Optical connector

Claim 1

An optical connector (K) for joining ends of optical fibers, characterized by: an adapter (10) which is formed with at least one claw (13); and a plug (1) which is detachably coupled with said adapter (10); said plug (1) including an insertion guide (5) to be inserted into said adapter (10), an ejector (6) disposed radially outwardly of said insertion guide (5) and an urging member (7) for urging said ejector (6) in an axial insertion direction for inserting said insertion guide (5) into said adapter (10); said insertion guide (5) being formed, on an outer peripheral face thereof, with a projection (52) and a recess (53) disposed rearwardly of said projection (52) in the axial insertion direction, whereby at the time of coupling of said plug (1) with said adapter (10), said claw (13), upon insertion of said insertion guide (5) into said adapter (10), is caused to ride onto said projection (52) through elastic deformation of said claw (13) so as to be brought into contact with said ejector (6) and then, upon further insertion of said insertion guide (5) into said adapter (10), said claw (13) depresses said ejector (6) in a direction opposite to the axial insertion direction so as to ride over said projection (52) into engagement with said recess (53) and said ejector (6) is displaced in the axial insertion direction by said urging member (7) through disengagement of said claw (13) from said ejector (6) so as to enclose said claw (13) such that said plug (1) coupled with said adapter (10) , while at the time of uncoupling of said plug (1) from said adapter (10), said ejector (6) is released away from said claw (13) upon displacement of said ejector (6) in the direction opposite to the axial insertion direction and then, upon further displacement of said ejector (6) in the direction opposite to the axial insertion direction, said claw (13) is brought out of engagement with said recess (53) so as to ride over said projection (52) such that said plug (1) is uncoupled from said adapter (10).