Optical fiber installation at customer premises
US8906178B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/18
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber is permanently routed easily, quickly, and unobtrusively at a customer premises using an inventive hand tool, without staples or other fasteners. The fiber has an adhesive outer coating that is activated as the fiber is applied by the tool on an exposed surface such as a wall, ceiling, molding, groove, or corner at the premises. When the activated coating hardens, the fiber is bonded to the surface on which it was applied, and the hardened coating also provides physical protection for the fiber. In the disclosed embodiment, the coated fiber is supplied on a spool that mounts on the tool, and the coating is activated by guiding the fiber as it unwinds from the spool through a chamber containing an activating substance. The fiber with the activated coating is then guided to an applicator wheel on the tool which applies the fiber to the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.