Abstract: To provide a fusion-spliced optical connector capable of easily performing a fusion-splicing operation at an actual site in a short time, without need to perform additional special operations. An optical connector component is configured to attach a short-length optical fiber to a ferrule including a capillary and a flange. The capillary comprises a minute through hole and a coated-portion storage hole formed in the capillary, the minute through hole to be stored therein the bare optical fiber portion of the short-length optical fiber and the coated-portion storage hole to be stored therein a part of a coated optical fiber portion of the short-length optical fiber continuous to the bare optical fiber portion. The flange includes a coated-portion penetrating hole formed in the flange to be penetrated therein a very short portion continuous to the part of the coated optical fiber portion stored in the coated-portion storage hole.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanical connector for mechanically connecting and optically coupling two optical fiber ends, the connector comprising a longitudinal body, and a fiber conduit in the body for holding the two fiber ends and confining the fibers to be in end to end alignment in the conduit with sufficient inward radial pressure exerted from the conduit on each one of the fiber ends to ensure centering within the fiber conduit to provide the optical coupling without risking damage to a silica core of the fiber ends. The connector is adapted to controllably release the pressure on the fibers to allow for insertion of the fibers in the conduit, and the connector holds the fiber ends in the optical coupling without adhesive. There is further provided a method for mechanically connecting and optically coupling two optical fiber ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector, and in particular to an optical port having a connector receptacle for receiving an optical fibre plug, and to an optical fibre connector assembly for transmitting and/or receiving an optical signal formed by an optical fibre connector and an optical fibre plug when these are joined together. The optical fibre connector assembly comprises an optical fibre connector and an optical fibre plug. The optical fibre plug includes a projecting ferrule and along an axis of this ferrule a first optical fibre. The optical connector including a hollow sleeve and within the sleeve a recessed ferrule and along an axis of this ferrule a second optical fibre.

Abstract: An optical receptacle includes: a fiber stub having a ferrule and an optical fiber in a through-hole of the ferrule; a holder to which an rear end of the fiber stub is fixed; and a sleeve for holding a plug ferrule in front of the fiber stub; wherein a grip ring is provided on an outer side face in which the fiber stub and the sleeve are overlapped to each other, whereby attaining the shortened optical receptacle, and improving connection loss due to tilting of the plug ferrule, and obtaining good repeatability of the connection loss.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a ferrule holding member for an optical receptacle or the like which can be manufactured at low cost, which has a small insertion loss, which has a convex curved surface connected to an end face of the ferrule on a tip side formed easily to have appropriate shape and properties, and which has hardly reduced coupling efficiency. [Solving Means] A ferrule holding member 3 has a transparent body 5 attached to an inner hole of a sleeve 4, and the transparent body 5 has a primary end face 5a for bringing into contact with an end face 6a of a plug ferrule 6 at a halfway position in an axial direction of the sleeve 4. The primary end face 5a of the transparent body 5 has a convex curved surface obtained through heat treatment. The convex curved surface 5a is preferably an unpolished surface, and a region with a radius of 75 ?m or more centered around a shaft axis Z of the sleeve 4 at the convex curved surface 5a has a convex spherical surface.

Abstract: Provided are optical fiber connectors having top and bottom, front and back orientation comprising: a jacketed optical cable comprising a terminating fiber (11), the cable having molded thereon a locking component (13) comprising at least one locking lug (14), the locking component (13) being formed from a flexible moldable material; and an inner housing (18) having a radial cross-section which is generally rectilinear and comprises at least three corners, the inner housing (18) comprising at least a portion which defines an opening (25) for receiving the locking component (13), the opening (25) being configured such that upon insertion of the locking component (13) therein the locking lug (14) in a corner of the inner housing (18) such that the locking component (13) and inner housing (18) are secured to each other in an axial direction.

