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:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 18, 1999
Al Hinson, Hickory, NC (US);
Peter Elisson, Hickory, NC (US);
Alcatel, Paris, FR;
Abstract
A method for accessing optical fibers in a midspan region of an optical fiber cable is disclosed. The method of the present invention begins by providing an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber disposed within a channel defined by a jacket, the jacket having two reinforcing rods embedded therein. Next, the jacket material adjacent to the reinforcing rods is removed to partially expose the reinforcing rods. Then, the jacket material is cut substantially semi-circumferentially between the reinforcing rods at a leading position. Finally, the jacket material is pulled at the leading position radially away from the cable so as to cause the jacket material disposed between the reinforcing rods and the channel to separate. This will permit access to the optical fibers disposed in the jacket through an opening resulting from the separation of the jacket material.