Patent US4033669A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4033669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Precision optical fiber switch
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1976-03-11
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Granted: 1977-07-05
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Expires: 1996-03-11
Abstract
Abstract In a half-duplex or multi-channel optical transmission line, parallel rods, which retain and concentrically align movable and stationary fibers, form a precise switch detent for reproducibly switching a movable fiber from one to another of a plurality of stationary fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Delon C. Hanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3841; G02B6/3842; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3882; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3502; G02B6/354; G02B6/3554; G02B6/3556; G02B6/358; G02B6/3582
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An optical fiber switch having at least two positions for end-to-end coupling of optical fibers, said switch comprising: a wiper assembly having at least three rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning an optical fiber in the interspace therebetween; a housing assembly having at least five retaining rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning at least two optical fibers in the interspace therebetween, and at least ten fixed rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning the retaining rods and wiper assembly; a detent assembly including at least one rod and means for movably mounting same on the housing assembly to move in response and orthogonally to the movement of the wiper assembly as it moves from one position to another; said wiper, housing said detent rods being substantially the same diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An optical fiber switch having at least two positions for end-to-end coupling of optical fibers, said switch comprising: a wiper assembly having at least three rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning an optical fiber in the interspace therebetween; a housing assembly having at least five retaining rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning at least two optical fibers in the interspace therebetween, and at least ten fixed rods of substantially the same diameter and in substantially contiguous parallel relationship for retaining and aligning the retaining rods and wiper assembly; a detent assembly including at least one rod and means for movably mounting same on the housing assembly to move in response and orthogonally to the movement of the wiper assembly as it moves from one position to another; said wiper, housing said detent rods being substantially the same diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical fiber switch as in claim 1 further including a third position wherein: the housing assembly retains and aligns a third optical fiber; and the wiper assembly when in the third position, is rotated 120° relative to either of the other two positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical fiber switch as in claim 1 wherein the length of the fixed rods is longer than the retaining rods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical fiber switch as in claim 1 wherein: the diameter of the optical fibers is substantially the same; and the diameter of the wiper, retaining, fixed and movable rods is approximately 6.4641 times larger than the diameter of the optical fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1946693A1
Cited
US3960531A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |