Fiber Holder (i.e., For Single Fiber Or Holding Multiple Single Fibers Together) Patents (Class 385/137)
  • Patent number: 8611716
    Abstract: A channeled substrate for forming integrated optical devices that employ optical fibers and at least one active optical component is disclosed. The channeled substrate includes a substrate member having an upper surface one or more grooves formed therein, and a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet, which is preferably made of thin glass, is fixed to the substrate member upper surface to define, in combination with the one or more grooves, one or more channels. The channels are each sized to accommodate an optical fiber to allow for optical communication through the transparent sheet between the active optical component and the optical fibers. Channeled substrates formed by molding and by drawing are also presented. Integrated optical devices that employ the channeled substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffery Alan DeMeritt, Richard Robert Grzybowski, Brewster Roe Hemenway, Jr., James Scott Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20130330052
    Abstract: A universal fan-out device comprising a housing having first and second openings, the housing comprising first and second housing components, each of the first and second housing components having a first end and a second end, a channel running between the first and second ends, and sides along each side of the channel, a resilient material disposed in the channel to restrict movement of fibers within the channel, and an engagement mechanism operatively connected to the housing to inter-engage the first and second housing components together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Thackston, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Richard Paul Walter, David James Fabian, James Leo Barry
  • Patent number: 8606068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable housing (1) for receiving optical fibers and fibers (28b) of a fiber optic cable (28a), comprising at least one locking element (15a, 15b) and at least one passage (16a, 16b) for the fibers (28b), wherein the locking element (15a, 15b) can be moved into at least one open and one closed state, wherein the fibers (28b) are held in the passage (16a, 16b) in the closed state, and a method for receiving optical fibers and fibers (28b) of a fiber optic cable (28a) in a cable housing (1), comprising the following process steps: a) disposing the locking element or elements (15a, 15b) in the open state; b) winding the fibers (28b) about the passage (16a, 16b); and c) disposing the locking element or elements (15a, 15b) in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventor: Scott David Lee
  • Publication number: 20130315552
    Abstract: A method using a capstan device and different bonding methods for minimizing undesirable time-dependent effects that occur in sensing devices that use optical fibers placed in tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Ian Bradford Mitchell, Michel Joseph LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8582945
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aligning optical transports, such as waveguides and optical fibers, in a ferrule of an optical connector. The ferrule has an open side through which optical transports may be inserted into a transport cavity in the ferrule from a direction transverse the longitudinal direction of the optical transports and ferrule. To assemble the optical transports in the ferrule, the ferrule is positioned with its front face abutting and aligned with a jig that has an opening substantially identical to the ferrule cavity. The jig has grooves in a bottom surface of the cavity into which the optical transports will be inserted for transversely aligning the optical transports. The optical transports are then dropped into the aligned cavities of the ferrule and jig through the open sides of the ferrule and jig so that the front ends of the optical transports sit at least partially in the V-shaped grooves of the jig, thereby aligning the transports in the transverse dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Antonius Maria Duis, Jan Willem Rietveld, Jacco Elenbaas
  • Patent number: 8582944
    Abstract: A cable exit trough is mountable to a lateral trough section either during initial assembly of the cable routing system, or at a later date. The exit trough includes a bracket portion mountable to the top edge of one of the sides of the lateral trough section. Two lead-ins are provided to lead the cable in an upward direction from the lateral trough section to the exit trough. The exit trough includes an exit trough portion extending from the bracket portion upwardly away from the lateral trough section. The exit trough portion includes a convexly curved bottom trough surface, and two convexly curved upstanding sides. The exit trough portion and the lead-ins define a cable pathway from the lateral trough section to an exit point of the exit trough portion which can either lead downwardly relative to the lateral trough section, or horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Haataja, Thomas Walter Kampf
  • Patent number: 8565573
    Abstract: A cable management assembly for cable clusters of network equipment includes a supporting and fixing component, at least one cable management component and cable constraint components. The fixing component is a metal bar, which may be removably hooked to a cable patch panel. The bar includes evenly distributed U-shaped sections, whose number corresponds to the number of cable management components. Each cable management components may be formed with a trough-shaped upper surface to cradle cables. The bottom of the surface may be provided with a U-shaped groove and two locking members. Each U-shaped section of the bar is passed into a corresponding U-shaped groove and two portions of the bar immediately adjacent to the U-shaped section are snapped into the two locking members so as to fix the cable management component to the bar. The cable constraint component may be a strap inserted through and hanging from a strap hole at a side of the corresponding cable management component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: Johnny Zheng
  • Patent number: 8550727
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for performing electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment in a parallel optical communications system. The apparatus includes a curved surface formed in the system housing near the opening through which a stack of ribbon cables passes, and a spring device. The stack of ribbon cables is sandwiched in between the curved surface of the housing and the spring device. The spring device exerts a force on the stack of ribbon cables that presses the stack against the curved surface of the housing and forms a sharp bend in the stack just before the stack passes through the opening in the housing. Because EMI radiation is restricted to propagation along the sharply bent pathway of the stack of ribbon cables, most or all of the EMI radiation traveling along that pathway is either attenuated or reflected before it reaches the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David J. K. Meadowcroft, Fang Wang
  • Publication number: 20130259433
    Abstract: Field-installable mechanical splice connectors for making optical and/or electrical connections in the field are disclosed. One embodiment is a mechanical splice connector having an optical portion that includes at least one lens. The connector also includes a mechanical retention component for securing at least one optical field fiber to the at least one body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Micah Colen Isenhour, Dennis Michael Knecht, James Phillip Luther
  • Patent number: 8542972
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer modules mounted within the chassis. Each module includes at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the chassis are positioned at least one fiber optic adapter. Inserting the modules through an opening of the chassis at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the chassis. A method of mounting an optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer module within a telecommunications chassis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20130243387
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic retention device to properly accommodate for cable management arrangements and schemes in telecommunication infrastructures that are massive in scale and/or require subsequent adaptation of the infrastructures. The device includes a C-shaped opening and a spring biased door which moves inwardly to allow cable entry and exit to the device. In one embodiment, the spring is an integral extension of the door. In another embodiment, the spring is a separate torsion coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paula Rudenick, Dennis Krampotich
  • Patent number: 8538226
    Abstract: Fiber optic equipment guides and rails and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic equipment guides and rails have at least one stopping member disposed therein to provide at least one stopping position during movement. The fiber optic equipment guides and rails can be included in fiber optic equipment to support movement or translation of the fiber optic equipment for access. Such fiber optic equipment can include, but is not limited to, fiber optic equipment chassis, drawers, equipment trays, and fiber optic modules. The fiber optic equipment guides and/or rails include at least one stopping member configured to provide at least one stopping position during movement. Stopping positions allow fiber optic equipment to be retained in a given position during access to the fiber optic equipment. The stopping positions are configured to be overcome with additional force to allow further movement of the fiber optic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Elli Makrides-Saravanos, Kevin L. Strause, Antwan J. Works
  • Patent number: 8538227
    Abstract: Furcation mounting structures for securing a plurality of furcation bodies of respective fiber optic cable assembles within the fiber optic shelf are disclosed. In one embodiment, the furcation mounting structure has a first type of aperture for attaching a first type of clip for securing a furcation body and a second type of aperture for securing a second type of clip for securing a furcation body. Consequently, the furcation management structures disclosed advantageously allow the mounting of different types of clips thereto. In other embodiments, the furcation mounting structure is mounted within the fiber optic shelf or assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Andrew P. Cowen, Brian K. Rhoney, Octavio Beltran, Manuel A. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8534898
