Abstract: A fiber optic connector which includes a connector body having at least one socket cavity therein and a socket contact inserted into the socket contact cavity. The socket contact has a retention area and a cable termination area at one end and a retractable contact portion at the other end. The connector further includes means on the retractable contact portion for limiting axial movement of the contact portion so that when the contact portion is unretracted, a tip of the contact portion is substantially flush with a surface of the connector body.

Abstract: An assembly for interconnecting a plurality of first contacts disposed in a ribbon array with a plurality of second contacts, also disposed in a ribbon array, includes a plurality of cylindrical radial springs which are split longitudinally along an axial direction of the contacts, each radial spring providing three common lines of contact with the mating first and second contacts so as to precisely align front ends of mating the first and second contacts. The assembly further includes dynamic seals on opposite ends of an alignment insert which contains the cylindrical, radial springs, the dynamic seals preventing foreign matter from entering an interface between front ends of the mating first and second contacts, and also functioning to dampen shock- and vibration-induced displacements of the mating first and second contacts.

Abstract: An optical fiber contact for terminating an optical fiber includes a memory tube material having a first section which has been recovered around a pigtail optical fiber. A second section of the memory material is nonrecovered, and an optical fiber is terminated by inserting a cleaved or polished end of the optical fiber into the nonrecovered tube section and recovering this tube section around the cleaved or polished optical fiber end. A plurality of contacts are disposed in first and second linear arrays which are then optically interconnected with an optical fiber contact assembly.

Abstract: A connector for connecting two groups of optical fibers in axial alignment comprises a receptacle having therein a bore extending through it for holding therein two plugs, one on each side. The surface of the bore has two flat portions, one at each end. The portions of the plugs to be inserted into the bore also have flat portions shaped to contact the flat portions of the bore surface. The three interference bosses on the plugs are positioned such that after the plugs are inserted into the bore the bosses force the flat portion of the plug against the flat portion in the receptacle so that rotation of the plugs relative to the receptacle is prevented and the two plugs are substantially fixed in position relative to each other. Each plug assembly includes a ferrule having therein a passage and whose cross-section is triangular, square, polygonal or star-shaped. The plug assembly includes an insert shaped to press fit into the passage forming triangular spaces between the insert and the passage surface.

Abstract: A soft polymeric clad glass fiber waveguide with an easy to handle, low-loss end termination is disclosed. Each end termination is formed with a pair of telescopically assembled plastic sleeves. The inner sleeve is heat bondable to the glass core and has a refractive index lower than the glass core. It replaces an end portion of the soft rubbery polymeric cladding. The outer sleeve is heat shrinkable and during the termination procedure functions to compress, center and confine the inner sleeve. After termination, it functions to stiffen the fiber end and strain relieve the junction between the soft polymeric cladding and the stiffer inner sleeve. A method for making such a waveguide termination is disclosed. Also disclosed is an environmentally sealed optical waveguide of related construction.