Optical fiber connector

• US 5,133,032 A
• Filed: 04/17/1991
• Issued: 07/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Camino Neurocare, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optex Biomedical, Inc.
• Inventors: Salter, James R., Kosa, Nadhir B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FONT, FRANK G
• Application Number:
  US07/686,779
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.2, 350/96.21, 350/96.22
• US Class Current: 385/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3823 containing surplus lengths, internal fibre loops provisionally see also G02B6/444
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3847 with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/387 Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together
• 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

Connector for stable interface of optical fibers, in one aspect having matable body parts with interior fiber mounts, the matable body parts securable together e.g. by one or more retention clips, snap-fit, or one or more screws; and in one aspect, a middle block or bushing bar for increased stability and convenient access to fiber ends.

Claims

1. A connector for optical fibers, the connector comprising

a first part for receiving and holding at least one first optical fiber, each of the at least one first optical fiber non-rotatably mounted to the first part,

a second part for receiving and holding at least one second optical fiber, each of the at least one second optical fiber non-rotatably mounted to the second part,

connection means on the first and second parts for securing them together in non-rotatable relation, an end of each of the at least one first optical fiber adjacent an end of each of the at least one second optical fibers,

the connection means comprising

at least one threaded hole in the first part,

a hole in the second part corresponding to each of the at least one threaded hole in the first part, and

a threaded screw that passes through each of the holes in the second part and threadedly engages the at least one threaded hole in the first part so that tightening of the screw brings the two parts together.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein

the at least one first optical fiber comprises a plurality of two or more first optical fibers, and

the at least one second optical fiber comprises a plurality of two or more second optical fibers and one second optical fiber corresponds to each of the first optical fibers.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein

the at least one first optical fiber is smaller in diameter than the at least one second optical fiber.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein each optical fiber has an end portion securely mounted within a hollow ferrule, each ferrule securely mounted in the first part or the second part.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein

an end of ferrules of the first part protrude beyond the first part, and

the second part has a recess therein for receiving the end of the ferrules protruding from the first part so that upon such reception the optical fibers of the first part are aligned with the optical fibers of the second part.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein

there are at least two screws and a hole corresponding to each of the two screws, the two screws spaced apart and positioned at opposite sides of the connector.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein

a first recess is provided in the first part providing access to the optical fibers therein,

a first cover is removably secured over the first recess,

a second recess is provided in the second part providing access to the optical fibers therein, and

a second cover is removably secured over the second recess.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the at least one first optical fiber extends through an opening into the first part and a sheath extends through the opening and surrounds and supports the at least one first optical fiber extending therethrough, and

the at least one second optical fiber extends through a second opening in the second part and a sheath extends through the second opening and surrounds and supports the at least one second optical fiber extending therethrough.

9. The connector of claim 1 comprising also

a middle block disposed between the first part and the second part,

the connection means also securing the middle block between the first part and the second part,

each of the first optical fibers mounted in the first part with an end protruding therefrom,

each of the second optical fibers mounted in the second part with an end protruding therefrom, and

the middle block having holes therein for receiving and holding the protruding fiber ends of the first optical fibers in fixed relation to the protruding fiber ends of the second optical fibers.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein

the connection means comprises at least one threaded hole in the first part,

a hole in the second part corresponding to each of the at least one threaded hole in the first part,

a hole in the middle block corresponding to each of the at least one threaded hole in the first part, and

a threaded screw that passes through each of the holes in the second part, through each of the holes in the middle block, and threadedly engages the at least one threaded hole in the first part so that tightening of the screw brings the block and the two parts together.

11. The connector of claim 10 wherein

there are two threaded screws, the first holes in the first part, two corresponding block holes in the middle block, and two corresponding second holes in the second part forming two spaced-apart sets of first holes and second holes, a screw passing through each set of holes to hold the first part, second part and middle block together.

12. The connector of claim 9 wherein

each optical fiber has an end portion securely mounted in a hollow ferrule,

each hollow ferrule securely mounted in its corresponding first part or second part,

each hollow ferrule having a first shoulder,

an O-ring disposed about each ferrule and abutting one portion of each O-ring, the first shoulder of the ferrule and another portion of the O-ring abutting a portion of either the first part or of the second part,

the holes of the first part or the second part sized to permit free floating therein of the ferrules.

13. The connector of claim 9 wherein

each ferrule has a second shoulder for contacting a portion of the middle block,

the O-rings thrusting the second shoulders against the portion of the middle block for precise disposition of the ferrules and accurate positioning of the fiber ends therein.

14. A connector for optical fibers, the connector comprising

a first part for receiving and holding a plurality of first optical fibers, each of the first optical fibers non-rotatably mounted in a hollow ferrule securely mounted to the first part,

a second part for receiving and holding a plurality of second optical fibers, each of the second optical fibers non-rotatably mounted in a hollow ferrule securely mounted to the second part,

connection means on the first and second parts for securing them together in non-rotatable relation, an end of each of the at least one first optical fiber adjacent an end of each of the at least one second optical fibers,

the connection means comprising two threaded holes in the first part, the holes spaced apart and on opposite sides of the first part, two holes in the second part, one of the holes corresponding to each of the holes in the first part, and two threaded screws, one of said screws passing through each of the holes in the second part and threadedly engaging the corresponding hole in the first part so that tightening of the screw brings the two parts together.

15. A connector for optical fibers, the connector comprising

a first part for receiving and holding at least one first optical fiber, each of the at least one first optical fiber non-rotatably mounted to the first part,

a second part for receiving and holding at least one second optical fiber, each of the at least one second optical fiber non-rotatably mounted to the second part,

connection means on the first and second parts for securing them together in non-rotatable relation, an end of each of the at least one first optical fiber adjacent an end of each of the at least one second optical fibers,

a middle block disposed between the first part and the second part,

the connection means also securing the middle block between the first part and the second part,

each of the first optical fibers mounted in the first part with an end protruding therefrom,

each of the second optical fibers mounted in the second part with an end protruding therefrom,

the middle block having holes therein for receiving and holding the protruding fiber ends of the first optical fibers in fixed relation to the protruding fiber ends of the second optical fibers,

the connection means comprising two threaded screws, the first holes in the first part, two corresponding block holes in the middle block, and two corresponding second holes in the second part forming two spaced-apart sets of first, block and second holes, a screw passing through each set of holes to hold the first part, second part and middle block together,

each optical fiber having a end portion securely mounted in a hollow ferrule,

each hollow ferrule securely mounted in its corresponding first part or second part,

each hollow ferrule having a first shoulder,

an O-ring disposed about each ferrule and abutting one portion of each O-ring, the first shoulder of the ferrule and another portion of the O-ring abutting a portion of either the first part or of the second part,

the holes of the first part and the second part sized to permit free floating therein of the ferrules,

each ferrule having a second shoulder for contacting a portion of the middle block, and

the O-rings thrusting the second shoulders against the portion of the middle block for precise disposition of the ferrules and accurate positioning of the fiber ends therein.