Abstract:
A linear sliding locking mechanism includes: a base having a passageway; a plurality of fingers having a first end and a second end, the plurality of fingers surrounding the passageway and extending from the base at the second end; a sliding activation piece surrounding the plurality of fingers; and wherein as the sliding activation piece is moved from the second end towards the first end, the plurality of fingers are biased together. In another exemplary embodiment, a mechanical splice connector for a fiber optical cable includes: a linear sliding locking mechanism; an inner housing having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive the linear sliding locking mechanism; a capillary supported by the inner housing; and a ferrule having a first side and a second side, the first side of the ferrule mounted to the second end of the inner housing, the ferrule including a fiber stub extending from the second side, the fiber stub extends within the capillary.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the date of the earlier filed provisional application, having U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/234,478, filed on Sep. 22, 2000, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    An optical connector arrangement generally provides an arrangement for the mating of optical fibers, particularly, the mating of two pairs of optical fibers. The arrangement includes connectors that mate at an adapter. A fiber optical cable is terminated at each connector. The cable contains individual optical fibers having ends which, when the cable is properly terminated, are disposed within the connector and positioned to be available for mating with other optical fibers.  
           [0003]    Proper termination of fiber optical cable to a connector is critical to ensure proper functioning of the fiber connection. Improper termination of a connector can lead to increased connector attenuation and internal reflections, degrading overall connector performance.  
           [0004]    Various devices and methods of fiber connector termination exist. Epoxy-based connectors employ adhesive epoxy to retain the individual optical fibers within the connector, thus properly positioning the fiber to mate with an opposing fiber. Epoxy termination, however, is time consuming and labor intensive, requiring the preparation and curing of the epoxy. Terminating a connector using adhesive epoxy can take anywhere from several minutes to an hour or more and often requires use of an epoxy curing oven and associated tools. Thus, epoxy-based termination is not particularly suited for field termination of connectors.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a linear sliding locking mechanism for a fiber optical cable. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the linear sliding locking mechanism includes: a base having a passageway; a plurality of fingers having a first end and a second end, the plurality of fingers surrounding the passageway and extending from the base at the second end; a sliding activation piece surrounding the plurality of fingers; and wherein as the sliding activation piece is moved from the second end towards the first end, the plurality of fingers are biased together. In another exemplary embodiment, a mechanical splice connector for a fiber optical cable includes: a linear sliding locking mechanism; an inner housing having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive the linear sliding locking mechanism; a capillary supported by the inner housing; and a ferrule having a first side and a second side, the first side of the ferrule mounted to the second end of the inner housing, the ferrule including a fiber stub extending from the second side, the fiber stub extends within the capillary. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical splice optical fiber connector;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear cap;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gripping collet;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of slide activation piece;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inner housing;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the inner housing of FIG. 7;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a ferrule having optical fiber stubs mounted thereto;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an outer housing; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a view cover. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    FIGS.  1 - 3  depict a mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10 . Connector  10  includes a first end  12  and an opposing second end  14 . First end  12  is formed for reception of a fiber optical cable  13 . Cable  13  includes at least one optical fiber and preferably includes two cables  13 . Second end  14  is formed to mate with, for example another connector in an adapter.  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 4 , mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  includes a rear cap  16 . Rear cap  16  includes a face plate  18 . Face plate  18  is a thin member and, in one embodiment, is substantially rectilinear in shape. Face plate  18  includes a first side  20  and an opposing second side  22 . First side  20  faces first end  12 . Second side  22  faces second end  14 .  
         [0020]    Rear cap  16  also includes cable mating portion  24 . Cable mating portion  24 , in one embodiment, is substantially a cylindrical member connected to first side  20  and extending therefrom. Portion  24  includes a first end  26  formed proximate first end  12  and an opposing second end  28 . Cable mating portion  24  is mounted to face plate  18  at second end  28  such that first end  26  extends perpendicularly from face plate  18 . Specifically, a longitudinal axis  27  of portion  24  is positioned perpendicular face plate  18 . Mating portion  24  includes a cross-sectional area and a specific cross-sectional shape particularly suited for connection with a fiber optical cable as described further herein. For example, mating portion may have a circular cross-section.  
         [0021]    Rear cap  16  additionally includes at least one arm  30  that extends from second side  22 . Arm  30  is substantially rectilinear in shape and is formed so as to extend perpendicularly from face plate  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, rear cap  16  includes two arms  30  formed parallel one another at opposite ends of face plate  18 .  
