Fiber optic cable connector apparatus and method

A method of connecting a fiber optic cable to a coupling device of the type having a portion thereof adapted to receive a fiber optic connector, the connector being arranged for connecting and splicing fiber optic cables of the type that include a protective outer jacket, the outer jacket being provided to protect a coaxially disposed optical fiber core, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a connector frame disposed about a longitudinal frame axis, the connector frame having an inserted end adapted for insertion into the receiving portion of the coupling device, and an opposing compression end spaced along the frame axis, the compression end defining a compression bore disposed coaxially about the frame axis, a portion of said compression bore having a radially disposed threaded inner surface;
• positioning the fiber optic cable through a compressible retaining collet for securing the fiber optic cable in position relative to the connector frame in coaxial alignment with the frame axis, the retaining collet having a radially disposed inner gripping surface, and a radially disposed outer compression surface, said inner gripping surface defining a coaxial gripping bore sized to receive the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable in close fitting relationship,
• guiding the optical fiber core along the frame axis from the compression end of the connector frame, through a passage disposed adjacent the compression bore, into means disposed on the connector frame at the inserted end for positioning the optical fiber core along the frame axis into the coupling device;
• threadedly engaging the retaining collet with the connector frame to compress said retaining collet, wherein the retaining collet is compressed by moving the same from a first threadedly disengaged uncompressed position for receiving a fiber optic cable therein, to a second compressed position where the outer compression surface threadedly engages the compression bore of the connector frame;
• and
• biasing the connector frame toward the coupling device so that the inserted end of the connector frame is urged into the receiving portion of the coupling device.

A reusable fiber optic connector for use with coupling devices of the type having a portion thereof adapted to receive the fiber optic connector, the connector being arranged for connecting and splicing fiber optic cables of the type that include a protective outer jacket, the jacket being provided to protect a coaxially disposed optical fiber core, the connector comprising:

• a connector frame disposed about a longitudinal frame axis, the connector frame having an inserted end adapted for insertion into the receiving portion of the coupling device, and an opposing compression end spaced along the frame axis, the compression end defining a compression bore disposed coaxially about the frame axis;
• means disposed on the connector frame, at the inserted end for positioning the optical fiber core coaxially along the frame axis into the coupling device;
• a passage extending from the compression bore to the positioning means for guiding the optical fiber core from the compression end to the inserted end;
• a compressible retaining collet for securing the fiber optic cable in position relative to the connector frame in coaxial alignment with the frame axis, the retaining collet having a radially disposed inner gripping surface, and a radially disposed outer compression surface, said inner gripping surface defining a coaxial gripping bore sized to receive the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable in close fitting relationship;
• said retaining collet being compressible between a first uncompressed condition where the retaining collet is disengaged from the connector frame for receiving a fiber optic cable through the gripping bore, to a second compressed condition where the outer compression surface of said retaining collet engages the compression bore of the connector frame, wherein as the retaining collet is advanced to the second compressed condition, portions of the inner gripping surface are urged against the outer jacket of the fiber optic cable;
• biasing means comprising a spring coaxially disposed about the connector frame adjacent the inserted end, and a cylindrical cap disposed about the spring, the spring having a first end engaged with a portion of the connector frame, and a second end engaged with a portion of the cap, wherein when the connector is received by the coupling device, the cap is movable from a first unlocked position disconnected from the coupling device wherein the spring is substantially uncompressed, to a second locked position where the cap is connected to the coupling device, and the spring is compressed to bias the connector frame toward the coupling device;
• and
• wherein to facilitate the engagement of the second end of the spring with a portion of the cap, the second end of the spring is larger in diameter than the first end.