Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly includes at least one ferrule, the ferrule having a front end, at least one bore for receiving at least one optical fiber, and an optical fiber at least partially disposed in the bore, at least a portion of the at least one optical fiber being disposed in the at least one ferrule bore so that a section of the at least one fiber portion has an end face that is essentially even with the ferrule front end, a section of the optical fiber having a bulge which has a size which is larger than the bare optical fiber diameter, the fiber at least partially contacts a surface of the ferrule bore, and the contact defining a fiber-to-ferrule interface region. The fiber-to-ferrule interface region includes substantial contact between the bulge and a portion of the surface of the bore such that movement of the fiber in the bore is inhibited and the remaining portion of the optical fiber is substantially centered in the at least one bore.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.

Abstract: Methods for centering at least one optical fiber (10) having a centerline (16) in a connector ferrule (100) having at least one bore (120) with a central axis (AC) is disclosed. One method includes inserting a bare-fiber portion (13) into a ferrule bore so that at least a section (10S) of the bare-fiber portion extends beyond the ferrule front end (106). The method also includes selectively applying an amount of energy to the bare-fiber section to form a locally deformable region (19), and forming at a bulge (250) in the locally deformable region. The method also includes causing the bulge to form a force-fit with the bore at the ferrule front end, thereby substantially centering the optical fiber centerline along the bore central axis. Methods of centering nano-engineered optical fibers are also disclosed, wherein the optical fiber end is processed so that a substantially void-free fiber end (14) is made to substantially coincide with the ferrule front end.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.

Abstract: Methods for centering at least one optical fiber (10) having a centerline (16) in a connector ferrule (100) having at least one bore (120) with a central axis (AC) is disclosed. One method includes inserting a bare-fiber portion (13) into a ferrule bore so that at least a section (10S) of the bare-fiber portion extends beyond the ferrule front end (106). The method also includes selectively applying an amount of energy to the bare-fiber section to form a locally deformable region (19), and forming at a bulge (250) in the locally deformable region. The method also includes causing the bulge to form a force-fit with the bore at the ferrule front end, thereby substantially centering the optical fiber centerline along the bore central axis. Methods of centering nano-engineered optical fibers are also disclosed, wherein the optical fiber end is processed so that a substantially void-free fiber end (14) is made to substantially coincide with the ferrule front end.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly.

Abstract: A disc retriever for disc golf is attached to a rope or cord which can be thrown varying distances to enable retrieval of a golf disc from variously sized water hazards or other difficult to access locations. The golf disc retriever is comprised of a rectangular flat wire frame, which has an opening large enough to admit and retain a golf disc, two pivoting arms which will fold into the rectangle frame and pivot forward to form lead arms interconnected by a long pull rope or cord used to pull the golf disc through a water hazard with the frame upright. The arms can be folded flat in line with the frame and the rope can then be easily and rapidly wound around the folded disc retriever frame in order to fit into a pocket of a golf disc bag or any other kind of carrying sack.

Abstract: A disc retriever for disc golf is attached to a rope or cord which can be thrown varying distances to enable retrieval of a golf disc from variously sized water hazards or other difficult to access locations. The golf disc retriever is comprised of a rectangular flat wire frame, which has an opening large enough to admit and retain a golf disc, two pivoting arms which will fold into the rectangle frame and pivot forward to form lead arms interconnected by a long pull rope or cord used to pull the golf disc through a water hazard with the frame upright. The arms can be folded flat in line with the frame and the rope can then be easily and rapidly wound around the folded disc retriever frame in order to fit into a pocket of a golf disc bag or any other kind of carrying sack.