Fiber optic coupler with in-line optical component

A coupler for coupling a first fiber optic cable terminating in a first connector having a first ferrule to a second fiber optic cable terminating in a second connector having a second ferrule, said coupler comprising:

• a holder element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the first ferrule, and a socket aligned with said channel for receiving an optical component, said socket having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said channel adjacent said socket, said holder element further defining a first cable connector adapted for connection to the first connector and a first element connector opposite said first cable connector;
• and
• a mating element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the second ferrule, said mating element further defining a second cable connector adapted for connection to the second connector and a second element connector opposite said second cable connector, said mating element defining a surface capable of at least partially closing said socket to define a chamber when said mating element is connected to said holder element;
• whereby said holder element and said mating element are connectable by said first and second element connectors to align and couple the first and second fiber optic cables with an optical component positioned between the first and second ferrules and substantially contiguous therewith;
• and
• wherein said socket has a length greater than a thickness of said optical component.

A coupler for coupling a first fiber optic cable terminating in a first connector having a first ferrule to a second fiber optic cable terminating in a second connector having a second ferrule, said coupler comprising:

• a holder element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the first ferrule, and a socket aligned with said channel for receiving an optical component, said holder element further defining a first cable connector adapted for connection to the first connector and a first element connector opposite said first cable connector, said first element connector comprising external threads;
• and
• a mating element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the second ferrule, said mating element further defining a clamping surface and a second cable connector adapted for connection to the second connector and a second element connector opposite said second cable connector, said second element connector comprising internal threads complementary to said external threads of said holder element;
• whereby said first element connector is threadable onto said second element connector to align and couple the first and second fiber optic cables with an optical component positioned in contact with said clamping surface and between the first and second ferrules and substantially contiguous therewith;
• wherein said holder element and said mating element are connectable to define a chamber, intermediate said first and second cable connectors, for retaining said at least one of said optical components therein;
• and
• wherein said chamber has a length greater than a thickness of said at least one of said optical components.

A kit for coupling fiber optic cables terminating in first and second connectors having first and second ferrules, respectively, said kit comprising;

• a plurality of optical components, each of said plurality of optical components having distinct optical characteristics, each of said plurality of optical components having a substantially identical cross-section;
• and
• a coupler for coupling first fiber optic cables terminating in first and second connectors, said coupler comprising;
• a holder element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the first ferrule, and a socket aligned with said channel for receiving an optical component, said holder element further defining a first cable connector adapted for connection to the first connector and a first element connector opposite said first cable connector;
• a mating element defining a channel therethrough for receiving the second ferrule, said mating element further defining a second cable connector adapted for connection to the second connector and a second element connector opposite said second cable connector;
• whereby said holder element and said mating element are connectable by said first and second element connectors to align and couple said first and second fiber optic cables with at least one of said plurality or optical components positioned between said first and second ferrules and substantially contiguous therewith, each of said plurality of optical elements being interchangeably positionable within said coupler.