Patent ID: 6628879
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
An adapter useable to convert a fiber cleaver constructed for use with a first category fiber optic connector to cleave a fiber of a fiber optic assembly after inserted within the first category fiber optic connector, to use with a second category fiber optic connector to cleave the fiber prior to insertion within the second category fiber optic connector, where the fiber optic assembly has an unsheathed fiber end portion extending beyond an end of a sheathed portion, and when used with a first category fiber optic connector having a connector ferrule with a passageway extending to a passageway opening at a distal end of the connector ferrule, the sheathed portion is inserted within the first category fiber optic connector with the unsheathed fiber end portion extending through the connector ferrule passageway and out of the connector ferrule passageway opening and extending beyond the connector ferrule distal end, the fiber cleaver having a housing chamber containing a stop and a housing opening having an end, the housing opening end being adjacent to and opening into the housing chamber proximate to the stop, the housing opening being sized to receive the connector ferrule therein and the stop being arranged to engage the connector ferrule distal end and hold the connector ferrule distal end at a predetermined position within the housing chamber against further movement into the housing chamber with the unsheathed fiber end portion extending beyond the connector ferrule distal end and into the housing chamber, the fiber cleaver having a cleave member within the housing chamber configured to cleave, without use of the adapter, the unsheathed fiber end portion extending out of the connector ferrule passageway opening to a first length extending beyond the connector ferrule distal end, the adapter comprising:a body having an insertion portion with a distal end, the insertion portion being sized to be removably received within the housing opening with the insertion portion distal end in engagement with the stop, the body having a passageway extending to a passageway opening at the insertion portion distal end, the body passageway having a first lengthwise portion sized to receive the sheathed portion of the fiber optic assembly therein and a second lengthwise portion extending to the body passageway opening and sized to receive therein the unsheathed fiber end portion, the body further including a stop arranged to engage the end of the sheathed portion when inserted into the body passageway first portion and hold the fiber optic assembly at a predetermined position within the body passageway against further movement toward the body passageway opening with the unsheathed fiber end portion extending out of the passageway opening beyond the insertion portion distal end by at least the amount of the first length and into the housing chamber for cleaving by the fiber cleaver cleave member to a second length, the second length being measured while in the body passageway after cleaving as the sum of the length of the unsheathed fiber end portion extending beyond the end of the sheathed portion to the insertion portion distal end plus the amount of the first length.