Single optical fiber connector

摘要

A connector for coupling a pair of single optical fibers is disclosed. Each contact of the connector utilizes three spheres of equal diameter defining a tricuspid interstitial space therebetween into which the end of a fiber is mounted. When a pair of contacts is mated in axial abutting relationship, the spheres in the mating abutting contacts nest with respect to each other, thereby precisely laterally aligning the optical fibers which are mounted in the interstitial spaces of the sets of spheres in the two contacts. A spring sleeve is mounted on a cap threaded onto the forward end of each contact body. The spring sleeve embodies three resilient fingers which urge the spheres inwardly and rearwardly under a controlled force determined by cooperating abutting shoulders on the threaded cap and contact body, thus avoiding the fracturing of an optical fiber mounted in the interstitial space between the spheres.