Abstract: An enclosure (10) of the type having a patch panel (56) mountable at an interior location spaced inwardly a selected distance from a front opening (22). A card region (50) behind patch panel (56) receives splice cards (100) or connector cards (200) slidably along pairs of card guides (62, 64). Splice cards (100) include splice connectors (130) along front face (126) for directly splicing first fiber ends (132) to second fiber ends (138) at patch panel (56) in a manner permitting easy unsplicing and resplicing, enabling a high density of optical interconnections. Connector cards (200) provide connectors for mating terminated fiber ends, permitting unmating thereof. A forward, latchable card position is provided facilitating fiber interconnection therewith forwardly of in-service latched positions of adjacent cards. Fiber exits (314) are provided for direct routing of fibers between stacked enclosures (300).

Abstract: A splice tray assembly (20) including a tray member (22) and a planar cover member (24). Side walls (34,36) of the tray include proximate each end (28,30) a tray tab (40) extending above top edges of the side walls and including an inwardly directed retainer section (44) spaced above the side wall top edges. The cover (24) includes cooperating retainer sections (56) to underlie the tray retainer sections (44) while side edge portions (58,60) of the cover rest atop the top edges of the tray side walls, for cover retention. The cover further includes deflectable portions or cover tabs (70,72) inwardly from a respective end to be positioned inwardly of the tray tabs (40), with either of the cover tabs being upwardly deflectable enabling it to pass over the tray retention section of the adjacent tray tab during cover assembly and removal.

Abstract: A strain relieving holder (40) having a bottom member (42) with channels (48) therealong, and top members (44,46) securable to said bottom member (42) by lugs (68) thereof being received into and held within respective channels (48). Either channels (48) of the bottom member (42) or channels (114) of the top members (44,46) may receive jacketed cable (28) thereinto for strain relief holding thereof. Slots (66) of the bottom member (42) are dimensioned to receive ribbon cables (32) (or buffered fibers 26) therein, and the top members (44,46) secure the ribbon cables (32) in the slots. Holders (40) may be used at ends of fiber optic splice trays (10).

Abstract: A continuously variable fiber optic attenuator 10, particularly for attenuating single mode fibers, has means 20 for supporting a section 25 of an optical fiber 24 substantially along the length of the section 25 and means 22 for bending at least a portion of the supported optical fiber section 25 in a controlled manner for attenuating light passing through the optical fiber 24. Preferably, the support means 20 comprises a deformable support means such as a spring 15 or an elastomeric body 71 for supporting the optical fiber 24 as it is bent. Most preferably, the deformable support means supports a section 25 of optical fiber 24 formed in one or more loops around the deformable support means, and the bending means is a plunger 22 movable to an extended position pressing against the support means 20 to bend portions of the loops of optical fiber 24 in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber paris. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments.

Abstract: A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber paris. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments.

Abstract: A connector for an optical fiber comprising, a body (86, 86') at least one ferrule (66, 66', 68, 68') encircling a corresponding optical fiber, a coil spring (337) compressible between a flange on the corresponding ferrule and a ridge (48) of the body (86, 86'), and the corresponding ferrule extends through a recess (52) in a second ridge (46) and is pivotally moveable in the recess (52).

Abstract: A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber pairs. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments.

Abstract: A fiber optic wall outlet (8) has an annular flange (220) for mounting a wall, and a hood (218) mounted in the flange (220). The hood (218) is movable between a closed position wherein the hood 218) is flush with the wall, and an open position wherein the hood (218) projects away from the wall. The wall outlet (8) further includes a spring member (248) which urges the hood (218) to snap outward, and fingers (228) which engage against the annular flange (220) and prevent hood (218) from snapping outward. When a positive upward force is applied to hood (218), the fingers (228) are freed from the flange (220) and the hood (218) snaps outward. An interconnect assembly (6) to which a first optical fiber cable (172) is connected is mounted in wall outlet (8).

Abstract: A reversible optical switch which allows a node to be inserted into or removed from a fiber optic network is disclosed. In a first state, the switch of the present invention provides a path between an incoming optical fiber and the node receiver and a path between the node transmitter and an outgoing optical fiber. In a second state, the switch connects the incoming and outgoing fibers, so that the network bypasses the node and connects the transmitter and receiver so that the bypassed node can be tested.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching the light output of one optical fiber into another optical fiber is disclosed. The optical switch includes an imaging system having a symmetry such as a spherical reflector. The switch also includes a group of optical fiber end faces including a first optical fiber end face via which light is transmitted to the imaging system and second and third fiber end faces. A translation mechanism is provided for linearly translating the group of fiber end faces and imaging system relative to one another between a first position in which the light from the first fiber end face is imaged by the imaging system into the second fiber end face and a second position in which light from the first fiber end face is imaged by the imaging system into the third fiber end face. The switch may be used to selectively remove a node from a fiber optic network having a ring like configuration.

Abstract: Packaging 8 for an optical component 1 interconnected with a bare optical fiber 2,3, comprising; a flexible tubular sheath 13 encircling strength members 14 extending axially of the sheath 13, tubing 15 within the sheath 13 for receiving a bare optical fiber 2,3 interconnected to an optical component 1, a ferrule 18 to which the strength members 14 are anchored, a sleeve 16 for clamping the strength members 14 against the ferrule 18, a shrinkable sleeve 17 for gripping the sleeve 16 and a portion of the sheath 13, a housing 10 for assembly over the optical component 1 and for anchoring the ferrule 18, and an optical connector 12 for connection to a corresponding bare optical fiber 2,3 emergent from an end 23 of the sheath 13.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly of the type for positioning fiber optic connectors relative to light-emitting and light-sensing members comprises a receptacle mountable onto a printed circuit board and in which the light-emitting and light-sensing members are disposed. A housing in which fiber optic connectors terminated onto fiber optic transmission members are mounted in a spring-biased condition and is latchably connected to the receptacle. The fiber optic connectors are disposed on the housing a connector-carrying member is latchably secured in the housing placing the fiber optic connectors under spring tension thereby forming a fiber optic plug which is disposed in the receptacle and latched thereto with the fiber optic connectors positioned adjacent the light-emitting and light-sensing members.

Abstract: An improved holder 1 for a fiber optic connector assembly 24 comprises a platform 5 for engaging a surface 3 of a panel 4, spaced apart tines 21, 21 for holding respective fiber optic connectors 25, 25 removably inserted into a sleeve body 27, a pair of non-bifurcated legs 6, 7 for insertion or withdrawal along corresponding apertures 10, 11, each leg 6, 7 extending at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of the corresponding aperture, each leg 6, 7 being concave curved along its width, the tines 21, 21 include notches 30, 30 to adjust the resiliency of the tines 21, 21, retaining means 23, 23 for resisting removal of the connectors, and the platform 5 includes retaining means 30, 30 for resisting movement of the sleeve body.

Abstract: A splice organizer for optical cable splices within a splice closure assembly having end walls, supporting bars joining the end walls and bridging between the space therebetween, corresponding optical conductors of optical communications cables projecting into the splice closure space, optical connector bodies terminated to corresponding optical conductors, and optical splices formed by pairs of the optical connector bodies in axial alignment, to transmit optical signals between corresponding optical conductors terminated to the optical connector bodies in axial alignment, a series of receptacles for the corresponding pairs of optical conductors. Each of the individual splice organizers cooperates with an adjacent splice organizer, and the last one with an end plate, to provide an individual receptacle for holding therein the optical splice and loosely coiled lengths of corresponding optical conductors.

Abstract: A splice organizer (56) for optical cable splices (30, 32, 42) within a splice closure assembly (1) having end walls (2, 4), supporting bars (6, 8) joining the end walls (2, 4) and bridging between the end walls (2, 4), a splice closure space (12) between the end walls (2, 4), optical cables (14, 16) entering the end walls (2, 4), corresponding optical conductors (22, 24) of the optical cables (14, 16) projecting into the splice closure space (12), optical connector bodies (30, 32) terminated to corresponding optical conductors (22, 24), and optical splices (30, 32, 42) formed by pairs of the optical connector bodies (30, 32) in axial alignment to transmit optical signals between corresponding optical conductors (24, 28) terminated to the optical connector bodies (30, 32) in axial alignment, a series of receptacles (56) for the corresponding pairs of optical conductors (22, 24), each of the receptacles (56) comprising side walls (58, 60) and a central dividing wall (62) defining first and second compartments

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly comprises a housing member having a passageway extending therethrough. A receptacle connector member is latchably mounted in the passageway and has therein fiber optic connectors terminated to ends of fiber optic transmission members and fiber optic cables. The fiber optic connectors are mounted in the receptacle connector member as spring-biased connectors with profiled resilient front ends of the connectors disposed in profiled bores of alignment ferrules that are floatingly mounted in the receptacle connector member. A plug connector member has mounted therein spring-biased fiber optic connectors terminated to ends of fiber optic transmission members.

Abstract: A housing member has a profiled bore extending therethrough in one section of which a ferrule member containing an electro-optic member is secured by a removable retaining clip member that also acts as a heat sink member. Another ferrule member of a fiber optic connector terminated onto a fiber optic transmission member is disposed in another section of the profiled bore and is latchably secured therein by spring latching members secured in the housing.

Abstract: A connector plug for axially aligning an optical fiber in a receptacle bore is disclosed, comprising an elongate body having an axial passageway receiving the fiber therein, and a forward alignment nose portion having a profiled opening receiving a forward end of the fiber. The opening is defined by opposed V-grooves, with the V-grooves being separated by a transverse slot extending through the alignment nose portion. The nose portion further comprises external protrusion means for engaging the receptacle, and causing the opposed V-grooves to wedge against the fiber extending therebetween, for fiber centering.

Abstract: A connector for axially aligning a pair of optical waveguides is disclosed comprising a receptacle, a pair of plug members for positionment in the receptacle bore, and a pair of retention sleeves for positionment within respective plug members. Each plug member is adapted to receive a respective waveguide cable therein, and provides a forward alignment nose portion having a profiled opening receiving a forward end of the waveguide. The opening is defined by opposed V-grooves, with the V-grooves being separated by a transverse slot which extends through the alignment nose portion. The nose portion further includes external protrusion means for engaging the receptacle, and causing the opposed V-grooves to wedge against the waveguide extending therebetween. Each retention sleeve is received within a respective plug member, for inhibiting rearward withdrawal of the optical cable from the plug member.