US4252406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for optical fibers
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1978-09-05
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Granted: 1981-02-24
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Expires: 1998-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A connector for connecting opposing ends of a pair of optical fibers inclng a movable, spring biased male contact secured to one end of a fiber and a fixed female contact secured to the opposing end of another optical fiber, the contacts having complementary configured mating surfaces, whereby the opposing ends of the optical fibers are accurately positioned and aligned.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Ryan, Jr.
- 👤 Robert H. Broadbelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/383; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861; G02B6/3863; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3887; G02B6/389; G02B6/3891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A connector for optical fibers comprising, a cylindrical male contact having an integral end projection of constant dimensions positioned at one end of a first optical fiber and including an axial bore to receive said first fiber end, a cylindrical female contact positioned at the opposing end of a second optical fiber and including a recess to receive said projection and an axial bore to receive said second fiber end, a pair of like intermediate sleeves respectively positioned within the respective bore of each contact around the end of each fiber and fixedly securing each said contact to each said fiber end, said male and female contacts having complementary configured mating surfaces in the area surrounding the opposing ends, said ends of each fiber and the respective intermediate sleeve ends being coextensive and spaced inwardly from the end of each bore in each respective contact, whereby the opposing ends of the optical fibers are accurately positioned adjacent one another at a fixed spacing and aligned when the contacts are interconnected with said projection engaging said recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A connector for optical fibers comprising, a cylindrical male contact having an integral end projection of constant dimensions positioned at one end of a first optical fiber and including an axial bore to receive said first fiber end, a cylindrical female contact positioned at the opposing end of a second optical fiber and including a recess to receive said projection and an axial bore to receive said second fiber end, a pair of like intermediate sleeves respectively positioned within the respective bore of each contact around the end of each fiber and fixedly securing each said contact to each said fiber end, said male and female contacts having complementary configured mating surfaces in the area surrounding the opposing ends, said ends of each fiber and the respective intermediate sleeve ends being coextensive and spaced inwardly from the end of each bore in each respective contact, whereby the opposing ends of the optical fibers are accurately positioned adjacent one another at a fixed spacing and aligned when the contacts are interconnected with said projection engaging said recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is bonded to and between said fiber end and contact bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 2, wherein the ends of the mating optical fibers are polished to provide an optically distortion free interface at said fixed spacing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein said complementary, configured mating surfaces comprise a conical surface on the male contact, and a conical recess on the female contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the contacts are mounted within a housing, said housing having a plurality of axially extending bores, said male contact being slidably mounted in one of said bores, and said female contact being fixedly mounted in another of said bores.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 5, wherein a compression spring is mounted within the bore containing the male contact, whereby the male contact is biased in an axial direction outwardly of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 6, wherein an optical fiber guide is positioned adjacent an end of said housing for guiding the optical fibers from a fiber bundle to their respective bores in said housing, said guide comprising, a cylindrical block, a plurality of axially extending pins provided on one face of said block and positioned radially inwardly from the peripheral surface thereof, said pins extending into the bores in said housing, a plurality of radially extending slots formed in said block and pins, each slot being adapted to receive a respective fiber from said bundle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 7, wherein the compression spring is mounted coaxially on a respective pin and is biased between said one face of the fiber guide and a shoulder on the male contact, each pin extending into the housing bore containing the female contact having a tubular member mounted coaxially thereon, one end of said tubular member abutting the female contact, and the opposite end of the tubular member abutting said one face of said guide whereby the female contact is fixedly mounted within said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector for optical fibers according to claim 8, wherein said housing containing said contacts, and said optical fiber guide are mounted within a sleeve, a collar rotatably mounted on said sleeve for cooperating with another sleeve having another contact housing and a fiber guide, to thereby provide a quick disconnect coupling between the sleeves.
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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) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |