Reversible fiber connector with mechanical sliding splice

A method for reversibly terminating an optical fiber to an optical fiber stub, the method comprising:

• providing a connector assembly comprising
• an elongate housing comprising a front end, a rear end and a cavity extending therebetween along a longitudinal axis;
• an elongate member mounted within said cavity and comprising a first end, a second end and an alignment groove extending along a first surface thereof between said first end and said second end;
• a splice anvil slidably mounted about said elongate member adjacent said first surface for movement between a released position and a clamped position, an inner surface of said anvil comprising a clamping surface;
• and
• a clamping mechanism comprising a plurality of step surfaces arranged along said first surface of said elongate member adjacent said alignment groove, wherein when in said released position said inner surface of said splice anvil cooperates with said plurality of step surfaces;
• positioning an end portion of the optical fiber within said groove, said end portion extending from said second end and an optical fiber splicing face of the optical fiber being positioned between said first end and said second end;
• positioning the optical fiber stub within said groove, the optical fiber stub extending from said first end, a stub splicing face of the optical fiber stub being positioned opposite said optical fiber splicing face, and said clamping surface of said anvil overlapping said stub splicing face and said optical fiber splicing face;
• and
• moving said anvil towards said first end from said released position to said clamped position, said movement giving rise to a corresponding movement of said inner surface of said anvil along said plurality of step surfaces in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and towards said first surface, said clamping surface of said anvil bringing a corresponding clamping force to bear on the optical fiber stub and the optical fiber.