Cable with predetermined discrete connectorization locations
Assignee3M Innnvative Properties Company
InventorsNicholas A. Lee, Gordon D. Henson, Michael A. Meis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization is provided. The cable assembly of the present invention includes at least one conductor which may be an optical fiber or standard electrical wire conductor or any other type of conductor. The cable assembly also includes at least one layer of protective coating over the conductor. At least one prescored area is formed in the protective coating during the manufacturing process to provide for ease of connectorization in the field. Preferably, cable stripping is accomplished without the need for any tooling as a result of the prescored area formed in the protective coating.
Claims20
A cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization comprising:
- at least one conductor;
- a first layer of protective coating releasably bonded to the at last one conductor;
- at least one prescored area formed in the first layer of protective coating;
- a second layer of protective coating surrounding the conductor;
- and
- at least one prescored area formed in the second layer of protective coating.
A method of manufacturing a cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization, the method including the steps of:
- (a) providing at least one conductor oriented in a generally longitudinal orientation;
- (b) applying a first layer of protective coating over the at least one contuctor;
- (c) transversely prescoring the first layer of protective coating at at least one discrete location along the cable assembly forming a prescored area;
- (d) applying a second layer of protective coating over the first layer of protective coating;
- and
- (e) prescoring the second layer at at least one location.
A method of stripping a cable assembly having at least one conductor, a first layer and a second layer of protective coating over the at least one conductor, a first transversely prescored area formed in the first layer of protective coating and a second prescored area formed on the second layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- cutting the cable assembly;
- applying a force to the cut assembly in the first prescored area;
- breaking the protective coating at the first prescored area;
- and
- removing the broken portion of the protective coating from the conductor;
- applying a force to the cut assembly in the second prescored area;
- breaking the protective coating at the second prescored area;
- and
- removing the broken portion of the second layer of protective coating from the conductor.
A cable assembly having predetermind discrete locations for subsequent connectorization comprising:
- at least one conductor;
- a first layer of protective coating releasably bonded to the at least one conductor;
- and
- at least one first transversely prescored area formed in the first layer of protective coating;
- further comprising a second layer of protective coating surrounding the conductor;
- and at least one second prescored area formed in the second layer of protective coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.