Fiber optic lighting system connector coupling medium
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJeffrey M. Stupar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber optic cable connector coupling medium disposable in an axial bore of a connector sleeve member for coupling a fiber optic cable end portion to a light transmitting conductor member. The coupling medium has a resilient generally disk shaped portion having first and second convex end portions engageable with a corresponding one of the fiber optic cable end portion and conductor member in the axial bore of a sleeve member. The coupling medium has good optical clarity, low hardness and tackiness to provide an improved light transmission coupling. The coupling medium is also relatively thin and has substantially the same refractive index as a fiber optic cable end portion and a conductor member between which the coupling medium is disposed.
Claims20
A fiber optic cable connector coupling medium disposable in an axial bore of a connector sleeve member for coupling a fiber optic cable end portion to a light transmitting conductor member, comprising:
- a resilient generally disk shaped portion having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion,
- the first end portion of the coupling medium having a generally convex surface and the opposing second end portion of the coupling medium having a generally convex surface,
- the first and second end portions of the coupling medium each engageable with a corresponding one of a fiber optic cable end portion and a conductor member in an axial bore of a sleeve member to provide light transmitting coupling therebetween.
A fiber optic cable connector coupling medium disposable in an axial bore of a connector sleeve member for coupling a fiber optic cable end portion to a light transmitting conductor member, comprising:
- a resilient generally disk shaped portion having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion;
- a first generally annular sealing member disposed about the generally disk shaped portion and extending from the first end portion thereof,
- a second generally annular sealing member disposed about the generally disk shaped portion and extending from the second end portion thereof,
- the first and second sealing members are engageable with the axial bore of a sleeve member and a corresponding one of a fiber optic cable end portion and conductor member to form seals therebetween.
A fiber optic cable connector useable for coupling a fiber optic cable end portion to a light transmitting conductor member in a fiber optic lighting system, comprising:
- a sleeve member having an axial bore for receiving a fiber optic cable end portion and a conductor member;
- a coupling medium disposed in the axial bore of the sleeve member, the coupling medium having a resilient generally disk shaped portion with a first end portion and an opposing second end portion,
- the first end portion of the coupling medium having a generally convex surface engageable with a fiber optic cable end portion in the axial bore of the sleeve member,
- the opposing second end portion of the coupling medium having a generally convex surface engageable with a conductor member in the axial bore of the sleeve member,
- a cap coupled to the sleeve member, the cap engageable with the sleeve member to retain one of the fiber optic cable end portion and conductor member in engagement with the coupling medium,
- whereby the coupling medium substantially reduces occlusions between the fiber optic cable end portion and conductor member in the axial bore of a sleeve member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.