×

Fiber optic connector

  • US 4,405,201 A
  • Filed: 05/13/1981
  • Issued: 09/20/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a fiber optic connector for optically coupling a plurality of pairs of single fibers in end-to-end relationships, the combination comprising:

  • first and second identical sub-assemblies releasably connected to each other and being movable between connected and disconnected positions;

    releasable means for holding said sub-assemblies in said connected position;

    first and second identical housings interfitted with each other and forming respective parts of said first and second sub-assemblies, said housings having first aligning means allowing movement of said sub-assemblies into said connected position only when said housings are in a predetermined orientation relative to each other;

    first and second sets of identical holders respectively loosely mounted in said first and second housings in an abutting side-by-side relationship, said holders in each set being movable relative to each other, each holder having a plug and a receptacle, each holder being connected to two fibers with one fiber extending through such holder and terminating at the end of said plug and with the other fiber extending through said holder parallel to said one fiber and terminating at the end of said receptacle, and first and second sets of holders being interfitted with each other with said plugs of said first set mated with receptacles of said second set and said plugs of said second set mated with receptacles of said first set, said holders having second aligning means whereby the ends of said fibers in said first set are optically aligned with and coupled to the ends of said fibers in said second set, for the efficient transmission of light energy between aligned fibers;

    said first aligning means being operative when said housings are in said predetermined orientation, to further coarsely align the ends of each pair of fibers;

    and first and second biasing means in said first and second sub-assemblies biasing said first and second sets of holders in a first direction toward engagement with first portions of said first and second housings while allowing movement of said holders in a direction opposite to said first direction and laterally thereof during movement of said sub-assemblies into said connected position, said second aligning means being operative during such movement of said sub-assemblies to laterally shift individual ones of said holders so as to exactly axially align all pairs of said fibers.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×