Multi-fiber splice mechanism and associated splicing connector

摘要

A splicing connector (10) and an associated splice mechanism (12) are provided to splice first and second pluralities of optical fibers (14) without buckling the optical fibers. The connector includes a housing (16) and a retainer (18) disposed of at least partially within the housing which defines a channel (20) through which a plurality of optical fibers (14) extend. The connector (10) also includes a clip (22) for securing the optical fibers (14) within the retainer such that the end portions of the optical fibers (14) are exposed through the forward end of the housing (16) in preparation for splicing the optical fibers. Further, the connector (10) includes a spring (24) for urging the retainer (18) and the optical fibers (14) secured within the retainer (18) and the optical fibers (14) secured within the retainer toward the forward end of the housing (16), thereby permitting the optical fibers (14) to be spliced without buckling the optical fibers. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>