Connectors for optical fibers

US3972585A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Northern Electric Company Limited · CA

Inventors

• Jack F. Dalgleish · Ottawa, CA
• Helmut H. Lukas · Carleton Place, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 13, 1975
• Grant date: Aug 3, 1976
• Expiry date: Feb 13, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3802
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A connector comprising a tubular connecting member having a bore which fits over a coated fiber and having a section which is preformed by deforming the walls of the member inwards to define a smaller central bore which is a close sliding fit on an uncoated fiber. Two coated fibers are connected by the uncoated fibers ends being inserted into the preformed section, a fiber from each end, until in end to end relationship. For a splice, a single connecting member is used and after insertion of the fibers, the ends of the member are crimped on to the coated fiber. For a releasable connector, the preformed section is toward one end of the connecting member which is crimped on to one coated fiber. The other fiber is crimped into a further tubular member with the uncoated fiber extending from the end for insertion in the preformed section of the connecting member. The connecting member and the further tubular member are held in axial alignment by a housing.