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a chassis, a circuit board, and a light guide. The chassis includes a rear panel defining an opening. The circuit board is installed in the chassis. A connector is mounted to a rear end of the circuit board aligning with the opening. Two spaced light emitting diodes are mounted at a rear end of the connector. The light guide includes a connecting plate mounted to an outer side of the rear panel, and two light guiding posts extending from a bottom of the connecting plate. Front ends of the light guiding posts extend through the opening of the rear panel and align with the light emitting diodes of the connector, to transmit light generated by the light emitting diodes rearwards and upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Publication number: 20130236146
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes optical fiber holders that hold optical fibers. Each optical fiber holder includes a base, a cover, and a connecting portion. The base includes a setting table on which an optical fiber F is placed so as to be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the base. The cover has pressing members that press the optical fiber F placed on the setting table against the setting table. The connecting portion joins the cover to the base such that the cover is openable away from and closeable over the base and movable in the longitudinal direction of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO LTD
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takayanagi, Ryuichiro Sato, Yasuhiro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8529138
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a ferrule for aligning optical transports within an optical connector for coupling to a mating optical connector for purposes of aligning the optical transports in the first connector with optical transports in the mating connector. The ferrule comprises a main body portion defining a longitudinal cavity running between a front face and the rear face of the main ferrule body. The cavity has an opening to a lateral side of the ferrule main body that permits the installation of optical transports into the cavity from a lateral direction (as well as still permitting longitudinal installation, if desired). A cover may be provided for closing off the lateral opening after the optical transports are installed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeroen Antonius Maria Duis, Jan Willem Rietveld, Marcellus Petrus Josephus Buijs, Ton Antonius Bernardus Gerardus Bolhaar, Joseph Gerardus Maria Vos, Shelly A. Buchter, Douglas Harold Rohde
  • Patent number: 8520998
    Abstract: A raceway including a base, a first side wall extending from the base, and a second side wall extending from the base opposite the first side wall. At least one of the first side wall and second side wall includes at least one media retention opening having a bottom surface spaced away from the base and configured to receive at least one media. An offset slot is adjacent the media retention opening and extends from a free edge of the side wall to a depth below the free edge of the media retention opening, such that the offset slot is in communication with the media retention opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Reed
  • Patent number: 8515236
    Abstract: A fiber optic drop cable assemblies and methods for deploying the same on a wall of a building are disclosed. The assembly includes a messenger member and a plurality of fiber optic cables each having a length, a connectorized end, and containing at least one optical fiber, the fiber optic cables being removably secured to the messenger member at a plurality of locations. The fiber optic cables are secured to the messenger member at a plurality of locations that correspond to select building locations, such as windows, through which the cable can be fed into the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: George C. Abernathy, Daniel A. Cassell, Gerry J. Harvey, Jimmy E. Lail, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8506179
    Abstract: Radially symmetric splicer joint and locking assemblies and connectors for optical fibers are provided. The assemblies use splicer joints formed from a slightly deformable plastic material. The splicer joints contain an axial bore having a diameter slightly less then the diameter of the stripped ends the optical fibers inserted into the axial bore. When a stripped fiber is inserted into the axial bore of the splicer joint, the bore expands slightly to frictionally receive the stripped end. The assemblies and connectors use radially symmetric locking to secure the fibers therein. The radially symmetric locking and the surface tension provided by the axial bore against the stripped ends of the fibers minimizes the occurrence of mis-alignment and reduces insertion and return losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu
  • Patent number: 8503850
    Abstract: A hybrid optical fiber connector tool is capable of cleaving an optical fiber inserted into the connector tool. The connector tool includes an inner housing, an outer housing that is rotatable with respect to the inner housing, and an optical fiber cutting component. The connector tool is useful for connecting and cutting optical fiber in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Claudio Mazzali, Rainer Matthias Kossat, Heinz Kronawitter
