Abstract: An adapter for an optical fiber connector has a switch mounted therein and an actuation lever contained therein for actuating the switch to turn optical power on. The lever has an enlarged rear portion separated from a front portion by a flexible web. The adapter has an opening therein for receiving a connector plug which is masked by the enlarged portion of the lever when in the operative position. When a plug is to be inserted, the enlarged portion is bent up to unmask the opening. After the plug is inserted, the rear portion is aligned with the front portion of the lever and the lever slid forward to actuate the switch. In the forward position, the enlarged portion prevents access to the latching arm of the connector plug so that it cannot be removed while the power is on. The lever must be slid to the rear, turning off the power, before the connector can be removed.

Abstract: An adapter for an optical fiber connector has a switch mounted therein and an actuation lever contained therein for actuating the switch to turn optical power on. The lever has an enlarged rear portion separated from a front portion by a flexible web. The adapter has an opening therein for receiving a connector plug which is masked by the enlarged portion of the lever when in the operative position. When a plug is to be inserted, the enlarged portion is bent up to unmask the opening. After the plug is inserted, the rear portion is aligned with the front portion of the lever and the lever slid forward to actuate the switch. In the forward position, the enlarged portion prevents access to the latching arm of the connector plug so that it cannot be removed while the power is on. The lever must be slid to the rear, turning off the power, before the connector can be removed.

Abstract: A universal modular optical fiber buildout for use in coupling a first optical fiber cable to a second optical fiber cable is disclosed. The universal buildout includes a buildout base formed about a longitudinal axis, and a buildout cap for being received within the base. The buildout base is constructed and arranged to receive the first optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout caps at the second end thereof. In similar fashion, the buildout cap is constructed and arranged to receive the second optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and is constructed and arranged to be received within a second end of any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout bases.

Abstract: An improved sleeve holder for use in an optical fiber buildout is disclosed. The sleeve holder comprises an elongate tubular body formed about a longitudinal axis, the body having a first end and a spaced second end. At least a first slot is defined in the first end of the body and extends longitudinally from the first end of the body toward the second end thereof. A first annular shoulder is defined within the first end of the body about the longitudinal axis, and a second annular shoulder, spaced from the first shoulder is defined within the second end of the body about the longitudinal axis. An annular mounting flange is formed on the exterior surface of the tubular body, intermediate the ends thereof, and extends outwardly and away therefrom.

Abstract: A universal modular optical fiber buildout for use in coupling a first optical fiber cable to a second optical fiber cable is disclosed. The universal buildout includes a buildout base formed about a longitudinal axis, and a buildout cap for being received within the base. The buildout base is constructed and arranged to receive the first optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout caps at the second end thereof. In similar fashion, the buildout cap is constructed and arranged to receive the second optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and is constructed and arranged to be received within a second end of any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout bases.

Abstract: A tunable optical fiber buildout for coupling a first optical fiber cable to a second optical fiber cable is disclosed. The buildout is comprised of a buildout base formed about a longitudinal axis and a buildout cap constructed and arranged to be received within the base. The base is constructed and arranged to be received within the cap in one of a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axis of the base so that the cap can be used to selectively optimize an optical signal passed through at least one of the first and the second optical fiber cables, respectively, as the cap is positioned in one of the plurality of rotational positions about the axis of the base.

Abstract: An optical fiber buildout system including a base, a cap, an attenuator element, and a ferrule sleeve. The base has side flanges and upper and lower panel flanges that extend therefrom which add strength to the buildout. The cap includes a sleeve housing that extends both outwardly and inwardly from the front side of the cap. The sleeve housing has front and rear ends and a passage that extends therebetween. Extending outwardly from the top and bottom sides of the cap are upper and lower latch tabs that are adapted to engage the base to releasably connect the cap to the base. Typically, an attenuator element is used with the system to attenuate the signal being transmitted through the buildout. The attenuator element is slidably mounted in a ferrule sleeve that is inserted into the sleeve housing.

Abstract: A coupling panel for retaining one or more optical fiber couplers that comprises a substantially planar base portion having a front side and a rear side and a plurality of coupler openings that are provided in the base portion and which extend from the rear side to the front side. Each of the coupler openings is sized and configured to receive an optical fiber connector coupler therethrough and includes a coupler attachment mechanism which is sized and configured to releasably hold an optical fiber connector coupler. Each of the coupler attachments has a pair of spaced resilient latch arms having a latch hook thereon for grasping the connector coupler inserted therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining an attenuator element between two optical fiber connector ferrules. The apparatus is typically formed with the front side of a buildout cap and comprises a sleeve housing including front and rear ends, and a passage that extends from a first opening formed in the front end of the housing to a second opening formed in the rear end of the housing. Inside the passage are inner flanges formed adjacent each of the housing openings. Formed at the front end of the housing is a top notch and an opposed bottom notch. The top notch joins an attenuator element travel slot that extends from the top notch to an end point adjacent the rear end of the sleeve housing. Typically, the apparatus includes a ferrule sleeve adapted to receive and support the attenuator element within said sleeve housing. In use an attenuator element is first placed within the ferrule sleeve and the sleeve placed within the sleeve housing.

