| 摘要 |
A fiber optic connector of the type in which two plugs are received within opposite ends of a socket or housing. Axially extending ridges and recesses on mating surfaces of the plugs and the socket interengage with each other in order to guarantee alignment of the optical fibers. To avoid the possibility of plug reversal, polarizing keys and keyways are provided on the plugs and sockets to guarantee that each plug can only be inserted in one way into the socket. The minimum spacing between coupled optical fibers is established by a flat shim which is secured to and suspended from an external shelf, and which extends into the interior of the socket to keep the two plugs apart. Bend end and strain relief sleeves, formed of semi-rigid material, preferably heat shrinkable to clamp tightly about the fiber optic cables, are coupled to the plugs by means of molded recesses and flanges which interengage. In one embodiment of the invention these sleeves are accordion-pleated; while in another embodiment each bend and strain relief device is molded in the form of two integral shell halves with an integral tethered cap for protection of the optical fibers when the plug is withdrawn from its socket.
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