Abstract: A light emitting end face side front end part of an optical fiber bundle 16 is covered by a sleeve member 13 and an emitting part outer cover 14. A glass rod holding member 42, which holds a glass rod 40, is mounted to emitting part outer cover 14. Glass rod 40 is fixed to glass rod holding member 42 by means of positioning pins 44 and a light incidence end face 40i thereof opposes a light emitting end face 16o of optical fiber bundle 16. A light emitting end face 40o of glass rod 40 has a rectangular shape. The light emitting from light emitting end face 40o is made uniform in illuminance across the entirety of its cross section and the cross section thereof is shaped to a rectangular shape in the process of being propagated while being totally reflected at the boundary surface of glass rod 40.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly that receives an optical connector. The receptacle assembly includes a first piece having a central bore with a stepped diameter. The receptacle assembly also includes an annular second piece designed to receive the optical connector and that has an outside surface designed to establish an interference fit with the inside surface of the first piece central bore. Further, the assembly includes an annular third piece that has a constant inner diameter and a stepped outer diameter. The outside surface of the third piece is designed to establish an interference fit with the inside surface of the annular second piece.

Abstract: This invention describes an optical component incorporated in an optical device or subassembly for reducing reflections at the terminal end of an optical fiber. An optical device has a housing having an opening for receiving and securing a terminal end of an optical fiber. An optical component having a first facet and a second facet is positioned so that the first facet abuts the terminal end when the optical fiber is received in the opening. The optical component has a thickness that is chosen to be large enough that reflections from the second surface are sufficiently diverged to prevent substantial coupling back into the core of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention describes a structure and method for a multi-ports WDM device for compensating the filter distortion while reducing insertion loss. The multi-ports WDM device comprises a 4-fiber collimator having a grin lens and a 2-fiber collimator having a lens where the focal plane of the second lens is shorter than the focal plane of the first grin lens Ands with aspheric surface. When a light signal travels through the first lens in the 4-fiber collimator to a filter, the film on the filter causes distortion to the light signal resulting in a large insertion loss. To compensate for the insertion loss, the lens on the 2-fiber collimator has a aspheric function and a shorter focal plane than the grin lens on the 4-fiber collimator. The type of grin lens used in the 4-fiber collimator is different than the lens used in the 2-fiber collimator. Effectively, the lens in the 2-fiber collimator operates to de-focus a light signal relative to the grin lens in the 4-fiber collimator.

Abstract: A multimedia patching box including a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes a first wall positioned opposite from a second wall. The housing also includes opposing third and fourth walls that extend between the first and second walls. A panel is mounted adjacent the front of the housing. The panel is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the third wall of the housing and extends generally along the third wall of the housing. A plurality of multimedia connectors are mounted on the panel. The housing defines at least one cable access opening defined through at least one of the first and second walls at a location adjacent the third wall. A cable management structure is connected to the back side of the panel. The cable management structure defines a cable guiding channel that extends generally along the pivot axis of the panel and generally aligns with the at least one cable access opening.

Abstract: A ferrule and method are presented that fuses optical fibers, capillaries and the like to ferrules while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule and minimizing stresses within the assembly. Reduced deformation and stress is accomplished by providing high contact angles in a symmetrical, short section of fusion in fusing the component carried by the ferrule to the ferrule. It is particularly applicable to hermetic terminations of polymer clad fiber optics where irregular glass fusion joints cause irregular light leakage at the fiber launch but benefits are significant when used for other fiber and capillary architectures as well.

Abstract: An optical to RF interface connector has a cellular housing that has a back most portion configured for press fitting into a hole of the housing of an electro-optical apparatus, with the hole and back most portion of the shell being key to one another to insure proper orientation of the connector. The press fitting is further configured for providing both an RF seal, and moisture seal. The frontmost portion of the connector shell is configured for securely coupling to an optical interface male connector that is attached to an end of a fiber optic cable. The innermost portion of a connector shell is further configured for receiving and retaining therein either a auto detector or light detecting device for converting optical signals received from the fiber optic cable into electrical signals for processing, or is light transmitting device for converting electrical signals into optical signals for transmission over the associated fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnection system with a small number of modular components that can be configured for simple construction in many configurations. The system includes connector housings. Optical fibers are installed into the housings on ferrule carriers. The housings are brought together in adapters. Different styles of adapters are available for different applications, such as panel or backplane configurations. However, the same housing and ferrule carriers can be used in any style of adapter. Also, different ferrule carriers are provided for single fiber ferrules and multi-fiber ferrules. Either style of ferrule carrier can be used in a housing and adapter. A ferrule carrier for single fiber ferrules can be modified to provide fine alignment features with the addition of a cap, allowing the same style ferrule carrier to be used in both halves of a mated connector assembly.

