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. 23, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1998
James P. Luther, Hickory, NC (US);
Karl M. Wagner, Hickory, NC (US);
Corning Cable Systems LLC, Hickory, NC (US);
Abstract
A multifiber connector subassembly is provided that includes a ferrule and a multifiber alignment adapter for individually guiding the plurality of individual optical fibers into alignment with respective ones of the bores or microholes defined by the ferrule. In this regard, the ferrule includes a forward portion that defines the plurality of bores for receiving respective end portions of a plurality of optical fibers and a rear portion that defines an opening of a predetermined shape. The multifiber alignment adapter defines a plurality of lengthwise extending passageways for receiving respective ones of the plurality of optical fibers. The multifiber alignment adapter also has a forward end having an exterior shape that corresponds to the predetermined shape of the opening defined by the rear portion of the ferrule. As such, the forward end of the multifiber alignment adapter can be positioned within the opening defined by the rear portion of the ferrule such that each passageway defined by the multifiber alignment adapter is aligned with a respective bore defined by the ferrule. Accordingly, the multifiber connector subassembly can guide each individual optical fiber through a passageway and into the respective bore defined by the ferrule without being stubbed or otherwise damaged and without requiring that the optical fibers be ribbonized.