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. 20, 1999
Filed:
May. 09, 1997
Harold M Stein, Agawam, MA (US);
David J Stein, Springfield, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Various embodiments of a rod for cleaning and/or polishing embodiments of a ferrule in a fiber optic connector are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the rod is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene hydrophobic material, preferably absorbent. Each end of the rod has a hole that is a tight fit to the diameter of a male-type ferrule and is at least as deep as the length of the ferrule. The rod material is strong and pliable, so that after it is slipped over the male-type ferrule the rod can be rotated for cleaning the sides of the ferrule while being withdrawn from its snug fit with the ferrule. The holes may have polishing inserts formed therein. Alternatively, the rod has a male protrusion on one end. The male end inserts into the recess formed by the connector adaptor when using a female-type ferrule. The rod is then rotated to effect cleaning and/or polishing of the end face of the optical fiber together with cleaning of the insides surfaces of the side walls of the connector adaptor.