Abstract: A method for assembling an optical fiber connector comprising providing a one piece housing comprising a tailpiece and a body defining a forward first end, a rearward second end and a passage extending longitudinally therebetween, inserting a spring element into the passage through the forward first end, inserting a subassembly comprising a ferrule, a ferrule holder and a lead-in tube into the passage through the forward first end, maintaining the spring within the passage between a shoulder defined by the one piece housing and a flange of the ferrule holder, and inserting a subassembly retainer into the passage through the forward first end.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly with an optical fiber extending through first and second overlapping cable jackets. The first cable jacket is slidably received within a longitudinal opening of the second cable jacket. A first end of the optical fiber is fixed with respect to the first cable jacket and a second optical fiber is fixed with respect to the second cable jacket. The two cable jackets overlap and are slidably movable with respect to each other. A method forming a cable assembly.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.

Abstract: An optical ferrule is provided with a ferrule body having a front face and at least one covering applied to the front face to protect the front face of the ferrule from a laser beam used during a trimming process. The optical ferrule may also have a second covering disposed between the front face of the ferrule and the first covering to assist in adhering the first covering to the optical ferrule. A method is also provided for applying the first covering or the first covering and the second covering to the front face of the ferrule. A method is also provided for trimming, and in particular, ablating portions of one or more optical fibers that protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A ferrule holder and a coil spring are provided in a main body formed in an approximately tube shape. A cable adaptor including a front opening part at a large diameter part is inserted from a back opening part into the main body having slits and. A first small diameter part of the main body fits with the large diameter part of the cable adaptor and prevents the cable adaptor from translating in the z-axis direction. And the second small diameter part of the main body controls transfer of the ferrule holder in the z-axis direction. At the forward part of the large diameter, a taper part which helps to insert the cable adaptor is formed around the circuit of the optical axis. Each slit formed at the back opening part also helps to insert the cable adaptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber connector comprising a ferrule disposed in a connector body and receiving the optical fiber in a longitudinal bore, said ferrule being subjected to a compression spring disposed on a part extending the ferrule, referred to as a “counter-ferrule”, and pressed by a closure part secured to said connector body. According to the invention, the ferrule and the counter-ferrule are constituted by two separate parts, and an optical fiber holder element is inserted between these two separate parts, said holder element being capable of being caused to hold the optical fiber from outside the connector, and said holder element is also capable of being released from outside the connector.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for aligning at least one optic and/or electronic component on a substrate or a corresponding support structure, wherein the method includes: arranging a hole in the support structure; arranging at least three stud bumps on the surface of the component; and arranging said stud bumps along the periphery of the hole for alignment of the component to the hole.

Abstract: A terminal element for fiber optic communication has an elongated body defining a body axis and having a first end from which an optical fiber extends along the body axis. The body has a second end with an angled surface offset at an angle from the body axis. The fiber extends through the length of the body, and terminates at a fiber end surface flush with the angled surface. A lens element is positioned adjacent to the angled surface. The fiber may be hermetically sealed to the body at a position away from first end, and may be sealed with a flexible material at the first end.

Abstract: A optical fiber connector cord capable of being detachably attached to a receptacle fixed to an optical apparatus includes an optical fiber having at least one hole which extends along an optical axis, a plug having a fiber hole through which the optical fiber extends and which is capable of being fitted into the receptacle, a first sealing member which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the plug and which seals a gap between the plug and the receptacle along the outer periphery of the plug, and a second sealing member which seals a gap between an inner surface of the plug's fiber hole and the optical fiber along the outer periphery of the optical fiber, so that holes in the optical fiber are effectively prevented from communicating with the atmosphere. In addition, an optical coupling set includes the optical fiber connector cord and the receptacle.

Abstract: A ferrule for a light guide comprises a continuous metal sleeve which has a first tubular section and, at an axial spacing therefrom, a coaxial second tubular section which are connected to one another via an intermediate section, and a first plastic molded part formed around the free end of the first tubular section and a second plastic molded part which is provided at an axial spacing therefrom and which is formed around the ends of the two tubular sections adjacent to the intermediate section and around the intermediate section.

