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:
Mar. 24, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 26, 1995
Maureen T Fahey, Austin, TX (US);
Alan G Hulme-Lowe, Austin, TX (US);
Charles M Mansfield, Austin, TX (US);
Grieg A Olson, Austin, TX (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A sleeve for protecting and reinforcing a fusion splice of two or more optical fibers. The fusion splice protector includes a heat-shrinkable sleeve adapted to surround the fusion splice and adjacent portions of the fused optical fibers, a stress-relieving support element adjacent the fusion splice, and a hot-melt adhesive contained within the sleeve for retaining the support element adjacent a longitudinal section of the sleeve. The support element is designed to impart varying elasticity along a length of the sleeve such that the fusion splice protector is more rigid at the central portion of the sleeve member than at its ends. This may advantageously be achieved by providing a support element having a cross-sectional profile which varies along the length of the sleeve. The support element is preferably constructed of a polymer or polymer blend, most preferably one having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fibers.