CA1121780A - Optical fiber breaker and method, and combination breaker and optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present apparatus and method make it extremely easy for a worker, even when located in a manhole or on a telephone pole, to rapidly achieve a perfect break in an optical fiber and at a precisely predetermined position relative to a connector means. The breaking is the same, regardless of the upright, in-verted or inclined position of the tool. Only a single motion of the blade is required at any desired speed, and there is no neces-sity for the blade to contact the fiber at a pressure within certain limits. These and other major results are obtained by clamping an optical connector element to the optical fiber before breaking is effected, and then removably securing the connector element to the breaker at a precisely known position which is correlated to the location of the scoring blade and to the charac-teristics of the connector. The fiber is then clamped, bent, tensioned and scored in response to a single squeezing and releas-ing motion by one hand of the operator-- these actions being sub-stantially entirely unaffected by excessively hard squeezing forces.
The scoring is effected by a hard-mounted tungsten carbide blade which moves, in an arcuate path, toward and across the tensioned fiber. The blade is of a certain type which-- when thus moved--causes scoring to occur so instantaneously that, despite the indicated hard mounting, there is almost no danger that the fiber end will be crushed or otherwise damaged. In a second embodiment, means are provided to heat the fiber for rapid burning of the syn-thetic resin coating therefrom. The invention includes not only the breaker and method per se, but also the apparatus and method whereby the breaker is combined with an optical connector to create a combination breaker and connector.

Description

'7~

This invention relates to the field of apparatus and me-thods for breaking optical fibers in such manner as to achieve substantially perfect mirror-finish ends at the break.
In the article by Gloge, Smith, Bisbee and Chinnock (The Bell System Technical Journal, November, 1973, pages 1579 et se~.), it is stated (page 1580) that "The range within which per-fectly flat and perpendicular end faces were obtained was found to be so wide that the eventual construction of a simple hand tool for this purpose should present no problem." Nevertheless, the l~ hand tools subsequently created by Bell Laboratories and other major companies have not been commercially practical or successful.
That is to say/ they have not been such that telephone repairmen, for example, can almost always make a perfect break~- even while in a manhole or up a telephone pole-- in a matter of-seconds if at all r Furthermore, and very importantly, the prior art suggests no practical correlation between the breaker and the optical con-nectors.
Reference will now be made to some of the important prior-art problems which the present apparatus and method have eliminated. The following is not necessarily all inclusive, nor are the problems necessarily listed in order of importance.
Referring first to scoring, it was conventional in the prior art to lower a scoring blade delicately onto the fiber (either prior to or after tensioning of the fiber). Then, as a second operation, the blade was moved along its length suficiently to effect scoring or nicking of the fiber. On page 1585 of the cited article, scorer pressures ranging from 1.5 -to 7.5 grams are suggested. It is further there stated that the smallest scores were produced when a sharp diamond scorer was lowered onto the fiber after application of tension. A strong preference for dia-mond or sapphire scorers is typical of most prior art. The prior art also employs, typically, such things as counterweights and/or dashpots to achieve the desired delicate contact between scorer '7~

and fiber.
Applicant has discovered that-- surprisingly-- maximum scorer pressure on the glass may be made to be no factor whatever.
Thus, just so long as there is enough pressure -to effect scoring, the pressure may be as high as convenient and need not be measured at all. This discovery not only eliminates the need for counter-weights, dashpots, measurements, etc., it makes the apparatus and method absolutely independent of orientation (upright, inverted or sideways) in that gravity is of no importance. Additionally, ~3 ~e~
10 ~ applicant does not ~ r~e~ (or even desire) exotic blade material such as diamond or sapphire, having discovered that a certain type of carbide is vastly superior.
Referring next to correlation between the breaker for optical fibers and the connectors therefor, insofar as applicant is aware the prior art suggests no practical means of achieving this ma~or result. Thus, in almost all prior art the breaking and subsequent connecting of the fibers are totally independent operations. In only one prior-art patent is any correlation sug-gested, and the described system is not commercially practical since (for example) it requires adhesive mounting of fibers in a foldable support. In accordance with the present invention, the breaking-connecting system which not only reduces overall connec-tion time, there being (for example) no need for adhesive, but increases the overall ~uality of the connection.
With reference to creation of the tension in the fiber, this has conventionally been achieved by (a) predetermined weights, or (b) special "tensator" springs the force of which does not change with distance, or (c) special frictional grips which are intended to slip at a predetermined tension value, or (d) unknown forces which require that, preferably, scoring be effected before tensioning occurs. In the preferred forms of the present appara-tus and method, the fiber is clamped in a nonslip manner, tension-ing is caused by an economical spring means which is unaffected L17~

by excessive grip pressure, and scoring is then performed. There thu~ result major improvements in the practicality of the tool.
As but one additional example of the deficiencies of the prior art, there is no practical means for insuring -that all types and thicknesses of the synthetic resin coating will be removed at regions adjacent the break-- this being important for achievement of optimum connections. In accordance with one embodiment of the present apparatus and method, such coating is burned off in the critical areas with no requirement for additional manipulation of the fiber, and with only a small reduction in ~he speed of the operation.
In accordance with the scoring aspect-of the present invention, the edge of a scoring blade is caused to have initial contact with a bent, tensioned optical fiber in a downward direc-tion and also a scoring direction, as distinguished from being initially merely set down on such fiber. There is caused to be sufficient force to score the fiber, but the upper limit of the force need not be measured or known. The blade is one having an edge sufficiently "rough" to score the fiber instantaneously, but sufficiently smooth not to effect improper breaking or damaging of the fiber ends. The blade is so shaped as not to interfere with upward flexing of the fiber ends as soon as breaking occurs. In one embodiment, the fiber is mounted in a groove and has a minimum tendency to roll.
Stated more definitely, the edge of the scoring blade is caused to move through an arcuate path into engagement with the bent, tensioned fiber, the directioll of curvature of such path being opposite to that of the Eiber surface portion engaged by the scorer. The scorer is cemented tungsten carbide having a particle size typically in the range of one to two microns. The hardness of the carbide is about 92 on the Rockwell A scale.

With reference to the aspect of the invention whereby there is a predetermined correlation to an optical connector for connecting two opposed fiber ends, one element of the optical connector is first quickly clamped to the fiber to be broken, at any position. Then, such connector element is rapldly and remov-ably mounted on the breaker at a predetermined, known position, one characteristic of such position being that the fiber extends beneath the path of the scorer blade. Thereafter, the fiber end is clamped, bent, and scored so as to break at a location precisely known, the break location being correlated in a predetermined manner to the dimensions of the op-tical connector. Perfect break-ing having been achieved at a predetermined location relative tothe one optical-connector element, it is only necessary to dis-connect such one element from the breaker, repeat the operation with a second connector element and fiber, and then mate the two elements (and thus the fibers) with each other. -In the fiber tensioning aspect of the present methodand apparatus, the squeezing of the handles is caused to load a spring means to a ~orce within -the range known to create a perfect break. Further squeezing action then releases a tensioning table for shifting in response to such force, thus creating the requisite tension. Very importantly, the spring rneans and release means are so constructed and related as to nullify the effects of excessive squeezing forces.
When the synthetic resin coating on the fiber is such that stripping-back from the broken end does not occur automati-cally when the break is effected, the tool is caused to be one which has parallel, adjacent heater wires into which the fiber firrnly nests and seats upon being tensioned. Switch rneans, res-ponsive to handle pOSitiOII, create an electric current heating the wires and burning off the coating just before scoring occurs.
Thus, -the ends upon being broken are not enclosed in a coating, and will mate more perfectly in the optical connector.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be understood more fully and clearly upon considera-tion of the following specification and drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present inventi.on;
Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof, as shown frorn the right .in Figure 1, a portion being broken away and sec-tioned in order to show a fiber-tensioning spriny;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view o~ the upper portion of Figure 1, but showing the fiber in clamped condition;
Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on line ~-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but showing the blade in a position achieved after completion of a break;
Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view generalIy on line 6-6 of Figure 5, and further showing in section the connector element secured to the breaker;
Figure 7 is a greatly enlarged, partially exploded isometric view illustrating various portions of the breaker mech-anism, the straight dashed lines indicating parts which are either shown in duplicate (for clarity) or are in alignment with each other;
Figure 8 is a yreatly enlarged schematic view showing the lower edge of the scoring blade at the instant it first con-tacts an optical fiber;
Figure 9 is a corresponding schematic view illustratiny the blade in a position achieved af~er cornp].etion of the break.
In both Figures 8 and 9, the diameter of the fiber .is, for clarity, shown greatly exagyerated in cornparision to the length of the scoring edge;
Fiyure 10 is a schematic representation of an electron-microscope enlaryement of the edge of the scoriny blade;
Fi.gure 11 is a yreatly enlaryed verti.cal sectional view illustrating the action of the fiber ends just after the instant of breaking;

Figure 12 is an elevational view corresponding generally to the upper portion of Figure 1 but illustrating the ~iber-heating means of a second embodiment of the breaker;
Figure 13 is an enlarged isometric view illustrating the fiber support table of such second embodiment, the table in-corporating heating wires defining a groove in which the fiber nests;
Figure 1~ is a further enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the relationship between the heating wires and fiber 1~ in the vicinity of the point of scoring;
Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sec-tional view of the preferred optical connector;
Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 are transverse sectional views taken along lines 16-16, 17-17, 18-18 and 19-19, respectively, of Figure 15; and Figure 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing one of the plugs separated from the receptacle of the optical connector.
The present breaker is shown in its upright position and is, for reasons of simplicity, described and claimed as being in that position. It is emphasized, however, that no claim is to be regarded as limited by this convention.
The word "cylindrical" is used, in the present specifi-cation and claims, in its conventional sense, namely to mean a right circular cylinder. The optical fibers presently used are cylindrical, as shown at 133 in Figures 8, 9 and 11.
In use, the breaker is provided with a cover means which shields most o~ the illustrated mechanism, such cover means being nshown .
~ vertical base plate 10 has ~i~edly secured thereto, as by screws, a forward handle 11 which may be re~erred to as the "stationary" handle in that it is anchored to the base plate. A
rear handle 12 is pivotally mounted at its upper end to base plate 10, by means of a shoulder screw 13 and spacer sleeve 14 (Figure 7).

