Connector for optical fibers

Claim 2

A connector for detachably joining the ends of a pair of optical fibers in abutting and coaxial alignment comprising an elongate positioning barrel having a continuous longitudinal V-form groove therein defining identical positioning means disposed in end-to-end relation to each other longitudinally of said barrel for each of said fibers, said groove including first rectilinear alignment portions disposed adjacent each other and in coaxial alignment, second alignment portions disposed proximate opposite ends of said barrel for receiving said fibers, and third alignment portions interconnecting said first and second alignment portions, said first, second and third alignment portions being disposed in the same plane with said third alignment portions being at an angle relative to said first and second alignment portions such that when the fiber is advanced in said second alignment portion and moved longitudinally of the barrel toward said first alignment portion, the fiber's end is held in said third alignment portion of said groove by a biasing stress on the fiber, the cross section of said V-form groove in the first rectilinear alignment portions being of a size and shape to only partially receive said fibers with a portion of said fibers projecting beyond said groove, an elongate clamping plate means disposed adjacent said barrel in superimposed relation to the open side of said V-form groove and means for detachably securing said clamping plate means against the open side of said V-form groove for clamping said fibers within said first alignment portions of said groove to maintain coaxial alignment between said fibers.

Claim 3

A connector as in claim 1 wherein said third alignment portions of said V-form groove are curvilinear with the open sides of said third alignment portions forming a dihedral angle relative to the open sides of said second alignment portions.

Claim 4

A connector as in claim 1, wherein the cross section of said V-form groove in said second and third alignment portions is capable of fully receiving the cross section of said fibers and progressively diminishes in and along said third alignment portions into said first rectilinear alignment portions to a cross section to only partially receive the cross section of said fibers.

Claim 5

A connector as in claim 1 wherein said barrel includes a recess extending longitudinally therein with said V-form groove being disposed in the bottom of said recess and wherein said elongate clamping plate means comprises a pair of elongate plates received in end-to-end relation within the recess of said barrel, said recess limiting movement of said plates transversely.

Claim 6

A connector as in claim 4 wherein said means for detachably securing said plates to said barrel comprise separate resilient retaining means for each of said plates.

Claim 7

A connector as in claim 5 wherein each of said resilient retaining means are movable relative to said barrel and the clamping plate associated with said resilient retaining means between a clamping and non-clamping position.

Claim 8

A connector as in claim 4 including lugs detachably received on opposite ends of said barrel, said lugs having openings therein for receiving said fibers in open communication with said second alignment portions of said V-form groove, said lugs operatively engaging said plates for positioning of said plates longitudinally relative to said barrel in end-to-end relation.

Claim 9

A connector for detachably joining the ends of a pair of optical fibers in abutting and coaxial alignment comprising an elongate positioning barrel, said barrel having a recess disposed in the outer surface thereof and extending longitudinally the length of said barrel to define a track, the bottom of said track having disposed therein a continuous, longitudinal V-form groove defining identical positioning means disposed in end-to-end relation longitudinally of said barrel for each of said fibers, said groove including first rectilinear alignment portions disposed adjacent each other and in coaxial alignment, second alignment portions disposed proximate opposite ends of said barrel for receiving fibers, and third alignment portions interconnecting said first and second alignment portions, said alignment portions being disposed in the same plane with the open sides of said third alignment portions forming a dihedral angle relative to the open sides of said second alignment portions, said fibers being held in said third alignment portions of said groove by a biasing stress created on the fibers as the fibers are advanced from said second alignment portions along said groove, the depth of said V-form groove progressively diminishing in and along said third alignment portions into said first rectilinear alignment portions, the cross section of said V-form groove in the first rectilinear alignment portions being of a size and shape to only partially receive said fibers with a portion of said fibers projecting beyond said groove, a pair of elongate clamping plates received in the recess track of said barrel, said track limiting movement of said plates transversely while permitting longitudinal movement of said plates within said track, lugs detachably received on opposite ends of said barrel, said lugs having openings therein for receiving said fibers in open communication with said second alignment portions of said V-form groove, said lugs operatively engaging said plates and positioning said plates longitudinally relative to said barrel in end-to-end relation, and a pair of resilient retaining means for detachably securing said plates against the open sides of said V-form groove in said barrel for holding said fibers within said first alignment portions of said groove to maintain coaxial alignment between said fibers.

Claim 10

A connector for detachably joining the ends of a pair of optical fibers in abutting and coaxial alignment comprising an elongate positioning barrel, said barrel having a recess disposed in the outer surface thereof and extending longitudinally the length of said barrel to define a track, the bottom of said track having disposed therein a continuous, longitudinal V-form groove defining identical positioning means disposed in end-to-end relation longitudinally of said barrel for each of said fibers, said groove including first rectilinear alignment portions disposed adjacent each other and in coaxial alignment, second alignment portions disposed proximate opposite ends of said barrel for receiving fibers, and third alignment portions interconnecting said first and second alignment portions, said alignment portions being disposed in the same plane with the open sides of said third alignment portions forming a dihedral angle relative to the open sides of said second alignment portions, said fibers being held in said third alignment portions of said groove by a biasing stress created on the fibers as the fibers are advanced from said second alignment portions along said groove, the depth of said V-form groove progressively diminishing in and along said third alignment portions into said first rectilinear alignment portions, the cross section of said V-form groove in the first rectilinear alignment portions being of a size and shape to only partially receive said fibers with a portion of said fibers projecting beyond said groove, a pair of elongate clamping plates received in the recess track of said barrel, said track limiting movement of said plates transversely while permitting longitudinal movement of said plates within said track, lugs detachably received on opposite ends of said barrel, said lugs having openings therein for receiving said fibers in open communication with said second alignment portions of said V-form groove, said lugs operatively engaging said plates and positioning said plates longitudinally relative to said barrel in end-to-end relation, and a pair of resilient retaining means for detachably securing said plates against the open sides of said V-form groove in said barrel for holding said fibers within said first alignment portions of said groove to maintain coaxial alignment between said fibers.

Claim 11

A connector as in claim 8 wherein said resilient retaining means comprise sleeve springs disposed about said barrel and associated plates, said plates having defined therein clamping and non-clamping positions for said sleeve springs with said sleeve springs being movable relative to said plates between the clamping and non-clamping positions.