  • Patent number: 8503851
    Abstract: A system manages cables to connect to a device provided in a device chassis. The system includes a cable management boom connected to a top portion of the device chassis, cable management shelves connected to a side portion of the device chassis, and a cable management arm connected to and supported by the cable management shelves. The cable management arm is to retain the cables, pivot through an angle to provide access to the device provided in the device chassis, and route the cables from the device to the cable management boom. The cable management boom is to gather the cables, retain the cables, and route the cables above the device chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Demick Boyden, David J. Lima
  • Patent number: 8503852
    Abstract: A system for organizing and retaining optical devices and fiber optic cable includes a housing, at least one module, and a tray coupled to the housing and including a first portion defining a receiving area and a second portion defining a track. The at least one module is releasably retained in a selected portion of the receiving area. The track extends along the receiving area and is configured for guiding cable to the retained module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Herrmann, David W. Kirkpatrick, Amy Hauth
  • Publication number: 20130195402
    Abstract: A collimator system comprises a micro lens array and a fiber array. The fiber array has a substrate with a plurality of holes for holding a plurality of optical fibers. The fibers are glued into the holes. Before gluing, each of the fibers is positioned against the same side of a corresponding hole resulting in all fibers being located substantially equally with respect to the holes. The lens array is mounted with an offset to the fiber array resulting in alignment of the fibers and the lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Gregor Popp
  • Patent number: 8498511
    Abstract: A fiber distribution hub includes a cabinet; a termination region positioned within the interior of the cabinet; at least one termination module mounted in at least one opening defined at the termination region; fiber optic connectors coupled to termination adapters of the termination module; intermediate fibers extending rearwardly of the fiber optic connectors; and a multi-fiber connector terminating the intermediate fibers. The termination module includes a housing enclosing the termination adapters. One or more termination modules can be incrementally added to the fiber distribution hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Reagan, Keith Millea, Tom Leblanc
  • Patent number: 8494334
    Abstract: A fiber optic enclosure includes a housing and a cable spool assembly disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The cable spool assembly has a first tear-away end and a second tear-away end. The first and second tear-away ends include at least one area of weakness extending from an inner diameter of the cable spool assembly to an outer diameter of the cable spool assembly. A mounting plate is rotationally engaged with the cable spool assembly such that the cable spool assembly and the housing selectively and unitarily rotate about an axis of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Kowalczyk, Trevor D. Smith, Jonathan R. Kaml, Thomas G. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8494335
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that restrain cables in order to relieve excessive tensile force and to prevent breakage at a point of termination. In one example, a system includes a clip and a receiver configured to receive the clip. The clip includes a first member and a second member pivotally connected to each other by a hinge, the hinge located intermediate opposed ends of the first member and the second member, the hinge defining a groove for receiving a first portion of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmed Anthony Khadar
  • Patent number: 8494331
    Abstract: The invention provides and apparatus and method for mass producing a plurality of fiber optic mechanical splice-on connector subunits. The apparatus utilizes a magazine detachably mounted on a frame and containing a plurality of slots. The slots contain a plurality of subunits, each of which includes a ferrule assembly carrying a fiber stub coated in uncured epoxy. The slots are moved through a cleaving zone on the apparatus defined by the area between a cleaver and fiber holder, wherein the fiber stubs are cleaved and then pulled so the portion of the fiber stub extending from the ferrule assembly to the cleaved end has a specified length. After cleaving and pulling all the fiber stubs in the magazine, the magazine is detached from the apparatus and moved to an oven wherein the epoxy is cured. After cooling, the subunits and removed from the magazine to provide a plurality of subunits, each containing a cleaved fiber stub securely oriented therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu
  • Patent number: 8494330
    Abstract: A bulkhead adapter plate that mounts to a face panel of a cable management panel, and a method of making the bulkhead adapter plate. The plate including angled adapter mounting openings formed by performing a minimum number of bending operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Krampotich, Anthony Szczodroski
