Optical fiber polishing jig for use with optical connectors of differing sizes and types

A method for using a polishing jig, the method comprising:

• providing a polishing jig having a front side and a back side and at least first, second and third tube structures disposed on the front side, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third openings, respectively, formed therein that extend from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the openings being generally cylindrical in shape and having first, second and third diameters, the first, second and third openings having first, second and third longitudinal axes, respectively, corresponding to first, second and third optical axes, respectively, of the first, second and third tube structures, respectively, wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a first distance, D1, wherein the second and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a second distance, D2, wherein the first and third longitudinal axes are separated from each other by a third distance, D3, and wherein first and second distances D1 and D2 are not equal to one another, and wherein the optical connector is selected from a group of optical connectors including optical simplex connectors and at least a first type of optical duplex connector, the first type of optical duplex connector having a first distance between first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector, the first distance between the first and second ferrules of the first type of optical duplex connector being substantially equal to the first distance D1;
• placing an end of an optical simplex connector or an optical duplex connector of the first type in abutment with one or more ends of one or more of the tube structures such that one or more ferrules of the optical connector pass through one or more of the openings and one or more optical fibers disposed within the ferrules extend from the back side of the jig;
• and
• polishing the end or ends of the optical fiber or fibers extending away from the back side of the jig.

A polishing jig for use in polishing ends of optical fibers connected to optical connectors, the jig comprising:

• at least first, second and third tube structures disposed on a front side of the jig, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third openings, respectively, formed therein that extend from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the openings being generally cylindrical in shape and having first, second and third diameters, and wherein the first, second and third openings have first, second and third longitudinal axes, respectively, corresponding to first, second and third optical axes, respectively, of the first, second and third tube structures, respectively, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one other by a first distance, D1, wherein the second and third longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a second distance, D2, wherein the first and third longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a third distance, D3, and wherein the polishing jig is suitable for use with simplex optical connectors and with at least first and second types of optical duplex connectors, wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance that is substantially equal to the first distance D1, and wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance that is substantially equal to the second distance D2.

A method for using a polishing jig, the method comprising:

• providing a polishing jig that is suitable for use with simplex optical connectors and with at least first and second types of optical duplex connectors, wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance, and wherein first and second optical axes of first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector are separated by a distance, the polishing jig having a front side and a back side and at least first, second and third tube structures disposed therein that are defined by first, second and third openings, respectively, formed in the polishing jig and extending from the front side of the jig to a backside of the jig, the first, second and third tube structures having first, second and third optical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second optical axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a first distance, D1, that is equal to the distance between the first and second optical axes of the first and second ferrules, respectively, of the first type of optical duplex connector, and wherein the second and third optical axes are parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a second distance, D2, that is equal to the distance between the first and second optical axes of the first and second ferrules, respectively, of the second type of optical duplex connector, and wherein the first and third optical axes are separated from each other by a third distance, D3;
• placing an end of an optical simplex connector, a first type of optical duplex connector, or a second type of optical duplex connector in abutment with one or more ends of one or more of the tube structures such that one or more ferrules of the abutting optical connector pass through one or more of the openings and such that one or more optical fibers disposed within the ferrules extend from the back side of the jig;
• and
• polishing the end or ends of the optical fiber or fibers extending from the back side of the jig.