Abstract: In one embodiment of a fiber optic connection system of the present invention, there is provided a first fiber optic connector attachable to a first printed circuit board and a second fiber optic connector attachable to a second printed circuit board and mateable to the first fiber optic connector. The first fiber optic connector has separable first wafer modules, each of which hold at least one optical fiber, and separable first latching modules removably attached to the separable first wafer modules. The second fiber optic connector includes separable second wafer modules, each of which hold at least one optical fiber, and separable second latching modules removably attached to the separable second wafer modules. The separable second latching modules are engageable to the separable first latching modules to mate the first and second fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly kit (7) comprising: (a) a ferrule assembly (1) having at least one bore hole to receive an optical fiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member (2) having a second contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive the ferrule assembly (1), wherein the first contact surface and the aperture are configured to form a first interface in which a first radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly (1) and the positioning member (2) is maintained; (c) a housing having an interior cavity adapted for receiving the positioning member (2) and the ferrule assembly (1), the housing and the second surface of the positioning member (2) are configured to form a second interface such that a second radial position relationship between the positioning member (2) and the housing is maintained, wherein one of the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial position relationship is predetermined, a

Abstract: A one-piece fiber optic receptacle is provided for aligning and optically connecting a plug ferrule with a back-side ferrule of like configuration. The fiber optic receptacle includes a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through an external end and an opposed internal end, an alignment sleeve disposed within the internal cavity and received within the internal end of the receptacle housing, and a sleeve retainer secured to the internal end of the receptacle housing and operable for providing access to the alignment sleeve from the internal end of the receptacle housing. The alignment sleeve includes a chamfer for guiding the back-side ferrule into the alignment sleeve. The sleeve retainer has an opening and a plurality of alignment ribs disposed about the opening for permitting angular rotation of the alignment sleeve relative to the sleeve retainer during insertion of the plug ferrule and the back-side ferrule into the alignment sleeve.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for mounting in an opening in a panel. The assembly includes a permanent housing and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has latch arms for securing the permanent housing within the panel opening and mating arms for receiving an interchangeable housing to be mated with the permanent housing. A dust cap can be provided to protect the permanent housing when no interchangeable housing is mated to the permanent housing. The dust cap can also be used as a removal tool to remove an interchangeable housing from the permanent housing.

Abstract: In an optical connector adapter for use in connecting first and second optical connectors to each other, the optical connector adapter includes a shell member which has a wall portion defining an opening and which receives the first optical connector. The opening is received with an insert member adapted to guide the second optical connector. The insert member includes a flange portion extending outward in a radial direction. The flange portion has an extending end face faced to the wall portion, an engaging portion formed on the extending end face, and a slit allowing the engaging portion to be movable away from the wall portion. The wall portion has an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion of the flange portion.

Abstract: Fiber optic modules having a pull-actuator to unlatch and withdraw (i.e. unplug) it from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The pull-actuator includes a pull-tab, an arm or push rod, and a catch to couple to a pivot-arm actuator. The pivot-arm actuator pivotally latches to the pull-actuator and to the cage assembly or module receptacle. The pull-actuator makes it easy to de-latch and unplug a fiber optic module. A nose grip is further provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the pull-release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: An audio signal output device is disclosed in which optical signals are not output when a plug is not connected to an S/PDIF output terminal. When a plug is not connected to the S/PDIF output terminal, a fitting metal part does not contact a detection pin, and a connection detection signal is therefore 12V. As a result, a PNP transistor and an n-channel MOS transistor are both OFF, a power supply voltage of 5 V is not supplied to a drive IC, and optical signals are not output.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (14) is provided, of a type that has a housing (70) and a fiber block (72) slideable between forward and rearward positions within a passage of the housing, the housing having guide-receiving spaces (120, 122) on opposite sides of the passage for receiving guides (60) of a mating connector device, which assures that the block will remain in its forward position prior to mating of the connector with the connector device. A sheet metal retainer (110) for retaining the fiber block in the forward position, includes a latch (112) that lies in the path of rearward movement of a shoulder (118) on the fiber block as the fiber block moves rearwardly from its forward position, to resist such movement with a force of a plurality of pounds.

