Abstract: A fiber optic connector (11 ) for interconnecting a fiber optic pin terminus (19) and a fiber optic socket terminus (17) which includes a receptacle connector body (13) and a plug connector body (15). The receptacle connector body (13) has a passage (21) extending through it which is sized and adapted to receive the fiber optic socket terminus (17). The plug connector body (15) has a passage (39) extending through it which is sized and adapted to receive the fiber optic pin terminus (19). An end portion of one of the bodies is receivable in the passage of an end portion of the other of the bodies to define an interconnected position which is adapted to optically couple the socket terminus (17) and the pin terminus (19). A lock on the bodies is responsive to the bodies being in the interconnected position to lock the bodies in the interconnected position. The lock is also responsive to a pulling force of at least a first magnitude to unlock and allow the bodies to separate.

Abstract: Polarization of the optical fibers (24, 32) of pin-and-socket-type optical fiber termini is provided by extending a sleeve (44) around an optical fiber terminus (15, 26), positioning the optical fiber terminus in a body (11, 12) with the sleeve (44) and body having means for positioning the sleeve (44) in predetermined rotational position, then rotating the optical fiber terminus (15, 26) until its fiber (24, 32) achieves a known polarization, and bonding the fiber and sleeve together by an adhesive (57). The terminus (15, 26) and sleeve (44) may be removed from the body (11, 12) and placed in an optical fiber connector (64, 67) by positioning the sleeve in a known rotational position relative to the connector, which will cause the optical fiber to have a predetermined polarization in the optical fiber connector.

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 fiber optic feedthrough connector 10, typically mounted in a panel 13 through which contact is to be made, carries a double-ended terminus 47 hermetically sealed, anchored in, and extending through a wall portion 17 of the connector 10. An optic fiber 24 extends axially through the double-ended terminus 47 and is terminated at opposite ends in a pair of alignment bushings 57. Alignment inserts 21, 23 extending from opposite ends of the connector 10 serve both to protect the double-ended terminus 47 and to provide means for keyed engagement with connectors on opposite sides of the panel 13 in which the connector 10 is mounted.

Abstract: A pair of fiber optic termini is held securely in axially-aligned engagement by snapping it into the bifurcated arms of a U-shaped spring clip from which it can be readily removed for rapid disconnection.