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:
Sep. 16, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 27, 2000
Willem Griffioen, Ter Aar, NL;
Arie Van Wingerden, Hendrik Ido Ambacht, NL;
Cornelis Van 'T Hul, Den Hoorn, NL;
Pieter Lock, 's-Gravenhage, NL;
Willem Greven, Delfzijl, NL;
Frans Robbert Bakker, Wagenborgen, NL;
David F. Hawkins, London, GB;
NKF Kabel B.V., Gouda, NL;
Abstract
An existing protective duct contains a bundle of guide tubes through which fiber optic cables are run to customers at existing service locations. In order to run a cable to a new customer at a different service location, the duct is cut at a branch point and a short section of the duct is removed to expose the guide tubes. An unused guide tube is cut and serially connected to a branch guide tube leading to the new service location. The protective duct sidewall is restored at the branch point by a splittable Y-branch connector that includes complementary housing sections, an inlet opening, an outlet opening and at least one branch opening. Splittable coupling collars seal the branch connector housing sections around the respective cut end portions of the existing duct. The Y-branch connector also includes a branch stub that is sealed around the branch guide tube.