The handles are n~rmally held in spaced-apart position by a helical compression spring 16 the ends of which are mounted over studs 17 and 18 on the handles.
A plug holder arm 20 i5 adjustably mounted relative to base plate 10, being a plate-like crank which is normally generally parallel to the base plate as shown in Figures 4 and 6. At its lower end, plug holder arm 20 has beariny ears 21 which are apertured to receive a large-diameter and strong shoulder screw 22. The screw 22 is horizontal and parallel to the base plate, and is threaded into an enlarged upper end portion of the stationary handle llo Thus, the plug holder arm can be pivotally adjusted, through a small angle, about the axis of the shoulder screw for purposes stated below.
As best shown in Figure 6, a plug receiver 23 is fixedly mounted (as by a suitable adhesive) in plug holder arm 20, and has an externally threaded fastener portion 24. The plug receiver 23 (including its portion 24) is shaped to mate in precise manner with one component (element or portion) 13' of an optical connector assembl~ which is adapted to achieve a precise optical connection between two optical fibers which have been broken by the present apparatus. In a greatly preferred example of such a connector assembly, the component (element or portion) 13' is a plug assembly, as described hereinafter relative to Figure 20 and other figures.
The connector portion 13' includes an internally threaded aoupling ring 85' adapted to be threaded around portion 24 until a tapered front shell or plug ~8l seats snuyly, in complementary 8~

manner, in plug receiver 23 as shown in Figure 6. When thus seated, the forward (right) end of plug or shell 48' is coplanar with the forward surface of the plug receiver 23. Connector portion 13' further includes a clamping and aligning assembly (aescribed below? mounted fixedly around a protective sheath 132 which encloses the actual optical fiber 133. Such assembly effectively clamps the optical fiber~ thus the fiber is (when plug 48' is mounted as stated) clamped to the breaking tool.
The plug receiver 23 (Figure 6~ in the present tool is provided with a longitudinal keyway to receive a radial key 71' on shell 48'.
To permit the fiber 133, after the protective sheath 132 has been stripped therefrom, to-be inserted laterally into the plug receiver 23 and associated plug holder arm 20, registered radial slots are provided on these elements as shown at 32 in Figures 1, 2 and 5.
A fiber support table 34 is fixedly secured to the for-ward face of plug holder arm 20, and has an upper surface 35 which is cylindrical about the axis of shoulder screw 22. Furthermore, surface 35 is spaced such a distance from screw 22 that there will be a correct degree of bend of the fiber 133 when it is tensioned as described hereinafter. One predetermined radius of surface 35, which i5 presently employed by applicant to achieve a correct bend, is ].5 inches from the axis of screw 22 to the cylindrical surface 35.
Table 34 may be made, for example, of a phenolic syn--thetic resin. Its surface 35 is registered, at the edge adjacent 9hell 48l (F:igure 6), with the axis of plug receiver 23. This assures that there will be T10 undesired distortion of or stress in fiber 133 during the tensioning and scoring operations described below.

The protruding end portion of optical fiber 133 extends not onl~ across support table 34 but across a tension table 36 ~.2~

the upper surface of which is flush with surface 35. Tension table 36 is, similarly to plug holder arm 20, a crank mounted pivotally on screw 22. Thus, the lower end of the tension table is an aper-tured bearing ear 37 which fits between ears 21 of the fiber support, and likewise receives a por-tion of the shank of screw 22.
Mounted above the upper surface of table 36, in parallel relationship thereto, is a clamp plate 3~ from which projects downwardly and slidably into the tension table a guide pin 39 (Figures 1 and 2)~ At their regions opposite plug receiver 23, the opposed surfaces of clamp plate 38 and table 36 are covered with synthetic-resin friction elements adapted to achieve a desired degree of frictional engagement with fiber 133. These friction elements, indicated at 40, may be synthetic resin tape adhesively - secured (or bonded) to the clamp and table surfaces. As best shown in Figure 7, the synthetic resin tape 40 is pre~erably pro-vided not only on the parallel surfaces of the table 36 and clamp 38, but also on the faces thereof remote from plug receiver 23.
Fiber 133 being in precise position over tables 34 and 36, and beneath plate 38, it i5 clamped by the actuating, spriny, cam and connection mechanisms next described, in response to move-ment of handle 12 toward handle 11. A tension rod 42 extends downwardly from clamp plate 38 and slidably through an overhang-ing portion of table 36, having a collar 43 provided fixedly thereon in spaced relationship below the undersurface of the overhanging table (reference being made to Figure 1, which shows the tool in its "free" position with no hand pressure applied).
Collar 43 seats on the upper surface of the horizontal portion of an L-shaped tension link ~4. The lower surface of such horizontal portion seats on the upper end of a helical compressi.on spring 46 which is, in turn, seated on a nut 47 (Figure 3) at the lower end of the tension rod.

The construction of spring 46 is such that, at the instant when link 44 separates from collar 43, there is sufficient clamping pressure between friction elements 40 to prevent any sliding of such friction elements relative to the fiber when a desired predetermined axial tension is applied to the fiber.
Furthermore, the force of the spring 46 is such as to supply a substantial portion of such predetermined tension applied to the fiber, it being pointed out that (as shown in Figures 2 and 4) the axis of rod 42 does not intersect that of shoulder screw 22 but instead passes to the left thereof (as shown in Figure 2) so as to create a moment about the shoulder screw axis. This torque or moment tends to pivot tension table 36 counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2, thus tensioning the fiber 133. However, the force exerted by spring 46 upon downward movement of link ~4 is not sufficient to effect any undesired distortion or crushing of the fiber, the relationships instead being such that the clamping and frictional forces are only barely sufficient to prevent slippage of the fiber between elements 40.
Tension link 44 connects pivotally (in a loose manner, such that the tension table may pivot) to the right end of a ten-sion arm 48, the left end of such arm being pivoted at a screw 49 to a post 50 on base plate 10. Reference is made to Figure 7, which shows such post 50 and also shows the tension link 44 twice for correlation of different portions of the partially exploded view (there being, in fact, only one link 44 and one arm 48)~
Tension arm 48 operates as a cam means, in that it co-operates with upper and lower cam followers 51 and 52 respectively disposed above and below the arm at a location relatively adjacent pivot screw ~9. ~t a region between cam follower 51 and tension link 44, the upper surface of arm 48 is inclined downwardly and then upwardly as shown at 53 and 5~ in Figures 3, 5 and 7. When the apparatus is in its "free" or fully released position (Fiyure 1)l no squeezing pressure being applied to the handle means 11-12, the upper cam follower 51 is spaced a short distance from the notch formed by the inclined surfaces 53-54.

3~
When handle 12 commences to pivot counterclockwise in response to initial squeezing action by one hand of the operator, and against the bias of spring 16, the upper cam follower 51 moves toward the upper portion of surface 53. ~his causes, or permits (depending upon the position of the tool), tension arm 48 to pivot clockwise. Thus, in response to only a very small counterclockwise movement of handle 12, tension arm ~8 pivots clockwise to a posi-tion close to the one shown in Figure 3, the clamp plate 38 then having lowered until fiber 133 is in engagement with both of the friction elements 40.
As soon as further counterclockwise pivotal movement of handle 12 causes additional lowering of the tension arm 48, spring 46 is further compressed due to shifting of tension link 44 away from collar 43, creating the predetermined fiber-clamping pressure as stated above. Thus, when the parts are in the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4, fiber 133 is properly clamped and will not slip when tensioned. The words "further compressed" are used in this paragraph because the spring 46 is preloaded between link 44 and nut 47, there ~eing compression of the spring even when the tool is in the free position of Figure 1.
It is possible for handle 12 to be pivoted all the way counterclockwise until it strikes a shoulder screw 56 which serves as a stop (as well as performing other functions stated later in this specification). Because of the construction of the present mechanism, even such Eull movement of handle 12 until shoulder screw 56 is engaged will not create excessive clamping pressure on the fiber, or excessive tensioning of the fiber, because the inclined surface 53 of tension arm 48 is so shaped and oriented that tension link 44 stands substantially still at all times when cam follower 51 is shifting between the position shown in Figure 3 and the position of such cam follower when the handle means is fully closed against screw 56 (cam follower Sl then being rela tively adjacent to-- but not yet at-- the region of interSeCtiOrl of surfaces 53-54). Thus, both the clampin~ pressure and the fiber-tensioning foxce are immune to the effects of squeezing of the handles more than the necessary extent.
~ fter h~ndle 12 pivots counterclockwise from the free position of Figure 1 to the initial clamping position shown in Figure 3, lin~ 44 having just separated from shoulder 43 to pro-vide the requisite clamping and tensioning force in rod 42, there is still no axial tension created in the ~iber since cam and cam follower means are provided to prevent any pivotal motion of ten-sion table 36 until after the fiber is fully and properly clamped.As best shown in Figure 7, the cam means comprises a lowe:r cam surface 57, an intermediate cam surface 58, and an upper cam sur-face 59 all formed integrally on tension table 36. The lower and upper surfaces 57 and 59 are very steeply inclined, being substan-tially vertical as.shown in Figures 4 and 6. Intermediate surface 58, on the other hand, is gently inclined upwardly and to the left as viewed in Figures 4 and 6 (toward back plate 10)~ A cam follow-er roller 61 is rotatably mounted at the forward end of what may be termed a tension actuator arm 62, the rear end of such arm being pivoted at 63 to a screw which extends into plug holder arm 20.
In an intermediate portion of tension actuator arm 62 there is provided a large opening 64 in which is disposed at all times the relatively small end 65 of an arm 66 which is secured by screws to the upper end of handle 12. The s:ize of such small end 65 is correlated to the vertical distance between the upper and lower walls of opening 64 in such manner that there is a pre~
determined lost-motion connection provided between the end 65 and actuator arm 62.
Cam follower roll.er 61 prevents pivoting of tension table 36 when the upper cam follower 51 has just reached the posi-tion of ~igure 3 (handle 12 pivoting counterclockwise), since the roller is then engaging the lower steep cam surface 57 as shown 7~