Abstract: A ferrule block comprises a ferrule block body which is attached to an optical device module, which houses in its package an optical device for sending or receiving a light signal, to optically couple to an optical fiber communicating between the optical device module and an external optical communication system and a shell made of an insulating material which is provided at the tip of the ferrule block body, wherein a flange which hits against the tip of the ferrule block body is provided on the outer periphery of the shell.

Abstract: A lens assembly and method for manufacture. The lens assembly includes at least one lens element, with multiple sawn planar faces formed parallel to an optical axis and spaced equidistantly from the optical axis so the lens element has a polygonal cross section. Each lens element has a centered, rotationally symmetric characteristic so the overall assembly has a corresponding characteristic. The manufacture includes the step of utilizing oversized conventional cylindrical lens elements and other optical elements formed into lens systems. The faces are sawn to reduce the overall size. A circumscribing sheath provides a segmental lumen along each face.

Abstract: Each optical fiber terminus (20) of a connector has an indexing device (32) that indicates and fixes the rotational position of the terminus in its housing passage (14), the indexing device being in the form of a sleeve that is easily applied when an optimum position is determined. The indexing sleeve is fixed directly to the stripped optic fiber cable (30) at a location immediately rearward of the terminus body (24), so a rear end of the indexing sleeve lies at the rear end of the housing. The indexing sleeve rear end has a radial projection (82) that projects into a slot (84) formed in the rear surface (86) of the connector.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a connector (10) for connecting optic fibers (12, 13). The connector has a longitudinally extending body (14). The body has a first end and a second end. The body has a pass-conduit (20) extending from the first end to the second end. The body is divided into a plurality of fingers (22, 26) formed by slots (28) that extend longitudinally at each of the first and second ends and many be circumferentially offset from each other by any angel. The connector may be made from material that has a shape memory.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly kit (7) comprising: (a) a ferrule assembly (1) having at least one bore hole to receive an optical fiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member (2) having a second contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive the ferrule assembly (1), wherein the first contact surface and the aperture are configured to form a first interface in which a first radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly (1) and the positioning member (2) is maintained; (c) a housing having an interior cavity adapted for receiving the positioning member (2) and the ferrule assembly (1), the housing and the second surface of the positioning member (2) are configured to form a second interface such that a second radial position relationship between the positioning member (2) and the housing is maintained, wherein one of the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial position relationship is predetermined, a

Abstract: Optical isolator comprises a ferrule having a through-hole in which an optical fiber is inserted and a groove formed in the ferrule with the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole; and a composite assembly consisting of an optical isolator element composed of a Faraday rotator and a pair of polarizers fixed on opposite surfaces of the Faraday rotator in such manner that the angle between the directions of polarization of the polarizers is at about 45° and a structure reinforcing member having a thickness of filling the groove and surrounding the optical element, said composite assembly being inserted in the groove as a unit. The reinforcing member may be made of the same material as the outer support or formed by a magnet for applying a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in element (1) for an optical plug-in connection. Said element comprises a connector pin (2), which is held in a guide sleeve (4) by axial spring-loaded prestress, in such a way that it can be displaced in a limited manner along its longitudinal axis (3). The guide sleeve consists of at least two casing elements (5, 5?) that can be assembled along their longitudinal axes. Said casing elements significantly simplify the production and assembly, as no screw or adhesive connections are required.

Abstract: A quick connect fiber optic connector assembly for testing and communication that uses a modified ferrule having a reservoir formed into its tip for holding optic transmitting gel or oil. A cleaved optical fiber may be held concentrically within the ferrule for alignment with a receiver or optical device. The gel or oil in the reservoir alleviates the need for a perfect cleave of the fiber and allows for transmission of the optic signal. If necessary, the pressure foot of the connector assembly may be rotated to minimize transmission losses. When the transmission signal is optimized, the fiber may be tested or used for communications. In another embodiment of the invention, a connector assembly includes a removable cartridge housing optical coupling compound. As a bare fiber is passed into the connector it picks up a small quantity of coupling compound and is then interconnected to an optical patch cable.

