Optical waveguide connector using resilient material and V-groove

Claim 2

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated V-shaped grooves in a surface thereof, each of said grooves being adapted to receive a pair of fibers, one from each of a pair of fiber cables that are to be connected, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being substantially symmetrical about a plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in the plane of the groove in which they are disposed, that portion of said grooves at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, a second member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated elevated portions aligned with said grooves and forming therewith a plurality of apertures which are adapted to receive said fibers, said second member being adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said grooves, the two walls of said grooves and said second member contacting each of said fibers at three noncontiguous surface areas, said first and second members each having first and second sections which are secured together in abutting relationship, a given length of the first section of said first member extending beyond the first section of said second member, the second section of said second member extending beyond the second section of said first member a distance equal to said given length, and means for securing together said first section of said first member and said second section of said second member so that the given length of said first section of said first member becomes aligned with the corresponding extending portion of said second member, said optical fibers being adapted to be connected along the overlapping portions of said first and second members, and means or applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 3

An optical fiber connector in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for facilitating longitudinal movement between the overlapping portions of said first and second members.

Claim 4

An optical fiber connector in accordance with claim 2 wherein the endfaces of the optical fibers of the first and second bundles substantially lie in a single plane that is perpendicular to said grooves.

Claim 5

An optical fiber connector in accordance with claim 3 wherein the walls forming said V-shaped grooves of said first member and said elevated portions of said second member are circularly shaped.

Claim 6

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in said first plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, the two walls which form said V-shaped groove being sections of two contacting cylinders of resilient material, a second member of resilient material having at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said fibers, said second member also being adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, said second member being a cylinder the center of which lies in said first plane, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 7

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in said first plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, the two walls which form said V-shaped groove being sections of two contacting cylinders of resilient material, a second member of resilient material having at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said fibers, said second member also being adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, said second member being a cylinder the center of which lies in said first plane, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 8

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-Shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in said first plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, the walls of said V-shaped groove being convexly shaped, a second member of resilient material having at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said fibers, that part of said elevated portion which contacts said fibers being circular in cross section and being symmetrical with respect to said first plane, said second member being adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 9

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-Shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in said first plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, the walls of said V-shaped groove being convexly shaped, a second member of resilient material having at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said fibers, that part of said elevated portion which contacts said fibers being circular in cross section and being symmetrical with respect to said first plane, said second member being adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 10

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated V-shaped grooves in a surface thereof, each of said grooves being adapted to receive a pair of fibers, one from each of a pair of fiber cables that are to be connected, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being substantially symmetrical about a plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in the plane of the groove in which they are disposed, a second member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated elevated portions each elevated portion being aligned with one of said grooves and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said pair of fibers, said second member being adapted to contact that surface of said pair of fibers opposite said groove, said first and second members each comprising first and second sections which are secured together in abutting relationship, a given length of the first section of said first member extending beyond the first section of said second member, the second section of said second member extending beyond the second section of said first member a distance equal to said given length, and means for securing together said first section of said first member and said second section of said second member so that the given length of said first section member becomes aligned with the corresponding extending portion of said second member, said pair of fibers being adapted to be connected along the overlapping portions of sad first and second members, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in the planes of said grooves, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of each pair of fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing each pair of fibers.

Claim 11

An optical fiber connector comprising a first member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated V-shaped grooves in a surface thereof, each of said grooves being adapted to receive a pair of fibers, one from each of a pair of fiber cables that are to be connected, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being substantially symmetrical about a plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being disposed in the plane of the groove in which they are disposed, a second member of resilient material having a plurality of elongated elevated portions each elevated portion being aligned with one of said grooves and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said pair of fibers, said second member being adapted to contact that surface of said pair of fibers opposite said groove, said first and second members each comprising first and second sections which are secured together in abutting relationship, a given length of the first section of said first member extending beyond the first section of said second member, the second section of said second member extending beyond the second section of said first member a distance equal to said given length, and means for securing together said first section of said first member and said second section of said second member so that the given length of said first section member becomes aligned with the corresponding extending portion of said second member, said pair of fibers being adapted to be connected along the overlapping portions of sad first and second members, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in the planes of said grooves, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of each pair of fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing each pair of fibers.