in Figure 4. It is emphasized ~hat the initial squeezing motion of handle 12 toward handle 11 does not lift roller 61 off this s-teep cam surface 57 due to the indicated lost-motion connection at 64-65, the result being that operation of the handle to clamp the fiber does not cause any tensioning thereof. Additional counterclockwise motion of handle 12 causes handle arm end 65 to engage the upper portion of actuator arm 62 and effect counter-clockwise pivoting of such arm from the position shown in Figure 4 to a higher position (similar to that shown in Figure 6) at which roller 61 reaches inclined portion 58 of the cam means.
Tension table 36 then, immediately, springs to the right as viewed in Figures 4 and 6, there being pivotal motion of the table about the axis of screw 22. If unimpeded, such pivotal motion would continue until the upper steep cam surface 59 is en-gaged by roller 61.- However, this does not occur since the fiber itself prevents such extreme pivotal movement of the tension table. Instead, the tension table only pivots a short distance away from fiber support table 34 because only a relatively small amount of pivoting is sufficient to create the desired tension in fiber 133.
The tensioning motion of table 36 is effected not only due to the torque arm described above, and the pressure of spring 46, but due to the pressure of a second helical compression spring which is shown at 67 in Figure 2. Such spring is in a recess in the tension tahle, and seats at its outer end on an adjustab]e plug 68 threaded into plug holder arm 20~ The setting o plug 68, and the size of spring 67, are caused to be such that the combined forces oE springs 67 and ~6 create precisely the desired predeter-mined degree of tension in the fiber 133. For a fiber 133 haviny a diameter of 0.005 inch, this tension is preferably about 150 grams.

Because the tensioning movement of table 36 is pivotal, not straight, the tensioned fiber conforms closely to cylindrical surface 35 (Figure 4~ regardless o~ the position of table 34, the position of such table being adjustable as described below.
The lost-motion opening 64 in element 62 is so wide that any lateral motion of the handle 12-- caused by the squeezing action-does not affect fiber tension at all.
The above-described mechanism effects the predetermined clamping, tensioning and bending of fiber 133 in a very short period of time/ which can be a small ~raction of a second when the operator pivots handle 12 rapidly toward handle 11. Accord-ingly, the fiber is ready for scoring by the precision scoringmechanism next to be described.
SCORING OF T~E FIBER
- ~s best shown in Figure 7~ the scoring mechanism com-prises a highly rigid and stable (against lateral forces~
parallelogram linkage 69 consisting of a horizontal bottom link 71, end links (rocker arms) 72 and 73 which are pivotally mounted, respectively, on shoulder screws 74 and 75 extending into base plate 10, and an upper link which is formed by the base plate itself but may be considered as extending horizontally between the shoulder screws.
As illustrated, the bottom link 71 is strong ancl thick, and the end links 72-73 are U-shaped and securely pivoted both to the shoulder screws and to the bottom link. The strength and rigidity of the parallelogram linkage 69 are for the purpose of preventing lateral movement of a scoring blade 76 which is rbounted substantially vertically, and in adjustable relationshipl in a blade arm 77. Arm 77, in turn, extends above and substantially parallel -to bottom link 71, being pivoted to such link at 78 by a U-shaped bracket 79.
Blade 76 is, very preferably, a tungsten carbide wedge the sharp lower edge 81 of which effects scoring of the fiber.
The elevation of scoring edge 81 above the cylindrical upper sur-face 35 of fiber support table 34 may be adjusted in two ways:

Firstly, by loosening a set screw 82 and moving the blade upwardly or downwardly relative to the blade arm 77, and secondly, by turning a fine-adjustment set screw 83 which is threaded verti-cally through arm 77.
When set screw 83 is so rotated as to move downwardly, it bears against the upper surface of link 71 and thus effects a slight counterclockwise pivoting of blade arm 77 about pivot 78.
This pivoting is against the bias of a helical compression spring 84 which is mounted around a screw 85 as shown in Figure 3. Such screw extends downwardly through an oversize opening in blade arm 77 and is threaded into the horizontal link 71, so that rotation of the screw 85 changes the spring bias.
To operate linkage 69 for achieving scoring of the fiber by blade edge 81, a trigger 87 is provided in the form of a first class lever. The fulcrum of the lever is the above-indicated shoulder screw 56 treference being ~ade to Figure 7). The region of the trigger above screw 56 extends adjacent base plate 10 (behind handle 12), terminating in a generally vertical upper end portion 88 which fits in an opening 89 in lower link 71. To bias trigger 87 in a counterclockwise direction, thus maintaining the link 71 in its leftmost position (Figures 1, 3 and 7) except dur.ing the actual scoring operation, a spring wire 90 is provided.
Such spring is best shown .in Figure 7, and has one leg seated to the let of spacer sleeve 14, a U-shaped centra]. portion :Looped around the stem o shoulder screw 56 beneath trigger 87, and a lower portion which extends downwardly to the lower end of the trigger and thence upwardly for engagement with the let side thereo~. Excessive counterclockwi.se movement o the trigger is prevented by sleeve 1.4 (Figure 7) which acts as a stop.
Referring to Figures 3, 5 and 7, a trigger clip or actuator 92, in the form of a curled flat spring which provides a cam and escapement function relative to the lower end of the trigger, is mounted on handle 12 by means of suitable screws.

Clip 92 has an inclined upper surface 93 which extends upwardly and to the left as viewed in Figures 3 and 5. Such surace is adapted to engage a narrow lower "dog" portion 94 o~ the trigger in response to counterclockwise pivotal movement of handle 12 past the position shown in Figure 3 (which Figure 3 position achieves fiber clamping as described above).
Sufficient counterclockwise handle movement causes lower portion 94 to ride up surface 93 and thus bend the clip downwardly, so that an upper corner 96 of the clip moves beneath the portion 94. The clip then springs upwardly to the position shown in Figure 5, thereby retaining the lower tri.gger end (por-tion 94) to the left of clip corner 96 during a substantial portion of clockwise pivotal movement of handle 12. However, long before the handle 12 returns (clockwise-) to its free position of Figure 1/ the clip corner 96 escapes from behind lower trigger portion 94 and thus frees the trigger. The shape and strength of clip 92 are such that it will pivot trigger 87 just ~ar enough to effect scoring, following which the trigger releases from the clip .
Let it be assurned that handle 12 is pivoting counter-clockwise and is in the Figure 3 position (the fiber end 133 having been clamped, tensioned and bent as described). Continued counterclockwise pivotal movement causes the clip to ride beneath trigger portion 94 as stated, until the clip springs upwardly to the Figure 5 position with corner 96 on the right side of portion 94 o~ the trigger. The operator can then, in accordance with his wishes and characteristics, either pivot the handle 12 counter-clockwise until shoulder screw 56 is engaged by the handle 12, or he can ir~medi.ately release the handle so that it pivots clock-wise i.n response to the bias of spring 16 (a clicking noise in~orms the operator when clockwise handle movement may be started). In either case, nothing happens until the clip corner S6 ef~ects clockwise pivoting of trigger 87 against the bias of spring 9~, 1''7~