Abstract: A Cable Wrench that guides, connects and disconnects an F-Connector male end attached to a coaxial cable, to an F-Connector female connection on a TV, VCR, computer or any other device that uses coaxial cable or a cable splitter. This invention prevents the coaxial cable from becoming disengaged, or from slipping out of the cable wrench by using a curved slot that runs the entire axial length of the tool. The wrench provides a large cut away section at the wrench end to allow better visibility while operating the tool and a section adjacent to and behind the wrench portion that is wider in order to allow use of the tool with crimped or large connectors.

Abstract: A high density panel mounting assembly has a first connector housing having first and second arrays of channels for receiving modified connectors, separated by a shelf. An adapter assembly for receiving the ferrules of the connectors has an interior wall having first and second arrays of bored projections forming sleeves for receiving the connector ferrules. The adapter assembly has a second connector housing substantially identical with the first connector housing mounted to or integral with the rear of the adapter housing for receiving individual connectors. Each of the connector housings has an array of apertures along the top and bottom surfaces for latching the connectors in place. Each of the connectors has a resilient latching arm having a distal end having a latching surface thereon which bears against the end of its corresponding aperture to latch the connector in place within the connector housing.

Abstract: A connector for making an optical connection underwater or in a wet environment, including first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged, the first connector part having a probe and the second connector part having a chamber containing fluid media. The probe has a forward portion for entry into the chamber of the second part containing fluid media during interengagement of the connector parts, so that when the connector parts are interengaged the probe provides an optical path between the first connector part and the chamber of the second connector part and passing into the chamber of the second connector part at a slant to the axial direction. The probe slides axially through the opening in sliding engagement with a seal and continues to do so as the forward portion of the probe advances into the chamber containing fluid media.

Abstract: The light-emitting device has a fiber stub part, a semiconductor optical amplifying device, a photodiode, and a bench as its main parts. The fiber stub part is composed of a ferrule and a grating fiber. The fiber stub part and the semiconductor optical amplifying device are mounted on the bench, and optically coupled together. An optical cavity is composed of the light-reflecting face of the semiconductor optical amplifying device and the diffraction grating of the grating fiber. The light-emitting device, which does not use a pigtail fiber, can be downsized and can provide laser light with a desired wavelength.

Abstract: A fiber-coupled optical component package comprises a high thermal conductivity base, a housing including a ceramic substrate, an optical component mount aperture formed on the substrate and a substantially planar fiber mount region on the substrate adjacent to the optical component mount aperture. An optical component may be secured within an area defined by the optical component mount aperture and an optical fiber may be secured to the substantially planar fiber mount region to optically couple the fiber and the optical component. A package lid may be placed over one or more of the housing, the optical component, and a portion of the fiber.

Abstract: A microscope (90) having an imaging axis (403) for inspecting an endface (301) of an optical fiber in a fiber-optic connector (201), the fiber-optic connector having multiple fiber-optic endfaces, is provided. The microscope includes a tip (208) capable of interfacing with the connector. The microscope also includes an adjustment assembly (203 and/or 205) attached to the tip, the adjustment assembly adapted to move the imaging axis (210) of the microscope relative to the tip along an axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis between adjacent endfaces. The microscope further includes a drive assembly (105, 110, 120, 204, and/or 211) interfaced with the adjustment assembly, the drive assembly capable of actuating the adjustment assembly to displace the imaging axis along the axis of motion to selectively align the imaging axis of the microscope between adjacent endfaces. A method of inspecting the connector is also provided.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter comprising a housing, and a pair of latch inserts. The housing has at least one passage formed therein for receiving a pair of connectors adapted to be mated to each other inside the housing. The pair of latch inserts are located in the passage of the housing. Each latch insert is adapted for locking a corresponding connector from the pair of connectors to the housing. At least one latch insert from the pair of latch inserts has a spring loaded projection. The housing has at least one detent formed therein. The spring loader projection on the at least one latch insert is bias into the at least one detent locking the at least one latch insert to the housing.

Abstract: A cam-follower release mechanism for fiber optic modules with side releases. The cam-follower release mechanism translates rotational motion into linear motion. The release mechanism has a rotatable bail lever with a cam lobe that pivots about a pivot point and presses against a bearing surface of the fiber optic module. The release mechanism further has a base with a pin about with the rotatable bail lever may pivot and a sliding fork with sliding side actuators and delatch actuators at each end. As a follower, the base and sliding fork is linearly pulled as the rotatable bail lever is rotated. As the sliding fork is pulled out, the delatch actuators at each end push in on side tabs of a cage into which the fiber optic module may be inserted. The release mechanism further has a spring to apply a force against the rotation of the rotatable bail lever to return it to home and retain the release mechanism moveable coupled to the fiber optic module.

Abstract: Rotate-and-pull mechanisms for fiber optic modules. The rotate-and-pull mechanisms have a lever-actuator to unlatch and withdraw a fiber optic module from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The lever-actuator pivotally couples to the fiber optic module so that when lever-actuator is rotated about its pivot point, the lever-actuator causes the second actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The lever-actuator includes an actuating-tab to cause the second actuator to move when the lever-actuator is rotated. By pulling the lever-actuator away from the cage assembly, the fiber optic module is withdrawn from the cage assembly. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the rotate-and-pull release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: An optical coupling device for injecting light between two optical waveguide end faces, it being possible to vary the geometrical position of one optical waveguide end face with respect to the other optical waveguide end face with the aid of a variable-length element. The element bears one of the two optical waveguides, and is fixed to the other optical waveguide via holding blocks. The variable-length element or the holding device is held by a spring element, which is supported directly or indirectly on at least one of the holding blocks and permits movement of the variable-length element or the holding element in the longitudinal direction of the variable-length element in which the variable-length element extends or shortens, and suppresses movement of the variable-length element perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the variable-length element, the fiber being held on the other optical waveguide by the spring element close to the fixing of the holding blocks.

Abstract: Optical component mounting and interconnect apparatus includes a base formed of at least one layer of insulating material defining first and second opposed major surfaces. A plurality of vias extend through the base. The vias include a signal via and two spaced apart ground vias parallel with and on opposite sides of the signal via. The two ground vias are connected to ground to form a transmission line with the signal via. An optical component is mounted on the first major surface of the base with an electrical terminal affixed to one end of the signal via and a flex circuit is affixed to the second major surface of the base with an electrical connection to the opposite end of the signal via.

Abstract: The invention provides an array ferrule for use in an optical array connector wherein a main body is profiled to have a fiber receiving cavity extending from a mating face to a rear end between a pair of side surfaces. At least one pin slot is precisely located with respect to the fiber receiving cavity and extends inward from a respective side surface. A plurality of channel plates are formed from the same tool to have a plurality of fiber receiving channels in at least one major surface thereof. Fibers are each positioned within respective fiber receiving channels of the channel plates and located within the fiber receiving cavity to form the array ferrule.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module includes a ferrule terminated to at least one optical fiber. The ferrule has a rearwardly facing abutment surface. The ferrule is mounted within a housing which includes a forwardly facing abutment surface for engaging the rearwardly facing abutment surface on the ferrule. The forwardly facing abutment surface on the housing is convexly rounded so that the ferrule can tilt relative to the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic clamp assembly for use with an ultra-precision translation stage to precisely align a fiber optical bundle with a laser diode mounted in a sealable enclosure, comprising a housing for receiving the fiber bundle, a flexible seal positionable between said housing and said enclosure; and a pressure collar for urging the seal against the enclosure, said collar being freely movable within the housing so as not to load the translation stage when the housing is being moved by the translation stage to align said bundle with said laser diode and thereafter being movable to compress the flexible seal without disturbing the alignment.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly (2) has two optical connectors (3) and a combiner (5). Each optical connector has a connector body (30) with an angled latching arm (4) formed on the connector body. The latching arm has a fixed end (41) on the connector body and a free distal end. A groove (430) is defined on the distal end. The combiner has a combiner body (6) holding the optical connectors and a cantilevered trigger arm (7). The trigger arm has a fixed end on the combiner body and a free distal end. A rod (72) is formed on the distal end of the trigger arm, and is received in the grooves of the optical connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating a phase of optical beam with reduced contact loss. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. The first region has a first conductivity type. The apparatus further includes a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material. The second region has a second conductivity type, which is opposite to the first conductivity type. A first contact is coupled to the optical waveguide at a first location, which is outside an optical path of an optical beam that is to be directed through the optical waveguide. A first buffer of insulating material is disposed along the optical waveguide between the first contact and the optical path of the optical beam. A buffer plug of insulating material disposed in the optical waveguide on a same side as the first location.

