Abstract: An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, comprises: a guide-groove substrate having grooves for positioning optical fibers and guide pins; an upper plate having groove portions each for covering the guide pins positioned in the guide grooves of the guide-groove substrate; elastic guide-pin pressing members each provided in the groove portions of the upper plate above portions where the guide pin grooves are in contact with the guide pins. In such a arrangement, it is preferable to form an oxide film on said V-grooves of the guide-groove substrate at least in the vicinity of contact points between the guide pins and the V-grooves. The optical connector further includes a resin molding portion for surrounding the substrate and the upper plate, the resin molding portion including a pair of opposite opened portions at a front and back surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, comprises: a guide-groove substrate having grooves for positioning optical fibers and guide pins; an upper plate having groove portions each for covering the guide pins positioned in the guide grooves of the guide-groove substrate; elastic guide-pin pressing members each provided in the groove portions of the upper plate above portions where the guide pin grooves are in contact with the guide pins. In such a arrangement, it is preferable to form an oxide film on said V-grooves of the guide-groove substrate at least in the vicinity of contact points between the guide pins and the V-grooves. The optical connector further includes a resin molding portion for surrounding the substrate and the upper plate, the resin molding portion including a pair of opposite opened portions at a front and back surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A redundant length treatment mechanism for an optical fiber which is stored in an optical cable and has one end connected to an optical connector, includes a storage case in which a redundant part of the optical fiber exposed from the optical cable is stored while wound up in a loop form, a bent form or an S-shape form, the storage case having a draw-out portion through which one end portion of the looped optical fiber is drawn out, and curvature restricting means comprising a pair of stoppers secured to the optical fiber for restricting radius of curvature of the optical fiber stored in a loop form in the storage case.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises an optical fiber guide member consisting of a grooved substrate and a cover plate, the substrate having optical fiber guide grooves and guide pin grooves cut into its top surface, and the cover plate being joined to the substrate to cover the optical fiber guide grooves but to leave at least part of the guide pin grooves exposed; a pressing member which is movable in the vertical direction of the guide pin grooves and is provided above the guide pin grooves to elastically press guide pins which are positioned on the guide pin grooves downward; and coupling clips enhancing the force of elastic pressure being exerted on the guide pins so as to secure the joining of optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical connector and splicer including an optical fiber positioning member for optical coupling of optical fibers where the coupling is assisted by at least two guide pins. The optical fiber positioning member comprises a substrate plate and a flat plate. The substrate plate has optical fiber grooves and guide pin grooved each formed at one surface thereof for positioning the one optical fibers and said guide pins, respectively. The flat plate has a flat surface confronting with the grooves surface of the substrate plate. An exposed area is formed on a part of the substrate plate where said flat plate is not joined for facilitating an insertion of the optical fibers into the optical fiber grooves.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule for use in an optical coupling of optical fibers includes an insertion member, the insertion member comprising a guide capillary for positioning said optical fibers, which comprises a flat plate and a guide substrate having optical fiber guide grooves in one surface thereof, said flat plate being bounded to said guide substrate to form optical fiber guide holes into which said optical fibers are inserted; a reinforcing pipe for surrounding said guid capillary; and a resin-molded area provided between said guide capillary and said reinforcing pipe for insert-molding said guide capillary within said reinforcing pipe.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises an optical fiber connector ferrule which comprises a substrate plate having at least one optical fiber groove and pin grooves each being formed at one surface thereof, and a cover plate joined to the substrate plate to form at least one optical fiber groove holes into which an optical fiber is inserted; a guide pin means to be inserted into the pin grooves for coupling the optical fiber connector ferrule with another; and means for absorbing the variation in the diameter of the guide pin means.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the centers of the cores of two optical fibers prior to their being fused together for splicing. A pair of supporting members are provided, each of which has a V-shaped recess in which an end of a respective one of the optical fibers is fixed. The supporting members are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fibers. A transparent light conducting member forms a bottom portion of the recess of at least one of the supporting members. A photodetector is optically coupled to the light conducting member.

Abstract: An optical connector and splicer including an optical fiber positioning member for optical coupling of optical fibers where the coupling is assisted by at least two guide pins. The optical fiber positioning member comprises a substrate plate and a flat plate. The substrate plate has optical fiber grooves and guide pin grooves each formed at one surface thereof for positioning the one optical fibers and said guide pins, respectively. The flat plate has a flat surface confronting with the grooved surface of the substrate plate. An exposed area is formed on a part of the substrate plate where said flat plate is not joined for facilitating an insertion of the optical fibers into the optical fiber grooves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an independent optical ferrule, an optical connector employing the independent ferrule, and replaceable plug unit employing the independent ferrule. Also disclosed is a method of using the replaceable plug unit employing the independent ferrule. The independent ferrule includes a stem portion having both ends each confronting ones of optical elements such as an end ferrule. The independent ferrule further includes at least one optical fiber held in a fixed position in the stem and having the both ends flush with the end faces of the stem. The independent ferrule also includes a collar adapted to serve as positioning member upon assembly of said independent ferrule into the optical connector or the replaceable plug unit.

Abstract: A ferrule for an optical connector made of a resin composition comprising a resin and carbon fiber as a filler having larger flexural strength and small mold shrinkage factor. The ferrule has a metal tube around its body that is embedded in its flange portion for added flexural rigidity.

Abstract: An optical connector for joining ends of optical fibers, including an adapter formed with at least one claw and a plug coupled detachably with the adapter. The plug includes an insertion guide to be inserted into the adapter, an ejector and an urging member for urging the ejector in an axial insertion direction, while the insertion guide is formed, on its outer periphery, with a projection and a recess such that the claw is caused to ride over the projection into engagement with the recess at the time of coupling of the plug with the adapter.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule and a method for producing such an optical connector ferrule wherein the bonding between a metal sleeve and the main body of the ferrule, which is made of a synthetic resin material, is markedly improved. A rearward end of the metal sleeve is embedded in the synthetic resin material, preferably, around a flange of the main body. The metal sleeve may be provided with irregularities on one or both of the inner and outer surfaces thereof to further improve the adhesion between the resin of the main body and the metal sleeve.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable plug manufacturing method providing easy connection between large numbers of optical fibers. The protective cover layer of an optical fiber cable is removed from its middle part to expose the coated optical fibers and the tensile strength member, and the tensile strength member is cut into two parts. Then, the coated optical fibers thus exposed are partially uncoated. Coupling members are disposed along the exposed parts of the optical fibers and molded together with the optical fibers with resin to provide a molding. The molding is cut perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis into two symmetrical parts, and the cut end faces are polished to provide two symmetrical optical fiber cable plugs.

Abstract: An optical connector for joining exposed fiber ends of coated fibers and a method of manufacturing a pair of ferrules for the optical connector. The optical connector includes a pair of the ferrules each having a flange, the coated fiber and a metal pipe molded integrally with one another by using molding resin, a coupling pin fitted through holes of the ferrules, a sleeve for receiving the metal pipes of the ferrules, and a housing member for axially clamping the ferrules to each other.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously observe a transparent object from two directions, first and second beam paths containing first and second images from two directions are separated using a prism to reflect the second beam path yet pass the first beam path. The length of the second beam path is caused to be different from that of the first beam path. Then the first and second beam paths are combined so that the first and second images may be viewed simultaneously. The different beam path lengths result in the first and second images being formed at the same position. As a result, the images carried by the first and second beam paths, both passing through a single objective lens, may be viewed simultaneously at a single location.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for thermally shrinkable tubes and the like has a heating density gradient such that a higher temperature is imparted initially to a central portion of the heated tube, spreading gradually to the ends of the tube, to purge air bubbles to the outside of the tube while employing only one heating element.

Abstract: A method for producing an elongated optical fiber element is disclosed. The method envolves preparing two optical fiber elements by removing their outer coating layers to expose bare glass fiber portions. The glass fiber portions are melt-joint together. A material which is chemically compatible with the removed outered layer is then molded about the joined bare glass portions. A thermoplastic resin is then extruded continuously over the molded material in order to form a single elongated optical fiber element. The bonding method produces a structure which can withstand bending stress exerted on the coated optical fiber and prevent the concentration of any stress in the bonded area.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a heat-shrinkable tube has a base for supporting the heat-shrinkable tube and a plurality of heating units provided on the base. The heating units are independently operable and are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable tube.