Patent ID: 7200306

Claim:
An optical fiber cable comprising: a central reinforcing element ( 1 ); a layer of optical fibers ( 4 ) surrounding the central reinforcing element ( 1 ); a buffer layer ( 5 ) surrounding the layer of optical fibers ( 4 ); and an outer sheath ( 7 ) surrounding the buffer layer ( 5 ); wherein the layer of optical fibers is a single layer of bare optical fibers ( 4 ) surrounding the central reinforcing element ( 1 ); wherein the buffer layer ( 5 ) fills at least part of interstices between the single layer of optical fibers ( 4 ) and the outer sheath ( 7 ) and at least part of interstices between the bare optical fibers surrounding the central reinforcement element ( 1 ) such that the bare optical fibers are pressed into contact against the central reinforcing element ( 1 ) and mechanically coupled to the central reinforcing element ( 1 ); wherein the majority of the volume of the buffer layer ( 5 ) is constituted by a material that is both solid and flexible; wherein the central reinforcing element ( 1 ) comprises a central core ( 2 ) surrounded by an outer sheathing ( 3 ), the outer sheathing ( 3 ) is mechanically coupled to the central core ( 2 ) by contact with the central core ( 2 ), the modulus of elasticity of the outer sheathing ( 3 ) being less than the modulus of elasticity of the central core ( 2 ); and wherein the layer of optically fibers ( 4 ) is mechanically coupled to the central reinforcing element ( 1 ) such that the optical fibers ( 4 ) are at least partially impressed in the outer sheathing ( 3 ).