Polishing fixture and method for fiber optic connectors

Abstract

A polishing fixture and method suitable for use with springless fiber optic connectors, as well as connectors with integrated springs, is provided. The polishing fixture comprises at least a base plate and a plurality of connector assemblies. Each connector assembly includes a spring and the movement of the connector against the force of the spring applies a spring force to the connector during polishing to compensate for the variation of the protrusion of the connector and optical fiber below the base plate of the polishing fixture. The polishing fixture of this invention can be used with circular and non-circular shaped connectors and with single and multi-fiber connectors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A polishing fixture comprising: 
 a base plate for securing a puck assembly thereto;    the puck assembly configured to engage a fiber optic connector, the puck assembly comprises: 
 a connector receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector for polishing, wherein the connector receptacle is attached to the base plate; and  
 a spring for providing a biasing force to the fiber optic connector during polishing.  
   
     
     
         2 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the puck assembly further comprises: 
 means for substantially eliminating the relative motion between the connector receptacle and the fiber optic connector.    
     
     
         3 . The polishing fixture of  claim 2 , wherein the means for substantially eliminating the relative motion between the connector receptacle and the fiber optic connector comprises: 
 at least one bayonet lug, wherein the bayonet lug is sized and dimensioned to be lockably received in a bayonet slot on the connector receptacle.    
     
     
         4 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic connector engages the connector receptacle using a bayonet connection.  
     
     
         5 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic connector engages the connector receptacle using one or more snap fitting spring arms.  
     
     
         6 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the spring biases the connector receptacle towards the base plate.  
     
     
         7 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the puck assembly further comprises: 
 a spring housing to secure the spring, wherein the spring housing is fixedly attached to the base plate.    
     
     
         8 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed around the connector receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed inside the connector receptacle.  
     
     
         10 . The polishing fixture of  claim 7 , wherein the connector receptacle and the spring housing each comprise substantially corresponding straight edges to substantially eliminate relative rotational movement of the fiber optic connector during polishing.  
     
     
         11 . The polishing fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the connector receptacle is movable relative to the fiber optic connector.  
     
     
         12 . The polishing fixture of  claim 11 , wherein the polishing fixture further comprises: 
 a spring plate assembly for use with the spring to exert the biasing force on the fiber optic connector during polishing and to compensate for the variation in the protrusion of the fiber optic connector and an optical fiber.    
     
     
         13 . The polishing fixture of  claim 12 , wherein the spring plate assembly comprises a plate, a plurality of compression springs, a plurality of bolts corresponding to an equal number of the compression springs, and an enclosing cap.  
     
     
         14 . The polishing fixture of  claim 13 , wherein the plate is biased by the spring to exert the biasing force.  
     
     
         15 . The polishing fixture of  claim 12 , wherein the polishing fixture further comprises: 
 a clip ring having at least one cantilever arm for use with the spring plate assembly, wherein the cantilever arm exerts a spring force on the fiber optic connector.    
     
     
         16 . The polishing fixture of  claim 15 , wherein the fiber optic connector is positioned between the cantilever arm and the connector receptacle.  
     
     
         17 . A polishing fixture comprising: 
 a base plate for securing a puck assembly thereto;    the puck assembly configured to engage a fiber optic connector, the puck assembly comprises: 
 a connector receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector for polishing; and  
 a spring for providing a biasing force to the fiber optic connector during polishing.  
   
     
     
         18 . A puck assembly attachable to a polishing fixture, the puck assembly comprises: 
 a connector receptacle adapted to receive a fiber optic connector to polish; and    a spring to bias the fiber optic connector during polishing..    
     
     
         19 . The puck assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the puck assembly further comprises: 
 means for substantially eliminating the relative motion between the connector receptacle and the fiber optic connector.    
     
     
         20 . The puck assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the means for substantially eliminating the relative motion between the connector receptacle and the fiber optic connector comprises: 
 at least one bayonet lug, wherein the bayonet lug is sized and dimensioned to be lockably received in a bayonet slot on the connector receptacle.    
     
     
         21 . The puck assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the connector receptacle is movable relative to the fiber optic connector.  
     
     
         22 . A method of using a polishing fixture to compensate for the variation in the protrusion of one or more springless fiber optic connectors, comprising: 
 providing a puck assembly puck configured to engage the fiber optic connector;    securing the puck assembly to a base plate;    engaging the springless fiber optic connector in the puck assembly, wherein the puck assembly comprises: 
 a connector receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector for polishing, wherein the connector receptacle is attached to the base plate; and  
 a spring for providing a biasing force to the fiber optic connector during polishing.  
   applying a downward force to the polishing fixture to displace the springless fiber optic connector; and    polishing the terminal end of the fiber optic connector.