# US 10,481,347 B2 · Fiber optic cable assembly with integral strain relief

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,481,347 B2
- Document ID: US10481347B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/396,312
- Filed: 2012-02-14
- Published: 2013-01-03
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-14
- Assignees: CommScope Technologies LLC
- Applicants: Wayne M. Kachmar
- Inventors: Wayne M. Kachmar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481347B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/02395: {Glass optical fibre with a protective coating, e.g. two layer polymer coating deposited directly on a silica cladding surface during fibre manufacture (G02B6/02052, G02B6/02057, G02B6/024, G02B6/032, G02B6/105, G02B6/14 take precedence; coating on fibre gratings G02B6/02104; multilayer core or cladding G02B6/036; reinforcing splice joints G02B6/2558; optical cables, i.e. comprising protective structures external to the protective coating such as a jacket or plural coated optical fibres G02B6/44; coating of glass to obtain optical fibres C03C25/104)}
- G02B 6/3888: {Protection from over-extension or over-compression}
- G02B 6/3889: {using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having an end portion. The fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber and an outer jacket surrounding the optical fiber. The outer jacket is formed of a base material that hardens in response to exposure to an energy source. The end portion of the fiber optic cable has a hardness that is greater than a hardness of a remaining portion of the fiber optic cable. A connector assembly is engaged to the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:
a fiber optic connector including a rear housing and a front housing, the rear housing of the fiber optic connector including a connector end that protrudes from an end surface of the rear housing, and
a fiber optic cable having an end portion that is adapted to receive the connector end of the fiber optic connector, the fiber optic cable including:
an optical fiber;
an outer jacket surrounding the optical fiber, the outer jacket having a length of variable flexibility, the length of variable flexibility having a constant diameter and thickness, the length of variable flexibility being provided by a base material of the outer jacket having a hardness that gradually decreases along the length of variable flexibility of the outer jacket extending rearwardly from the connector end of the fiber optic connector, wherein the base material hardens in response to exposure to an energy source.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a plurality of reinforcing members integrated into the base material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a plurality of strength members.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 3, wherein the strength members are anchored to the fiber optic connector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector end includes a plurality of flared portions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 5, wherein the end portion of the fiber optic cable is disposed in a bore of the connector end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 6, wherein a crimp secures the fiber optic connector to the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is disposed between the connector end and the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 8, wherein the adhesive is an energy-active adhesive that cures in response to exposure to the energy source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the adhesive hardens in response to exposure to ultraviolet light.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the base material hardens in response to exposure to ultraviolet light.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer jacket is adapted to serve as a strain relief that is integral with the fiber optic cable.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable does not include a separate boot attached thereon.