         [0022]    Rear cap  16  also includes at least one fiber passageway  32  formed therein. In an exemplary embodiment, rear cap  16  includes two fiber passageways  32  formed parallel one another. Fiber passageways  32  extend through face plate  18  and through cable mating portion  24  substantially parallel to longitudinal axis  27  of cable mating portion  24 . Passageways  32  include first openings  34  formed at first end  26 . Correspondingly, passageways  32  include second openings  36  formed at face plate second side  22 . Passageways  32  are shaped and sized to facilitate the reception, passage, and retainment of optical fibers.  
         [0023]    Rear cap  16  also includes annular flanges  38  formed about second openings  36  at face plate second side  22 . Annular flanges  38 , in an exemplary embodiment are shaped frusto-conically and extend from second side  22  such that an extension end  40  is of a radius smaller than that of a mounted end  42  where mounted end  42  is fixed to face plate  18  and extension end  40  extends therefrom.  
         [0024]    Rear cap  16  may be made of any material suitable for the applications discussed herein with respect to the scope of the present invention. More specifically, rear cap  16 , in one embodiment, is constructed of molded plastic. Alternatively, in another embodiment, rear cap  16  is composed of a plurality of materials, for example, face plate  18  and arms  30  are constructed of hard plastic while cable mating portion  24  is constructed of a resilient material, such as rubber. Of course, face plate  18 , portion  24 , and arms  30  may be individually formed and then mounted together to assembly rear cap  16  or integrally formed to define rear cap  16 .  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 5 , mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes at least one gripping collet  44 . Gripping collet  44  includes a base portion  46 . Base portion  46  is substantially cylindrical in shape, that is, having a circular cross-section. Base portion  46  includes a first end  48  and an opposing second end  50 . Gripping collet  44  also includes a fiber passageway  52  formed therethrough. Passageway  52  extends from first end  48  through base portion  46  to second end  50  and is formed concentrically relative to the circular cross-section of base portion  46 .  
         [0026]    Gripping collet  44  also includes a plurality of fingers  54 . Fingers  54  are connected to base portion  46  at second end  50 , about fiber passageway  52 . Fingers  54  extend from second end  50  substantially perpendicular from second end  50  and substantially parallel to that of fiber passageway  52 .  
         [0027]    Each finger  54  includes a base end  56  and an opposing tip end  58 . Base end  56  is mounted atop or, alternatively, formed integral with base portion  46  at second end  50 . Tip end  58  is of a particular shape suitable for gripping an optical fiber as discussed herein. Tip end  58  includes a raised band  60  of a greater cross-sectional area than that generally of the finger. Tip end  58  also includes a tapered portion  62  formed adjacent raised band  60 . Tapered portion  62  is semi-conical in shape, decreasing in cross-sectional area at points distal from raised band  60 .  
         [0028]    Fingers  54  are generally resilient members which extend from base portion  46 . Resilient fingers  54  are capable of pivoting at base ends  56 . Thus, tip ends  58  may be drawn together.  
         [0029]    In an exemplary embodiment, gripping collet  44  includes four fingers  54  formed integrally with base portion  46  at second side  50 . The fingers are generally formed parallel relative one another and parallel to the direction of fiber passageway  52 . Base ends  56  of the four fingers are mounted at second end  50  about fiber passageway  52 , such that a biasing space  64  is formed between the fingers. As discussed herein, fingers  54  are biased about base ends  56  to facilitate reception and retainment of optical fibers. The four fingers may be biased into biasing space  64  so as to bring tip ends  58  of the respective fingers into proximity. In so doing, four tapered portions  62  combine to form a cone like shape. That is, each tip end  62  of the four fingers is shaped so as to resemble one-fourth of a cone.  
         [0030]    Gripping collet  44  may also include base supports  66  formed at base portion  46  and base end  56 . Base supports  66  lend support to the interface of base portion  46  and fingers  54 . Also, base supports  66  facilitate the biasing of fingers  54 .  
         [0031]    In an exemplary embodiment, at least one gripping collet  44  includes two gripping collets  44  positioned adjacent to one another as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Gripping collets  44  may be of any material suitable for the various applications of the collet and the mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, collets  44  may be integrally formed of molded plastic. Alternatively, fingers  54  may be formed of a resilient material separately from the formation of base portion  46  of a sturdy plastic. Also fingers  54 , particularly that portion of the fingers proximate biasing space  64 , may be formed to include a gripping surface, that is a surface of increased friction to facilitate retainment of optical fibers as discussed herein.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 6 , mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes a sliding activation piece  68 . Sliding activation piece  68  includes a body  70 . In one embodiment, body  70  is substantially shaped as a rectilinear solid having a first end  72  and an opposing second end  74 . Body  70  further includes sides  76  formed perpendicular to first and second ends  72  and  74 .  