Claim 12

An optical fiber connector capable of securing in axial alignment corresponding fibers having substantially circular cross sections from first and second fiber cables even if said corresponding fibers have different diameters, said connector comprising a first housing having a first member of resilient material in which are disposed a plurality of parallel, V-shaped grooves having a circularly shaped cross-section, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being convexly shaped and substantially symmetrical about a plane, the fibers from said first cable being adapted to be disposed in said grooves, the ends of said fibers being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array a given distance from a first end of said first member a second housing a second member of resilient material in which there are disposed a plurality of parallel, elongated, elevated portions having the same spacing as said V-shaped grooves, that part of each of said elevated portions which contacts said fibers being circular in cross section and being symmetrical with respect to said planes of symmetry, means for securing each of the fibers from said second cable so that the end portion of each fiber is adapted to extend along a corresponding one of said elevated portions, the ends of said fibers of said second cable being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array, and means for securing together said first and second housings with such an orientation that each of the fibers of said second cable is adapted to be disposed in a groove of said first housing with the endface thereof adapted to be adjacent to the endface of the corresponding fiber of said first cable, said means for securing applying a force to said first member of said first housing and to said second member of said second housing, said force being adapted to be applied in a direction perpendicular to the axes of said fibers and in a direction parallel to the planes about which said groove forming walls are symmetrical, said force tending to bring said members of said first and second housings together and being adapted to cause said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 13

An optical fiber connector capable of securing in axial alignment corresponding fibers having substantially circular cross sections from first and second fiber cables even if said corresponding fibers have different diameters, said connector comprising a first housing having a first member of resilient material in which are disposed a plurality of parallel, V-shaped grooves having a circularly shaped cross-section, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being convexly shaped and substantially symmetrical about a plane, the fibers from said first cable being adapted to be disposed in said grooves, the ends of said fibers being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array a given distance from a first end of said first member a second housing a second member of resilient material in which there are disposed a plurality of parallel, elongated, elevated portions having the same spacing as said V-shaped grooves, that part of each of said elevated portions which contacts said fibers being circular in cross section and being symmetrical with respect to said planes of symmetry, means for securing each of the fibers from said second cable so that the end portion of each fiber is adapted to extend along a corresponding one of said elevated portions, the ends of said fibers of said second cable being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array, and means for securing together said first and second housings with such an orientation that each of the fibers of said second cable is adapted to be disposed in a groove of said first housing with the endface thereof adapted to be adjacent to the endface of the corresponding fiber of said first cable, said means for securing applying a force to said first member of said first housing and to said second member of said second housing, said force being adapted to be applied in a direction perpendicular to the axes of said fibers and in a direction parallel to the planes about which said groove forming walls are symmetrical, said force tending to bring said members of said first and second housings together and being adapted to cause said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 14

An optical fiber connector capable of securing in axial alignment corresponding fibers having substantially circular cross sections from first and second fiber cables even if said corresponding fibers have different diameters, said connector comprising a first housing having a first member of resilient material in which a plurality of parallel, V-shaped grooves are disposed, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being substantially symmetrical about a plane, said walls intersecting at an angle less than 180°, the fibers from said first cable being adapted to be disposed in said grooves, the ends of said fibers being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array a given distance from a first end of said first member, a second housing having a second member of resilient material in which there are disposed a plurality of parallel, elongated, elevated portions having the same spacing as said V-shaped grooves, means for securing each of the fibers from said second cable so that the end portion of each fiber is adapted to extend along a corresponding one of said elevated portions, the ends of said fibers of said second cable being adapted to be disposed in a planar array, and means for securing together said first and second housings with such an orientation that each of the fibers of said second cable is adapted to be disposed in a groove of said first housing with the endface thereof adapted to be ajacent to the endface of the corresponding fiber of said first cable, said means for securing applying a force to said first member of said first housing and to said second member of said second housing, said force being adapted to be applied in a direction perpendicular to the axes of said fibers and in a direction parallel to the planes about which said groove forming walls are symmetrical, said force tending to bring said members of said first and second housings together and being adapted to cause said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 15

