Abstract: A tool for preparing an optical fiber end-face includes a station having a base with a fiber bender and a scribe for cleaving a fiber. The base may include a polishing surface and a well that serves as a fiber shard collector. A cleaver door may be attached to the base to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position covering the shard collector and may include a mount for releasably attaching a fiber handling tool or puck. The puck includes a body, a latch attached by a hinge to the body, and a face comprising a plate pivotally attached to an end of the body and having a fiber port extending through the plate. The body of the puck includes a nest for receiving a fiber holder for securing a fiber with an end of the fiber extending through the port of the face. The nest includes a reference stop and a means for urging the fiber holder against the reference stop when the latch is rotated to a closed position covering the body.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and conversion kit for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers, and a curved-angle end-face of a resulting optical fiber. The method requires fixing first and second portions of the optical fiber and introducing a flaw into the optical fiber between the first and second portions. Then, a substantially concentrated force is applied to the optical fiber between the flaw and the first portion of the optical fiber, on a side of the optical fiber opposite the flaw, in order to cause the optical fiber to cleave with a curved-angle cleave. Another embodiment of the method applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber before introduction of the flaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers. The method requires the introduction of a flaw in an optical fiber to be cleaved, and the application of predetermined stress and strain to the optical fiber in the vicinity of the flaw to cause curved-angle cleaving of the optical fiber at the flaw. The apparatus of the present invention includes first and second pairs of optical fiber clamps separated by first predetermined distance, a flaw-producing device that produces a flaw in a fiber clamped between the clamps, and a force-applying device that applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber at a second predetermined distance from the first pair of clamps, the flaw-producing device being located between the force-applying device and the second pair of optical fiber clamps at third predetermined distance from the force-applying device. The first, second and third predetermined distances are selected in order produce a curved-angle cleave in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers is presented. The method requires the introduction of a flaw in an optical fiber to be cleaved, and the application of predetermined stress and strain to the optical fiber in the vicinity of the flaw to cause curved-angle cleaving of the optical fiber at the flaw. More particularly, one embodiment of the method requires fixing first and second portions of the optical fiber, for example, by clamping, and introducing a flaw into the optical fiber between the first and second portions. Then, a substantially concentrated force is applied to the optical fiber between the flaw and the first portion of the optical fiber, on a side of the optical fiber opposite the flaw, in order to cause the optical fiber to cleave with a curved-angle cleave. Another embodiment of the method applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber before introduction of the flaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers is presented. The method requires the introduction of a flaw in an optical fiber to be cleaved, and the application of predetermined stress and strain to the optical fiber in the vicinity of the flaw to cause curved-angle cleaving of the optical fiber at the flaw. More particularly, one embodiment of the method requires fixing first and second portions of the optical fiber, for example, by clamping, and introducing a flaw into the optical fiber between the first and second portions. Then, a substantially concentrated force is applied to the optical fiber between the flaw and the first portion of the optical fiber, on a side of the optical fiber opposite the flaw, in order to cause the optical fiber to cleave with a curved-angle cleave. Another embodiment of the method applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber before introduction of the flaw.

Abstract: A sleeve for protecting and reinforcing a fusion splice of two or more optical fibers. The fusion splice protector includes a heat-shrinkable sleeve adapted to surround the fusion splice and adjacent portions of the fused optical fibers, a stress-relieving support element adjacent the fusion splice, and a hot-melt adhesive contained within the sleeve for retaining the support element adjacent a longitudinal section of the sleeve. The support element is designed to impart varying elasticity along a length of the sleeve such that the fusion splice protector is more rigid at the central portion of the sleeve member than at its ends. This may advantageously be achieved by providing a support element having a cross-sectional profile which varies along the length of the sleeve. The support element is preferably constructed of a polymer or polymer blend, most preferably one having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A tool for converting several discrete optical fibers into a ribbon format. The tool includes a base and two shims, one shim being fixed to the base and the other being slidably attached to the base but parallel with the fixed shim, and a spring to bias the sliding shim toward the fixed shim. The fibers may be laid between the shims while the sliding shim is held in a retracted position away from the fixed shim. When the sliding shim is moved toward the fixed shim, the fibers become tightly packed against each other. A piece of tape may then be applied to the fibers, bonding them into a fiber ribbon. A blade assembly is designed to slide along two rails, one rail being attached to each of the shims, the blade assembly having a flexible blade which is positioned with respect to the rails whereby the blade forcibly abuts the straight edge of the shims.

Abstract: A novel blade design for a tool which strips the buffer layer and protective coating away from a ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers. The blade design includes two generally identical blade halves, each having a cutting edge. Each cutting edge has side borders, and semicircular cutouts between the borders, forming tips between adjacent cutouts. The tips are smoothly rounded, and also recessed whereby, when the blades are brought together in a closed, cutting position, the tips are still separated by a gap. The cutouts have an effective diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber cladding. The rounded tips minimize damage to the fibers during the stripping operation by providing a self-centering effect as the tips graze the buffer coating of the fibers in a misaligned ribbon, and by further reducing the effective force applied by the tips to the fibers. The larger cutouts and gap between opposing tips further minimize any possible damage to the fibers.

Abstract: A viewer for inspecting the condition of an end face of an optical fiber which has been cleaved, while the fiber is still in the cleaving device. The viewer takes the form of a pocket-type microscope having a cylindrical body with an eyepiece at one end and an objective lens at the other end, and an adaptor at the end of the body having the objective lens. The adaptor has a plurality of legs having notches therein forming seats which are specially adapted to be mounted on fiber-supporting pads of the cleaver. The adaptor is removable from the body so that different adaptors may be used for different cleavers. The body fits in a socket of the adaptor which may be disposed at an angle with respect to the legs to allow oblique viewing of the fiber end face while it is still in the cleaver. The viewer may optionally be used with an inspection tray having a trunnion at one end, the adaptor of the viewer being designed to pivotally mount to the trunnion, allowing viewing of the fiber end face at any angle.

Abstract: A tool for actuating an optical fiber splice having an actuation element which moves longitudinally within the splice. The tool includes a base having a recess for receiving the splice, and two channels parallel to and aligned with the recess. A pair of fiber holders are used to manipulate the fibers, the holders being placed in the channels. The channels have ramped surfaces inclined toward the recess to facilitate proper insertion of the fibers into the splice, and the ramped surfaces have slots therein allowing passage of push rods which bias the holders toward the splice, providing positive abutment of the fiber end faces within the splice. Backstops are formed at the outside ends of the channels, and sidewalls are formed adjacent the backstops. A lever is pivotally attached to the underside of the base, and has an actuation stud which passes through an opening in the base and contacts the actuation element of the splice.

Abstract: A device for splicing multiple optical fibers includes a splice element having means for holding the optical fibers, a splice body having a slot containing the splice element, and extensions on either end of the splice body for supporting a portion of the fibers. Each of the extensions has an end cover positionable in open and closed positions which provides protection to the fibers against environmental influences. The end covers may advantageously include collapsible compartments filled with a sealant material whereby, when the covers are moved to the closed positions, the sealant material is channeled towards the slot containing the splice element.

Abstract: A device for splicing multiple optical fibers includes a novel splice element having two plates formed from a sheet of malleable material, there being a fold line in the sheet forming a hinge, the two plates being folded toward one another to define opposing surfaces. One of the opposing surfaces has several fiber receiving grooves therein, parallel with the fold line, and the other surface has ramps at each end to support the fibers proximate the transition from their buffered portions to their stripped portions. The ramps are adjacent porches which are integrally formed with one of the plates, the porches having additional grooves for aligning the fibers with the fiber receiving grooves. Stop pads are provided on both opposing surfaces, at the corners of the plates, to insure a clearance space at the ends of the plates which provides for more gradual clamping of the fibers, reducing insertion loss.