Abstract: A grinding and polishing machine (11) which includes a grinding section (15), a polising section (17), a fixture (19) and a fixture bearing assembly (21). Fiber optic termini (169) are retained in the fixture (19) so that distal ends (185) of optical fibers (177) and end faces (181) can be ground by a grinding abrasive (80) and polished by a polishing abrasive (91). The distal ends (185) and the end faces (181) prevent contact between the fixture (19) and the grinding abrasive (80) and the polishing abrasive (91).

Abstract: A grinding and polishing machine (11) which includes a grinding section (15), a polishing section (17), a fixture (19) and a fixture bearing assembly (21). Fiber optic termini (169) are retained in the fixture (19) so that distal ends (185) of optical fibers (177) and end faces (181) can be ground by a grinding abrasive (80) and polished by a polishing abrasive (91). The distal ends (185) and the end faces (181) prevent contact between the fixture (19) and the grinding abrasive (80) and the polishing abrasive (91).

Abstract: A lens type connector (13) comprising a connector body (31) having a passage (47) extending through it in an axial direction and a bushing (35) fixedly retained in the passage (47) of the connector body (31) and having a bushing passage (59) extending axially completely through the bushing. The bushing (35) has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder (61) in the bushing passage (59). A graded index rod (33) is movable axially in the passages (47, 59) so that an end face (77) of the graded index rod (33) can be urged against the shoulder (61) to at least assist in positioning and retaining the graded index rod (33) in the passages (47, 59).

Abstract: A fiber optic terminus (11) comprising a body (13) having a passage (43) therein and a longitudinally compressible and radially expandable coupling element (15) in the passage. The coupling element (15) has a passage (60) therein adapted to receive a portion of an optical fiber (23). An axial force is applied to the coupling element (15) by a plunger (17) and a spring (19). The coupling element (15) is compressed axially and expanded radially to retain the optical fiber (23) in the passage (60) of the coupling element.

Abstract: A grinding and polishing machine (11) which includes a grinding section (15), a polishing section (17), a fixture (19) and a fixture bearing assembly (21). Fiber optic termini (169) are retained in the fixture (19) so that distal ends (185) of optical fibers (177) and end faces (181) can be ground by a grinding abrasive (80) and polished by a polishing abrasive (91). The distal ends (185) and the end faces (181) prevent contact between the fixture (19) and the grinding abrasive (80) and the polishing abrasive (91).

Abstract: A precision guide assembly (11) comprising a receptacle (13) having an at least part-cylindrical passage (19) with an axis (27), a guide pin (15) sized to be inserted into the passage (19) of the receptacle (13) and having an axis (31). The guide pin (15) has a part-spherical head (33) and an at least part-cylindrical stem (35) joined to the head by a neck (37). The stem (35) and head (33) have substantially the same diameter and a lesser diameter than the diameter of the passage (19) so that the guide pin (15) can be slid into the passage (19). The neck (37) has a cross-sectional dimension less than the diameter of the stem (35) and an inclined surface (39) which is inclined with respect to the axis (31) of the guide pin (15) so that the inclined surface (39) extends radially inwardly as it extends distally.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism (11) comprising a receptacle (13) having an open cavity (31) therein, a plug (15) receivable in the cavity (31), and a rotatable coupling member (17) drivingly coupled to the plug (15) and coupling the plug (15) to the receptacle (13). A locking member (19) is mounted on the coupling member (17) for rotation with the coupling member (17) and for translation relative to the coupling member (17). A spring (21) acts between the locking member (19) and the coupling member (17) and urges the locking member (19) to translate with the coupling member (17). Translation of the locking member (19) is limited so that the spring (21) is compressed to store energy. A cam track (33) and a cam follower (105) have interlocking members which are driven into interlocking relationship by the stored energy in the spring (21) when the locking member (19) and the receptacle (13 ) are in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

Abstract: A fiber optic terminus (11) comprising a body (13) having a passage (15) therein which opens at an outer surface. The passage (15) can receive an optical fiber (19), and the fiber is guided into position by a fiber guide (17). A temperature-activated adhesive (21) is carried by the body (13), and the adhesive (21) is flowable when its temperature is raised to a predetermined level. A force-applying system, including a plunger (23) and a spring (25), applies a compressive force to the adhesive (21). Accordingly, when the temperature of the adhesive (21) is raised to the predetermined level, the adhesive (21) flows under the influence of the compressive force and adheres the optical fiber (19) in the passage (15).

