Axially centering apparatus for fusion-bonding optical fibers

An axially centering apparatus for fusion-bonding optical fibers, comprising:

• (1) a pair of centering stands comprising:
• (a) a pair of guides having long grooves on upper surfaces thereof for engaging optical fibers;
• (b) a pair of fulcra formed in parallel with the long grooves of the guides for supporting the guides;
• and
• (c) substrates for supporting the fulcra;
• (2) a pair of centering mechanisms comprising:
• (a) load imparting mechanism sections having telescopic output ends;
• (b) adjusting mechanism sections;
• and
• (c) transmitting mechanism sections for the adjusting mechanism section so that the long grooves of said centering stands are disposed adjacent to each other to align in a rectilinear line;
• said centering mechanisms being associated with the centering stand such that the output ends of the centering mechanisms contact the guides of the centering stands;
• wherein an imaginary diagonal line on each centering stand from a fulcrum to an associated long groove makes a 45.degree. angle with an imaginary vertical line through the long groove;
• and the imaginary diagonal lines on each centering stand from the fulcrum to the associated long groove are perpendicular to each other;
• said output ends of the pair of centering mechanisms being disposed on the plane to be contacted with the guides of the centering stand;
• said transmitting mechanism comprising a lever which is rotatable about an axis of the load imparting mechanism and rotatable therewith, said lever having an end abutting the adjusting mechanism section so that a linear movement of the adjusting mechanism section moves the abutting end thereby causing lever to rotate about said axis and causing said load imparting mechanism to rotate and move linearly in the axial direction.