1979-12-26
1982-03-23
Lee, John D.
G02B 726
Patent
active
043209386
ABSTRACT:
A connector assembly (10) has been developed with an aligning coupler (300) and connectors (100, 200) which simplify the joining of a pair of mateable optical fiber termination structures (112, 212). The coupler (300) comprises a pair of rigid elongated members (310, 340) having inner surfaces (312, 342) and tapering outer end surfaces (328, 358). Resilient members (370) hold the elongated members together to define a fiber termination structure receiving orifice (380) which has a cross section normally narrower in one dimension than that of the termination structures. Due to the resilient members, the elongated members can separate to ease insertion of the termination structures and then come back together to urge precise-aligning outer surface means (122, 222) on each termination structure into registration against a precisealigning coupler reference surface (332) in the orifice. Thus registration is maintained until the connector assembly can be fastened. Also, each connector comprises a rigid tubular member (170, 270) having an interior bore section (176, 276) with an interior beveled or wedging surface ( 178, 278) for engaging the corresponding tapering outer surfaces of the elongated members during fastening of the connector assembly. During fastening, the tubular members cause the elongated members to move toward each other transversely to achieve final flush engagement of the termination structures against the precise-aligning coupler reference surface as well as effectively clamping the termination structures in place.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3864018 (1975-02-01), Miller
patent: 3910678 (1975-10-01), McCartney et al.
patent: 3982815 (1976-09-01), Nakayama
patent: 4088386 (1978-05-01), Hawk
patent: 4097129 (1978-06-01), Wellington et al.
patent: 4103987 (1978-08-01), Kersten
patent: 4123138 (1978-10-01), Morrison
patent: 4123139 (1978-10-01), Sandahl
patent: 4142776 (1979-03-01), Cherin et al.
Freeman et al., "Holding Fixture for Optical Fiber Array Connectors", Western Elec. Tech. Dig., vol. 52, Oct. 1978, pp. 7-8.
Harper et al., "Fiber-Optic Connector," IBM Tech. Discl. Bull., vol. 21, No. 5, Oct. 1978, pp. 2115-2116.
Dakss et al., "Field-Installable Connectors and . . . " 12th Annual Connector Symp., Cherry Hill, N.J., Oct. 1979, pp. 198-205.
Gunnersen Carl E.
Mathis Terry D.
Bell Telephone Laboratories Incorporated
Chin Sylvia J.
Lee John D.
Padnes David R.
LandOfFree
Resilient optical fiber connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Resilient optical fiber connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Resilient optical fiber connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1648403