Patent · US Expired

Fiber optic ribbon cable with pre-installed locations for subsequent connectorization

US5611017A · kind A · utility

70Cited by
16References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 18, 1995
Grant dateMar 11, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 18, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3862
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fiber optic ribbon cable has release elements manufactured in line with the ribbon cable so as to provide access points to the optical fibers contained therein to allow for easy application of a connector in the field. A pair of adhesive tape layers is provided about the optical fibers to create a fiber optic ribbon cable. At least one release element is provided between the adhesive tape layers and the optical fibers at one or more access points along the ribbon cable to allow for subsequent connectorization of the fibers therein. When the ribbon cable needs to be equipped with a connector, the cable is cut near the midpoint of one of the access point. After the cable is cut the adhesive tape layers and the at least one release element may be easily peeled back exposing the optical fibers. A connector is then installed onto the exposed fibers. The at least one release element is removed from the tape layers and the tape is then secured to the connector with any excess tape being trimmed off.

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