Cable with predetermined discrete connectorization locations
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsNicholas A. Lee, Gordon D. Henson, Michael A. Meis
Life of this patent
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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 that 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.
Claims22
A cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization comprising:
- at least one conductor;
- an adjacent first layer of protective coating releasably bonded to the at least one conductor, the first layer of protective coating having a thickness;
- and
- at least one prescored area generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cable assembly formed in the first layer of protective coating, the prescored area having a depth less than the thickness of the first layer of protective coating.
An optical cable assembly comprising:
- an optical fiber conductor defining a longitudinal axis, and
- a first layer of protective coating surrounding the optical fiber conductor;
- wherein the protective coating is releasably attached to the conductor and includes at least one prescored area generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis found in the first 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 releasably bonded first layer of protective coating having a thickness over the at least one conductor;
- and
- (c) transversely prescoring a portion of the thickness of the first layer of protective coating at one or more discrete locations along the cable assembly.
A method of manufacturing an optical cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization, the method including the steps of:
- (a) providing at least one optical fiber, the fiber having a length defining a generally longitudinal orientation;
- (b) applying a first layer of protective coating having a thickness over the at least one optical fiber;
- and
- (c) transversely prescoring a portion of the thickness of the first layer of protective coating at at least one discrete location along the optical cable assembly.
A method of connectorizing an optical cable assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical cable assembly having at least one optical conductor, a first layer of protective coating over the at least one optical conductor and a first generally transversely partially prescored area formed in the first layer of protective coating;
- cutting a length of the cable assembly, wherein the cut is proximate to the prescored area;
- breaking a portion of the protective coating at the prescored area;
- and
- removing the broken portion of the protective coating from the optical conductor and exposing an end of the optical conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.