US4541685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical connector sleeve
Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
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Filing: 1983-03-07
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Granted: 1985-09-17
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Expires: 2003-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Cylindrical optical fiber connector plugs are joined using a split sleeve to align the axes of the plugs. The inventive sleeve exerts a substantially uniform pressure around the circumference of the plugs for improved alignment of the fibers therein. In one embodiment, the uniform pressure is achieved by varying the thickness of the sleeve around its circumference. Low-cost molded sleeves of the inventive design have achieved lower-loss connections than a machined metal sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry M. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that the thickness (h) of said sleeve varies substantially according to the formula: ##EQU18## where h o is the thickness of the wall opposite the split, and φ is the angle subtended by a point in the wall with respect to the center of the split in a cross section of the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that the thickness (h) of said sleeve varies substantially according to the formula: ##EQU18## where h o is the thickness of the wall opposite the split, and φ is the angle subtended by a point in the wall with respect to the center of the split in a cross section of the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that the thickness (h=b-a) of said sleeve varies substantially according to the formula: ##EQU19## where a=inner radius of the sleeve wall; b=outer radius of the sleeve wall; φ=angle subtended by a point in the wall with respect to the center of the split in a cross section of the sleeve; δ=diametral interference with said plugs; p=pressure on the inside wall of the sleeve with said plugs inserted therein; E=modulus of elasticity of sleeve material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that the thickness (h=b-a) of said sleeve varies substantially according to the formula: ##EQU19## where a=inner radius of the sleeve wall; b=outer radius of the sleeve wall; φ=angle subtended by a point in the wall with respect to the center of the split in a cross section of the sleeve; δ=diametral interference with said plugs; p=pressure on the inside wall of the sleeve with said plugs inserted therein; E=modulus of elasticity of sleeve material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that said sleeve has an outer surface described by a larger circle and an inner surface described by a smaller circle that is offset from said larger circle, as viewed in cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs, characterized in that said sleeve has an outer surface described by a larger circle and an inner surface described by a smaller circle that is offset from said larger circle, as viewed in cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs characterized in that said improved sleeve has a varying wall thickness around its circumference, with said thickness being substantially less in the vicinity of the split than the thickness opposite said split, whereby the inner surface of said sleeve maintains a substantially circular shape when two cylindrical plugs are inserted therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An improved split sleeve adapted for use with cylindrical optical plugs characterized in that said improved sleeve has a varying wall thickness around its circumference, with said thickness being substantially less in the vicinity of the split than the thickness opposite said split, whereby the inner surface of said sleeve maintains a substantially circular shape when two cylindrical plugs are inserted therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved sleeve of claim 4 wherein said sleeve is molded of polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improved sleeve of claim 4 further comprising flanges near said split.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improved sleeve of claim 4 wherein the alignment of two cylindrical plugs inserted therein is improved as compared to that provided by a sleeve made of the same material and having a constant wall thickness equal to the average wall thickness of said improved sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improved sleeve of claim 4 wherein said improved sleeve contacts a greater surface area of two cylindrical plugs inserted therein, as compared to a sleeve made of the same material and having a constant wall thickness equal to the average wall thickness of said improved sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical connector comprising two cylindrical plugs inserted into the improved sleeve of claim 4.
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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) | 1988-09-16 | 1989-03-18 | 1989-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-16 | 1993-03-18 | 1993-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-16 | 1997-03-18 | 1997-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |