Patent ID: 8682124
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A fiber optic cable, comprising: a jacket primarily formed from a first polymeric material and having an outer surface defining an exterior of the fiber optic cable, wherein the exterior of the fiber optic cable has an oblong-shaped periphery with two opposing longer sides and two opposing shorter sides, wherein the jacket further forms lateral walls of an interior cavity extending lengthwise through the fiber optic cable, wherein the cavity is configured to support an optical fiber; first and second strength members, each surrounded laterally by the jacket such that the lateral walls of the cavity and the cavity itself separate the first and second strength members from one another; armor extending lengthwise along the fiber optic cable above the cavity and at least partially above the first and second strength members, wherein the armor has greater tensile strength than the first polymeric material and thereby forms a barrier limiting inadvertent penetration of the jacket; and a tear feature located interior to the exterior of the fiber optic cable and beneath the armor, wherein the tear feature is formed from a second polymeric material that is co-extrudable with the first polymeric material, wherein the tear feature is integrated into the jacket such that the tear feature forms a discontinuity of material within the jacket, and wherein at least one of the second polymeric material and the interface between the first and second polymeric materials yields at a lesser tearing force than the first polymeric material, whereby the tear feature facilitates opening the jacket around the armor to access the cavity by way of tearing through the jacket via the tear feature.