  • Patent number: 8491201
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing of optical waveguide sections is in the form of a handheld splicer. The splicer comprises a preprocessing unit, which may comprise a plurality of processing devices for carrying out removal, cleaning and cutting steps. The optical waveguide sections are clamped in a holding apparatus and are prepared in the preprocessing unit. The holding apparatuses are inserted with the prepared optical waveguide sections into a splicing unit, where they are spliced. The spliced optical waveguide sections can be fed by means of a transfer station to a shrinking oven for shrinking a shrink sleeve on. The preprocessing unit, the splicing unit and the shrinking oven can be controlled by means of one hand of an operator, while the splicer is held with the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Matthias Kossat, Bert Zamzow
  • Patent number: 8488936
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the management and routing of telecommunication cables include cable trough members. Generally, the trough members include a plurality of retainer members coupled to sidewalls of the trough members. The retainer members assist in maintaining cables within an interior of the trough members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Sayres
  • Patent number: 8488934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber distribution hub. The fiber distribution hub comprises a base case comprising at least one port portion for introducing an optical cable, wherein the optical cable includes a first fiber; a splitter case releasably attached to the base case; a splice tray rotatably hinged to the splitter case; and a cover engagable with the base case to enclose the splitter case and the splice tray. The first fiber is connected to a second fiber in the splice tray, and the second fiber is connected with a splitter in the splitter case to separate the second fiber into a plurality of separate third fibers. Thus, the invention provides a compact and modular fiber distribution hub. In addition, the fiber distribution hub can join optical fibers by mechanical splices, fusion splices and fiber optic connectors in a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junsheng Zhou, Zhiyong Xu, Ping Wang, Pierre Bonvallat
  • Patent number: 8483537
    Abstract: A protecting device for protecting a cable having a plurality of fibers, includes a conduit which is sleeved on the cable, a distribution member, a first and second clamping members, a first and second fasteners, and a resilient sleeve. The conduit has a first threaded portion on one end of the conduit. The distribution member is being sleeved on the cable, the first clamping member has a plurality of clamping claws for clamping the distribution member; and the first fastener has a restricting portion; the distribution member and the first clamping member are being received in the conduit, the first fastener is engaged with the first threaded portion of the conduit. The plurality of clamping claws of the first clamping member are urged by the restricting portion to tightly clamp the distribution member and the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ding Zeng, Guang-Kai Wu, Bao-Guo Li, Guo-Ping Zeng, Shao-You Han
  • Publication number: 20130170812
    Abstract: An optical fiber positioning structure includes a first positioning member and a pair of second positioning members. The first positioning member includes a columnar shaped main body and a pair of latching portions extending from opposite side of the main body toward a same direction. Each second positioning member is columnar shaped, and the pair of second positioning members are clamped between the pair of latching potions and located below the first positioning member, such that a positioning space is bound by the pair of second positioning members and the main body for positioning an optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: YU-CHAO HSIAO
  • Patent number: 8478100
    Abstract: An optical cable gripping member which prevents the kinds of splicing devices from being diversified, thereby enabling reduction of the labor of component management and lowering of the production cost to be realized is obtained. In a cable gripping member 5 which is to be attached to a splicing device 1 to hold an optical fiber cable 121 from its outer sheath, a spacer 17 which fills a gap between one inner wall surface 15a of a tubular space 15 through which the optical fiber cable 121 is to be passed, and the spacer 17 in the tubular space 15 is formed monolithically with one end of the one inner wall surface 15a in a manner that the spacer 17 is attachable to and detachable from the one inner wall surface 15a. The spacer 17 is attached to or detached from the one inner wall surface 15a, thereby enabling a plurality of optical fiber cables of different sizes to be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Toda, Daizo Nishioka, Takayasu Yamauchi, Yukihiro Yokomachi, Kenichiro Ohtsuka, Keiichiro Sugimoto, Shinichi Niwa
  • Patent number: 8467653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable retainer for attaching a connector to a fiber optic cable. The cable retainer includes at least a grooved anchor whereby a connector assembly formed of a connector and a cable can be aligned and secured through the anchor alone. The cable retainer may further comprise a crimp band that is slid over the anchor and connector assembly to secure aramid yarns, and to provide additional support to the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Anthony Nieves
