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:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2000
Donald R. Parris, Newton, NC (US);
Michael J. Gimblet, Hickory, NC (US);
Christopher M. Quinn, Hickory, NC (US);
Corning Cable Systems LLC, Hickory, NC (US);
Abstract
An improved self-supporting fiber optic cable is provided that includes a cable section having at least one optical fiber and a jacket surrounding the at least one optical fiber, and a support section having at least one strength member extending in a lengthwise direction and an overlying jacket that includes a number of jacket segments spaced lengthwise along the at least one strength member. As a result of the lengthwise spacing of the jacket segments, portions of the at least one strength member are at least partially exposed. The jackets of the cable and support sections are connected, such as by an intermittent web. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable having a support section with an intermittent or semi-intermittent jacket is also provided which relies upon the periodic extrusion of extrudate about the at least one strength member to form the jacket segments that are spaced apart in a lengthwise direction along the at least one strength member. Alternatively, a thin coating of jacket material can exist between jacket segments.