Single optical fiber connector utilizing elastomeric alignment device

A fiber optic connector for coupling single optical fibers comprising:

• a deformable elastomeric alignment element having a bore therethrough;
• a pair of like-sets of at least three rods mounted lengthwise in said bore, each said set of rods having adjacent like-shaped cylindrical surfaces providing at least one tricuspid interstitial space between said rods for receiving an optical fiber;
• all the rods of each said set of rods having front ends lying in a common plane transverse to the longitudinal axes of said rods providing a mating end face;
• said mating end faces of said sets of rods substantially abutting each other in said bore;
• and
• the region of said element surrounding said mating end faces being strained to exert a radially inwardly directed compressive force urging said rods of each set inwardly to cause said adjacent cylindrical surfaces thereof to engage each other so that the centers of any three contiguous rods of each set are disposed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, whereby fibers in corresponding interstitial spaces in said sets of rods will become precisely laterally aligned.

A fiber optic connector for coupling single optical fibers comprising:

• a deformable elastomeric alignment element having a bore therethrough;
• a pair of like-sets of at least three rods mounted lengthwise in said bore, each said set of rods having adjacent like-shaped cylindrical surfaces providing at least one tricuspid interstitital space between said rods for receiving an optical fiber;
• each said set of rods being joined to a contact body;
• said body having an opening therein aligned wih each said interstitial space between said cylindrical surfaces and being dimensioned to receive an optical fiber therethrough;
• said sets of rods having mating end faces substantially abutting each other in said bore;
• and
• the region of said element surrounding said mating end faces being strained to exert a radially inwardly directed compressive force urging said rods of each set inwardly to cause said adjacent cylindrical surfaces thereof to engage each other so that the centers of any three contiguous rods of each set are disposed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, whereby fibers in corresponding interstitial spaces in said sets of rods will become precisely laterally aligned.

A fiber optic connector for coupling single optical fibers comprising:

• a deformable elastomeric alignment element having a bore therethrough;
• a pair of like-sets of at least three rods mounted lengthwise in said bore, each said set of rods having adjacent like-shaped cylindrical surfaces providing at least one tricuspid interstitial space between said rods for receiving an optical fiber;
• said sets of rods having mating end faces substantially abutting each other in said bore;
• the region of said element surrounding said mating end faces being strained to exert a radially inwardly directed compressive force urging said rods of each set inwardly to cause said adjacent cylindrical surfaces thereof to engage each other so that the centers of any three contiguous rods of each set are disposed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle, whereby fibers in corresponding interstitial spaces in said sets of rods will become precisely laterally aligned;
• said bore in said elastomeric alignment element including a central portion of uniform diameter at the location of said abutment, and outwardly tapering end portions;
• the diameter of said central portion being less than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said sets of rods at their mating end faces whereby said interstitial spaces, and hence fibers mounted therein, will become self-aligned when said rods are pushed into said central portion of said bore;
• each of said sets of rods being carried by a contact body;
• and
• said alignment element having opposed end faces formed with counterbores therein aligned with said bore, said counterbores slidably receiving said contact bodies and being sufficiently deep to support said bodies in said element.

A fiber optic connector for coupling a pair of single optical fibers comprising:

• a pair of contacts each adapted to be terminated to a single optical fiber;
• each said contact comprising a body having three equal diameter cylindrical, flexible posts extending forwardly therefrom and generally parallel to each other in closely adjacent, but not necessarily engaging relationship, defining therebetween an interstitial space;
• the posts of each said contact terminating in a common mating end face;
• a passage extending longitudinally through each said body in axial alignment with said space, said passage and space being dimensioned to receive a single optical fiber therein;
• said posts being deflectable radially inwardly to engage each other and a fiber located in the interstitial space therebetween;
• a deformable elastomeric alignment element having a bore therethrough;
• said mating end faces of said contacts substantially axially abutting each other in said bore;
• and
• the region of said sleeve surrounding said abutting end faces of said contacts being strained to exert a radially inwardly directed compressive force deflecting said posts of said contacts inwardly to engage each other so that the centers of the posts of each contact will become disposed at the vertices of an imaginary equilateral triangle, whereby fibers in said interstitial spaces in said contacts will become precisely laterally aligned.

A single fiber contact comprising:

• a body having a front and a rear;
• at least three generally parallel, laterally spaced, flexible posts extending forwardly from said front of said body;
• said posts having adjacent like-shaped cylindrical surfaces thereon providing therebetween at least one interstitial space;
• a bore in said body aligned with said space and extending from said front to said rear thereof, said bore being dimensioned to receive an optical fiber therein;
• said posts being sufficiently flexible to deflect inwardly for said cylindrical surfaces to engage each other and a fiber in said space upon application of an inwardly directed compressive force applied to said posts;
• and
• said posts having arcuate recesses in said adjacent surfaces extending forwardly from said front of said body defining a passage coaxial with said bore and both dimensioned to receive therein a jacketed optical fiber, said recesses terminating behind the front faces of said posts.