  • Patent number: 8459877
    Abstract: An optical fiber handler for optical connector termination systems and other devices are disclosed herein. The optical fiber handler attaches to the optical fiber or cable and cooperates with other components for preparing the optical fiber and/or making the optical connection, thereby providing a simple, reliable, and easy termination for the optical fiber. For instance, the handler may cooperate with one or more of the following a strip tool, strip/clean tool, cleave tool for preparing the end of the optical fiber(s), and/or a mechanical splice connector for making the optical connection. Additionally, after the optical fiber handler is attached to the mechanical splice connector it may be easily removed by the craft if necessary to reposition and reterminated the mechanical splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brandon A. Barnes, Kevin C. Beach, Ashley W. Jones, Greg J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 8459854
    Abstract: A lighting device (30) comprises a side-light light guide 1? located in a support (2) that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support (20) is shaped to provide contact edges (24) and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces (15) in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Joerg Roberto Purfuerst, Hans-Michael Vogt
  • Patent number: 8459880
    Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic connectors including a holder for attaching a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector along with cable assemblies and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the holder includes a first and a second cantilevered arm that are squeezed together when a sleeve is placed over the holder. Further, one or more of the cantilevered arm may include a plurality of teeth for “biting” into the cable jacket and providing a suitable fiber optic cable retention force. The fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods disclosed herein are advantageous since they allow the craft to quickly, reliably, and easily attach a robust fiber optic cable to a connector, thereby providing a rugged solution for the craft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Guy J. Castonguay, Howard C. Schwartz, JiWei Sun, Chanh C. Vo
  • Publication number: 20130139606
    Abstract: Optical fiber anchors accomplishing low creep confinement or fixing of a section of optical fiber in an assembly compact enough to be used conveniently as an anchor or as an enabling part of a strain or temperature sensor while retaining low optical losses and the original buffer coating to prevent the fiber from being exposed to abrasion and other influences that could lead to breakage. A rigid body is used that is mechanically stiff and hard enough to prevent said fiber from cutting into it or distorting said medium or substrate when subjected to stress, even over a long period of years. Trapping can be accomplished by molding the bent fiber into the substrate or body, adhesively bonding or soldering the optical fiber into a confining curved groove in a body or substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: LAKE SHORE CRYOTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip R. Swinehart, Mokhtar S. Maklad
  • Patent number: 8452151
    Abstract: A cable retainer assembly comprising a cable retainer and a cable retainer bracket for retaining a cable to a fixed location. The cable retainer is positioned on an arbitrary portion of the cable and then secured to a cable retainer assembly such that one or more cables can be secured and organized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schroeder, Mark Smrha
  • Patent number: 8452150
    Abstract: An optical fiber holder assembly for holding an optical fiber having any one of several different fiber constructions comprises a base and a fiber clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping portion configured to clamp the optical fiber, the clamping portion including a first clamping plate hingedly coupled to a portion of the base. A first fiber entrance guide is formed in an entrance end of the fiber clamping mechanism to receive and guide the optical fiber to a first fiber channel formed in the base. A second fiber entrance guide is formed in the entrance end of the fiber clamping mechanism to receive and guide the optical fiber to a second fiber channel formed in the base. The first clamping portion includes first and second compliant gripping pads, the first gripping pad disposed on the base and the second gripping pad disposed in the first clamping plate such that the gripping pads overlap each other when the first clamping plate is placed in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul N. Winberg, Donald K. Larson
  • Publication number: 20130129297