the upper portion 88 of the trigger then shifting link 71 to theright from the Figure 3 position to the Figure 5 position. This causes scoring edge 81 of blades 76 to score ~iber 133, whereupon breakage of the fiber instantly results to achieve per~ect mirror-finish optical ends of the broken fiber portions (each end being perpendicular to the fiber axis). Continued clockwise movement of handle 12 causes the lower portion 94 of the trigger to ride over the clip as stated, whereupon the trigger is released so that spring 90 instantly pivots the trigger counterclockwise to shift link 71 back to the position of Figure 3, blade 76 and i~s scoring edge 81 then being out oE the way and remote from the broken fiber end which is still projecting from shell 48' (Figure 6).
Fiyure 5 shows the parts at the instant when the clock- -wise-moving handle 12 is about to cause release of trigger end 94 from clip 92. Thus, the blade 76 is shown in its right-most posi-tion, the end links or rocker arms 72-73 being substantially vertical.
It is to be noted that the end links 72 and 73 of link-age 69 are normally (when the tool is in its free position, Figure 1) pivoted clockwise, to the ].eft of their vertical posi-tions, being held there by the spring 90 and by the stopping function of sleeve 14 ~Figure 7) relative to the trigger. Thus, link 71 and its associated blade arm 77 and blade 76 are higher than, and to the left of, the fiber 133 ~a typical "free" eleva-tion of the scoring edge ~1 being that shown in Figure 4). Blade 76 does not, therefore, interere in any way with mounting o the connector portion ].3' (Figu:re 6) to the plug receiver 23 which automatically effects positioning of the random-len~th :Eiber end 133 on table 34.
When trigger 87 is actuated clockwise, link 71 (and thus the scoriny edge 81 of blade 76) moves downwardly and to the right in an arcuate path, as indicated by the arcuate arrows 97 in schematic Figures 8 and 9 (drawing sheet 1). The lengths and positions of links 72, 73, and the adjustment of b]ade 76, are caused to be such that the forward end of scoring edge 8i (namely, the corner 98 shown in Figures 8 and 9) does not ever engage fiber 133. Instead, the fiber is first engaged after it is certain that such corner 98 has passed over and beyond the fiber in the rightward direction during the movement represented by Figure 8.
A typical first-engagement position is shown in Figure 8.
The curved downward and rightward arcuate movement represented by arrows 97 continues until, for example, the fiber is at approximately a central or left region of the blade. Fur thermore, the movement is such that scoring edge 81 is substan-tially (for example, one-quarter the diameter of the fiber~ beneath the upper surface of the fiber. However, it is emphasized that the fiber has broken long before the position of Figure 9 is reached-- having instead broken when the blade has moved only a slight distance away from the figure 8 position.
Breaking is the result of the tensioning, curvature, and scoring which are effected in rapid sequence by the present tool. All of the operations can be effected very quickly, with the operator moving handle 12 just as rapidly as he desires.
With the described mechanism, no movement of the hand of the operator can effect any side ~lateral) loading movement of blade 76, which is an important feature relative to the precision location of the break as described below.
One of the highly surprising and unexpected results of the present scoring mechanism and method is that blade 76 may be "hard mounted" instead of precis:;on loaded (as by counterweights, fine springs, etc.) to a precise bearing pressure. In other words, the spring 84 may be very strong, so strong that under no conditions, except in response to the turning of set screw 83, will there be any movement of blade arm 77 relative to link 71.
The fiber does not "know" whether or not blade 76 is associated -i9 ~ ~ J

with any spring or weight whatever. The hard mounting permits the tool to be used in any position, which is one of its important features.
The described motion of the blade edge 81 is along a curved path, which path lies in a plane substantially perpendi-cular to the axis of the fiber 133 at the region of scoring.
Furthermore, the curved path intersects the curved surface of the fiber in the indicated plane, and the degree of intersection is caused to be such that there will be a clean break o~ the ~iber.
As indicated by arrows 97, Figures 8 and 9, the curved path is in an opposite direction to the curvature of the upper region of the fiber 133, in that the indicated upper fiber region is convex upwardly whereas the arrows 97 are convex downwardly.
It was very common in the prior art to move a scoring blade directly downwardly (vertically) against a fiber such as fiber 133, and with a precision amount of force (a small number of grams). Thus, in the indicated prior-art method, the path of the scoring blade was not what is herein called a "scoring direc-tion", but was parallel to or-coincident with the longitudinal diametral plane of the bent fiber. Such "longitudinal diametral plane of the bent fiber" i5 indicated by the dashed line "P" in Figure 8, being the vertical plane through the fiber axis along the length of the bent fiber on the support table 34. In contrast to such prior-art method, the initial engagement of the blade edge fll of the present apparatus with fiber 133 is achieved by moving the blade edge along a downward, inclined path which is at a lar~e acute angle to the indicated "longitudinal diametral plane.
The initial engagement is such that the bent fiber is first en~
yaged on its side remote from supporting surface 35.
It will thus be seen that in accordance with a scoring aspect of the present invention, the edge of a scoring blade is caused to have initial contact with a bent (about a predetermined radius)/ tensioned optical fiber in a downward direction and also 7~3~

a scoring direction, as distinguished from being merely set down (vertically) on such fiber. There is caused to be sufficient force to score the fiber, but the upper limit of the force need not be measured or known.
Preferably, the scoring edge is slightly inclined, up-wardly and to the right, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Thus, front corner 98 is a few thousandths of an inch higher than is the rear corner of the blade edge.
The construction of the scoring blade (76 in the des-cribed structure) is highly important. As above indicated, theblade 76 is formed of a carbide, very preferably tungsten carbide as stated above. The particular tungsten carbide employed is critically important to the achievement of the instant one-stroke breakage. Applicant has discovered that the grain structure should be sufficiently small that the edge 81 may be ground very sharp. On the other hand, the grain structure should be suffi-ciently large that-- when greatly magnified-- the edge 81 will appear to be rough, as shown in Figure 10 which schematically represents an electron-microscope "picture" at a 2500X magnifica-tion.
In ~igure 10, the width of the edge 81 of blade 76 isapproximately D.0005 inch. This edge is formed by grinding (as by a diamond grinding wheel) the opposed angled faces of the blade to the sharp edge. Then the edge itself may be very lightly sanded with fine sandpaper (e.g., 600 grit). The particle size of the tungsten carbide as shown in Figure 10, is typically about 1.25 microns, and ranges generally between one and two microns.
The hardness of the tun~sten carbide is about 92 on the Rockwell A scale (between about 91.7 and 92.2). The chemical composition is 94% tungsten carbide, cemented together at elevated temperature by 6% cobalt. The described cemented tungsten car-bide may be purchased from the Carbolloy Systems Department of General Electric, Detroit, Michiganj as "Grade 833."~

~h~

It is pointed out that if the edye of the blade is notso composed and constructed as to effect immediate scoring when the curved, tensioned optical fiber is initially contacted in the scoring direction, breaking will not occur immediateIy and thé
above-described great advantages of single movement and l'hard mounting" may not be achieved. Instead, for example, the ends may be crushed or otherwise damaged and unsatisfactory.
~ eferring next to another aspect of the scoring blader the angle of at least the lower parts of faces 110, 111 (Figure 11), relative to each other, should be so small that they will not be contacted in any manner damaging to the mirror faces of the broken ends.
- In the present tool it has been found satisfactory to ~ make this angle 15 degrees, with each face 110, 111 beiny at an angle of 7.5 degrees ~rom the ver~ical. Alternatively, the blade ~ace relatively ad3acent the optical connector (plug) element 48' (Figure 11) may be vertical. It is emphasized that the blade face relatively adjacent plug 48' is the most important, in that the right section (Figure 11) of the broken fiber is discarded.
Figure 11 shows, in greatly enlarged form, how the broken ends spring up or "pop up" from surface 35, due to the elasticity of the glass, at the instant breaking occurs. In thus popping up, the mirror ends tend to retract away from the faces 11~, 111 of the blade, and are not damaged by such faces. Since the critical fiber end, the left one as shown in Figure 11 and which protrudes from plug 48', does not rest on surface 35 except at the instant of initial scoring, the downwardly moving blade 76 does not tend to crush or otherwise damage such fiber end, even though the blade is hard mounted as descr:ibed. Thus, the blade shape, blade material, and blade direction cooperate in the achievement of single-stroke rapid fiber breaking, and without the necessity of limiting blade pressure. The retraction shown at the left-in Figure ll~is aided by the long length of fiber 7~3~
between the break region and the clamp portion of the optical .
connector.

METHOD A~D APPARATUS CORRELATING THE BREAKER
AND OPTICAL CONNECTOR
As previously stated, the present optical fiber breakeris not only adapted to be employed-by itself, but, additionally, is part of an overall system including the optical connector means referred to in connection with Figure 6 and described below relative to Figures 15-20. In such connector, and in some other connectors, it is highly important that there be a precisely pre-determined amount o~ extension of the broken fiber out of the connector plug portion (such as 48', Figure 6). In accordance with the present apparatus and method, a random length of fiber (as shown in Figure 6~ is inserted into the breaking tooI, but as soon as breaking has occurred there.is a precisely predetermined length which is (according to a major aspect of the present inven-:~ tion) correlated accurately to the characteristics of the particu-. lar optical connector so as to achieve an optimum optical con-:.
nection.
It has previously been described how the position of blade 76 relative to the connector portion (for example, plug or shell 48l, as shown in Figure 6) is critical. There will now be described how this precise distance from.the forward face of shell 48l to the scoring edge of blade 76 may be accurately adjusted without in any way changing the optical characteristics of the break.
As previously set forth, the plug holder arm 20 is pivotally mounted on shoulder screw 22 for forward and rearward pivotal movement. Furthermore, the upper surface 35 of fiber support table 34 is cylindrical about the axis of shoulder screw 22. In addition, the linkage 69 and the mounting of blade 76 are such that, at all times, scorlng edge 81 lies in a plane which contains the axis of screw 22 and also contains that radius of surface 35 which passes through scoring edge 81. Scoring edge 81 therefore always moves in a plane perpendicular to the axis of fiber 133 (that is to say, the axis of that portion of. the :
fiber which is directly beneath edge ~1 on table 34) to thus make perfect breaks, causing the end faces of the broken iber sections to be perpendicular to the fiber axes.
With the described construction, the distance from edge 81 to the front face of plug or shell element 48', Figure 6, and accordingly the amount of protrusion of the broken-off fiber end from element 48' after the break, may be precisely controlled by shifting the plug receiver 23 and its associated connector ele-me.nt relative to the blade. Such shifting is effected by turning a screw 101 ~Figures 6 and 7) which extends through an opening in a bracket 10~ and is threaded into base plate 10. Bracket 102 is mounted on plug holder arm 20, and a helical compression spring 103 forces it out (to the right in Figure 6) to the maximum ex-tent permitted by screw 101.
It follows that by turnin~ screw 101 one way or the other, plug holder arm 20 and thus the connector portion 13' and also the table ~4, are shifted inwardly or outwardly relative to scoring edge 81 to thereby change the distance of such edge from the inner face of plug or shell 48'. Regardless of the ad~ust-ment effected by turning of screw 101, the blade is perpendicular to the exact portion of fiber 133 which is broken, and the end faces of the break are perfectly perpendicular to the fiber axes of the broken components. Because of the characteristics of linkage 69 and associated components, the position of blade 76 relative to base plate 10 is fixed, even after long use of the mechanismt there being mini.mal play or slop in a lateral direction (to left or right in Figure 6). Thus, the amount of protrusion of the broken fiber end from element 48' may be controlled within close tolerances such as those on the order of one thousandth of an inch.