         [0033]    A channel  78  is formed through body  70  such that the channel extends from first end  72  to second end  74 . Channel  78  is shaped to receive and retain gripping collets  44 . More specifically, channel  78  includes a first and second portions  80  and  82  for receiving two gripping collets  44 , respectively. Channel  78  also includes a third portion  84  formed between first and second portions  80  and  82  providing fluid communication therebetween.  
         [0034]    As described further herein, upon assembling mechanical splice fiber optical connector  10 , sliding activation piece  68  is positioned about collets  44 . That is, the collets are inserted into channel  78  at first end  72  and pass through body  70  to emerge therefrom at second end  74 .  
         [0035]    Within connector  10 , as will be discussed, sliding activation piece  68  is capable of moving along the length of collets  44 . The interior shape of first and second portions  80  and  82 , which pass over and about collets  44 , is such that as slide activation piece  68  is moved toward tip ends  58 , fingers  54  are biased together. That is, as slide activation piece  68  traverses the length of collets  44 , fingers  54  are pinched together, biasing about base portions  46  at a linearly increasing magnitude, as sliding activation piece  68  approaches tip ends  58 .  
         [0036]    Sliding activation piece  68  also includes first and second side pieces  86  and  88  disposed opposite one another on opposing sides  76 . First and second side pieces  86  and  88  each include an arm  90  having an activation slide tab  92  connected thereto. Arm  90  is an elongated member mounted to side  76  and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to that of channel  78 . Arm  90  of second side piece  88  includes a latch  94  disposed at an end of arm  90  distal side  76 . Activation slide tabs  92  are disposed atop arms  90 , proximate sides  76 . Tabs  92  are generally rectilinear solid members sized for gripping by a user as described herein.  
         [0037]    In an exemplary embodiment, activation slide tabs  92  include base members  93  fixably disposed in between tabs  92  and arms  90 . In addition, arms  90  are of less width than that of tabs  92 . That is, arms  90  are narrower than tabs  92 .  
         [0038]    Sliding activation piece  68  is composed of any material suitable for the applications of the piece and of the mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  as described herein and within the scope of the present invention. Particularly, activation piece  68  may be integrally formed of molded plastic. Alternatively, a plurality of materials may be used to construct various components of activation piece  68 , the components subsequently being connected to assemble sliding activation piece  68 .  
         [0039]    Now with reference to FIGS.  1 - 8 , mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes an inner housing  98 . Inner housing  98  includes a slide activation portion  100  and further includes a capillary portion  102  mounted to activation portion  100 .  
         [0040]    Slide activation portion  100  includes a first end  104  and an opposing second end  106 . Activation portion  100  also includes sides  108  formed perpendicular to first and second ends  104 ,  106 .  
         [0041]    Activation portion  100  also includes an activation chamber  110  formed at an interior thereof. Portion  100  further includes first and second side openings  112  and  114  formed at opposing sides  108 . First and second side openings  112  and  114  extend from first end  104  in a longitudinal direction toward second end  106 . First and second side openings  112  and  114  end before to reaching second end  106 . First and second side openings  112  and  114  act as a slide track for slide activation piece  68  as discussed herein.  
         [0042]    Portion  100  also includes a chamber opening  116  formed at first end  104  and a latch opening  118  formed at a side  108 . Side openings  112  and  114 , chamber opening  116 , and latch opening  118  expose activation chamber  110 .  
         [0043]    Slide activation portion  100  also includes fiber holes  120  formed at second end  106  so as to form a pathway from chamber  110 , through second end  106 , to capillary portion  102 . Preferably, portion  100  includes a fiber holes  120  formed adjacent one another.  
         [0044]    Fiber holes  120  include chamber openings  122  proximate activation chamber  110  and capillary holes  124  formed proximate capillary portion  102 . Chamber openings  122  include collet receptacles  126  formed about fiber holes  120 . Collet receptacles  126  are annular indentations for receiving gripping collets  44  upon assemblage of connector  10 . In one embodiment, collet receptacles  126  are frusto-conically shaped such that receptacles  126  taper toward fiber holes  120 .  
         [0045]    Capillary portion  102  is connected to slide activation portion  100  so as to extend perpendicularly from second end  106 . Capillary portion  102  includes a fiber connection section  128  formed proximate slide activation portion  100  and a plug section  130  formed distal to activation portion  100 .  
         [0046]    Connection section  128  includes capillary grooves  132  formed therein. Capillary grooves  132  are formed parallel one another and are located so as to extend from fiber holes  120 . Connection section  128  also includes capillary guides  134  disposed on either side of each of capillary grooves  130 . A fiber divider  136  is disposed on connection section  128  between capillary grooves  132  and plug section  130 . Fiber divider  136  is triangular in shape to facilitate the separation of optical fibers, as discussed herein. Of course, fiber divider may be of any suitable shape to separate optical fibers.  
         [0047]    Plug section  130  includes a head  138 . Head  138  has a first side  140  and an opposing second side  142 . First side  140  is formed proximate fiber divider  136 . Second side  142  includes a plug mating portion  144  extending therefrom.  
         [0048]    Plug section  130  further includes a fiber passageway  146  formed therein. Passageway  146  traverses head  138  from first side  140  to second side  142 . Plug section  130  also includes alignment post holes  148  formed adjacent and parallel to fiber passageway  146 .  
         [0049]    Inner housing  98  is composed of any material suitable for applications of the piece and of the mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  as described herein and within the scope of the present invention. Particularly, inner housing  98  may be integrally formed of molded plastic. Alternatively, a plurality of materials may be used to construct various components of inner housing  98 , the components subsequently being connected to assemble inner housing  98 .  
         [0050]    Inner housing  98  also includes capillaries  150  (see FIG. 3). In an exemplary embodiment, there are two capillaries that are positioned within capillary grooves  132  and capillaries guides  134  such that capillaries  150  are in communication with fiber holes  120 . Capillaries  150  are elongated tubular elements made of, for example, glass or ceramic.  
         [0051]    Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 9, mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes a ferrule  152 . Ferrule  152  is preferably made from a plastic material and includes optical fiber stubs  154  fixably mounted thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, there are two optical fiber stubs  154  that are connected (e.g. bonded) to ferrule  152  so as to pass therethrough. Fiber stubs  154  are of a predetermined length to extend from ferrule  152 . Ferrule  152  also includes alignment post passageways  153  formed therethrough.  
         [0052]    Mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes alignment posts  156  as shown in FIG. 3. Posts  156  align and secure the assemblage of connector  10  by passing through passageways  153  of ferrule  152  and into inner housing  98  wherein the posts are retained.  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3  and  9 , mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes an outer housing  158 . Outer housing  158  includes a splice end  160  and an opposing fiber mating end  162 . Outer housing  158  is substantially a rectilinear solid having a receiving chamber  164  formed therein. Receiving chamber  164  passes through outer housing  158  from splice end  160  to fiber mating end  162 .  
         [0054]    Receiving chamber  164  receives and retains the various components of connector  10  as discussed herein. Outer housing includes a first opening  166  formed at splice end  160  exposing receiving chamber  164 . The components are received into chamber  164  through opening  166 . Outer housing  158  also includes a second opening  168  formed at cable mating end  162  to allow the extension of optical fibers therefrom for mating with other optical fibers.  
         [0055]    Splice end  160  includes a cover opening  170  formed therein, exposing receiving chamber  164 . Cover opening  170  is formed on a first side  172  of outer housing  158 . Splice end  160  also includes a release opening  174  formed therein, also exposing receiving chamber  164 . Release opening  174  is formed on a second side  176  of outer housing  158  proximate first opening  166 . First and second sides  172  and  176  are arranged perpendicular to one another.  
         [0056]    Outer housing  158  also includes latch flanges  178  disposed at cover opening  170 . Latch flanges  178  are protruding members for receiving and retaining a latch.  
         [0057]    Outer housing  158  is composed of any material suitable for applications of the piece and of the mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  as described herein and within the scope of the present invention. Particularly, outer housing  158  may be integrally formed of molded plastic. Alternatively, a plurality of materials may be used to construct various components of outer housing  158 , the components subsequently being connected to assemble outer housing  158 .  
         [0058]    Mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  also includes a cover  180  as shown in FIG. 10. Cover  180  is shaped to fit flush within cover opening  170  of outer housing  158 . Particularly, cover  180  includes a top view portion  182  and an opposing latch portion  184 .  
