Multiple fiber end preparation
AssigneeCorning Glass Works
InventorsRobert M. Hawk, Jerome G. Racki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for severing the ends of a plurality of parallel optical fibers so that the endfaces thereof are relatively flat, are substantially perpendicular to the fiber axes and are relatively coplanar. The fibers are bent over an arcuate surface and are slidably clamped between the flat surfaces of two pieces of rubbery material. The clamp is urged by a spring in such a direction that the fibers are in tension. After one fiber is scored and breaks, the clamp automatically slides along the remaining fibers until the clamping force on those fibers is sufficient to prevent further sliding. The fibers are individually severed in this manner.
Claims10
An apparatus for severing a plurality of glass fibers comprising:
- means defining an arcuate surface over which said fibers are adapted to be disposed,
- first clamp means at one end of said surface for fixedly clamping said fibers with a force that is sufficient to prevent said fibers from sliding therethrough,
- second clamp means disposed at that side of said surface opposite said fixed clamp means for loosely clamping said fibers with a frictional force that is less than that force applied by said first clamp means so that fibers clamped by said second clamp means can slide therethrough if a pulling force is applied thereto which is greater than said frictional force, said second clamp means being movable in a direction extending from said arcuate surface defining means,
- means for applying to said second clamp means a force tending to urge said second clamp means away from said arcuate surface defining means, said force decreasing as the distance between said first and second clamp means increases, and
- means disposed adjacent to said arcuate surface for scoring said fibers.
An apparatus for severing a plurality of glass fibers comprising:
- means defining an arcuate surface over which said fibers are adapted to be disposed,
- first clamp means at one end of said surface for fixedly clamping said fibers,
- a support member disposed at that side of said surface opposite said fixed clamp and being movable along a line extending from said arcuate surface defining means,
- second clamp means disposed on said support member for slidably clamping said fibers with a frictional force,
- means for applying to said second clamp means a force tending to urge said second clamp means away from said arcuate surface defining means, said force decreasing as said second clamp means moves away from said arcuate surface defining means, and
- means disposed adjacent to said arcuate surface for scoring said fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.