Means and method for scoring and severing an optical fiber

Apparatus for scoring and parting an optical fiber in such a way as to form mirror smooth parting surfaces on the fiber, comprising:

• a supporting body,
• optical fiber securing means for gripping an optical fiber to be scored and parted with a portion of the fiber extending beyond said securing means;
• a fiber gripping and scoring device for gripping and locally scoring said extending fiber portion;
• said fiber gripping and scoring device comprising a pair of pads having confronting surfaces for receiving said fiber portion between said surfaces, actuating means for effecting relative movement of said pads toward and away from one another to frictionally grip and release said fiber portion, and fiber scoring means for scoring the fiber portion upon relative movement of said pads toward one another, to grip the fiber portion, and
• means mounting said securing means and pivotal mounting means for mounting said scoring and gripping device on said body for rotation toward and away from said securing means and for relative movement between said scoring and gripping device and said securing means generally lengthwise of the fiber portion to a scoring position wherein said device is disposed to grip and score said fiber portion to produce a flaw therein, and to stress the fiber in tension across and part the fiber at said flaw.