Abstract: A ferrule for an optical connector, comprising: a ferrule body formed of a resin and including a through-hole having an inner wall for releasably receiving an optical fiber, the inner wall of through-hole being defined by a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion which are axially aligned; and a metallic pipe disposed on at least part of the inner wall of the through-hole, said metallic pipe being formed of at least one of an alloy of iron-nickel and an alloy of iron-nickel-cobalt.

Abstract: An optical fiber receptacle and ferrule interconnection system is disclosed. The interconnection system includes an optical fiber ferrule and a receptacle. The receptacle has a first portion that is attachable to an optical device and a second portion that is connected to the first portion. The second portion has an inner surface that defines a slot for detachably receiving the optical fiber ferrule and for aligning the optical fiber within the optical fiber ferrule with an attached optical device to allow transmission of light therebetween. The slot provides an interference fit with the ferrule. The inner surface of the second portion and an outer surface of the ferrule are adapted to form at least one channel therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflexive optical screen that can show bright images with efficiency, and a viewing system that incorporates the same, and provides a reflexive optical screen 10 comprising a plurality of zonal V-grooved reflecting surfaces substantially concentrically located within a given surface and having a retrorelection action. Each of the zonal V-grooved reflecting surfaces comprises mutually orthogonal two conical facets 2 and 3 in a section orthogonal to a ridgeline of a V groove, and the conical facets 2 and 3 of each of the zonal V-grooved reflecting surfaces are located such that a bisector 5 for angles that the two conical facets 2 and 3 make in a section of each of the zonal V-grooved reflecting surfaces is oriented in the direction of a light ray incident on a position thereof.

Abstract: A multiple-port optical device uses improved fiber ferrules comprising various capillary designs and shapes to precisely position optical fibers and, in particular, the optical fiber cores. The fibers are screened for geometric characteristics which further aide in precisely positioning the fiber cores. The ferrules, capillaries, fibers, and adhesives are combined to reduce adverse thermal effects and maintain the position of the fibers over a broad range of environmental conditions in which DWDM packages and modules are required to operate.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.

Abstract: A ferrule and a fiber guide member are provided for accurately positioning optical fibers at the front face of a ferrule. The fiber guide member can be used as a removable or permanent template to align the optical fibers in the ferrule. The fiber guide member may also be polished to provide a finished end face, or even removed in a polishing process. A method is also provided for accurately positioning the optical fibers in a ferrule.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupler comprises a metal tube and a clear hollow silicone insert, with a tapered region including a first set of grabbers and a constant area region including a second set of grabbers. A tapered optical element is coupled to an optical fiber, when both the tapered optical element and the optical fiber are mechanically secured by crimping the metal tube and the silicone insert in the proximity of the first and second sets of grabbers, as by using a standard crimper tool.

Abstract: An optical connector including a hollow, cylindrical shroud having a section, a bore defined within the section, the bore being adapted to fit an optical fiber connector therein and allow the same to plug or unplug a predetermined number of times, the bore being terminated at a bottom opening of the section; a cylinder axially extended a predetermined distance from a center of the bottom of the section, the cylinder having a longitudinal hole with an optical fiber fitted therein wherein a precise circularity in each of the bore and the hole and coaxial characteristics of the same are obtained by forming the shroud and the cylinder by electrical casting; and an annular flange formed integrally in a bottom of the shroud by electrical casting or injection molding, the flange being adapted to fasten a laser diode element or light detection element.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of marking a fiber optic indicia on the surface of a fiber optic component and the fiber optic component produced thereby. The fiber optic indicia is represented as a predetermined pattern marked on the fiber optic component and is associated with data about at least one of an optical characteristic and a product characteristic. According to a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic indicia is marked on a chamfered surface of a ferrule. The fiber optic indicia may include at least one alphanumerical character, a symbol, or combinations thereof. The method comprises establishing the predetermined pattern of the fiber optic indicia, providing a fiber optic component for marking, preparing a predetermined portion of a surface of the fiber optic component for marking, and marking the predetermined portion in accordance with the predetermined pattern of the fiber optic indicia.