Abstract: An optical connector has a housing in which a ferrule and a stopper are arranged on the front side and the rear side of the housing, respectively. An optical fiber ribbon extends from the ferrule through the stopper engaged with the housing and comes out from the rear end of the housing. A protection boot extends from the rear end of the housing over a predetermined length. The protection boot surrounds the optical fiber ribbon. The protection boot has a front end mounted on the stopper inside the housing.

Abstract: Fiber optic modules having a pull-actuator to unlatch and withdraw (i.e. unplug) it from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The pull-actuator includes a pull-tab, an arm or push rod, and a catch to couple to a pivot-arm actuator. The pivot-arm actuator pivotally latches to the pull-actuator and to the cage assembly or module receptacle. The pull-actuator makes it easy to de-latch and unplug a fiber optic module. A nose grip is further provided to pull the fiber optic module away from the cage or module receptacle. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the pull-release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector system includes first and second mateable connectors (12, 14) with fiber blocks (32,72) that hold optical fiber termini (50), wherein forward (F) movement of the second connector housing (70) toward the first housing (30) results in automatic latching together of the fiber blocks with the latches taking the forces of termini springs that have been partially compressed. The second fiber block (72) can slide within the second housing (70) between front and rear positions, and is held in the front position by a cam (90) that engages a free end (104) of a cam follower arm (103) of the second housing. As the connectors mate, a rigid second fiber block latch (100) deflects a resilient first housing latch end (62) and rides forward of it until faces of the blocks are close together.

Abstract: A multi-fiber optic device includes two optical fibers and a body. The body is formed around and adhered to the two optical fibers. The body includes two alignment bosses, a mating end and a tapered end. Each alignment boss includes an alignment aperture.

Abstract: An optical connector subassembly (1) includes a ferrule (2), a base member (4) and a locking element (6). The ferrule defines an axial passageway (22) for receiving a core of an optical cable and a plurality of holes (24) provided on an outer surface of the ferrule. The base member has a space (42) for receiving a lower portion of the ferrule, a bore (46) that is formed along a central axis of the base member and ends in a funnel (48) for guiding an optical fiber into the passageway, and a plurality of openings (44) formed on the upper portion of the base member and corresponding to the holes of the ferrule and communicating with the receiving space. The locking element has a plurality of free extension portions (62) that extend through the corresponding openings and into the corresponding holes to join the ferrule and the base member together.

Abstract: A fiber scope and cleaning tool including a hand-held housing having a magnification and viewing system. A fiber inlet through the housing is used to insert a fiber into the viewing system. A fiber cleaning mechanism, including a strip of cleaning fabric spooled between rollers, is associated with the housing for cleaning the fiber.

Abstract: An optical connector that provides a housing body 21 and a fixed part 22 that are installed so as to hold a backplane 3, and connects an optical connector plug 4b inserted into said housing body 21 via an installation hole in said backplane 3 and another optical connector plug 4a inserted into said housing body 21 from the direction opposite to that of said optical connector plug 4b, wherein flexible claws 25 projecting from both sides of said fixed part 22 engage said housing body 21 via said installation hole 30 in said backplane 3, and thereby said backplane 3 is held between said housing body 21 and said fixed part 22. Simply by adjusting the floating range (amount of floating) of the flexible claws 25 within said installation hole 30 the floating range (amount of floating) of the housing body 21 can be reliably set.

Abstract: A microscope for inspecting each optical fiber endface in a multi-fiber connector is disclosed. The microscope includes a tip for interfacing with the multi-fiber connector, a slider assembly connected to the tip, a slider chassis capable of constraining the movement of the slider assembly along an axis of motion, and a cam assembly which forces the slider assembly to move along its constrained axis of motion. The cam assembly is rotated preferably by means of a remotely located adjustment knob. This rotational motion of the cam assembly results in a force against the slider assembly which causes it to move along its constrained axis of motion and, hence, causes the translation of the optical imaging axis of the microscope along the same axis such that each optical fiber endface may be inspected.

Abstract: An underwater connector has a plug unit and a receptacle unit each containing a bladder member having an internal, oil-filled chamber in which a respective contact module is located. Each contact module has an end face having both electrical and optical contacts for contact engagement with corresponding contacts on the other module when the units are releasably mated together in an underwater environment. The bladder members each have a resilient forward end portion with an opening communicating with the respective chamber, and opposing, pivoted jaws in each unit are closed to compress the forward end portion to close and seal the opening when the units are unmated.

Abstract: An electro-optical module includes a connector and a module body having an electro-optical converter. The connector accommodates one end of a fiber optic waveguide segment and aligns it with the optical connector interface at the side of the module body. The connector interface is provided at the top side of the module body.

Abstract: An optical connector having alignment members for aligning with a connector on two mutually perpendicular axis with the optical connector including a displaceable block carrying optical fibers therein that is spatially positionable along a third axis to provide optical communication through the optical connector even though the optical connector may not have continuous optical fibers extending therethrough.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is provided for mounting in an opening in a panel. The assembly includes a housing mountable in the opening and including a pair of housing halves. A first housing half projects from one side of the panel and has a first receptacle for receiving a connector. The first housing half is fabricated of plastic material to withstand repeated insertions of the connector into the receptacle. A second housing half projects from an opposite side of the panel and has a second receptacle for receiving a complementary connecting device for mating with the connector within the adapter assembly. The second housing half is fabricated of metal material to provide EMI protection at the opening in the panel.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (14) is provided, of a type that has a housing (70) and a fiber block (72) slideable between forward and rearward positions within a passage of the housing, the housing having guide-receiving spaces (120, 122) on opposite sides of the passage for receiving guides (60) of a mating connector device, which assures that the block will remain in its forward position prior to mating of the connector with the connector device. A sheet metal retainer (110) for retaining the fiber block in the forward position, includes a latch (112) that lies in the path of rearward movement of a shoulder (118) on the fiber block as the fiber block moves rearwardly from its forward position, to resist such movement with a force of a plurality of pounds.

Abstract: In an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber to a connection counterpart in a first direction, a housing for retaining the optical fiber has a pair of main side surfaces confronting each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a pair of auxiliary side surfaces confronting each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second directions. The housing and an engaging member slidable relative to the housing are biased by a biasing member mutually opposite in the first direction. The engaging member has a pair of engaging strips each extending along the corresponding main side surface of the housing in the first direction and engaging with the corresponding main side surface of the housing in a direction against the biasing member. The engaging member further has a spring strip extending along one of the auxiliary side surfaces in the first direction while being spaced apart therefrom, and being elastically deformable in the third direction.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a multi-part housing for mating with a complementary connecting device. The housing has a first housing part of a first, resilient plastic material and includes a resilient latch portion for latching engagement with the complementary connecting device. The housing has a second housing part of a second plastic material with less resiliency than the first plastic material and includes a cavity for receiving and retaining an operative component of the connector assembly.

Abstract: A module houses a set of fiber optic interfaces. The module includes a fiber optic interface holder, which is configured to hold the set of fiber optic interfaces, and a shroud coupled to the fiber optic interface holder. The shroud is configured to move relative to the fiber optic interface holder along an axis defined by the fiber optic interface holder such that, when the fiber optic interface holder holds the set of fiber optic interfaces, the shroud (i) protects the set of fiber optic interfaces when the shroud is in a first location along the axis defined by the fiber optic interface holder, and (ii) exposes the set of fiber optic interfaces when the shroud is in a second location along the axis defined by the fiber optic interface holder.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising a housing and a channel in this housing to receive an optical cable therein is preferably mounted in an optical contact having several parts, including a front part constituted by a connection ferrule and a sleeve used to prevent the rotation of the optical fiber inside the channel. The retention of the optical contact inside the channel is provided by a catch which has, for example, a bayonet mounted around the optical fiber that co-operates with a recess of an inner wall of the channel. A spring is positioned around the optical fiber to hold the bayonet in a return of the recess.

Abstract: A connector for making an optical connection underwater or in a wet environment, including first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged, the first connector part having a probe and the second connector part having a chamber containing fluid media. The probe has a forward portion for entry into the chamber of the second part containing fluid media during interengagement of the connector parts, so that when the connector parts are interengaged the probe provides an optical path between the first connector part and the chamber of the second connector part and passing into the chamber of the second connector part at a slant to the axial direction. The probe slides axially through the opening in sliding engagement with a seal and continues to do so as the forward portion of the probe advances into the chamber containing fluid media.

