Fiberoptic connector assembly and method and device for the manufacture thereof

- Fibotech, Inc.

A fiberoptic connector assembly which includes an optical fiber that is engaged within a fiberoptic connector. The fiberoptic connector includes a metal core having a malleable external tip. The tip is deformed by physical contact during the manufacturing process, whereby the optical fiber is held within the fiberoptic connector by mechanical frictional engagement with the deformed portion of the tip. The manufacturing device includes a holder for holding the fiberoptic connector with the optical fiber disposed therewithin. A mechanical spring-loaded punch is utilized to make physical contact with the malleable tip of the fiberoptic connector to deform the tip upon physical contact with the punch. Also disclosed is the method that is utilized for manufacturing the fiberoptic connector assembly.

Skip to:  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History

Claims

2. A method for assembling a fiberoptic connector and an optical fiber as described in claim 1 further including the steps of symmetrically deforming said deformable portion, such that said optical fiber is held in a centrally disposed orientation relative to said bore of said fiberoptic connector.

3. A method for assembling a fiberoptic connector and an optical fiber as described in claim 2, further including the steps of crimping a rearwardly projecting portion of said fiberoptic connector about said optical fiber to mechanically engage said optical fiber therewithin.

4. A method for assembling a fiberoptic connector and an optical fiber as described in claim 2 further including the steps of inserting a sleeve member around rearward portions of said fiberoptic connector, such that said sleeve portion also surrounds portions of said optical fiber; and

crimping said sleeve member about said rearwardly disposed portions of said fiberoptic connector and about said portions of said optical fiber to mechanically join said optical fiber to said rearward portions of said fiberoptic connector.

5. A fiberoptic connector assembly device for connecting a fiberoptic connector to an optical fiber comprising:

a support means, said support means including a fiberoptic connector holding means being engaged thereto;
a connector engagement means, said connector engagement means being engaged to said support means and functioning to effect the connection of said fiberoptic connector to said optical fiber; movement means, said movement means being engaged to said support means and operable to cause said connector engagement means to make physical contact with said fiberoptic connector, whereby said connector engagement means will cause portions of said fiberoptic connector to become deformed upon said physical contact such that said optical fiber will become functionally engaged within said fiberoptic connector; and
wherein said fiberoptic connector holding means is pivotally engaged to portions of said support means.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4023886 May 17, 1977 Nakayama et al.
4076379 February 28, 1978 Chouinard
4116655 September 26, 1978 Lewis
4127319 November 28, 1978 Forney, Jr. et al.
4140366 February 20, 1979 Makuch et al.
4140367 February 20, 1979 Makuch et al.
4162119 July 24, 1979 Goodman
4173389 November 6, 1979 Curtis
4178068 December 11, 1979 Hoover
4193665 March 18, 1980 Arnold
4205897 June 3, 1980 Stankos
4208093 June 17, 1980 Borsuk
4218113 August 19, 1980 Uberbacher
4260382 April 7, 1981 Thomson
4300815 November 17, 1981 Malsot et al.
4310218 January 12, 1982 Karol
4370022 January 25, 1983 Johnson
4470660 September 11, 1984 Hillegonds et al.
4678264 July 7, 1987 Bowen et al.
4687292 August 18, 1987 Krausse
4693550 September 15, 1987 Brown et al.
4740047 April 26, 1988 Abe et al.
4750803 June 14, 1988 Schmidt
4752111 June 21, 1988 Fisher
4767181 August 30, 1988 McEowen
4785139 November 15, 1988 Lynch et al.
4787706 November 29, 1988 Cannon, Jr. et al.
4869571 September 26, 1989 Hubner et al.
4946236 August 7, 1990 Dautartas et al.
4968109 November 6, 1990 Tanaka
4979793 December 25, 1990 Bowen et al.
5042900 August 27, 1991 Parker
5113464 May 12, 1992 Wall
5140662 August 18, 1992 Kumar
5216735 June 1, 1993 Rondeau
5275596 January 4, 1994 Long et al.
5276752 January 4, 1994 Gugelmeyer et al.
5282258 January 25, 1994 Hoshino
5305406 April 19, 1994 Rondeau
Foreign Patent Documents
0-014-610 August 1980 EPX
3308-679-A1 September 1984 DEX
53-6047 January 1978 JPX
57-34514 February 1982 JPX
63-250614 October 1988 JPX
Patent History
Patent number: RE36231
Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 12, 1994
Date of Patent: Jun 22, 1999
Assignee: Fibotech, Inc. (San Jose, CA)
Inventor: Michel Y. Rondeau (San Jose, CA)
Primary Examiner: John D. Lee
Law Firm: Conley, Rose & Tayon, P.C.
Application Number: 8/333,258