Optical fibre connector
US6280098A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4226
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fibre connector comprising a hollow cylindrical body 2 having a throughbore 3 with an inner surface 4. A hollow sleeve or carrier 6 in the form of a cylindrical tube having a throughbore 8 fits snugly within the hollow body throughbore 3. The sleeve 6 can receive and releasably retain a pair of optical fibre assemblies 11 which are to be optically coupled to one another by means of the connector. The sleeve 6 accommodates a plurality of discrete individual engagement means in the form of balls 10 in holes around it circumference. The balls 10 protrude through the holes in the sleeve into the throughbore 3, and are free to rotate as an optical fibre assembly moves past them. The optical fibre assemblies 11 are biassed against the balls 10 and thereby against the inner surface of the connector body by resilient biassing means in the form of spring arrangements 14. Each spring arrangement 14 comprises an elongate resilient strip 15 pivoted about its midpoint on a pivot 20.In this arrangement, as an optical fibre assembly 10 is inserted into the carrier 6, the pivoting action of the spring prevents the biassing force being applied by the spring on the assembly until a first …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.