Patent ID: 8198536
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: H01B

Abstract:
1. A data cable comprising: a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors including a first twisted pair, a second twisted pair and a third twisted pair; a shaped filler including a non-central body portion and a plurality of tines extending outward from the non-central body portion, the plurality of tines defining a plurality of channels in which the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors are individually disposed; and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors and the shaped filler along a length of the cable; wherein the width of the non-central body portion is larger than the width of each tine of the plurality of tines and the shaped filler is constructed such that the non-central body portion provides a first spacing between the first twisted pair and the second twisted pair, and one of the plurality of tines provides a second spacing between the second twisted pair and the third twisted pair, the second spacing being substantially smaller than the first spacing; wherein the non-central body portion includes a base that is wider than a central region of the non-central body portion, and wherein the non-central body portion is constructed and arranged within the outer jacket such that the base is adjacent the outer jacket to provide a helical circumferential barrier along an inner surface of the outer jacket and extending along a length of the cable to reduce alien crosstalk; and wherein in cross-section the shaped filler is asymmetrical about a first line taken through a center of the shaped filler, the first line being perpendicular to a second line taken through the center of the shaped filler, the second line bisecting the non-central body portion from the center of the shaped filler to an end of the non-central body portion.