Abstract: An attenuator element for use between two optical fiber connector ferrules comprising an optical member having an outer periphery, a neck portion connected to the outer periphery of the optical member, a head portion connected to the neck portion, and a severable grip having a substantially planar body portion and a wedge portion attached to the body portion. The attenuator element can be manually manipulated by grasping the grip and placing the optical member in an appropriate apparatus at which point the grip can be manually broken off of the attenuator element. Typically, the grip is used to place the optical member of the attenuator element in a ferrule sleeve of a buildout system.

Abstract: A buildout system generally comprising a buildout base and a buildout cap. The base includes lateral sides that extend beyond the top and bottom sides of the base to form side flanges, and upper and lower panel flanges that extend upwardly and downwardly from the side flanges. In addition, the base includes a plurality of gussets that extend forwardly from the lateral sides of the base. The cap includes upper and lower latch tabs that extend outwardly from the top and bottom sides of the cap and a plurality of recesses that are adapted to receive the gussets of the base. In one aspect of the invention, the base further includes vertical flanges and the cap includes vertical recesses adapted to receive the vertical flanges of the base when the cap is releasably connected to the base.

Abstract: A connector adapter and dust cover therefor are pivotably connected by means of a pivot pin on the adapter and pivot arms on the dust cover whose distal ends engage the pivot pin. The pivot pin has a cam member located intermediate its ends, and the dust cover has a spring arm between the pivot arms whose distal end engages the cam member. In the closed position, the distal end of the spring arm engages the cam below its high point. In the fully open position, the distal end of the spring arm engages the cam beyond its high point. In both positions, the spring arm bears against the cam to resist dislodgment of the dust cover from either position.

Abstract: A strain relief boot for attachment to an optical fiber or fiber containing cable has a mounting section and a tapered section extending therefrom with a smooth bore extending to the exit end of the tapered section. The exit or distal end of the tapered section has formed therein a curved funnel shaped portion, the curve of which is faired into the bore. The radius of curvature of the funnel is greater than the critical bend radius of the fiber or fiber cable and protects the fiber or cable exiting the boot from bending too sharply. The tapered section has a plurality of transverse slots which increase flexibility of the tapered section, but which limit the bend radius thereof under side loading to a value greater than the critical bend radius of the fiber or fiber cable. The mounting section is formed with a ridge or ridges for effectively attaching the boot to a connector.

Abstract: An improved SC fiber optic coupling is disclosed which fits within a standard SC footprint when panel mounted but which provides for a buildout whereby it may be readily cleaned yet it may be used to replace SC panel couplings having the minimum footprint required by the Telecommunications Industry Association standard for SC couplings, FOCIS 3, Fiber Optic Coupling Intermateability Standard (TIA/EIA-604-3) which provides for the dimensions to be used by SC couplings. The present invention also provides a buildout system for fiber optic connectors which allows such connectors to be assembled without any rotation therebetween. Accordingly, the present invention can be used with SC, ST, LC, and FC connectors to provide a non-rotational connection, and it can be used to manufacture ganged fiber optic coupling buildouts.

Abstract: The sleeve housing is made of a resilient plastic material, and it has a cylindrical end portion. The cylindrical portion is split, whereby the split portions can be deformed to allow for the insertion of an alignment sleeve containing an attenuating element. The internal portions of the deformable portion of the cylindrical outer portion of the sleeve housing include shoulders which will capture and retain the alignment sleeve when the alignment sleeve has been inserted into the end of the sleeve housing. Consequently, the sleeve housing is able to retain the alignment sleeve without the need for a separate retainer piece. An advantage of the present invention is that a ganged sleeve housing can be made in which there are several connectors which are formed adjacent to one another on a single molded assembly.

Abstract: An optical terminator 100 is designed to make end-to-end contact with an optical fiber whose end portion is held within a cylindrical ferrule. The optical terminator reduces reflections that occur when an optical path encounters an abrupt change in refractive index (e.g., when the end portion of the optical fiber encounters an air gap whose refractive index n.apprxeq.1.0). The optical terminator includes a generally cylindrical member 110 that projects from, and is supported by, a backbone member 120. The cylindrical member and the backbone member are molded from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a one-piece structure. PMMA provides a reflection of about -40 dB. Nevertheless, plastic materials having an index of refraction of 1.46.+-.0.06 produce reflections that are less than about -34 dB, which is acceptable in a large number of applications. Moreover, plastic materials having a glass-transition temperature (T.sub.g) that is higher than about 80.degree. C.

Abstract: An optical shutter for use with optical fiber connector coupling adapters has a front, transverse face which is sufficient to cover the opening in the adapter. The transverse portion has a pair of pivot arms extending from either side thereof which are adapted, at their distal ends, to be pivotally connected to the coupling adapter, thereby providing a pivotal mounting for the shutter. The transverse face also has a flange extending from one end thereof to permit actuation of the shutter, i.e. opening or closing, by means of the connector to be inserted in the adapter, or after removal of the adapter.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22) which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22), which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.