Abstract: A fiber optic modular connector system is disclosed which includes a receptacle connector (30) and a locking leaf spring (17) having a locking tang (17c) mounted on the receptacle connector. The connector system further includes a removable plug connector housing (19) carrying a rotatable coupling ring (23) for selective coupling with the receptacle connector. The coupling ring includes external splines (25) for accepting a connector installation and removal tubular wrench (50), and further includes a plurality of notches (27) for cooperating with the locking leaf spring to provide a ratchet mechanism. The notches on the coupling ring and the locking leaf spring on the receptable connector allow the coupling ring to be rotated in a first direction, and prevent rotation in a second direction when the locking tang of the leaf spring is engaged with one of the notches on the coupling ring.

Abstract: Precise alignment, required for a low-loss electromagnetic interconnection between single and multiple stranded optical fiber conductors or waveguides, is achieved in a conventional electrical connector block. A pair of guide bushings having precise outer dimensions are secured respectively to the termini of the optical fiber conductors and these bushings, in their respective connector blocks, are adapted for insertion into a split tube having a precisely dimensioned inner diameter. The optical fiber conductors, being concentric with the bushings, thereby are precisely interconnected. For single fibers, the bushings and the split tube are cylindrical. For multiple stranded fibers or fiber bundles, the bushings and the split tube have identical polygonal cross-sections, which match precisely identical polygonally shaped fiber-receiving openings in the bushings.

Abstract: A connector 13 is provided with a rotationally spring-loaded coupling ring 21 having a set of thread segments 139 distributed around its front end. A pair of identical such connectors 13 may be quickly interlocked by pressing the connectors together and twisting their coupling rings in mutually opposite directions.Also disclosed is an alignment tube segment 47 which when interfitted with its identical counterpart forms an alignment tube for precisely maintaining a pair of contact bushings 111 on a single axis. A tool 211 designed to install such an alignment tube segment into the disclosed connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand held tool 211 for inserting or removing a fiber optic contact alignment tube segment 47 into a fiber optic connector 13. The tool includes a hollow shaft 215 anchored in a knob 213 and extending coaxially through a cylindrical chamber in the knob. A core 225 having an axial bore extending therethrough resides rotatably in the chamber, with the post acting as its shaft. A shroud 235 extends from the core 225 and has an arcuate slot 237 near its tip. When an alignment tube segment 47 is inserted in the hollow post 221 and the shaft 215 is turned 180.degree. relative to the core 225, an enlarged portion 48-2 of the base of the tube segment 47 enters into and is captured by the slot 237. The tool may then be inserted into a connector whose front end mirrors the front end of the tool 211. When the knob 213 is again turned 180.degree.

Abstract: Flexible or conventional wire cables are terminated and interconnected at connectors with only a pressure type contact. Two cable terminations are fabricated from identically chemically milled thin metallic wafers, in which one wafer is plated with metallic buttons. The two wafers are placed opposing each other and pressed between pressure plates with contact made only by the buttons. A compression pad of silicone rubber is placed between the plates so as to prevent deformation beyond the elastic limit of the buttons by plastic flow and to evenly distribute forces between contacting wafers whose surfaces may be irregular.

Abstract: Seals (66) are coupled in fluid and pressure tight engagement between respective contacts (18) and their bores (26) and are positioned between the front end (42) and perforations (48, 50) of a wire-receiving end (40) to prevent leakage of fluid (16) within a jacket (12) into the bores adjacent to the front ends of the contacts.

Abstract: Electrical pin and socket contacts, contained within connectors and interconnectable with one another by mating connection of the connectors, are sealed from the environment external to the interior of the connectors and the connection therebetween regardless of changing pressure conditions. Individual pressure-sensitive wire seals are utilized for each contact at the rear of the connectors and a two sided pressure-sensitive interface seal is utilized for sealing between two mating connectors. The pressure-sensitive wire seal at the rear of each connector includes a tubular portion jacketed in sealing contact on the conductor insulation, a cup-shaped flange opening toward the rear of the connector, a wiper land inwardly disposed of the cup-shaped land, and an interlocking engagement between the seal and the wire-receiving end of the contact.

Abstract: A crimp type contact having a wire wrap post secured thereto is prevented from rotating within an insulation block when a conductor is wrapped around the post by a small stamped sheet metal spur attached to the contact which is so configured that, when the contact is installed into its cavity in the insulation body, the spur bites into the walls of the cavity.

Abstract: Two electrical connectors are coupled by inserting a contact protecting slotted split shroud of one connector over a mating contact body housing of the other connector. As the split shroud engages the mating housing, an enlarged ring section on the mating housing outwardly deflects the split shroud and allows the enlarged ring area of the mating housing to engage an inwardly directed relief area inside the split shroud to latch the two connectors together. A coupling ring on one connector is movable to cover the split shroud, thus locking the two connectors in their mated position by preventing the split shroud from opening if a force in the unmating direction is applied. The coupling ring is held in its locks position by detent fingers residing within a forward retaining groove in the connector.