Amp LLC

Robert G Harwood

Terry P Bowen

Leon T Ritchie

Charles D Hoover

Gilbert D Ferdon

A connector is disclosed which is made from a plurality of electrical contacts, each of which is a resilient spring, spaced along a continuous web of insulative material which serves to locate the contacts in desired positions and provides an insulation back or cover for the contacts. The method and apparatus for making the subject laminated connector is also disclosed. The plurality of contacts are first formed from a continuous strip of metal, an insulative web is laminated to the metal contacts, and the laminated connector is bent by a continuous roller or die forming operation to desired curvilinear arcuate shapes. Discrete lengths of contacts formed together with the carrier strip are broken away or otherwise separated from the carrier strip either prior to or after the bending operation.

Laminated connector

An improved connector is disclosed for interconnecting a plurality of fiber optic cables with a like plurality of fiber optic cables or optical devices, the fibers of the cables being accurately positioned within the respective connectors. The subject connector can be used for either splicing or terminating individual cables, each cable including at least one fiber, as well as connecting a plurality of light transmitting fiber bundles in a single connector assembly to transmitting and receiving devices. The subject connector includes a housing with at least one cable receiving bore therein; an assembly including an annular crimping ring, a profiled ferrule member, and a helical spring member secured to an end of each cable; and a cap member securing the ferrule members in the housing member in a spring loaded condition. The bores for receiving the fibers are accurately formed in the ferrule members by placing the ferrule member, which initially has a blind bore therein, into a bushing which annularly compresses the ferrule member and then completing the blind bore by drilling from one face or the other with conventional or laser drilling means. Greater concentricity can be achieved by rotating the ferrule member and bushing about their common axis during the drilling operation. Upon release from the bushing, the bore will expand to be larger than necessary and will allow the free passage therethrough of the optical fibers. The fibers will subsequently be compressed within the ferrule to be rigidly and accurately positioned therein.

Method of accurately positioning fiber cables within ferrules

An improved ferrule is disclosed for use in connectors terminating cables including at least one optical fiber. The ferrule is made, at least in part, from materials having an index of refraction approximating that of the cladding on the optical fiber of the cable, which cladding must be removed in order to assure precision location for maximum effective termination. The material of the ferrule and/or the adhesives used therewith will simulate the removed cladding to contain the light passing through the fiber thereby enhancing the fiber connection.

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Mechanicsburg, PA, United States of America

Robert G Harwood