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. 07, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 12, 1996
Richard Hagan, Bucks, GB;
Terry L Smith, Roseville, MN (US);
Robert G Frey, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
Gordon D Henson, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Jack P Blomgren, Red Wing, MN (US);
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a precise optical fiber cable connector for aligning and connecting ends of a pair of cables. The connector has a fiber alignment block having a fiber receiving surface and a connector engagement surface. First and second openings are provided in the connector engagement surface. An alignment ball is provided and is retained in the first opening. The alignment ball is for aligning the connector with another like connector, and specifically, for aligning optical fibers carried on the connector alignment assemblies.