Apparatus for aligning an optical fiber in an LED package

A ferrule for loosely-releasably supporting a filament over at least the major portion of a limited length thereof and holding the limited length of filament in a straight line so as to reduce bowing of the filament adjacent one end of the ferrule that is proximate the emitting surface of a light emitting element, said ferrule comprising:

• an elongated member having a length between opposite ends thereof that extends in a prescribed direction along a given straight line and which corresponds to the limited length;
• said member having a recess cut into the exterior surface thereof over the breadth thereof for defining first and second sections on opposite sides of the recess and at opposite ends of said member, the recess extending over a prescribed length which is much less than the limited length and having a depth that is at least equal to the distance between the given line and the perimeter of said member;
• said first section having a first channel therein extending over the length thereof along the given line and being in front of the bottom of the recess so as to open into the recess, the first channel being dimensioned for receiving the largest filament to be supported and extending into said member to the given line;
• and
• said second section having a second channel therein extending over the length thereof along the given line and being in front of the bottom of the recess so as to open into the recess, the second channel also being dimensioned for receiving the largest filament to be supported and extending into said member to the given line;
• the first and second channels overlapping along the given line sufficiently for receiving a filament therein, and being oriented in an end view of said member looking along the given line for forming an angle therebetween that is sufficient for receiving and holding a filament therein.