Branching method for an optical fiber cable

• US 20040247265A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited (AGC, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited (AGC, Inc.)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Yuji, Takano, Yoshinobu
• Application Number:
  US10/892,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20040247265A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4475 with provision for lateral branching G02B6/4431 takes precedence

Abstract

A branching method for an optical fiber cable containing a plurality of plastic optical fibers, which comprises cutting a desired optical fiber in the cable without cutting the cable in its entirety, at a non-terminal position of the cable, to form a terminal of the fiber.

Claims

1. A branching method, comprising:

maintaining a location of an optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of plastic optical fibers disposed in a spacer and a covering surrounding the fibers and the spacer;

removing a portion of the covering of the cable;

withdrawing a desired fiber from the spacer; and

cutting the withdrawn fiber, to form a terminal of the fiber.

2. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a tension member.

3. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the fiber is formed at an optional non-terminal position of the cable.

4. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a slotted spacer.

5. The branching method according to claim 4, wherein the cable comprises a tension member.

6. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the fiber is formed while the cable is in an extended state.

7. The branching method according to claim 6, wherein the spacer comprises a slotted spacer.

8. The branching method according to claim 6, wherein the cable comprises a tension member.

9. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the spacer defines a helical slot.

10. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the spacer defines an SZ type slot.

11. The branching method according to claim 1, wherein the spacer defines a single helical slot, and the method further comprises:

connecting the terminal of the fiber to a second fiber of a second cable.

12. The branching method according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the covering of the cable is removed between fixing members maintaining the location of the cable.

13. The branching method according to claim 12, further comprising:

maintaining a location of the second cable with a second fixing member.

14. The branching method according to claim 13, further comprising:

forming a splice between the terminal of the fiber and the second fiber.

15. The branching method according to claim 14, wherein the splice is formed in a splice housing that is maintained in a location.