Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a molded, field-installable optical connector. The method uses a support assembly which includes a wire mandrel, (10), a mandrel holder, (11), surrounding a portion of the wire, and a mandrel sleeve, (12), surrounding a portion of the mandrel holder and including an end surface, (15). Positioned at the end surface is a watch bearing jewel, (16), with an aperture, (17), through which the wire is inserted. As backbone insert, (19), is also located around a portion of the mandrel sleeve. The assembly is positioned within a molding apparatus including a precision frusto-conical die, (25), by inserting the wire through a second jewel, (26), mounted in the die. After molding, the connector, which includes the first jewel embedded at one end of the molded part and the backbone insert as a strength member, is removed from the support assembly.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for simultaneously making and breaking electrical and optical connections is described. The assembly includes locking means (12) for engaging a circuit pack to a frame (16); first and second electrical half-connectors (18, 20) and optical fiber half-connectors (22, 24) mounted on the frame and circuit board (14); guide means (26) into which the fiber half-connectors are insertable for axially aligning the fiber half-connectors; resilient means (28) for holding the fiber half-connectors in abutment when the circuit board is engaged with the frame by the locking means. A twist-lock arrangement (68, 72) for enabling ready coupling of first fiber half-connectors to a housing guide (70) is also included. Implementation of the assembly with both nested-rod fiber connectors (22, 24) and biconic connectors (122, 124) is described. Incorporation of the housing guide and guide means on a printed circuit board (FIG. 10), and a single fiber splicing scheme using the twist-lock arrangement (FIG.