Abstract: In the production of a hollow cast article having a slit, the release of a hollow cast product from a mold is carried out while opening the hollow cast product. In one embodiment, a core provided with recessed parts (or projected parts) formed in a slit forming part (or an outer peripheral part) is used and the drawing out of the core from the hollow cast product is carried out while opening the hollow cast product by means of the recessed parts (or projected parts) mentioned above. By such a method, a hollow cast article having a slit and projected parts (or recessed parts) formed in a slit part or/and an inner peripheral part thereof is obtained.

Abstract: An optical connector has a ferrule comprises of a cylindrical body for supporting an optical fiber, and a flange member having an end portion connected to a first end of the cylindrical body and a flange part projecting from the end portion. A holding member supports the ferrule and has an engaging part. A rotation positioning part is formed in the flange part of the flange member for positioning the flange part relative to the holding member to provide a first clearance between the rotation positioning part and the engaging part of the holding member for restricting rotation of the ferrule about the fiber optical axis relative to the holding member. A rotation allowing part is formed in the flange part of the flange member and spaced from the engaging part of the holding member to provide a second clearance therebetween greater than the first clearance for allowing rotational movement of the ferrule so as to permit the ferrule to incline in a direction transverse to an axis of the optical connector.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical coupling apparatus in which light-transmitting resin is prevented from entering a hole of a substrate, and a method for manufacturing the same. In this construction, a cushioning pattern is formed around each of the holes on the surface of the substrate. During a primary molding operation, a protrusion of an upper mold is brought into press-contact with the cushioning pattern formed around the hole of the substrate, so that the hole is blocked up perfectly, thereby preventing the light-transmitting resin from entering the hole.

Abstract: A plastic ferrule including a centering section having a tubular body. The tubular body is provided with an outer-circumferential centering reference surface and a center axis of the centering reference surface. The centering section includes a resinous outer tube part having the outer-circumferential centering reference surface and provided, along the center axis, with a coated-fiber holding bore for securely accommodating a coated optical fiber and a fixing bore extending from the coated-fiber holding bore, the outer tube part forming a tubular wall with a generally uniform thickness as a whole. The centering section also includes an inner tube part fixed to the fixing bore of the outer tube part and provided along the center axis with an uncoated-fiber holding bore, communicating with the coated-fiber holding bore, for securely accommodating an uncoated optical fiber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector capable of preventing impairment of PC connections by a hard sleeve during PC connection of optical connectors having a hard sleeve installed in engaging pin holes thereof. The optical connector has a ferrule formed with integrally molded plastic and having engaging pin holes, and a hard sleeve installed in the engaging pin holes and having a hardness that is higher than the plastic of the ferrule. The hard sleeve and the plastic of the ferrule surrounding this hard sleeve are polished so as to be lower than the coupling end surface, and the end of the hard sleeve does not protrude beyond the coupling end surface.

Abstract: A housing for a coupling configuration for injecting or extracting optical signals of at least one optical data channel into or from an optical conductor has a housing body. At least one groove is constructed in the housing body, in particular a V-shaped groove, which serves to hold at least one mounting tubelet. At least one recess is formed in the housing body that at least partially includes the base of the groove such that light exiting or entering the mounting tubelet laid in the groove can transilluminate the base of the groove.

Abstract: A tube and a pair of optical frames are employed within an optical connector mount to optically couple two or more optical elements. The optical frames are used to mount the optical elements on the optical connector mount, and the tube is adjoined to the optical frames to allow and maintain the optical alignment of the optical elements. The adjoining of a tube to one of the optical frames involves either a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the tube within a tube seat of the optical frame, or a seating and locking of a spherical segment of the optical frame within a frame seat of the tube.

Abstract: An insert pipe is fitted on an outer circumferential surface of a front end of a ferrule provided with a core wire receiving bore in an axial center thereof, and a small-diameter tubular portion is insert molded coaxially with the insert pipe 4 around the core receiving bore adjacent to the front end, a thin-walled plastic portion being formed inside the small-diameter tubular portion. A plastic reservoir may be provided in a part of the plastic ferrule remote from the front end of the core wire receiving bore. The provision of the thin-walled plastic portion and/or the plastic reservoir prevents the tapering of the core wire receiving bore due to thermal shrinkage following the injection molding process.