    Abstract: A laser optical fiber storage device (10,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12). A storage housing (14,114) with an open end (116) has an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed therein to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A restrictor (32, 117a, 117b) within the storage housing reduces the inner diameter of the elongated flexible tube. Further, a laser optical fiber storage device (40,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12) is provided with a clamp (42,123). The storage housing (41,114) has an open end (41a, 116) and an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed within the storage housing to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A laser fiber clamp (42,123) is mounted to the open end to secure the laser optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Allen D. Seftel, Andrew Robinson, Robert Morton, Christopher Floury, Ronald George Litke, JR., Spencer William Shore
  • Patent number: 8447157
    Abstract: A fiber alignment device comprises a base having at least one alignment groove, a stripped portion of an optical fiber positioned in the at least one alignment groove, where a terminal end of the fiber extends beyond at least one of an end face of the base, and an end face of a cover bonded to the base to secure the optical fiber between the base and the cover, where an end face of the cover and the end face of the base are substantially non-parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Barry S. Carpenter, Terry L. Smith, Stephen J. Znameroski
  • Patent number: 8444326
    Abstract: An optical fiber coupling device, comprises a coupling assembly that includes a first ferrule and a second ferrule and an optical fiber having a first end mounted in the first ferrule and a second end mounted in the second ferrule. The first ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a first barrel and the second ferrule is disposed in an axial bore of a second barrel. The coupling assembly is disposable in a coupling housing configured to receive at least two optical fiber connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James R. Bylander
  • Patent number: 8442375
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Bylander, Richard L. Simmons, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Joseph M. Van Allen, Donald K. Larson, Joseph C. Sawicki, Ronald P. Pepin, Martin G. Afflerbaugh
  • Patent number: 8437596
    Abstract: A fiber distribution terminal for use in an environmentally sealed enclosure can include a rotatable spool for housing input fiber cable. The spool is configured to be mounted in the environmentally sealed enclosure. The fiber distribution terminal can also include an adapter pack that secures the connections between fibers of the input fiber cable and fibers of the output fiber cable. The fiber distribution terminal can include an adapter plate that guides the routing of both the input and output fiber cables internal to the enclosure. The fiber distribution terminal can also include a spool lock that can direct the cable routing to a first side or a second side of the fiber distribution terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Opterna Technology Limited
    Inventors: K. R. Suresh Nair, Kizakkekuttu Parameswaran Chandran, Muhammed Iqbal, Biji Mathew, Mathew Anjilivelil Thomas, Aniz Muhammad
  • Patent number: 8419296
    Abstract: An optical fiber structure (10) includes an optical fiber (11a), and a block-like chip (12) joined to the optical fiber (11a). The block-like chip (12) is tapered toward its fiber-joined end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Murayama, Motohiko Yamasaki, Takeshi Satake, Masahiro Miura
  • Patent number: 8414200
    Abstract: A device for installing an optical fiber in a connector, comprising an optical fiber cleaving mechanism (51), a connector holding means and a fiber insertion mechanism (55) arranged such that an optical fiber may be cleaved by the cleaving mechanism to produce an end of the fiber, and the end of the fiber may be inserted by means of the insertion mechanism into a connector (1) held by the connector holding means (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem NV
    Inventors: Lodewijk Van Noten, Jan Vandenbroeck, Jan Watte, Jozef Versleegers, Jan Muller
  • Patent number: 8417085
    Abstract: Disclosed are holders for preparing one or more optical fibers for termination and methods of using a holder when preparing and/or making a termination using a mechanical splice connector. In one embodiment, the optical fiber holder includes a body having a longitudinal passageway for receiving an optical fiber and a retainer. The retainer fits into a portion of an opening of the body and has a first side with a resilient member for securing one or more optical fibers to the holder. A front portion of the holder may be inserted into one or more assemblies for perform operations to prepare the at least one optical fiber for termination and/or making a termination using a mechanical splice connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Brandon A. Barnes, Greg J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 8417084
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carrier for an optical fiber having a plurality of optical sensors located thereon. The carrier has a test section comprising a cavity and at least one geometric discontinuity, wherein in response to a pressure applied to the test section, a stress concentration is formed proximate to the geometric discontinuity, and wherein the optical sensor is adhered to at least a part of the geometric discontinuity. The cavity may be filled with a liquid or a gel. A temperature optical sensor may also be provided adjacent to the pressure optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl W. Stoesz, Clark Davis Boyd