An optical fiber connector capable of securing in axial alignment corresponding fibers having substantially circular cross sections from first and second fiber cables even if said corresponding fibers have different diameters, said connector comprising a first housing having a first member of resilient material in which a plurality of parallel, V-shaped grooves are disposed, the two walls forming each of said V-shaped grooves being substantially symmetrical about a plane, said walls intersecting at an angle less than 180°, the fibers from said first cable being adapted to be disposed in said grooves, the ends of said fibers being adapted to be disposed in a substantially planar array a given distance from a first end of said first member, a second housing having a second member of resilient material in which there are disposed a plurality of parallel, elongated, elevated portions having the same spacing as said V-shaped grooves, means for securing each of the fibers from said second cable so that the end portion of each fiber is adapted to extend along a corresponding one of said elevated portions, the ends of said fibers of said second cable being adapted to be disposed in a planar array, and means for securing together said first and second housings with such an orientation that each of the fibers of said second cable is adapted to be disposed in a groove of said first housing with the endface thereof adapted to be ajacent to the endface of the corresponding fiber of said first cable, said means for securing applying a force to said first member of said first housing and to said second member of said second housing, said force being adapted to be applied in a direction perpendicular to the axes of said fibers and in a direction parallel to the planes about which said groove forming walls are symmetrical, said force tending to bring said members of said first and second housings together and being adapted to cause said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 16

An optical fiber connector comprising a pair of fibers that are to be connected, said fibers being substantially circular in cross section, a first member of resilient material having at least one V-shaped groove in a surface thereof, said groove having two sidewalls that intersect at an angle less than 180°, said two sidewalls being substantially symmetrical about a plane, said pair of fibers being disposed in said groove with the axes thereof being disposed in said plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, a second member of resilient material having a surface which contacts that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, the two walls of said groove and said second member contacting each of said fibers at three noncontiguous surface areas, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 17

An optical fiber connector comprising a pair of fibers that are to be connected, said fibers being substantially circular in cross section, a first member of resilient material having at least one V-shaped groove in a surface thereof, said groove having two sidewalls that intersect at an angle less than 180°, said two sidewalls being substantially symmetrical about a plane, said pair of fibers being disposed in said groove with the axes thereof being disposed in said plane, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect remaining free from contact with said fibers, a second member of resilient material having a surface which contacts that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, the two walls of said groove and said second member contacting each of said fibers at three noncontiguous surface areas, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force tending to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 18

A connector in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first member has a plurality of parallel grooves for receiving the fibers of a pair of fiber cables, and said second member has a plurality of parallel elevated portions aligned with said grooves.

Claim 19

A connector in accordance with claim 10 wherein the surface of said second member is flat.

Claim 20

A connector in accordance with claim 10 wherein the surface of said second member has at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which receives said fibers.

Claim 21

An optical fiber connector in accordance with claim 13 wherein the depth of said V-shaped groove is greater than the diameter of said fibers.

Claim 22

An optical fiber connector capable of aligning a pair of fibers having substantially circular cross sections even if the diameters thereof are not equal, said connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being adapted to be disposed in said first plane, said walls intersecting in said first plane, the intersection of said walls occurring at an angle less than 180°, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect being adapted to remain free from contact with said fibers, a second member of resilient material having a surface which is adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, the two walls of said groove and said second member being adapted to contact each of said fibers at three noncontiguous surface areas, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force being adapted to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 23

An optical fiber connector capable of aligning a pair of fibers having substantially circular cross sections even if the diameters thereof are not equal, said connector comprising a first member of resilient material having at least one elongated V-shaped groove in a surface thereof for receiving a pair of fibers to be connected, the two walls forming said V-shaped groove being substantially symmetrical about a first plane, the axes of said pair of fibers being adapted to be disposed in said first plane, said walls intersecting in said first plane, the intersection of said walls occurring at an angle less than 180°, that portion of said groove at which said walls intersect being adapted to remain free from contact with said fibers, a second member of resilient material having a surface which is adapted to contact that surface of said fibers opposite said groove, the two walls of said groove and said second member being adapted to contact each of said fibers at three noncontiguous surface areas, and means for applying a force to said first and second members in a direction perpendicular to said axes and in said first plane, said force being adapted to bring said members together and causing said members to deform against the adjacent surfaces of said fibers, thereby simultaneously aligning along a common axis and mechanically securing said fibers.

Claim 24

A connector in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first member has a plurality of parallel grooves for receiving the fibers of a pair of fiber cables, and said second member has a plurality of parallel elevated portions aligned with said grooves.

Claim 25

A connector in accordance with claim 16 wherein said first member extends beyond said second member so that the end portions of each of said grooves are exposed, thereby facilitating the insertion of optical fibers in the apertures formed between said grooves and said elevated portions.

Claim 26

A connector in accordance with claim 15 wherein the surface of said second member is flat.

Claim 27

A connector in accordance with claim 15 wherein the surface of said second member has at least one elongated elevated portion aligned with said groove and forming therewith an aperture which is adapted to receive said fibers.