7~

As above stated, the particular and greatly preferred optical connector which is employed in conjunction with the present tool is shown further in Figures 15-20, and described in detail at the end part of this specification. As is there set forth, the protective sheath 132 around fiber 133 is first strip-ped away at an end portion of the fiber (as by a cable stripper), following which the plug assembly 13' is mounted on the fiber.
A back shell nut 100' is turned to grip the fiber between resili-ent pads 1~2' and 1~3', thus clamping the fiber in plug assembly 13' without damaging the fiber. Then, when the random-length protruding end of the fiber is inserted in the breakiny tool as described above, and ring 85' is turned to fully seat plug assembly 13' on plug receiver 23 (Figure 6).
The fiber is thus effectively clamped at a known posi-tion relative to the breaking tool. Then, when breaking occurs at a precisely determined position relative to the forward shell (plug) 48', as described, the correct relationship will be present àfter assembly 13' is unthreaded from the breaker and threaded to a further shell portion 17' of the optical connector (Figure 15).
Due to the action of a spring 54', and the fact that the broken fiber only projects a lirnited distance out of shell 48', unthreading of ring 85' from the breaking tool causes the broken end to retract completely into the plug or shell 48' so as to be substantially immune to damage or contamination. As soon as ring 85' is threaded to element 17' of the connector (Figure 15), the broken end again projects to just the right extent for making of the optical connection.
The present tool has the capability of bein~ easily changed for different diameters of optical fibers 133, and even for different connectors, by rnaking various adjustments, changing the plug receiver 23, etc. The tool as described above (without making such changes or adjustments) is especially intended for use with the described optical connector, and for breaking a particular fiber 133 having a thin synthetic resin coating which automaticallystrips back a slight distance in response to fiber breaking. Such fiber 133 has a two-layer high-silica glass body the outer dia-meter of which is about 125 microns, and an acetate coating the outer diameter of which is in the range of 132 to 138 microns.
This exemplary fiber 133 is manufactured by Corning Glass Works, Corning, New York, under identification nurnbers S040 and 10020.
There exist types and thicknesses of plastic coatings, on optical fibers, which do not strip back automatically from the glass body in response to breaking, and it is an important feature of the present tool that it is readily adapted for quickly burning off such coatings from the break reyion.

THE SECOND EMBODIMENT - FOR BURNING OFF THE COATING
Except as specifically stated below, the second err~bodi-ment is identical to the one described above.
Referring to Figures 12-14, inclusive, a switch is shown at 112 and is suitably mounted to back plate 10 adjacent the upper portion of handle 12. A spring-metal angle member 113 is mounted on handle 12, by means of screws, being adapted to close switch 112 (which is normally open) when the handle 12 is shifted counterclockwise to a predetermined substantially closed position.
Such predetermined position corresponds to a position of handle 12 which is somewhat counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 5.
It is only necessary for the operator to maintain handle 12 in the indicated substantially-closed position until the syn-thetic resin has been burned oE~ the glass fiber 133 by the heater wire means next described. Heating of the wire rneans, and by the wire means, takes place during the entire period when switch 112 is thus closed-- there being a battery 114 and suitable leads provided ~or this purpose.
Figure 13 shows a ceramic block 115 which is used in '7~

place of block 34 as the fiber support table. Such block is secured to plug holder arm 20 by metal brackets 116 and suitable screws, not shown~
Two heater wires 117 and 118 are mounted in a groove 119 (Figure 14) in the upper sur~ace of block 115. The wlres may, for example, be formed of Invar alloy. The wires are in line contact with each other, and at their upper regions lie generally (except for curvature described below) in a horizontal plane im-mediately adjacent and parallel to the fiber support portion of 1~ table 115. Each wire 117, 118 may, for example, have a diameter of 0.010 inch.
As shown in Figure 14l the optical fiber 133 nests in and parallel to the "notch" or groove formed by upper surface portions of wires 117 and 118. Then, when the heater circuit is completed, the fiber is rapidly heated so that the synthetic resin coating burns off in the region where scoring will occur.
After such burn-off, the operator merely releases handle 12 so that it is forced out by spring 16, thus instantly causing scoring ana fiber breaking as described heretofore. The scoring blade is so set that the heater wires are never engagea thereby.
It is emphasized that groove 119 has a bottom wall which is curved, at a radius of about 1.5 inches r about the axis of screw 22. rrhe wires 117, 118 therefore also curve, so the fiber 133 seated therein is tensioned and bend about a 1.5 inch radius as described relative to the first embodiment.
Extensions of groove 119 are provided down the ~ront and back faces of block 115, and also contain extensions of wires 117, 118. ~ helical compression spring 120 is mounted in a recess in the front Eace, and bears outwardly against the wires to insure that they are under tension. Thus, any change in the lengths of the wires, caused by heating, is compensated for by spring 120 so that the wires always lie closely against the curved bottom wall of groove 119 at thR upper side of the block.

~2~
A screw 121, ~igure 13, connects the wires to arm 2Q,so that a "ground" circuit is completed throuyh the tool to one side of the power source 114. A second screw 122 connects to a lead 123 which extends to switch 112.
The notch or groove, for fiber 133, defined by the upper surfaces of the wires is a further means of preventing fiber 133 from starting to roll in response to the described ~otion of the scoring blade. A similar groove or notch may be provided in the upper surface of table 34, of the first embodi-ment, to insure against any such rolling.

SUMMARY OF METHODS AND OPERATION
- From the standpoint of a person who uses the tool in the field or in a factory, there is no more difficulty of opera-tion than exists relative to a typical hand tool such as a pair of pliers, a wrench, etc. All the operator need do is ~1) mount the connector component (plug) 13' on plug recelver 23 (Figure 6) by threading the connector ring until it fully seats, and then

(2) squeeze and release the handles 11 and 12. The fiber is perfectly broken, on almost all occasions, so the operator removes the connector component 13' and then makes a connection to another connector component in the optical system as described in the cited patent applications and at the end of this specification~
Furthermore, it is not even necessary for the operator to take precautions to prevent breakaye or damaye to, or contamina-tion of, the protruding end o the fiber. This i5 because re-lease of connector component 13' Erom threaded portion 24 of plu~
receiver 23 operates to draw the broken-off end into plug or shell element 48' where it is fully protected. This drawing back opera~
tion is effected by expansion of the compressed spring 31, and by associated components in the connector. It is emphasized that the fiber 133 is tightly held ~clamped) by connector element 13'v If the glass fiber is one which has a coating which does -2~-not automatically strip back in response to breaking, then theabove-indicated electrical embodiment of the tool (Figures 12-14) is emplo~ed and the opera-tor takes a few seconds longer in making the break. In other words, and as above stated, he holds the handle 12 almost closed toward handle 11 for a time period suffi-cient for the parallel wires 117, 118 to burn ofE the plastic coating, then he quickly releases handle 12 to complete the opera-tion.
Although the apparatus and method are so simple and easy to perform in the field, they involve great precision, ac-curacy, repeatability, etc. For example, the setting of blade 76 is effected by means of a microscope in order to create the op-timum scoring action as described relative to Figures 8 and 9.
Furthermore, the setting of screw 101 to determine the extent of protrusion of the broken-off fiber end is done with ~reat accuracy.
To summarize briefly the operation of the tool, the first small increment of movement of handle 12 toward handle 11 causes operation of a first cam means (elements 48, 51 and 52) to compress spring 46 to the correct extent ~or achievement of predetermined clamping pressure between ~riction elements 40, and also to generate a torque which urges tension table 36 away from the fiber support table 34 for achievement of a large part of the Eiber-tensionin~ force. However/ tensioning force is not generat-ed in fiber 133 until there is an additional amount of movement o handle 1~ toward handle 11, which additional movement operates through a second cam rneans, incl~lding a lost-motion connection, to release the tensioning table for pi~oting in response to the bias of spring ~6 and also the precisely determined bias of spring 67 (Figure 2). This second cam means is cam surfaces 57-59 and the associated roller 61, whereas the lost-motion connection is between the upper and lower walls of opening 64 (Figure 4) and the small end 65 of element 66. The relationships are such that the excessive squeezing of the handles by the operator will not L'7~

aEfect the tensio~ in any way~
Additional pivo-ting of handle 12 toward handle 11, and then away therefrom, operates the linkaye 69 and the scoring blade 76 -to make a precise score of fiber 133 and thus complete the break, the fiber having previously been clamped, tensioned and bent as described in detail. The mechanism for achieving -this scoring includes a third cam means (elements 92, 94, etc.) and a parallelogram linkage 69 cooperating to create precision action and a scoring operation which is, again, independent of handle movement particularly in the latera~ direction which would affect the spacing of the blade edge from the forward end of plug or shell element 48' (Figure 6).
As described in detail above, the third cam means oper-ates to cock itself during counterclockwise movement of handle 12, and effect the actual operation of linkage 69 for achievement of scoring during the reverse (clockwise) movement of handle 12 after the operator releases it. Also, during this reverse move-ment of handle 12, in the clockwise direction, the second cam means operates to pivot the tension table inwardly toward the fiber support table in that element 62 is pivoted downwardly by the end 65 of element 66, thus forcing roller 61 downwardly to the position adjacent cam surface 57. Thus, and also due to the operation of various springs, all parts return quickly to their original positions (shown in Figure 1) when the handle is released.
FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED OPTICAL CONNECTOR
Reference is now made to Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 in which primes are often employed in the reference characters in order to prevent confusion with the reference characters employed in previous portions of this specification.
The connector 10' (Figure 15) includes a central recep-tacle to the opposîte ends of which are connected identical plug assemblies one of which is shown in full at 13'. The other plug assembly is only shown in part, at the left of Figure 15. These 'L'~

components connect optical fibers 133 and 136 to transmit light from one to the other.
The central receptacle includes a tubular shell 17', having a central flange 18', provided with openings 19' for mounting to a suitable support.
Within the shell 17', as seen in Figure 15, is a lens 21' of a suitable transparent material, such as plastic or glass, to provide a connecting system for the optical fibers. The interior of the shell 17' includes a frustoconical surface 22' at a shallow taper that circumscribes the right-hand portion of the lens 21', as the connector is shown in Figure 15. The surface 22' terminates in a radially inwardly e~tending shoulder 23'.
The end 24' of the lens 21' is adjacent the shoulder 23' so that the shoulder 23' retains the lens against movement out of the receptacle shell toward the right-hand end.
The tapered surface 22' e~tends to the center of the shell 17l where it joins a c~lindrical surface 26' within which is an annular recess 27l. A split lock ring 28' fits in the recess 27' adjacent the left-hand end 29' of the lens 21'. This retains the lens against movement out of the receptac]e toward the left.
The lens 21' includes a frustoconical inwardly tapering surface 31' at its end 24' and a similar surface 32' at its end 29'. At the inner end of the surface 31' is a short cylindrical section 33' which terminates at a radial face 34'. The other end of the lens is symmetrical with a short cylindrical section 36' and a radial inner face 37'. Cavities 38' and 39' are located at the axis of the lens 21', extending inwardly from the surfaces 34' and 37', respectively. These cavities include frustoconical entrance portions terminating at inner end portions which are spherical segments. The inner ends of the cavities 38' and 39' are spaced apart, as illustrated. An optical fluid of predeter-mined index of refraction is located in the cavities 38' and 39'.
In the outer surface of the lens 21', extending from the end 24' to a position adjacent the end 29', is a longitudinally extending keyway 45'. This receives a pin 46l which extends radially through the wall of the shell 17', thereby rotationally positioning the lens 21' relative to the shell 17'.
As above stated, onIy the plug assembly 13' is shown in complete detail in Figure 15, in view of the fact that the two plug assemblies are identical. The plug assembly 13' includes a front shell (sometimes hereinabove also called a plugj 48' and a rear shell 49', both of which are tubular. The forward section of the rear shell 49' fits around the rearward portion of the front shell 48' in a telescoping relationship. As a result, the rear shell is movable axially relative to the front shell and is guided by the interegagement of the two shells. The forward inner surface 50' of the rear shell 4g' is cylindrical and provided with an annular recess 51~, which receives a split lock ring 52'. This lock ring projects inwardly to interfere with a shoulder 53' on the exterior of the rearward portion of the front shell ~8', which prevents th~ rear shell 49' from sliding off the front shell 48' when the plug is not mated with the receptacle, as in Figure 20.
A compression spring 54' circumscribes the intermediate portion 55' of the front shell 48', with one end of the spring engaging a rearwardly facing e~ternal radial shoulder 56' on the front shell. The opposite end of the spring 54' bears against a radial surface 57' just inwardly of the forward end 58' of the rear shell 49'. This biases the rear shell 49' rearwardly rela-tive.to the front shell 48' so that when the plug assembly 13' is disconnected from the receptacle 11', the lock ring 52' is caused to bear against the shoulder 53' of the front shell 48'.
The inner surface 50' of the rear shell 49' is provided with a longitudinally extending keyway 60' which receives a key 61' projecting outwardly from the outer circumferential surface 62' of the front shell 48'. The keyway 60' and key 61' prevent relative rotation of the front shell 48~ and the rear shell 49'.
The outer circumferent:ial surface 63' at the rearward end of the front shell 48' is of reduced diameter, thereby provid-ing a rearwardly facing shoulder 64' spaced inwardly of the rear-- ward end surface 65' of the front shell. The rear shell 49' has ~ an inner circumferential surface 66' which fits around the surface 63 7 when the connector is mated, terminating at its forward end in a radial shoulder 67'. An O-ring 68' circumscribes the front shell 48' at the surface 63' and, when the plug assembly 13' is attached to the receptacle, is compressed between the shoulders 64' and 67', forming a seal.
Forwardly of the shoulder 56', the external surface 69' of the front shell 48' is dimensioned to fit closely within the end of the recep-tacle shell 17' at the internal surface 70' of the latter member. A key 71' projects outwardly from the surface 69' of the front shell 48' and fits within a keyway 72l, extending longitudinal.ly o~ the sur~ace 70' of the receptacle shell 17', thereby indexing the plug and preventing relative rotation between the plug 13' and receptacle 11'.
Forwardly o the circumferential surface 69', the front shell 48' has a relatively short surface 74' of slightly reduced 30 diameter which, when the plug and receptacle are assembled, is .
engaged by an O-ring 75' to provide a seal. The O-ring 75' is received in an annular recess 76' in the receptacle shell 17'~
Beyond the surface 74' the front shell 48' includes a frustoconical surface 77', which is tapered at the same angle as the surface 31' of the lens 21'. In the assembled condition, the surface 77l of the front shell 48' engages the lens surface 31'.
Interiorly the front shell 48' includes a cylindrical surface 79', which extends folwardly from the rearward end 65' beyond the mid-portion of the front shell. At the inner end of the surface 79' is a forwardly tapering frustoconical surface 80', terminating at a cylindrical opening 81', having a relatively small diameter.
An insert 82' fits within the cylindrical opening 79' of the front shell 48' and is bonded in position. This insert is solid except for a narrow slot 83', seen in Figure 18, which ex-tends radially more-than half way through the insert 82' and is the full length of the insert. The slot 83' is aligned rotation-ally with the key 71'.
Circumscribing the front shell 48' is a coupling ring 85', having a knurl 86' on its exterior surface for manual rota-tion. The forward end 86' of the coupling ring 85' is internally threaded to mate with external threads on the right-hand end por-tion of the receptacle shell 17'. At the rearward end of thecoupling ring 85' is a radially inwardly extending flange 87' that fits behind a rearwardly facing shoulder 88' on the rear shell 49'. Behind the flange 87' of the coupling ring 85' is a split lock ring 89' that fits within an annular recess 90' in the external surface of the rear shell 49'. The lock ring 89' and the .. .
shoulder 88' prevent the coupling ring 85' from escaping from its position around the plug.
At the rearward end portion of -the rear shell 49' is a radial wall 92', having a relatively small central opening 93'.
When the plug and receptacle are assembled, as illustrated in Figure 15, the wall 92' engages the rearward end 65' of the front shell 48'.
Rearwardly of the wall 92' the interior of the rear shell

