Terry R Mathis

US Patent:

6415085, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/510021

Inventors:

Loinell Graham - Snellville GA
James Robert Holman - late of Lilburn GA
Terry Don Mathis - Lilburn GA
Montri Viriyayuthakorn - late of Norcross GA
Carla G. Wilson - Conyers GA
Parry A. Moss - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

ATT Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385102, 385107

Abstract:

A simplex optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a buffer surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a layer of strength fibers disposed about the buffer, and a sheath member surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. In cross section the cable has a diameter of less than 2. 0 millimeters (mm) and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available. Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin a slick substance is applied to the outer surface of the buffer to allow the buffer and the strength fiber layer to slide relation to each other. If the buffer is relatively thick, a friction-reducing substance can be applied to the optical fiber to facilitate stripping of the buffer from the fiber a duplex optical fiber cable includes two simplex optical fiber cables having their respective sheaths joined to produce a figure-eight configuration. A second duplex optical fiber cable includes two simplex optical fiber cables arranged side-by-side and an oversheath surrounds both cables.

US Patent:

20020025127, Feb 28, 2002

Filed:

Aug 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/941257

Inventors:

Loinell Graham - Snellville GA, US
James Holman - Lilburn GA, US
Terry Mathis - Lilburn GA, US
Montri Viriyayuthakorn - Norcross GA, US
Carla Wilson - Conyers GA, US
Parry Moss - Stone Mountain GA, US

International Classification:

G02B006/44

US Classification:

385/102000, 385/107000

Abstract:

A simplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes an optical fiber, a buffer preferably of nylon, surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a yarn layer with strength fibers, preferably aramid fibers, disposed about the buffer and a sheath preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. [In cross-section, the simplex optical fiber cable has a diameter less than 2.0 millimeters (mm), and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin providing limited protection to the optical fiber, a slick substance such as talc is applied to an outer surface of the buffer before the yarn layer is disposed thereon. The slick substance allows the buffer of the optical fiber to slide to a degree in contact with the yarn layer and thus reduces fatigue caused by axial movement of a ferrule of the connector terminating the optical fiber cable. On the other hand, if the buffer is relatively thick, a friction-reducing substance such as Modaflo™ can be applied to the optical fiber to allow the buffer to be stripped relatively easily]. A zip-cord duplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes essentially two simplex optical fiber cables with their respective sheaths joining at a middle portion along the axial length of the simplex optical fiber cables. [Thus, in cross-section, the zip-cord duplex optical fiber cable has a figure-eight shape with a relatively thin portion in the middle which can be manually pulled apart to separate the zip-cord duplex optical fiber cable into separate simplex optical fiber cables. This feature of the invention allows the zip-cord duplex optical fiber cable to be split at its ends to allow connectors attached to respective ends of the optical fiber cables for connection to respective spaced connector receptacles]. A second duplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes two simplex optical fiber cables arranged side-by-side with an oversheath extruded about and holding together the two simplex optical fiber cables. In cross-section, the two duplex optical fiber cables of this invention are less than 2.0 mm in height and 4.0 mm in width, and thus are much smaller than currently available duplex optical fiber cables. [The invention also includes die assemblies and methods for making the simplex and duplex optical fiber cables].

US Patent:

61084751, Aug 22, 2000

Filed:

Dec 22, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/995577

Inventors:

John T. Chapin - Alpharetta GA
Terry D. Mathis - Lilburn GA
Montri Viriyayuthakorn - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385128

Abstract:

A fiber optic cable having stress indicating means and a method for making same. The stress indicating means provides a cost effective method for determining whether an optical cable has been bent, stressed or otherwise mishandled, which may cause optical loss when the cable is placed in service. Broadly stated, the fiber optic cable according to the instant invention includes an optical fiber, comprised of a core and a cladding and a stress indicator concentrically disposed about the fiber that changes color when subjected to stress. A technician can thereby visually identify cables that have been bent or mishandled and subject them to testing before installation.

