United States Patent [19] [ii] Patent Number: 4,765,712
Bohannon, Jr. et al. [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 23, 1988
[54] OPTICAL FIBER CABLE
[75] Inventors: William D. Bohannon, Jr.; Michael D.
Kinard, both of Gwinnett County; Mickey R. Reynolds, Lawrenceville, all of Ga.
[73] Assignees: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill; AT&T Technologies, Inc., Berkeley Heights, both of N.J.
[21] Appl. No.: 825,291
[22] Filed: Jan. 31,1986
[51] Int. CI." G02B 6/44
[52] U.S. CL 350/96.23
[58] Field of Search 350/96.23; 174/68 R,
174/102 R, 102 C, 102 D, 107, 110 R, 113 R,
120 R, 120 SR
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,360,409 12/1967 Jachimowicz et al 228/130
4,078,853 3/1978 Kempfetal 350/96.23
4,241,979 12/1980 Gagen et al 350/96.23
4,518,034 5/1985 Vokey 156/54
4,552,432 11/1985 Anderson et al 350/96.23
4,557,560 12/1985 Bohannon et al 350/96.23
An optical fiber cable includes a core (22) comprising optical fibers (24-24) in ribbon or single fiber form and a sheath system (50) which provides flexibility for ease of handling and installation, strength to resist tensile and torsional stresses and rodent and/or lightning protection. The core is enclosed by a tube (28) which is made of a plastic material, a shield system (52) and outer plastic jacket (54). The shield system provides rodent and/or lightning protection. Strength is provided by a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members (58-58) which are disposed in a single layer concentric with the core and which in a preferred embodiment are disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the shield and with substantial portions of their perpheries embedded in the plastic of the outer jacket.
33 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
