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. 05, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2002
Lawrence Jacobowitz, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Christoph Berger, Horgen, CH;
Cameron J. Brooks, Elmsford, NY (US);
Casimer M. DeCusatis, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
Phillip G. Emma, Danbury, CT (US);
John U. Knickerbocker, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming a staircase arrangement for the connection of optical waveguides between a card and backplane. A card having optical waveguides and electrical conductors embedded in the card has an edge ending in a staircase arrangement with optical fiber-ribbons protruding from the edge. A guidance structure is connected to the edge and contains channels to guide and align the optical fiber-ribbons. A backplane having embedded optical waveguides and electrical conductors also has an edge ending in a staircase arrangement with a guidance stricture connected to the edge and tapered openings which receive and guide the optical fiber-ribbons into close proximity with the optical waveguides and forming a staircase arrangement of connected waveguides between a card and backplane.