Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for breaking an optical fibre

US4168026A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
3References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 27, 1978
Grant dateSep 18, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T225/386
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A tool for breaking an optical fibre comprises an elongate base member and an elongate top member pivotally connected at a rear end. An elongate cam member slides longitudinally in the base member, being actuated by pivotting of the top member. At the front end of the base member are a front pair of opposed gripping jaws and a further, rear, pair of gripping jaws are spaced from the front jaws. A bending member is positioned between the two pairs of jaws. Pivotting of the top member towards the base member actuates the cam member which in turn first closes the front jaws, then the rear jaws. The rear jaws then pivot backwards to tension the fibre and then the bending member moves up to cause the fibre to bend over an arcuate top surface. Finally a pivotally mounted scoring member in the top member is actuated to sweep a sharp edge across the fibre to initiate a crack, which propagates across the fibre.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.