Fiber optic connector

Abstract

A connector for terminating optical fibers. The connector includes first and second housing portions for mating with each other. When the optical fiber is inserted into the first housing portion, a strain is pre-applied to the optical fiber. The second housing portion includes a blade such that when the first and second housing portions mate, the blade cleaves the optical fiber without additional preparation of the fiber, for example, without removal of a portion of the buffer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fiber optic connector comprising: 
 first and second housing portions for mating with each other;    means for positioning an optical fiber in said first housing portion; and    a blade housed in said second housing portion, said blade being configured for cleaving the optical fiber when said first and second housing portions are mated.    
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  wherein said blade is permanently affixed to said second housing portion.  
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  wherein said blade cleaves the optical fiber through a buffer.  
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for positioning the optical fiber comprises a curvature formed on said first housing portion.  
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 4  wherein said curvature provides a predefined radius.  
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  wherein said connector is capable of being mated and demated multiple times.  
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 6  wherein said blade engages the optical fiber only during the first mating cycle for connection with a particular optical fiber.  
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  further comprising fiber debris retention means.  
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for locating the optical fiber after cleaving.  
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 9  wherein said means for locating the optical fiber comprises a groove disposed in said second housing portion.  
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 10  wherein said means for locating further comprises a detent disposed in said first housing portion.  
     
     
         12 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for sizing the optical fiber including a radius formed on the first housing portion of a size small enough to shatter the optical fiber as the fiber is wrapped around the radius.  
     
     
         13 . A method of interconnecting optical fibers comprising: 
 inserting said fiber into a first housing portion;    positioning said fiber around a curvature formed on said first housing portion to strain said fiber; and    mating a second housing portion with said first housing portion;    cleaving said optical fiber with a blade positioned in said second housing portion, said fiber strain being partially relieved by said cleaving; and    receiving said fiber into a groove in said second housing portion.    
     
     
         14 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 13  wherein the step of cleaving comprises cleaving the optical fiber through a buffer.  
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 13  wherein the connector is capable of being mated and demated multiple times.  
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 13  wherein said blade engages the fiber only during the first mating cycle for connection with a particular optical fiber.  
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 13  further comprises the step of retaining the end of the fiber cleaved within the connector.  
     
     
         18 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 13  further comprises the step of locating the optical fiber after cleaving.  
     
     
         19 . The fiber optic connector as defined in  claim 18  wherein the step of breaking off includes wrapping the optical fiber around a radius formed on the first housing portion sized small enough to shatter the optical fiber.