Abstract: A contact retention arrangement for a fiber optic connector is disclosed in which the retention element for the ferrule connected to the fiber optic cable is formed or shaped with an integral spring which maintains mating ferrules in positive abutment with each other. The contact retention element may either be a contact retention clip mounted in the wall of the contact passage, or a retention clip carried by the ferrule. In the latter arrangement, the clip is designed so that it may be released from either the front or rear of the connector body. The contact retention arrangement may also be used in an electrical connector.

Abstract: A fiber optic contact comprising a ferrule having an alignment sleeve mounted on its forward end so that the mating end face of the ferrule is positioned between the front and rear of the alignment sleeve. A releasable positive interlock is provided between the sleeve and the ferrule so that the sleeve may be removed for cleaning the mating end face of the ferrule, yet the sleeve will not be accidentally removed from the ferrule during use of the contact in a connector. Vent holes are provided in the intermediate region of the alignment sleeve so that dust or other particles in the sleeve will be forced out of the sleeve through the vent holes when the ferrule of a second contact is slid into the alignment sleeve to mate with the ferrule upon which the alignment sleeve is mounted.

Abstract: An optic fiber contact assembly is described, which can be installed in a contact hole of a connector housing that was designed for holding front release electrical contacts. The assembly includes a central tube which holds the end of an optical fiber, an outer sleeve which surrounds the tube and which fits within the contact hole and is held by a front release clip therein, and a coil spring lying between the front ends of the tube and sleeve for biasing the tube forwardly. A guide sleeve clips onto the front of the tube, so the spring can be compressed between the rear end of the guide sleeve and a shoulder on the outer sleeve. The spring is pre-loaded by a clip which lies between the rear end of the outer sleeve and a shoulder formed on the rear end of the tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic contact retention assembly in which a fiber optic contact has an annular groove formed in its body providing front and rear shoulders. An O-ring is positioned in the groove adjacent to the rear shoulder. The contact is radially slidably mounted into a slot in a supporting yoke. One shoulder of the contact engages the front of the yoke and the O-ring is compressed between the rear of the yoke and the rear shoulder of the contact so that the contact is firmly retained in a vertical position relative to the front face of the yoke for facilitating insertion of the contact into a guide member.

Abstract: A combined fiber optic and electrical connector member is disclosed in which the metallic conductors of a cable coupled to the connector member extend through a hollow sleeve while the optical fibers of the cable are spirally wound around the sleeve in a flex chamber thereby reducing bend radiation losses through the fibers when the connector member is engaged with a mating connector member.

Abstract: A hermophroditic fiber optic connector is disclosed in which the coupling ring of each connector member may be located in a forward position for coupling to the shell of the mating connector member, or may be shifted to a rear position to open a valve in the wall of the shell of the connector member to vent the interior thereof to atmosphere. When the two connector members are mated, the coupling ring on one opens the valve thereof to vent the connector to atmosphere while the coupling ring on the other is positioned forwardly of its respective valve so that an index matching liquid may be introduced into the mated connector assembly through the other connector member.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic optical fiber connector member is disclosed comprising a hollow yoke and a cylindrical ferrule guide member in front of the yoke. The guide member has a stepped forward end. Cylindrical fiber optic ferrules have a sliding fit in cylindrical alignment bores extending axially through the guide member. The yoke embodies radial slots through which the optical fibers extend for connection to the ferrules during assembly.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a pair of single optical fibers is disclosed. Each contact of the connector utilizes three spheres of equal diameter defining a tricuspid interstitial space therebetween into which the end of a fiber is mounted. When a pair of contacts is mated in axial abutting relationship, the spheres in the mating abutting contacts nest with respect to each other, thereby precisely laterally aligning the optical fibers which are mounted in the interstitial spaces of the sets of spheres in the two contacts. A spring sleeve is mounted on a cap threaded onto the forward end of each contact body. The spring sleeve embodies three resilient fingers which urge the spheres inwardly and rearwardly under a controlled force determined by cooperating abutting shoulders on the threaded cap and contact body, thus avoiding the fracturing of an optical fiber mounted in the interstitial space between the spheres.