Patent ID: 9671565
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: G02B

Claim:
1. A fiber optic collimator comprising: a collimator body having a central bore with a longitudinal axis; an interchangeable fiber optic connector adapter secured to the collimator body, which allows the use of industry-standard, as well as custom, fiber optic cable connectors; a lens carrier having a portion disposed within said central bore, and a seat for holding an optical lens; structure for preventing relative rotation between the collimator body and the lens carrier about said longitudinal axis, while permitting relative linear motion there between along said longitudinal axis; and a precision adjuster which provides for precise, continuously variable, spacing between the optical lens and the fiber optic connector, wherein said precision adjuster comprises a single screw received in a threaded fitting secured in a hole in said collimator body; further comprising a sleeve attached to said lens carrier, and extending around an exterior portion of said body, for retaining the lens carrier in the body, wherein the sleeve has an internally threaded first end, adapted to engage an externally threaded portion of said lens carrier so as to form an assembly, and a second end having an internal circumferential flange, and further comprising a compression spring disposed within said sleeve, bearing at one end against said internal circumferential flange and at the other end against a retainer affixed to the body, so as to bias the lens carrier toward a retracted position with respect to the body.