Optical fiber connector using fiber spring force alignment groove

A plug for terminating or interconnecting an optical fiber, comprising:

• means for securely holding a terminal portion of the fiber;
• an elongate, hollow plug body attached to said fiber holding means such that the terminal portion of the fiber extends into an interior of said plug body generally parallel to an axis of said plug body, said interior having sufficient space to allow the terminal portion of the fiber to bow within said interior, and said plug body having at least one opening providing access to the terminal portion of the fiber from an oblique angle with respect to said plug body axis:
• wherein said fiber holding means comprises;
• a first block having a landing member extending in a direction toward the terminal portion of the fiber, said landing member having upstanding posts which limit skewing of the terminal portion of the fiber;
• and
• a second block positioned adjacent said first block, at least one of said first and second blocks having a fiber-receiving groove at an adjacent surface.

A optical fiber termination comprising:

• a plug having a plug fiber holder securing a bare, terminal portion of an optical fiber, and an elongate, hollow plug body having first and second ends, said first end being open and attached to said plug fiber holder with said terminal portion of said fiber extending into an interior of said plug body generally parallel to an axis of said plug body, said interior having sufficient space to allow said terminal portion of said fiber to bow within said interior, and said second end having a slot providing access to said terminal portion of said fiber;
• a receptacle having an opening sized to receive said second end of said plug body, said receptacle further-having a projection adapted to enter said slot in said plug body, said projection having a fiber-alignment groove therein located to receive said terminal portion of said fiber when said plug body is inserted in said receptacle;
• and
• latch means for releasably securing said plug body in said receptacle.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a plug including
• a plug fiber holder securing a bare, terminal portion of an optical fiber,
• an elongate, hollow plug shroud having first and second ends, said first end being open and attached to said plug fiber holder with said terminal portion of said fiber extending into an interior of said plug shroud generally parallel to an axis of said plug shroud, said interior having sufficient space to allow said terminal portion of said fiber to bow within said interior, and said second end having a slot providing access to said terminal portion of said fiber;
• and a receptacle including
• a receptacle housing having an opening sized to receive said second end of said plug shroud, said plug shroud further having means for releasably securing said plug shroud in said receptacle housing,
• a receptacle fiber holder securing a bare, terminal portion of another optical fiber, said receptacle fiber holder having a projection adapted to enter said slot in said plug shroud at an oblique angle with respect to said plug shroud axis, said projection having a fiber-alignment groove therein located to receive said terminal portion of said plug fiber when said plug shroud is inserted in said receptacle, an end face of said receptacle fiber being located along an intermediate section of said fiber-alignment groove, and
• means for releasably mounting said receptacle housing to a support surface;
• whereby said plug fiber extends generally straight within said plug shroud when said plug is removed from said receptacle, but is sufficiently long such that when said plug is fully inserted in said receptacle, said plug fiber becomes bowed to maintain a continuous compressive load against said end face of said receptacle fiber.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a plug including
• a plug fiber holder securing a terminal portion of an optical fiber,
• an elongate, hollow plug shroud attached to said plug fiber holder with said terminal portion of said fiber extending into an interior of said plug shroud, said plug shroud having a forward end with a slot providing access to said terminal portion of said fiber, and
• a plug door slidably attached to said end of said plug shroud, having a closed position wherein said plug door covers said slot and an open position wherein said slot is unobstructed by said plug door;
• and a receptacle including
• a receptacle housing having an opening sized to receive said second end of said plug shroud
• a receptacle having a projection adapted to enter said slot in said plug shroud, said projection having a fiber-alignment groove therein located to receive said terminal portion of said plug fiber when said plug shroud is inserted in said receptacle, and
• a receptacle door hingedly attached to said receptacle housing at said opening, having means for urging said plug door to said open position as said second end of said plug shroud is inserted into said receptacle housing.