Retracting optical fiber connector

Claim 2

Apparatus for connecting two sets of optical fibers, comprising: first and second members, each comprising one or more v-grooves for fixedly containing a corresponding number of fiber ends of the respective fiber sets; the v-grooves of said first member being spaced apart congruently with respect to the v-grooves of said second member; a focusing-alignment element fixedly mounted in each said v-groove adjacent each said fiber end; each said element being shaped to self-center in its respective v-groove in a position that aligns its optical axis with that of the fiber contained therein; each said element of said first member being further shaped to self-center in the corresponding v-groove of said second member to place the respective corresponding fiber axis in alignment; and means for retaining said first and second members in fixed relation when said focusing-alignment elements are in their alignment position.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said focusing-alignment elements are spherical.

Claim 4

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further comprising: means for positioning said first member with respect to said second member to place the individual optical fibers contained in said first member in a retracted position or alternatively in said alignment position.

Claim 5

An optical fiber connector for connecting two sets of optical fibers, comprising: left and right mating housings; said left housing comprising a fiber-mounting member pivotally mounted in the housing interior; said member comprising one or more v-grooves for fixedly containing a corresponding number of fiber ends of the first fiber set; a first focusing-alignment element fixedly disposed in the v-groove adjacent each said fiber end of the first fiber set; each said first element being shaped to self-center in its respective v-groove in a position that aligns its optical axis with that of the fiber contained therein; said right housing comprising a floor containing one or more v-grooves for fixedly containing a corresponding number of fiber ends of the second fiber set; the v-grooves of said first member being spaced apart congruently with respect to the v-grooves of said floor; a second focusing-alignment element fixedly disposed in the v-groove of said right housing floor adjacent each said fiber end; each said first focusing-alignment element being further shaped to self-center in a corresponding v-groove of said floor of said right housing to place the respective corresponding fiber axis in alignment; and means for retaining said fiber-mounting member of said first housing and said floor of said second housing in fixed relation when said elements are in their alignment position.

Claim 6

An optical fiber connector for connecting two sets of optical fibers, comprising: left and right mating housings; said left housing comprising a fiber-mounting member pivotally mounted in the housing interior; said member comprising one or more v-grooves for fixedly containing a corresponding number of fiber ends of the first fiber set; a first focusing-alignment element fixedly disposed in the v-groove adjacent each said fiber end of the first fiber set; each said first element being shaped to self-center in its respective v-groove in a position that aligns its optical axis with that of the fiber contained therein; said right housing comprising a floor containing one or more v-grooves for fixedly containing a corresponding number of fiber ends of the second fiber set; the v-grooves of said first member being spaced apart congruently with respect to the v-grooves of said floor; a second focusing-alignment element fixedly disposed in the v-groove of said right housing floor adjacent each said fiber end; each said first focusing-alignment element being further shaped to self-center in a corresponding v-groove of said floor of said right housing to place the respective corresponding fiber axis in alignment; and means for retaining said fiber-mounting member of said first housing and said floor of said second housing in fixed relation when said elements are in their alignment position.

Claim 7

The optical connector of claim 4, wherein said left housing further comprises: a front access door to the interior of said housing; plunger means pivotally mounting said door in a normally closed position; said plunger means supporting said fiber-containing member member in its retracted position when said door is closed; means responsive to the engagement of said first and second housings for opening said door and moving said plunger rearwardly in said left housing; and means responsive to said plunger rearward movement for lowering said member, thereby bringing said first element into engagement with the v-groove of said right housing floor to effect an optical transmission path between said respective fiber ends.

Claim 8

The optical connector of claim 5, wherein said left housing further comprises: a front wall; and means for biasing said plunger means in a forward position against the interior side of said front wall, thereby to maintain said door in its closed position.

Claim 9

The optical connector of claim 6, wherein said right housing further comprises: an entrance door; means for slidably mounting said entrance door in said right housing; and means for biasing said entrance door in a forward direction, thereby to maintain said door closed door when said housings are unengaged.

Claim 10

The optical connector of claim 7, further comprising: means for mounting said member of said left housing to have freedom of movement in the direction of the pivot pin axis.

Claim 11

The optical connector of claim 8, wherein said left housing further comprises: an upper guide surface and an alignment finger formed on said upper guide surface; and said right housing further comprises: an alignment slot formed in the front, said finger closely engaging said slot, thereby to prevent said v-grooves containing the mating fibers from vibrating out of alignment.

Claim 12

The optical connector of claim 9, wherein the distance of said focusing-alignment elements from the light-emitting ends of the respective fibers, is set and thereafter fixed in an epoxy having an index of refraction matching the refractive indices of said fibers and said elements.

Claim 13

The optical fiber of claim 10, wherein each said focusing-alignment element is coated with an anti-reflective material.