US3934773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for breaking brittle rods or fibers
Assignee: O'NEAL COTHBURN M
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Filing: 1973-11-02
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1993-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of breaking a rod of brittle material, such as a glass optical fiber, so as to yield a mirrorlike surface across the entire rod end is described. This is achieved by establishing a decreasing tensile stress across the cross section of the rod which, at all points, is greater than zero but less than the threshold stress at which a mist zone forms. This is conveniently achieved by simultaneously applying longitudinal tension to the rod and bending it. A convenient hand tool for breaking optical fibers is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin Leroy Chinnock
- 👤 Detlef Christoph Gloge
- 👤 Peter William Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; C03B33/10; C03B33/12; C03B33/14; C03B33/06; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/25; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/12; Y10T225/16; Y10T225/18; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/307; Y10T225/321; Y10T225/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of breaking a brittle material including the steps of: scoring said material over a region along its surface; mounting said material on a flexible bending form with said scored region facing away from said form; and bending said form and said material while simultaneously applying to said form and said material a nonuniform tensile stress which decreases from a maximum value at said region to a minimum value along the opposite surface in contact with said form and which, at all points therebetween, is less than the threshold stress for producing a mist zone fracture, said minimum value being grater than zero by a sufficient amount to insure a mirror-type fracture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of breaking a brittle material including the steps of: scoring said material over a region along its surface; mounting said material on a flexible bending form with said scored region facing away from said form; and bending said form and said material while simultaneously applying to said form and said material a nonuniform tensile stress which decreases from a maximum value at said region to a minimum value along the opposite surface in contact with said form and which, at all points therebetween, is less than the threshold stress for producing a mist zone fracture, said minimum value being grater than zero by a sufficient amount to insure a mirror-type fracture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said brittle material is an optical fiber.
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) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |