Gte Laboratories Incorporated

Carl Belmonte

Mark L Dakss

John E Fulenwider

A tool for preparing the ends of optical fiber waveguides prior to such operations as coupling and splicing. The tool is adapted for single-handed operation and comprises a pair of manually actuated handles, first and second fiber supporting surfaces, and a third fiber supporting surface between the first and second surfaces. The optical fiber waveguide is secured to the first and second surfaces by a pair of clamping members which are responsive to the squeezing of the handles. Once the fiber waveguide is secured to the surfaces, further squeezing of the handles produces separating rotation of a pair of jaw members to put the fiber under tensile stress. A cutting blade suspended above the third surface is released to produce a peripheral microcrack on a portion of the optical fiber waveguide lying on the third fiber supporting surface. The induced stress and curved support of the fiber waveguide act in combination to propagate the microcrack diametrically through the fiber so that an appropriate fiber end is obtained. Various modifications and refinements of the tool provide for greater control and semi-automatic operation in preparing fiber ends.

Hand-held tool for optical fiber waveguide end preparation

A tool for preparing the ends of optical fiber waveguides prior to such operations as splicing is disclosed. The tool is adapted for single-handed operation and comprises a pair of manually actuated handles, first and second fiber-supporting surfaces, and a third fiber-supporting surface interjacent the first and second. The optical fiber waveguide is secured to the first and second surfaces by a pair of clamps which are responsive to the squeezing of the handles. Once the fiber waveguide is secured to the surfaces, further squeezing of the handle produces separating rotation of a pair of jaw members to stress the fiber. A cutting blade, suspended above the third surface, is released by the manual actuation of a thumb latch positioned on the tool in alignment with the natural position of the operator's thumb when the handles are being squeezed. Rotation of the thumb latch permits the blade to fall, either under the influence of gravity or a driving spring, to produce a peripheral microcrack on a portion of optical fiber waveguide lying on the third fiber-supporting surface. The induced stress, and curved support, of the fiber waveguide act in combination to propagate the microcrack diametrically through the fiber so that an appropriate fiber end is obtained.

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Somerville, MA, United States of America

Carl Belmonte