Optical cables with flexible strength sections

Abstract

A fiber optic cable (40) having at least one optical component (1,2,3) therein, and a cable jacket (8) surrounding the optical component. Strength sections (6,7) are defined between the optical-component and the cable jacket, the strength sections comprising generally crescent-like cross sections. The generally crescent-like cross sections have respective generally concave and generally convex faces (9,10). The generally concave face (9) has a general center that is preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cable, and the generally convex face (10) has a general center that is preferably offset from a longitudinal.axis of the fiber optic cable. The convex faces subtend respective angles (∝) of about 45° to about 160°. The cable jacket (8) defining contact interfaces (11,12) with the optical component, the contact interfaces being respectively disposed between the strength sections (6,7). A fiber optic cable having relatively large, force-absorbing transverse dimensions is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.