Connector for splicing optical fiber cables

Claim 1

A connector for making multiple butt splices between optical fibers comprising a molded body having a plurality of splicing modules supported thereon, said modules being generally rectangular and arranged generally parallel to each other, said modules comprising: transversely spaced side walls, a bottom wall and opposite end walls defining a splicing element receiving cavity, said end walls having openings which communicate with said splicing element receiving cavity through which optical fibers to be spliced are inserted, a splicing element inserted in said cavity and comprising central rib means having a first elongate fiber supporting surface and a pair of lever means pivoted about opposite edges of said rib means and diverging therefrom, said lever means having an elongate fiber supporting surface positioned adjacent said first fiber supporting surface to form a passageway for an optical fiber and for engaging a said fiber at spaced positions around said fiber, said lever means being initially disposed to diverge from said rib means and being formed for movement toward each other to grasp a said optical fiber therebetween and splice ends of two fibers in aligned position, and a cap having a wall to cover said cavity and transversely spaced depending cam bars on one surface of said wall to receive the diverging lever means of said element therebetween and spaced to fit within said cavity between said side walls whereby movement of said cap into said cavity will urge said lever means to pivot about said rib means bringing said supporting surfaces against a said optical fiber and align the abutting ends thereof in the passageway and retain said fiber ends in aligned abutting relationship.