The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 03, 1979
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1978
Carl Belmonte, Somerville, MA (US);
Mark L Dakss, Sudbury, MA (US);
John E Fulenwider, Concord, MA (US);
GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A tool for preparing the ends of optical fiber waveguides prior to such operations as coupling and splicing. The tool is adapted for single-handed operation and comprises a pair of manually actuated handles, first and second fiber supporting surfaces, and a third fiber supporting surface between the first and second surfaces. The optical fiber waveguide is secured to the first and second surfaces by a pair of clamping members which are responsive to the squeezing of the handles. Once the fiber waveguide is secured to the surfaces, further squeezing of the handles produces separating rotation of a pair of jaw members to put the fiber under tensile stress. A cutting blade suspended above the third surface is released to produce a peripheral microcrack on a portion of the optical fiber waveguide lying on the third fiber supporting surface. The induced stress and curved support of the fiber waveguide act in combination to propagate the microcrack diametrically through the fiber so that an appropriate fiber end is obtained. Various modifications and refinements of the tool provide for greater control and semi-automatic operation in preparing fiber ends.