US Patent:

48506702, Jul 25, 1989

Filed:

Aug 29, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/527341

Inventors:

Terry D. Mathis - Lilburn GA
Calvin M. Miller - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

350 9621

Abstract:

The optical fiber connector comprises two right circular drawn glass capillary cylinders, means for maintaining the cylinders in substantially fixed relative radial relation, and means for maintaining the cylinders in substantially fixed relative axial relation. The invention has a multiplicity of embodiments, including connectors functioning as variable attenuators, as fiber-to-fiber switches and connectors comprising an in-line filtering element. Connectors according to the invention can have very low insertion loss, are easily field-installed, can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, and are useful for single mode as well as for multimode fiber applications.

US Patent:

50509578, Sep 24, 1991

Filed:

Apr 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/515981

Inventors:

Alfred S. Hamilton - Norcross GA
James R. Holman - Lilburn GA
Michael D. Kinard - Lawrenceville GA
Terry D. Mathis - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385113

Abstract:

An optical fiber cable (20) which is suitable for service from a distribution closure to a customer's premises includes a transmission media core (21) enclosed in a relatively rigid tubular member (40). The relatively rigid tubular member is enclosed in a jacket (44) comprising a plastic material which has a cut-through resistance which is substantially less than that of the tubular member. Interposed between the tubular member and an outer surface of the jacket is a strength member system comprising two yarn-like longitudinally extending strength member groups (52--52). The strength member grops are diametrically opposed to each other and are disposed in engagement with the tubular member.

US Patent:

62052772, Mar 20, 2001

Filed:

Feb 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/253412

Inventors:

Terry D. Mathis - Lilburn GA
Wayne M. Newton - Lilburn GA
Jim J. Sheu - Dunwoody GA
Montri Viriyayuthakorn - Norcross GA
Carla G. Wilson - Conyers GA
Mark I. Shmukler - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385106

Abstract:

A preferred embodiment of the dry core optical fiber cable of the present invention incorporates a plurality of sub-units with each of said sub-units being arranged adjacent another of the sub-units so that the plurality of sub-units define an outer periphery. Preferably, each of the sub-units includes a plurality of optical fibers, a yarn layer and a sub-unit jacket, with each of the optical fibers being arranged adjacent another of the optical fibers. The sub-unit jacket surrounds the optical fibers, with the yarn layer being disposed between the optical fibers and the sub-unit jacket. An outer jacket surrounds the plurality of sub-units, with water-blocking tape being disposed between the outer jacket and the outer periphery of the sub-units. A method of manufacture of the cable also is provided.

US Patent:

49347853, Jun 19, 1990

Filed:

Feb 23, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/314683

Inventors:

Terry D. Mathis - Lilburn GA
Calvin M. Miller - Roswell GA

Assignee:

American Telephone and Telegraph Company - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

350 9621

Abstract:

Disclosed is an optical fiber connector that comprises two right capillary cylinders or "plugs", an alignment sleeve that contactingly maintains the plugs in substantially fixed relative relation, and means for maintaining the plugs in substantially fixed relative axial relation. Connectors according to the invention can have very low insertion loss, are easily field-installed, can be easily and relatively inexpensively manufactured, and are useful for single mode as well as for multimode fiber applications. In a preferred embodiment the connector takes the form of the ST. RTM. connector.

US Patent:

43209386, Mar 23, 1982

Filed:

Dec 26, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/106552

Inventors:

Carl E. Gunnersen - Tucker GA
Terry D. Mathis - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 726

US Classification:

350 9621

Abstract:

A connector assembly (10) has been developed with an aligning coupler (300) and connectors (100, 200) which simplify the joining of a pair of mateable optical fiber termination structures (112, 212). The coupler (300) comprises a pair of rigid elongated members (310, 340) having inner surfaces (312, 342) and tapering outer end surfaces (328, 358). Resilient members (370) hold the elongated members together to define a fiber termination structure receiving orifice (380) which has a cross section normally narrower in one dimension than that of the termination structures. Due to the resilient members, the elongated members can separate to ease insertion of the termination structures and then come back together to urge precise-aligning outer surface means (122, 222) on each termination structure into registration against a precisealigning coupler reference surface (332) in the orifice. Thus registration is maintained until the connector assembly can be fastened. Also, each connector comprises a rigid tubular member (170, 270) having an interior bore section (176, 276) with an interior beveled or wedging surface ( 178, 278) for engaging the corresponding tapering outer surfaces of the elongated members during fastening of the connector assembly.