Optical fiber alignment and retention device

Claim 2

A Fiber Alignment and Retention Apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens (32) having a forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first optical transmission path to a second optical transmission path: a holding means (14) connected to the optical lens having a rearward extension (16) with a longitudinally extending groove (18) for supporting said first optical transmission path. an abutment means (40) formed at an interface (22) between the optical lens and said rearward extension of the holding means for positioning a terminal end of said first optical transmission path at a focal point of the optical lens: and a retention means (30) associated with said holding means for securely retaining said first optical transmisison path within said longitudinally extending groove.

Claim 3

2 . The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the optical lens comprises a plastic material.

Claim 4

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said rearward extension of the holding means comprises a plastic material.

Claim 5

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the optical lens and said rearward extension of the holding means are molded together from a single piece of plastic material.

Claim 6

5 . The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending groove of said holding means comprises a vee-shaped groove symmetrically located in a top surface (22) of said rearward extension along an optical center of the optical lens.

Claim 7

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending groove of said holding means comprises a curved groove symmetrically located in a top surface (22) of said rearward extension along an optical center of the optical lens.

Claim 8

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said retention means (30) comprises a beat sensitive shrink sleeve.

Claim 9

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said heat sensitive shrink sleeve further includes an inner lining (56) comprised of an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first and said second optical transmission paths.

Claim 10

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the abutment means is formed from a plastic material and comprises a ramp section (42) and a vertical stop (44), said vertical stop being located where said - ramp section is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said terminal end (46) of said first optical transmission path at said focal point of the optical lens.

Claim 11

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including an abutment gap ( 5 0) disposed between a rearward portion of the optical lens and said terminal end of said first optical transmission path. said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive (54) reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first and said second optical transmission paths.

Claim 12

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the abutment means is formed from a plastic material and comprises a radiused curved section and a vertical stop, said vertical stop being located where said radiused curved section is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said terminal end of said first optical transmission path at said focal point of the optical lens.

Claim 13

A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension: a bolding means connected to the optical lens having a rearward extension with a longitudinally extending groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said rearward extension for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material: an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said rearward extension for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a ramp section having a vertical stop, said vertical stop being located where said ramp section is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said termiinal end, said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between a rearward portion of the optical lens and said terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber and above said ramp section, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first light transmitting optical fiber and said second light transmitting optical fiber; and a retention means in mechanical communication with said rearward extension of the holding means for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove.

Claim 14

A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension: a bolding means connected to the optical lens having a rearward extension with a longitudinally extending groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said rearward extension for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material: an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said rearward extension for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a ramp section having a vertical stop, said vertical stop being located where said ramp section is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said termiinal end, said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between a rearward portion of the optical lens and said terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber and above said ramp section, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first light transmitting optical fiber and said second light transmitting optical fiber; and a retention means in mechanical communication with said rearward extension of the holding means for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove.

Claim 15

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the retention means comprises a heat sensitive shrink sleeve having an inner lining comprised of an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first and said second light transmitting optical fibers.

Claim 16

The fiber alignment and retention appparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the retention means comprises a metal mechanical clamp (86).

Claim 17

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the retention means comprises a silicon foam clamp (92).

Claim 18

The fiber alignment and retention apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the retention means comprises a spring finger (98).

Claim 19

17 . A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension: a holding means molded to the optical lens having a cylindrical shaped rearward extension, said cylindrical shaped rearward extension being comprised of a first half cylinder and a second half cylinder wherein said first half cylinder includes a longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said first half cylinder with said top surface of said first half cylinder being positioned between said first half cylinder and said second half cylinder, said vee-shaped groove for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said cylindrical shaped rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material, said second half cylinder further including a first longitudinal cutaway and a second longitudinal cutaway, each of said first and said second longitudinal cutaway being located between said second half cylinder and said top surface of said first half cylinder for providing spring tension on said first light transmitting optical fiber by said second half cylinder: an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said top surface of said first half cylinder for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a ramp section having a vertical stop, said vertical stop being located where said ramp section is connected to said top surface of said first half cylinder for positioning said terminal end. said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between a rearward portion of the optical lens and said terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber and above said ramp section, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first light transmitting optical fiber and said second light transmitting optical fiber: and a retention means in mechanical commmu.nication with said cylindrical shaped rearward extension of the holding means for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove, the retention means comprising a heat sensitive shrink sleeve wrapped about the holding means in a shallow step formed in an exterior surface of said first half cylinder and said second half cylinder.

