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:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
May. 01, 1998
Houching M Yang, Conover, NC (US);
Alfred L Hinson, Hickory, NC (US);
Richard T Robinson, Newton, NC (US);
Alcatel, Paris, FR;
Abstract
An optical fiber ribbon is disclosed. The optical fiber ribbon comprises a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a parallel planar array, the planar array being further defined by first and second planar sides spanning between first and second ends. A matrix material coating envelops the optical fibers so as to bond the optical fibers together in the parallel planar array. The matrix material coating forms a first substantially planar surface section spanning the first planar side of the planar array of optical fibers. A second substantially planar surface section spans the second planar side of the planar array of optical fibers. A first hinge section bridges the first and second substantially planar surface sections at the first end of the planar array and a second hinge section bridges the first and second substantially planar surface sections at the second end of the planar array. At least one of first hinge sections has a surface portion which extends outwardly normal to and beyond at least one of the planes defined by either the first or second planar surface sections of the matrix material coating. The shapes of the hinge sections enable them to be removed without special tools and enable the ribbons to be stacked. Removal of the hinged sections enables access to the optical fibers without special tools by compromising the structural integrity of the matrix material coating.