Abstract: A connector housing for a connector to an optical device includes: a body with a bottom wall, a first side wall with a first lip, a second side wall with a second lip, where optical fibers may reside within the bottom, first side, and second side walls, where the first and second lips engage the optical fibers when residing within the bottom, first, and second side walls, where the first and second lips assist in preventing the optical fibers from being removed from the body; a spring coupled to the body and the optical fibers; and a sleeve coupled to the body, including a locking feature for locking the body to the optical device. The connector housing is compact in size, allowing larger numbers of fiber-optic modules to reside on a printed circuit board, increasing its density for optical devices. A connector with the connector housing is also more cost effective to manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a duplex plug-in connector for optical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors (14) for forming a duplex plug-in connector (22), the fastening devices being designed in such a way that they at least partially enclose the connector housing (18) and/or a kink preventer (17) of a plug-in connector (14) to be received.

Abstract: A fiber array (1) includes a plurality of ferrules (30), a plurality of optical fibers (36), a press plate (40), a holder plate (50), and a housing (10). Each ferrule defines a channel for retaining the corresponding optical fiber and an annular groove (32) for engagingly receiving a ring (38). The press plate defines a plurality of first through holes (46), and a plurality of posts (45) corresponding to the first through holes movably turn therein to abut against the ferrule. The holder plate (50) is secured together with the press plate and defines a plurality of second through holes (52) corresponding to the first through holes of the press plate for receiving and holding corresponding said ferrules. A plurality of springs (42) are interposed between the corresponding rings and the holder plate, and abut against the ring and the holder plate.

Abstract: A three dimensional optical circuit featuring an optical manifold for organizing, guiding and protecting individual optical fibers is shown. One aspect of the present invention is a three dimensional manifold which may be constructed using a rapid prototyping process such as, but not limited to, stereolithography (“SLA”), fused deposition modeling (“FDM”), selective laser sintering (“SLS”), and the like. The manifold has a number of input openings in a first ordered arrangement at one end connected by passageways to a number of output openings in a second ordered arrangement at the opposite end. A plurality of optical fibers may be directed through the passageways of the manifold to produce a three dimensional optical circuit such as a shuffle. Moreover, the optical manifold may be used in conjunction with a number of connections or terminations to form a various optical modules. These modules may be configured for rack mounting within enclosures for electrical components.

Abstract: A plug-and-socket connection includes a socket part on a mother board and a plug part on a daughter board. The plug part comprises a plug housing axially displaceably mounted on a daughter board. A securing mechanism latches the socket part in a latched position. The plug housing, in the insertion direction, is directly or indirectly supported on a push element in the form of a leaf spring with an angled part. The spring force of this leaf spring maintains the support until reaching the latching position. With a continued pushing movement, the support is automatically released by yielding of the leaf spring. In this manner the daughter board, after reaching the latching position, may be decoupled from the mother board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that permit multi-directional fiber optic connections to a device. The multi-directional aspect of the fiber optic connections permit the connections to be aligned closely with the direction of travel of the fiber optic cables that interface with the device. Closely aligning the fiber optic connections on the device with the fiber optic cables' direction of travel maximizes the bend radius of the fiber optic cable near the point of connection or eliminates the bend altogether and reduces the likelihood of a broken fiber or signal attenuation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that permit simple correction of a fiber optic polarity reversal problem. An adapter is described having receptacles to receive a connector on a first end, or user end, and on a second end, or contractor end. Both the receptacles provide keying arrangements so that the connectors can be received only when correctly oriented with respect to the adapter. The keying arrangement on the contractor end, however, is reversable so that the connector may be inserted in one of two predetermined orientations, at the behest of the contractor or installer. Adapters are also described that receive connectors only in a physically reversed orientation to counteract a reverse polarity condition. In addition, a jumper is described that can be interposed between a connector and adapter to correct a reverse polarity condition.

Abstract: An assembly used to adapt a BNC type connector of a microsurgical optic fiber instrument to a threaded SMA type bushing of a light source includes an adapter that can be threaded on the bushing of the light source and is also connectable to the BNC connector.