Claim 20

17 . A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension: a holding means molded to the optical lens having a cylindrical shaped rearward extension, said cylindrical shaped rearward extension being comprised of a first half cylinder and a second half cylinder wherein said first half cylinder includes a longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said first half cylinder with said top surface of said first half cylinder being positioned between said first half cylinder and said second half cylinder, said vee-shaped groove for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said cylindrical shaped rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material, said second half cylinder further including a first longitudinal cutaway and a second longitudinal cutaway, each of said first and said second longitudinal cutaway being located between said second half cylinder and said top surface of said first half cylinder for providing spring tension on said first light transmitting optical fiber by said second half cylinder: an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said top surface of said first half cylinder for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a ramp section having a vertical stop, said vertical stop being located where said ramp section is connected to said top surface of said first half cylinder for positioning said terminal end. said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between a rearward portion of the optical lens and said terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber and above said ramp section, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal between said first light transmitting optical fiber and said second light transmitting optical fiber: and a retention means in mechanical commmu.nication with said cylindrical shaped rearward extension of the holding means for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove, the retention means comprising a heat sensitive shrink sleeve wrapped about the holding means in a shallow step formed in an exterior surface of said first half cylinder and said second half cylinder.

Claim 21

A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface and a rearwardly directed radiused surface, said forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension and said rearwardly directed radiused surface for providing guidance to said first light transmitting optical fiber; a holding means connected to the optical lens having a rearward extension with a longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said rearward extension for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material and wherein eaid rearward extension further includes a curved toot located at a rearward end of said rearward extension tor guiding said first light transmitting optical fiber into said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove; an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said rearward extension for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a vertical stop located where said rearwardly directed radiused surface is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said terminal end, said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between said rearwardly directed radiused surface and said first light transmitting optical fiber, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal: and a retention means in mechanical communication with said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove of said rearward extension for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said vee-shaped groove, said retention means comprised of said rearwardly directed radiused surface of the optical lens.

Claim 22

A fiber alignment and retention apparatus comprising, in combination: an optical lens comprised of a plastic material having a forwardly directed curved lens surface and a rearwardly directed radiused surface, said forwardly directed curved lens surface for reducing refraction and attenuation of an optical signal when said optical signal is transmitted from a first light transmitting optical fiber having a first dimension to a second light transmitting optical fiber having a second dimension and said rearwardly directed radiused surface for providing guidance to said first light transmitting optical fiber; a holding means connected to the optical lens having a rearward extension with a longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove symmetrically located in a top surface of said rearward extension for supporting said first light transmitting optical fiber and wherein the optical lens and said rearward extension are molded together from a single piece of plastic material and wherein eaid rearward extension further includes a curved toot located at a rearward end of said rearward extension tor guiding said first light transmitting optical fiber into said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove; an abutment means formed at an interface between the optical lens and said rearward extension for positioning a terminal end of said first light transmitting optical fiber at a focal point of the optical lens, said abutment means being formed from said single piece of plastic material and comprised of a vertical stop located where said rearwardly directed radiused surface is connected to said rearward extension for positioning said terminal end, said abutment means further including an abutment gap disposed between said rearwardly directed radiused surface and said first light transmitting optical fiber, said abutment gap containing an index matching adhesive for reducing refraction and attenuation of said optical signal: and a retention means in mechanical communication with said longitudinally extending vee-shaped groove of said rearward extension for securely retaining said first light transmitting optical fiber within said vee-shaped groove, said retention means comprised of said rearwardly directed radiused surface of the optical lens.