to the front surface, the main body having a first, generally axial bore extending inwardly from the rear surface toward the front surface and being sized to receive the optical fiber freely therethrough, the first bore having a forward portion and an enlarged diameter rear portion, the enlarged portion being sized to receive freely the sheath and optical fiber over the full length thereof, the main body also having a second bore extending rearwardly from the front surface generally parallel to the first bore and having a rear portion and an enlarged diameter forward portion, and communicating at the rear thereof with the first bore, an inner rigid right circular cylindrical sleeve being disposed in the enlarged forward portion of the second bore and having an axial bore therethrough, the bore of the inner sleeve being sized to enable the optical fiber to be inserted therein, the outer diameter of the inner sleeve being within the range of diameters defined by the rear portion of the second bore and the enlarged portion thereof, means for affixing the optical fiber to the inner sleeve, means for forming a bow in the optical fiber in the rear portion of the second bore so that external forces are exerted on the sheath rather than the optical fiber, means for affixing the inner sleeve to the main body, and means for affixing the sheath to the main body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein there is further included means for minimizing bending of the sheathed optical fiber adjacent to the main body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the second bore is formed slightly eccentrically in the main body so that the optical fiber termination adjacent to the front surface of the main body is eccentric as well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the first and second bores are formed coaxially in the main body and the main body has an external surface thereon to which the location oF the optical fiber termination may be indexed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector according to claim 4, wherein the external surface is a right circular cylindrical surface on the main body and the termination of the optical fiber is concentric therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the means for forming a bow in the optical fiber includes a member movably extending through the main body lateral to the axis for bearing against the optical fiber to force the optical fiber to form a bow prior to affixing the optical fiber to the inner sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the inner sleeve and the optical fiber protrude from the main body and have a polished end surface thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the means for minimizing bending is a length of constrictive tubing emplaced over the interface between the sheathed optical fiber and the main body at the rear face thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector according to claim 2, wherein the means for minimizing bending is a resilient plastic sleeve molded over the interface between the sheathed optical fiber and the main body at the rear face thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3792284A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |