Abstract: A multicore optical connector includes a connector body having a pair of alignment pin holes and a plurality of optical fiber holes formed therebetween and optical fibers inserted in the optical fiber holes such that the end faces of the optical fibers are exposed through the optical fiber holes. In the multicore optical connector, the optical fiber holes are divided into optical fiber hole groups of a number which coincides with the number of the groups of the optical fibers, and the optical fiber hole groups are separated from one another.

Abstract: Precise axial alignment of fibers to be connected is achieved with a male-to-male arrangement consisting of substantially identical fiber-receiving substrates and a coupler element which takes several configurations. A lensing element such as a ball/sphere is positioned in a well placed directly beyond a precision V-groove formed on a substrate surface, so that the fiber axes extend through substantially the center of the lensing element and are coaxial. The coupler contains a fiber-aligning V-groove and reference surface zones that interact in various ways with two ball-alignment elements of the substrates, to maintain critical substrate surfaces parallel to and precisely spaced from the coupler's reference surfaces.

Abstract: A multicore optical connector comprising: a first connector part comprising a fiber array, a refractive index matching plate for preventing the diffusion of beams, and a lens array, in order mentioned thereabove, and a second connector part comprising a fiber array and a lens array, and wherein the diameter of each of the parallel beams that may be emitted outwardly from the lens array of the second connector part is relatively larger than that of the parallel beams that may be emmited outwardly from the lens array of the first connector part, and the first connector part and the second connector part are optically coupled such that both lens array are opposed to each other.

Abstract: A cable joint for joining the ends of two optical fibre cables, each having a core of optical fibres (12) and a king wire (14) surrounded by armor wire (17) and an outer sheath (18), comprises an insert (20) between the core and the armor wire of each cable and a protective sleeve (38) swaged directly to the armor wire braced by the insert. The directly engaged sleeve provides a simple, efficient joint. An over-moulded cover (40) seals the joint.

Abstract: Optical connecting means for effecting disconnectable optical connections between multiplicities of optical fibres comprises a two-part mechanical connector and a plurality of two-part optical fibre connectors mounted in the body parts, of the mechanical connector. One body part of each optical fibre connector is slidably mounted in and with respect to the body part of the mechanical connector with their axes parallel to one another and is urged by a spring housed in the body part in a rectilinear direction towards the mating end of the body part. One body part of each optical fibre connector is fixedly secured in and with respect to the body part of the mechanical connector with their axes parallel to one another. Preferably, the body parts of the optical fibre connectors in each body part of the mechanical connector 1 are mounted one above another.

Abstract: A multifiber optical connector plug capable of realizing low reflection and low insertion loss, without using the refractive index matching material. The multifiber optical connector plug includes a connector plug member made of a plastic material, having a connecting facet on which endfaces of the optical fibers to be connected with other optical fibers are arranged in a transverse direction between the guide pin insertion holes, with the endfaces of the optical fibers projecting out of the connecting facet, the connecting facet being inclined with respect to an axial direction along optical axes of the optical fibers by an angle which is larger than a total reflection critical angle of light beams transmitted through the optical fibers. The connecting facet may have a flat surface shape or a convex ellipsoidal surface shape.

Abstract: A molded polymeric resin-filled coupler comprising two low-refractive index plastic molded subassemblies. One subassembly has an optically finished mixing region, with a channel that has a V shaped lower portion. The mixing region subassembly is covered with a lid subassembly of the same material as the mixing region subassembly. During assembly, optical fibers are inserted into the mixing region subassembly which is then filled with a high index material to form a high-refractive index waveguide core region in the channel. The molded low-refractive index subassemblies provide a waveguide cladding around the high-refractive index waveguide core. Low cost is attained by utilizing optically finished metal molds to produce the subassemblies resulting in an optically finished mixing region and lid subassemblies without the need to polish each subassembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for securely aligning a plurality of optical fiber pairs, including a connection device with a body having recesses therein for a fiber guide to which are mounted a plurality of optical fibers, a removable connector to which are mounted a corresponding plurality of fibers, and a movable locking member disposed in the body and which positively holds the connector in the body so that ends of pairs of fibers are aligned and the connector is securely disposed in the body; and a sensing system with a base unit and optical fibers which employs such a connection device.

Abstract: A device for splicing multiple optical fibers includes a splice element having means for holding the optical fibers, a splice body having a slot containing the splice element, and extensions on either end of the splice body for supporting a portion of the fibers. Each of the extensions has an end cover positionable in open and closed positions which provides protection to the fibers against environmental influences. The end covers may advantageously include collapsible compartments filled with a sealant material whereby, when the covers are moved to the closed positions, the sealant material is channeled towards the slot containing the splice element.

Abstract: A device for splicing multiple optical fibers includes a novel splice element having two plates formed from a sheet of malleable material, there being a fold line in the sheet forming a hinge, the two plates being folded toward one another to define opposing surfaces. One of the opposing surfaces has several fiber receiving grooves therein, parallel with the fold line, and the other surface has ramps at each end to support the fibers proximate the transition from their buffered portions to their stripped portions. The ramps are adjacent porches which are integrally formed with one of the plates, the porches having additional grooves for aligning the fibers with the fiber receiving grooves. Stop pads are provided on both opposing surfaces, at the corners of the plates, to insure a clearance space at the ends of the plates which provides for more gradual clamping of the fibers, reducing insertion loss.

Abstract: A device for splicing multiple optical fibers includes a splice element having two plates with fiber receiving V-grooves formed in the inner surface of one of the plates, and a splice body having a wedge to actuate the splice element by clamping the plates together. The splice body includes a jacket and a cap, there being a slot in the jacket for receiving the splice element and a cavity adjacent the slot for receiving the wedge. The cavity has a ramped surface which causes the wedge to move toward the splice element and clamp the plates as the wedge is moved forward on the ramp surface. A tongue, formed integrally with the cap, is preferably interposed between the wedge and the splice element to prevent deformation of the plates which might result from direct contact between the plates and the wedge as it slides forward.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector in which first and second optical fibers are aligned at a fiber interface of the connector. The first optical fiber has a beveled angle end face, and the second optical fiber has a complementary beveled angle end face. Abutting connector members are joined in a connector enclosure which enables the respective fiber end faces to abut at an angle at the fiber interface. The respective fiber end faces are joined at a vertical aligned position for the connector, also at a horizontal aligned position for the connector. Suitable alignment means provided on the connector members enable alignment of the fiber end faces at the fiber interface. In a fixed aligned position of the assembled connector, the respective fiber end faces are held in abutting and full engagement at the fiber interface, in which the vertical aligned position of the optical fibers in the connector is coincident with the horizontal aligned position thereof.

Abstract: A connector system for operatively connecting the ends of two fiber optic cables together. A wall-mountable plate includes an elongated receptacle containing spaced through bores. The bores have opposed frusto-conical entry sections which are joined by a cylindrical central section. A terminal connector is mounted on the end of each cable and has spaced frusto-conical projections which end in cylindrical nose portions containing the ends of the fibers. The terminal connector projections are insertable through opposite ends of the bore into abutment of the nose portions at an interface location along a central portion of the bore. Lock tabs and shoulders on the receptacle and on one of the terminal connectors latch the connector within the bore, with the terminal being held without bias and against reverse movement out of that end of the bore. A collar is slidably mounted on the other terminal connector, with a spring captured between the connector and the collar for biasing them apart.

Abstract: A push-pull optical fiber connector which is compatible with ST-type receptacles. The connector includes a hollow, cylindrical backbone, a ferrule holder located in one end of the backbone, a ferrule affixed to the ferrule holder, a clamp at the other end of the backbone securing the strength member of the optical fiber to the backbone, and two flexible arms attached to the outer surface of the backbone having apertures which latch onto the bayonet lugs of the ST receptacle. A housing is further provided which surrounds and slides over the backbone. The housing has two slots therein for accommodating the latch arms, and ramp surfaces proximate the slots for engaging the leading edge of the latch arms. After the connector has been attached to the ST receptacle, it may be disconnected by simply pulling on the housing. The ramp surfaces then contact the latch arms, raising them and disengaging them from the receptacle lugs.

Abstract: Optical connectors adapted to join optical fibers to an optical component, each connector having an outer support to be fixedly secured to the component and provided with a housing receiving a movable element having a spherical-surface portion to which an optical fiber-holding body is connected. The spherical surface of the movable element is in contact with a mating surface of the outer support and permits pivoting or rotation of the movable element and the body housing the fiber about any axis passing through the center of the spherical surface itself. Tightening means for locking the movable element against the housing surface is provided, and such tightening means is adapted to prevent pivoting or rotation of the movable element itself by friction. The connector can be made entirely of dielectric materials.

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: An organizer is mounted on bars which are connected to end caps sealingly secured into stripped ends of fiber cables. Strength members of the cables are secured to the organizer and fiber optic connectors terminated onto ends of the fiber optic transmission members are connected together in profiled bores of coupling members which are releasably mounted in clips that are latchably mounted on the organizer. A split sleeve is sealingly secured onto the end caps.