Apparatus and method for winding optical fiber onto reels
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsAllen E. Allegretto, Richard E. Blazek, Robert D. Nichols
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and appartus for sandwiching the loose end of the optical fiber. A disk assembly is disclosed which includes a first disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first flange of the reel and a second disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first disk, wherein the first and second disks are capable of being spaced apart to accept the loose end of the optical fiber, and the first and second disks are capable of being moved together to sandwich the loose end of the optical fiber.
Claims25
An apparatus for sandwiching a loose end of the optical fiber wound on an optical fiber winding reel which is mounted on a rotatable shaft, the apparatus comprising:
- a first member capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the reel;
- and
- a second member capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first member;
- wherein the first and second members are capable of being spaced apart to accept the loose end of the optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the first and second members are capable of being moved together to capture the loose end of the optical fiber therebetween.
A disk assembly for use with an optical fiber reel assembly having a hub and a flange, the optical fiber reel assembly capable of being mounted on a rotatable shaft and holding optical fiber with a loose end, the disk assembly comprising:
- a first disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the flange of the reel;
- and
- a second disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first disk;
- wherein the first and second disks are capable of being spaced apart to accept the loose end of the optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the first and second disks are capable of being moved together to capture the loose end of the optical fiber.
A disk assembly in combination with an optical fiber reel assembly, the optical fiber reel assembly comprising:
- a hub disposed between first and second flanges, the hub being capable of holding optical fiber with a loose end, wherein the optical fiber reel assembly is capable of being mounted on a rotatable shaft;
- and the disk assembly comprising:
- a first disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first flange of the reel;
- and
- a second disk capable of being mounted on the shaft proximate the first disk;
- wherein the first and second disks are capable of being spaced apart to accept the loose end of the optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the first and second disks are capable of being moved together to sandwich the loose end of the optical fiber.
A method of winding a continuous length of optical fiber from an optical fiber supply onto first and second sections of a spool, the method comprising sandwiching a leading end of a first portion of the continuous length of optical fiber
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.