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:
Feb. 07, 1984
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1980
Jacques Cartier, Fontenay-Sous-Bois, FR;
Radiall, Rosny-Sous-Bois, FR;
Abstract
An optical fiber connector in which individual optical fibers are precisely centered at their opposed ends, with respect to each other, without the requirement of precise manufacturing tolerances of the connector parts. An individual optical fiber having an elastic sheath is centered within a rigid sleeve by a plurality of balls, which can be metal, circumferentially spaced around the elastic sheath of the optical fiber, and which radially compress the elastic sheath to precisely center the fiber with respect to the rigid sleeve. The balls can be retained in a cage of an optical ferrule against both radial escape and any significant axial displacement relative to the fiber. This arrangement permits connecting and disconnecting the individual fibers from the connector, with a low coupling and uncoupling force since the balls can roll and therefore do not damage either the rigid sleeve or the elastic sheath of a fiber.