Multi-fiber optic connector

• US 4,312,564 A
• Filed: 12/19/1977
• Issued: 01/26/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Evans, Robert T., Cefarelli, Frank P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US05/862,077
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.21, 350/96.20, 350/96.22
• US Class Current: 385/59
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/383 Hermaphroditic connectors, i.e. two identical plugs mating with one another, each plug having both male and female diametrically opposed engaging parts; electric hermaphroditic coupling H01R24/84, H01R13/28
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3833 Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3834 Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3873 Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type

Abstract

A multi-fiber optic connector is provided having a plurality of receptacles in a first housing each of which carries a single fiber optic centered therein. Each receptacle includes a smaller diameter guidance means. The second housing includes a like plurality of flexible male members having a single fiber optic centered therein, one opposite each of said receptacles. Each flexible male member has a tapered surface area located to cooperate with the smaller diameter guidance means in said receptacle to guide and bend the flexible male member to center it within said receptacle so that the fiber centered in said receptacle and the fiber centered in said male member meet coaxially in a plane vertical to the axes when the housings are mated.

The fibers are held in the receptacle and in the flexible male member by a three beam configuration which is made of resilient material so that different size fibers will be held concentrically.

Claims

1. A multi-fiber optic connector comprising:

a first and a second housing;

guiding means on said first and said second housing for mating with one another when said housings are interconnected;

a plurality of receptacles in said first housing each carrying a single fiber optic centered therein;

said receptacles each having at least three beam members equally spaced from one another and located centrally therein for holding the optical fiber adjacent the end thereof in a central position with the end of the fiber facing the top of the receptacle and parallel thereto;

a smaller diameter guidance means located within each of said receptacles;

a like plurality of flexible male members, each carrying a single fiber optic centered therein, extending from said second housing, one opposite each of said receptacles;

a tapered surface area on said male member adapted to cooperate with said smaller diameter guidance means in said receptacle to guide and bend said flexible male member to center it within said receptacle so that the fiber centered in said receptacle and the fiber centered in said male member abut coaxially with the ends lying in the same vertical plane.

2. A multi-fiber optic connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said beam members is equally spaced from the other about the circumference of a circle and is urged inward at the holding end sufficiently to hold the smallest diameter optical fiber.

3. A multi-fiber optic connector according to claim 2, wherein each of said beam members is made sufficiently resilient to bend enough to hold larger diameter optical fibers centered in said opening.

4. A multi-fiber optic connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said beam members is equally spaced from the other about the circumference of a circle and is urged inward towards the holding end sufficiently to hold the smallest diameter optical fiber.

5. A multi-fiber optic connector according to claim 4, wherein each of said beam members is made sufficiently resilient to bend enough to hold larger diameter optical fibers centered in said male member.