         [0059]    Top view portion  182  is shaped congruently with an outer surface of splice end  160  of the outer housing thus consistently maintaining the shape of the splice end across cover opening  170 . Specifically, top view portion  182  may be U-shaped or otherwise rectilinearly shaped having a top  186  and sides  188  where sides  188  are located perpendicular to top  186 . In an exemplary embodiment, cover  180  includes two sides  188 .  
         [0060]    Latch portion  184  includes latches  190 . Preferably, a latch  190  extends from each of two sides  188  in a direction perpendicular to top  186 . Latches  190  are shaped and oriented to be received in receiving chamber  164  of outer housing  158  through cover opening  170  such that latches  190  releasably latch to latch flanges  178 .  
         [0061]    Latch portion  184  also includes extension arms  192 . Arms  192  extend perpendicularly from sides  188  toward an interior  194  of cover  180 . Preferably, arms  192  are located so as to be relatively proximate fiber mating end  162  when cover  180  is received within cover opening  170  of the outer housing.  
         [0062]    Cover  180  is composed of any material suitable for applications of the piece and of the mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  as described herein and within the scope of the present invention. Particularly, cover  180  may be integrally formed of molded plastic. Alternatively, a plurality of materials may be used to construct various components of cover  180 , the components subsequently being connected to assemble cover  180 . In one embodiment, cover  180  is made of a transparent material. In another embodiment, top view portion  182  is made of a transparent material. These various embodiments allow a user of mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  to view, through cover  180 , the mechanical splicing of fibers within the connector.  
         [0063]    With reference to FIGS.  1 - 11 , the assembly of mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  will now be discussed. Gripping collets  44  are inserted within channel  78  of sliding activation piece  68  such that the collets pass through the piece, tip ends  58  extending partially from second end  74  of activation piece  68 .  
         [0064]    Sliding activation piece  68  with collets  44  inserted therethrough is then brought near first end  104  of inner housing  98  such that arms  90  and collet tip ends  58  are positioned proximate chamber opening  116 . First and second side pieces  86  and  88  are aligned with first and second side openings  112  and  114 . Sliding activation piece  68  is moved within activation chamber  110  such that first and second side pieces  86  and  88  are inserted into first and second side openings  112  and  114 , sides  108  being received within recesses  96 . In this configuration, activation side tabs  92  are located outside slide activation portion  100  while arms  90  are located within first and second side openings  112  and  114 .  
         [0065]    Preferably, sliding activation piece  68  is not mounted or fixed in any manner within connector  10 . Instead, activation piece  68  is disposed so as to be movable within connector  10  about gripping collets  44 , as described herein.  
         [0066]    Next, rear cap  16  is brought proximate first end  104  of slide activation portion  100  of the inner housing. Arms  30  are positioned within first and second openings  112  and  114  and rear cap is located such that second side  22  contacts first end  104  of slide activation portion  100  and first ends  48  of gripping collets  44 . Annular flanges  38  facilitate this mating with first end  48  of collets  44 . In this way, passageways  32  of rear cap  16  are made to communicate with fiber passageways  52  of the gripping collets.  
         [0067]    Positioning rear cap  16  as described, presses tip ends  58  of collets  44  into collet receptacles  126  of slide activation portion  100 . Thus, collets are held fixed within activation chamber  110  between rear cap  16  and collet receptacles  126 .  
         [0068]    Next, alignment posts  156  are inserted into ferrule  152  through alignment post passageways  153 . Ferrule  152  with posts  156  is mated with plug section  130  of inner housing  98 . Ferrule  152  receives plug mating portion  144  such that fiber stubs  154  and alignment posts  156  enter fiber passageway  146  and alignment post holes  148 , respectively. Posts  156  are releasably retained within post holes  148 . Fiber stubs  154  extend about fiber divider  136  and into capillaries  150 . Portions of both alignment posts  156  and fiber stubs  154  extend from ferrule  152  opposite inner housing  98 .  
         [0069]    Now, inner housing  98 , having attached ferrule  152 , rear cap  16 , collets  44 , and activation piece  68 , is inserted through first opening  166  into receiving chamber  164  of outer housing  158 . Inner housing  98  is retained within outer housing  158  by adhesion means or, simply, by frictional forces or by any other suitable means.  
         [0070]    Cover  180  is now attached to outer housing  158 . Cover  180  is brought proximate cover opening  170 . The cover is positioned such that latches  190  enter opening  170 . Cover  180  is pressed into opening  170  until latches  190  releasably latch onto latch flanges  178 . In attaching cover  180  as described herein, extension arms  192  result in a position atop capillaries  150 . In this position, arms  192  serve to retain capillaries within capillary grooves and guides  132 , 134 , thus facilitating mechanical splicing therein.  
         [0071]    Inner housing  98  is positioned within outer housing  158  such that ferrule  152  partially extends from second opening  168  at fiber mating end  162 , thus exposing a portion of alignment posts  156  and a portion of fibers  154 . Slide activation portion  100  the inner housing is positioned such that latch opening  118  is located adjacent release opening  174  of the outer housing.  
         [0072]    Mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  is now assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The functioning of mechanical splice connector  10  will now be discussed. As assembled, sliding activation piece  68  is moveable within connector  10  along gripping collets  44 . The shape of first and second portions  80  and  82  of channel  78  through which collets  44  pass is such that when slide activation piece  68  is positioned proximate base ends  56  of the collets, fingers  54  are unbiased. In this first open position, an area of biasing space  64  is at its largest. However, when slide activation piece  68  is moved along gripping collets  44  toward tip ends  58 , the shape of channel  78  effects the biasing of fingers  54  towards one another thus reducing the area of the biasing space  64 . Slide activation piece  68  may be maneuvered proximate outer housing  158  such that arms  90  extend beyond first and second side openings  112  and  114 . In this second closed position, latch  94  latches within side  108  at latch opening  118 , thus releasably retaining slide activation piece  68 . In the second closed position, fingers  54  are biased together and the area of biasing space  64  is at its least.  
         [0073]    Termination and use of connector  10  will now be discussed with reference to FIGS.  1 - 11 . Cable  13  containing optical fibers is prepared for termination by removing an external cable jacket and internal insulation layers, thus exposing a predetermined length of the optical fibers.  
         [0074]    The prepared cable is brought proximate first end  12  of connector  10 . Slide activation piece  68  is located in activation chamber  110 . Cable  13 , which may include two cables  13 , are inserted into first openings  32  of passageways  34  at rear cap  16 . Cables  13  are passed through rear cap  16  and then into passageways  52  of gripping collets  44 . Cables  13  are passed through passageways  52  and into biasing space  64  until cables  13  reach tip ends  58  of fingers  54 . At tip ends  58 , cables  13  are passed into fiber holes  120  and through second end  106  of slide activation portion  100 . Cables  13  then enter capillaries  150  which communicate with fiber holes  120 .  
         [0075]    At this time, a user may view the entrance of cables  13  into capillaries  150  through transparent cover  180 . As described above, fiber stubs  154  are pre-positioned within capillaries  150 . Fiber stubs  154  and cables  13  may be viewed through transparent cover  180 , the user positions cables  13  within capillaries  150  to contact fiber stubs  154 .  
         [0076]    When the cables  13  are satisfactorily contacted against fiber stubs  154 , activation slide tabs  92  are moved along side openings  112  and  114  toward outer housing  158 . Slide activation piece  68  is placed into the second closed position by latching latch  94  within latch opening  118  as described above. When slide activation piece  68  is placed in the second closed position, fingers  54  are biased tightly together. A portion of cables  13 , which extends through the biasing space  64 , is held between the biased fingers. In this way, the cables  13  are prevented from moving within connector  10  and a mechanical splicing of cables  13  and fiber stubs  154  is complete. Securing a cable jacket about rear cap  16  finishes the termination of cable  13  at connector  10 . For example, a crimp sleeve or a strain-relief member may be utilized.  
         [0077]    Upon termination, connector  10  may be utilized in all common connector arrangements. Terminated connector  10  may be used, for example, to mate with another connector within an adapter. Terminated connector  10  may also be fitted directly into a wall mounting.  
         [0078]    To un-terminate connector  10 , slide activation piece  68  is simply placed into the first open position and the inserted fibers withdrawn from the connector. Slide activation piece  68  is released from the second closed position by inserting a small object through the release opening  174  into the latch opening  118  and pressing the latch  94  to release the latch from side  108 . Then, slide activation piece  68  may be readily moved into the first open position.  
         [0079]    The mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  provides for a simple, quick, and effective termination of cable  13  thereto. One benefit of mechanical splice optical fiber connector  10  is that connector  10  eliminates the polishing procedure that occurs in the field because ferrule  152  is polished in the factory. Connector  10  provides an easy entry for the fiber optical cable to be locked into place, without the use of adhesives and without the use of a tool. In addition, the connector may be terminated rapidly and accurately in the field. Likewise, the connector termination may be disassembled quickly and easily without necessitating the use of tools.  
         [0080]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.