-3~

49' includes a relatively large diameter portion 94', beyond which is a cylindrical surface 95' of smaller diameter. Adjacent the rearward end, the interior of the rear shell 49' includes an outwardly tapering frustoconical surface 96'. A key 97' extends inwardl~ of the frustoconical surface 96', with its inner ed~e forming an extension of the cylindrical surface 95'.
A fiber clamp 99' is located at the rearward end of the plug assembly and is circumscribed by a back shell nut 100'. The clamp 99', as sho~n in Figure 15, includes two flat rectangular pads 102' and 103' of elastomeric material. These fit within complementary recesses 104' and 105', respectively,:`in rigid pressure members 106' and 107'. ~he latter members are of half-round configuration and include flat radial surfaces along their ~ sides which are their mating faces. ~--Forwardly of the recesses 10~' and 105', the members 106' and 107' include narrow, deep semicylindrical recesses 110' and 111', which together receive a washer 112' that prevents rela-tive longitudinal movement of the members 106' and 107'.
Forwardly of the recesses 110' and 111' the members 106' and 107' include semicylindrical inner surfaces 113' and 114' connecting to frustoconical surfaces 115' and 116' that diverge to the forward.end.
Exteriorly the members 106' and 107' include outwardly projecting flanges 117' and 118' that fit within the recess defined by the surface 94' of the rear shell 49', preventing es.cape of the alamp from the plug.:` Inwardly of the Elànge 118' of the member 106' is an exterior cylindrlcal surface 119' connected t.o a rear-wardly flaring su~face 120' that is a segment of a cone~ S:imilarly, the member 107' has a semicylindrical surface 121' and a tapered surface 122' which is a segment of a cone~ Rearwardly of the surfaces 120' and 122', the members 10~' and 107' have semicylin-drical surfaces 123 t and 124', beyond which are tapered surfaces 125' and 126' which are conical sections and converge toward the t'7~30 rear. A keyway 127' extends axially of the member 106' at thesurfaces 120', 123', and 125'. ~ similar keyway may be formed in the member 106' to economiæe manufacture by making the parts 106' and 107' identical.
The back shell nut 100' includes internal threads at its forward end which are adapted to mate with external threads on the rearward end of the rear shell 49'. The intermediate interior portion of the back shell nut 100' defines a rearwardly convergent tapered surface 128' which is frustoconical and at the same angle as the surfaces 125' and 126' of the clamp members 106' and 107'. At the rearward end, the back shell nut has a radial wall 129', through which is an opening 130'. The exterior of the back shell nut 100' has a knurl 131' to enable the nut to be rotated by hand. ---The optical fiber 133, which extends into the plug assembly 13', has a protective sheath 132. Sheath 132 fits snugly within the opening 130' in the back shell nut.and extends to the rearward end of the clamping members 106' and 107'. Howeve.r, the sheath is stripped from the fiber 133 within the plug so that the fiber extends through the clamp and into the front shell 48'.
The fiber 133 fits closely within the opening 93' in the wall 92' of the rear shell 49' as it enters the plug, where it passes through the slot 83' of the insert 82'. The forward end of the fiber extends through the open.ing 81' in the front shell, where it is closely received, to enter the lens cavity 38l.
.:;~ Prior to attaching the plug 13' ko the receptacle 11',.
the optical fiber 133 is extended int:o the plug and the two sec tions of the fiber clamp 99l are positioned one on either side of the fiber. I'he forward adjacent surfaces 134' and 135' of the clamp members 106' and 107' flare forwardly and radially outwardly~
This enables the forward portion of the fiber clamp to be com-pressed, reducing its radial dimension at the flanges 117' and 118'~ In this way the flanges 117l and 118l can be moved through the end of the rear shell 49' at the circumferential surface 95' to enter the recess at the circumferential surface 94' of larger diameter. The flanges 117' and 118' are narrower at their side portions, adjacent the surfaces 134' and 135', so that there is ample clearance at those locations to pass through the opening defined by the surface 95'.
Next, the back shell nut 100' is tightened onto the rearward end of the rear shell 49'. This causes the tapered sur-face 128' of the bac~ shell nut to bear against the tapered sur-faces 125' and 126' of the clamping members 106' and 107', urging these members forwardly and inwardly. The forward tapered sur faces 120' and 122' of the clamping members 106' and 107' thereby are pressed against the tapered surface 96' at the rearward end of the rear shell 49'. The reactions of the tapered surfaces cause the clamping members 106' and 107' to be pressed radially toward each other to bring their mating surfaces into firm engagement.
This in turn causes the resilient pads 1~2' and 103' to bear against and grip the fiber 133, but without damaging the fiber because the clamping force is limited by the engagement of the surfaces which terminate the inward movement of the members 105'and 106'. Also, the key 97', fitting in the keyway 127', prevents rotation of the fiber clamp g9' as the fiber is gripped.
With the optical fiber thus held in the plug assembly 13', it is then attached -to the receptacle by threading the coupling ring 85' onto the external threads of the receptacle i shell 17'. As this occurs, -the coupling riny, through the flange 87', presses forwardly on the rear shell 49' at the shoulder 88', sliding the rear shell forwardly over the front shell 48' until -the wall 92' of the rear shell 49' engages the end 65' of the front shell 48'.
The forward movement of the rear shell, reacting through the shoulder 57', causes the spring 54' to press against the shoulder 56' of the ~front shell 48' to bias the front shell forwardly. The forward frustoconical surface 77' of the frontshell 481 engages the frustoconical surface 31' of the lens 21', however, so that the front shell does not move forwardly; but is pressed aga;nst the lens surface 31' by the resilient force of the spring.
As the rear shell 49 t is moved forwardly relative -to the front shell 48', and hence relative to the lens 21', the fiber 133 also is moved forwardly. This occurs because the fiber 133 is gripped at the clamp 99' which, through the back shell nut 100', is connected to the rear shell 49'. This moves the end of the fiber 133 into the lens cavity 38' to engage the tapered cavity surface.~ This positions the end of the fiber adjacent the inner cavity surface and aligns the fiber axis with the optical axis~of the lens'',' as~'~set~~forth in th'e aforemèntioned'`pate'nt appli-cation for Optical Fiber Connector. The optical fluid within the cavity 38' is displaced by the fiber 133 so that it occupies the space between the fiber end and the inner cavity surface, with some additional fluid around the periphery of the fiber. An ex-cess of the fluid is provided to be sure that the cavity is en-tirely filled beyond the fiber end.
The fiber 133, forwardly of the clamp 99', is longer than the distance between the clamp and the inner end of the lens cavity 38', which causes the fiber to bow within the front shell 48' at the locat:ion of the tapered surface 80! and within the slot 83' of the insert 82'. The width of the slot 83' is close to the diameter'of the fiber 133'so that thé direction''of the bow in the fiber is closely controlled by the direction of the slot 83'.
The second pluy assembly is identical to the plug as-sembly 13' so that it connects to the receptacle in the same manneras does the assembly 13'. Connection of the plug assembly 13' to the receptacle causes the light-conductive fiber 136 of the second plug assembly to enter the cavity 39' and bear against the tapered surface thereof. This aligns the fiber 136 with the axisof the cavity 39' and thus wi-th the axis of the fiber 133 so that light can be transmitted between these two fibers. Optical fluid ln the cavity 39' fills the space between the end of the fiber 136 and the cavity surface after the fiber enters the cavity.
The components of the second plug assembly are given the same reference numbers as the corresponding components of the plug assembly 13', but with the suffix l'a.ll When the second plug assembly is connected to the central receptacle, the frustoconical surface 77a' of its front shell 48a' is caused to bear against the tapered lens surface 32' in a manner similar to that occurring on the opposite side of the lens. The lens 21' has a smaller external dimension than the dimensions of the space within the receptacle shell which it occupies, so that it can float a limited distance within the receptacle shell. The outer surface 137i of the lens tapers slightly toward either end to facilitate angular as well as recti-linear floating movement. This enables the lens 21l to be aligned precisely with the plug assemblies by the interengagement of the tapered surfaces of the front plug shells with the tapered lens surfaces. This direct centering of the plugs with the lens heIps to accurately a]ign the fibers 133 and 136 with the lens cavities 38' and 39'.
The spring of the plug that biases the front shell ayainst the tapered lens surEace when the connector is mated also moves the rear shell rearwardly when the plug is disconnected.
For the plug 13', as shown in Figure 20, the spring 54' shifts the rear shell 49' rearwardly relative to the front plug 48' until the lock ring 42' is stopped by engagement with the shoulder 53' of the front shell 48'. This movement of the rear shell 49' causes .
the fiber clamp 99' to move the fiber 133 also to the rear rela-tive to the front shell. As a result, the forward end of the fiber 133 is retracted back into the opening 81' in the front ~.

7~

shell 48'. Therefore~ the fiber 133 does not project outwardly where it can be damaged when the plug is disconnected, instead being inside the plug and fully protected. This is especially advantageous for an optical fiber connector suitable for field use, in view of the extreme vulnerability of optical fibers to damage. Of course, the length of the fiber 133 forwardly of the clamp 9g' must be correlated with the travel of the rear shell 49' to assure full retraction when disconnected and enough extension when mated to force the fiber into the lens cavity as described above.
As previously described, the two plug assemblies are sequentially engaged with the fiber breaker, and such breaker is operated to form perfect mirror ends on the fiber 133 of first plug assembly 13' and fiber 136 of thé` second p~lug assembly.
Such mirror ends, in combination with the accurate axial alignment achieved by the present connector, create an optimum optical coupling.
In the appended claims, the words "clean break" and "perfect break" are sometimes used as shorthand ways of describ-ing a break wherein the end faces are perpendicular to the fiberaxes and are mirror smooth.
The width of the scoring edge is, very preferably, less than 0.001 inch.
The foregoiny detailed description is to be clearly understood as yiven by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention beiny limited solely by the appended claims.

....

Claims (18)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A fiber-breaking tool for optical fibers, comprising:
support means, a tension table movably mounted on said support means, clamping means to clamp a fiber on said tension table, biassing means to bias said table in a predetermined direction which effects tensioning of the fiber, holding means to hold said table in a predetermined position, despite said bias exerted by said biassing means, and release means responsive to movement of an actuating element to shift said holding means to a table-releasing position whereby to permit said bias means to effect predetermined tensioning of the fiber.

2. A tool according to claim 1, in which said release means is a cam element which cooperates with cam surface means on said tension table.

3. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising handle means movably mounted on said support means, and shifting means responsive to initial movement of said handle means to shift said clamping means against said tension table for clamping of a fiber therebetween, the actuating element comprising said handle means to additional movement of which the release means is responsive for said shifting of said holding means to said table-releasing position.

4. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising a fiber support having a predetermined curvature radius, the clamping means being for clamping a fiber with sufficient force and friction to prevent slipping of the fiber in the clamping means when said fiber is under said predetermined tension, said predetermined radius and tension being such as to effect a clean break when said fiber is scored, and said biassing means comprises manually-operable spring means, scoring means being provided to score the fiber, and limit means being provided to prevent said manually-operable means from being operated in such manner that said predetermined tension will be exceeded, with the limit means comprising means to isolate said clamping means from the operator, in such manner that the only fiber-tensioning force acting on said clamping means is said spring means, and also in such manner that the force of said spring means is not affected by excess force exerted by the operator.

5. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising handle means adapted to be grasped by an operator, and fiber scoring means, the clamping, biassing and fiber scoring means being responsive to a single operation of said handle means to effect, in the following sequence, clamping of an optical fiber, tensioning of said fiber about a curved fiber support to achieve a predetermined tension and curvature in said fiber, which tension is not substantially affected by squeezing of said handle means with excessive force, said tension and curvature being adapted to result in a clean break when the tensioned, curved fiber is scored, and scoring of said fiber to cause said clean break.

6. A tool according to claim 5, in which said clamping, biassing and fiber scoring means are such that said clamping and tensioning occur sequentially during movement of first and second handle elements toward each other, and said scoring occurs during movement of said handle elements away from each other.

7. A tool, according to claim 1, for quickly and cleanly breaking optical fibers so as to achieve mirror-like ends which lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the axes of the broken fiber sections, the tool further comprising a fiber support having a predetermined curvature radius, said clamping means, which includes a handle portion of said tool, being for clamping an optical fiber with sufficient force and friction to prevent slipping of the fiber in the clamping means when said fiber is under a predetermined tension, said predetermined radius and tension being such as to effect a clean break when said fiber is scored after being tensioned about said fiber support so as to have said predetermined curvature radius, said biassing means being responsive to additional movement of said handle portion and including at least one spring adapted to apply only a predetermined limited tension to said clamped fiber regardless of excessive predetermined movement of said handle portion, and scoring means being provided to score said clamped, bent and tensioned fiber to achieve the desired break.

8. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising first and second handle means, the clamping means being responsive to an initial increment of movement of said handle means relative to each other, to effect clamping of an optical fiber at a single location, the biassing means being responsive to an additional increment of movement of said handle means to effect predetermined, correct tensioning of said fiber and also bending thereof to a predetermined extent, said tensioning and bending being such as to result in a clean break in the fiber when it is scored, and scoring means responsive to an additional increment of movement of said handle means being provided to effect scoring of said clamped, tensioned and bent fiber to thus cause said clean break having the requisite optical characteristics.

9. A tool according to claim 1, further comprising handle means adapted to be moved by an operator, said handle means being movably mounted with respect to a body portion of said tool, and further clamping means, which is part of an optical connector for said fiber, to clamp an optical fiber in a predetermined position relative to said body portion of said tool, the first-mentioned clamping means being responsive to a first movement of said handle means to clamp said fiber at a location spaced from said further clamping means, the biassing means being responsive to a second movement of said handle means to tension said fiber a predetermined amount in the region between the clamp points effected by said first-mentioned and further clamping means and to bend said fiber about a predetermined center, and scoring means responsive to a third movement of said handle means being provided to score said fiber at a predetermined point accurately correlated to the location of said optical connector.

10. In combination, a tool according to claim 1 and an optical connector for optical fibers, said connector being of the type wherein there are two fiber-clamping elements adapted to be connected to each other in such manner that the ends of two clamped fibers are opposed to each other and the fibers are in substantial axial alignment, wherein the tool further comprises mounting means to sequentially mount each of said fiber-clamping elements, with optical fibers respectively clamped therein, at the same predetermined position such that a protruding fiber end portion is disposed in a certain location for breaking by the tool, the clamping and biassing means being for clamping, bending and tensioning each protruding fiber end to the extent necessary to result in a perpendicular mirror-end break when scoring occurs, scoring means being provided to score each fiber at a predetermined location which is accurately correlated to said mounting means and to the dimensions of said connector, and said predetermined location being such that, after the sequential breaking by said tool of two fibers each clamped in one of said fiber-clamping elements, said two fiber-clamping elements may be sequentially demounted from said mounting means and then connected to each other whereupon the broken ends will automatically be in the correct desired opposed relationship to each other.

11. In combination a tool according to claim 1 and a three-element optical connector for connecting two optical fibers, said connector being of the type wherein there are two fiber-clamping elements adapted to be connected to a third element in such manner that the ends of two clamped fibers are opposed to each other and the fibers are in substantial axial alignment, wherein the tool further comprises mounting means to mount said fiber-clamping elements, with optical fibers clamped therein, in such manner that protruding fiber end portions are disposed for breaking by the tool, the clamping and biassing means being for clamping, bending and tensioning said protruding fiber ends to the extent necessary to result in a perpendicular mirror-end break when scoring occurs, scoring means being provided to score said fibers at predetermined locations accurately correlated to said mounting means and to the dimensions of said connector, said predetermined locations being such that, after the breaking by said tool of two fibers each clamped in one of said fiber-clamping elements, said two fiber-clamping elements may be demounted from said mounting means and then connected to the third element of said connector whereupon the broken ends will automatically be in the correct desired opposed relationship to each other.

12. In combination, a hand-held fiber-breaking tool for optical fibers and an optical connector portion, the fiber-breaking tool comprising (a) a back plate, (b) first and second handles mounted on said back plate, said first handle being pivoted to said back plate for pivotal movement relative thereto, (c) a scoring assembly pivotally mounted on said back plate, said scoring assembly being a parallelogram linkage two arms of which are pivoted to said back plate and a third arm of which is generally horizontal, said scoring assembly further comprising a blade-holder arm mounted on said third arm of said parallelo-gram linkage in adjustable relationship relative thereto, there being a fiber-scoring blade at the end of said blade-holder arm, said blade having a scoring edge which is generally parallel to said third arm of said linkage, said linkage being provided with precision link connectors which cause said scoring edge to move in the same plane upon each shifting of said linkage, means to bias said linkage to such a predetermined position that said scoring edge is located at a certain point, (d) a plug holder arm pivotally mounted to said back plate at a location beneath said scoring edge, said plug holder arm including a plug receiver adapted to mate with an element of an optical connector in a predetermined relationship, said plug receiver being offset relative to the predetermined normal position of said blade edge whereby an optical fiber may be easily inserted through said plug receiver, (e) means to pivot said plug holder arm toward and away from said blade to thus determine the location of the scoring point relative to an optical fiber extended from the connector element through said plug receiver, (f) a fiber support table mounted on said plug holder arm beneath said plug receiver for support of said fiber, said support table being curved about a predetermined radius adapted to achieve a correct break in the optical fiber, (g) a tension table pivotally mounted to said back plate at the same pivot axis as that for said plug holder arm, (h) a clamp element disposed above said tension table, (i) a tension rod extended from said clamp element through said tension table to a position therebeneath, (j) a helical compression spring mounted about said rod beneath said tension table and being preloaded to a predetermined extent adapted to achieve correct clamping of fiber between said tension table and said clamp element, (k) cam means associated with said tension table and normally adapted to maintain said table in a predetermined position, (1) bias means to shift said table in a fiber-tensioning direction when said cam means is shifted to a releasing position, (m) cam means associated with said first handle to move said helical compression spring downwardly and thus shift said clamp element toward said table and effect achievement of said correct clamping pressure in response to a predetermined initial move-ment of said first handle, (n) means on said first handle to shift said cam means associated with said tension table to a table releasing position in response to a predetermined additional movement of said handle, whereby said tension table then is pivoted to tension said fiber a predetermined amount, (o) means pivotally mounted on said back plate to effect shifting of said scoring assembly to such position that said blade scores said fiber, the direction of movement of said blade upon contacting said fiber being generally parallel to said scoring edge, and (p) means on said first handle to engage said shifting means pivotally mounted on said back plate when said first handle is pivoting toward said second handle, but without shifting said scoring assembly at that time, said means being adapted to effect shifting of said scoring assembly to effect said scoring of said fiber when said first handle moves away from said second handle, and the optical connector portion, which mates with said plug receiver, including (a) a threaded element which threads to said receiver, (b) clamp means for said fiber, and (c) spring means to retract the broken fiber end clear into the connector in response to unthreading relative to said plug receiver, the scoring blade and thus break point being sufficiently close to the connector that said complete retraction may occur.

13. In combination, a tool according to claim 1 and an optical connector which, during making of an optical connection, causes a predetermined amount of axial extension of an optical fiber relative to a certain portion of the connector, said tool being adapted to mate with said certain portion of said connector and to effect an equal amount of axial extension of said fiber, and said tool further comprising means to break said fiber at a location so close to said certain portion that, upon disconnec-tion of said certain portion from the tool, the broken end will automatically retract an equal amount and will be recessed into said certain portion for protection against contamination and breakage.

14. A method of preparing and then connecting two optical fibers to achieve an optical connection therebetween, the fibers then being in substantial axial alignment with each other, said method comprising:
(a) mounting one optical fiber in clamped relationship in one element of an optical connector, (b) mounting said one element on a fiber breaking tool in a predetermined position, (c) employing said tool to curve said fiber about a predetermined radius, tension said fiber to a tension in a predetermined range, and score said fiber in a predetermined location to thus achieve a break, (d) demounting said one element from said fiber breaking tool, (e) mounting a second optical fiber in clamped relationship in a second element of said optical connector, (f) mounting said second element on said fiber breaking tool in a predetermined position, (g) employing said tool to curve said second fiber about a predetermined radius, tension said second fiber to a tension in a predetermined range, and score said second fiber in a pre-determined location to thus achieve a break, (h) demounting said second element from said tool, (i) retracting each thus-broken end of said one fiber and second fiber into its associated optical connector element, (j) connecting said one element and said second element of said optical connector to each other in a predetermined relation-ship causing a low-loss optical connection to be achieved between the thus-broken ends of said optical fibers, and (k) re-extending each thus-broken end when said connector elements are connected to each other.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said retracting of each thus-broken end of said one fiber and second fiber into its associated optical connector element, minimizes the possibility of damage or contamination of the broken end.

16. A method according to claim 14, in which said predetermined location of scoring and breaking is correlated with accuracy to the characteristics of said optical connector, in such manner that when said one element and second element of said connector are connected at predetermined positions the thus-broken ends of said fibers will be inserted into said connector predetermined distances and will be in substantial axial alignment with each other.

17. A method according to claim 14, in which said one element and said second element of said connector are identical to each other, and in which said method further comprises mounting said elements at predetermined positions on opposite sides of a third element of said connector, and with said thus-broken fiber ends extending into said third element, and in which said predetermined positions at which said one and said second elements are mounted on said tool are coincident.

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the mounting of each of said one optical fiber and said second optical fiber in said one element and said second element, respectively of the connector is such that there is a protruding fiber end of random length, said mounting of each connector element on said tool being at a location such that said protruding fiber end is located to be divided by said tool, and the method further comprising correlating said tool with said predetermined position of each connector element in such manner that when the fiber is divided the end protruding from said connector element will no longer be of random length but instead will have a precise length such as to achieve an optimum fiber connection when the connector elements are demounted from said tool and are mated together remote from said tool, the retracting of the broken-off portion of each optical fiber into the respective element of said connector being in response to the disengaging of said connector element from said tool.