Method of producing ferrule and ferrule

(54) METHOD OF PRODUCING FERRULE AND FERRULE

(75) Inventors: Katsuki Suematsu, Tokyo (JP);

Yasushi Kihara, Tokyo (JP); Masao
Shinoda, Tokyo (JP); Jun Yamakawa,
Tokyo (JP)

(73) Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.,
Tokyo (JP)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 223 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/960,100

(22) Filed: Sep. 20, 2001

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0076168 Al Jun. 20, 2002

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Dec. 15, 2000 (JP) 2000-382633

Apr. 27, 2001 (JP) 2001-132147

(51) Int. C I. G02B 6/36

(52) U.S. CI 385/80; 385/60; 385/72;

385/78

(58) Field of Search 385/80, 60-62,

385/78, 56, 72, 79, 81, 85, 87

(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,708,433 A * 11/1987 Kakii et al 385/54

4,952,263 A * 8/1990 Kakii et al 156/153

5,611,010 A * 3/1997 Shiino et al 385/53

6,062,740 A * 5/2000 Ohtsuka et al 385/81

6,276,842 Bl * 8/2001 Xu et al 385/85

6,478,473 Bl * 11/2002 Hirao 385/59

6,478,475 B2 * 11/2002 Schofield et al 385/65

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

JP 63296008 A * 12/1988 G02B/6/36

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Frank G. Font

Assistant Examiner—Kevin C Kianni

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Obion, Spivak, McClelland,

Maier & Neustadt, PC.

(57) ABSTRACT

A method for producing a lerrule having a plurality ol fiber holes lor insertion ol optical fibers formed between two pin holes lor insertion ol guide pins, and a lerrule produced by the method. The method comprises a step ol injecting a synthetic resin in a mold for forming the lerrule while holding a plurality ol pins with a Young's modulus ol(22 to 59)xl010N/m2 lor forming the fiber holes at two points separated by a distance ol 1.5 to 4 mm in a lengthwise direction ol the pins.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets