FIBER GRIPPING TOOL

A fiber gripping tool places optical fibers extending from optical connectors in an optical condition for cleaving. The fiber gripping tool can include a first gripper having a first clamping surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, and a second gripper having a second clamping surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, the second clamping surface facing the first clamping surface. In one aspect, when the first and second gripper are subjected to a closing force, the closing force causes the first and second clamping surfaces to be compressed against each other to grip an optical fiber and to be displaced in a fiber pulling direction towards the rear edges of the first and second clamping surfaces.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks are being extended into more and more areas. As a result, there is a need for manufacturing efficiencies including for the fixtures and methods used in development of fiber optic devices, such as fiber optic connectors.

SUMMARY

A fiber gripping tool is disclosed that secures and places tension on optical fibers extending from optical connectors. The fiber gripping tool can include a first gripper having a first clamping surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, and a second gripper having a second clamping surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, the second clamping surface facing the first clamping surface. In one aspect, when the first and second gripper are subjected to a closing force, the closing force causes the first and second clamping surfaces to be compressed against each other to grip an optical fiber and to be displaced in a fiber pulling direction towards the rear edges of the first and second clamping surfaces.

In some examples, the first clamping surface is defined by a first pad attached to the first gripper and wherein the second clamping surface is defined by a second pad attached to the second gripper.

In some examples, the first pad is received into a first recess of the first gripper and the second pad is received into a second recess of the second gripper.

In some examples, the first and second pads are formed from a polymeric material.

In some examples, the first and second grippers include a plurality of first and second grippers.

In some examples, the first and second grippers include twelve first grippers and twelve second grippers.

In some examples, the first and second grippers are respectively attached to a first block and a second block movable relative to the first block.

In some examples, the first and second grippers are respectively integrally formed with the first and second blocks.

In some examples, the first gripper includes a first flexible stand-off member and the second gripper includes a second flexible stand-off member, wherein the closing force causes the first and second flexible stand-off members to deflect such that the first and second clamping surfaces are displaced towards their rear edges.

In some examples, the first flexible stand-off member includes a pair of flexible stand-off members and the second flexible stand-off member includes a pair of flexible stand-off members.

In some examples, the first and second stand-off members are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the first and second clamping surfaces.

In some examples, the tool further includes a cleave guide for guiding a cleaving tool.

In some examples, the cleave guide is at least one of a vertical wall and a horizontal wall.

In one example, a fiber gripping tool includes a first gripper defining a first end portion and a first stand-off member extending at an oblique angle from the first end portion, the first end portion defining a first clamping surface and a second gripper defining a second end portion and a second stand-off member extending at an oblique angle from the second end portion, the second end portion defining a second clamping surface. In one aspect, when the first and second gripper are subjected to a closing force, the closing force causes the first and second clamping surfaces to be compressed against each other to grip an optical fiber and causes the first and second stand-off members to deflect, thereby displacing the first and second clamping surfaces in a first direction parallel to the first and second clamping surfaces.

In some examples, the first clamping surface is defined by a first pad attached to the first gripper and wherein the second clamping surface is defined by a second pad attached to the second gripper.

In some examples, the first pad is received into a first recess of the first gripper and the second pad is received into a second recess of the second gripper.

In some examples, the first and second pads are formed from a polymeric material.

In some examples, the first and second grippers include a plurality of first and second grippers.

In some examples, the first and second grippers include twelve first grippers and twelve second grippers.

In some examples, the first and second grippers are respectively attached to a first block and a second block movable relative to the first block.

In some examples, the first and second grippers are respectively integrally formed with the first and second blocks.

In one example, a method for gripping and cleaving an optical fiber extending from an optical connector can include the steps of supporting an end of the optical connector with a fiber gripping tool, placing the optical fiber extending from the optical connector between a pair of fiber grippers, generating a closing force to cause the pair of fiber grippers to clamp the optical fiber and to pull the optical fiber in a direction away from the optical connector, and cleaving the optical fiber with a cleaving tool proximate the optical connector.

In some examples, the step of generating a closing force includes operating a lever of the fiber gripping tool into a clamped position.

In some examples, the closing force causes the fiber grippers to simultaneously clamp and pull the optical fiber.

In some examples, the closing force causes flexible stand-off members of the fiber grippers to deflect.

In some examples, the supporting, placing, and generating a closing force steps include supporting a plurality of optical connectors, placing a plurality of optical fibers between one or more pairs of fiber grippers, and generating a closing force on the plurality of optical fibers to cause the one or more pairs of fiber grippers to clamp each of the plurality of optical fibers and to pull each of the plurality of optical fibers in a direction away from the optical connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 22, a fiber gripping tool100and components thereof are illustrated.FIGS. 23 to 28additionally show a fiber carrier10and an attached connector carrier11, shown atFIGS. 24, 25, and 28, mounted to the fiber gripping tool100. For the purpose of clarity, the connector carrier11is shown only schematically such that other features can be more easily viewed. The fiber carrier10and connector carrier11are respectively configured to support fiber optic cables (not shown) and fiber optic connectors12, wherein the fiber optic cables extend from the fiber optic connectors12in one direction and the associated optical fiber14extend in the opposite direction through the connectors12. In one aspect, the fiber carrier10and/or connector carrier11is mounted to the fiber gripping tool100such that ferrules12aof each of the fiber optic connectors12is supported by the fiber gripping tool100. Once the fiber carrier is mounted to the fiber gripping tool100, the optical fibers14are clamped and placed under tension by the fiber gripping tool100so that the optical fibers14can be cleaved on the fiber gripping tool100with a cleaving tool16. One example of a suitable fiber carrier10and connector carrier11is shown and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/894,328 and 63/036,313, commonly owned and entitled FIBER CARRIER, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. A suitable connector carrier11is also shown and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/826,546, filed on Mar. 29, 2019 and entitled FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR FABRICATION CARRIER, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the example shown, and as most easily viewed atFIG. 8, the fiber gripping tool100can include a number of components. For example, the fiber gripping tool can include a base102to which the other components of the fiber gripping tool100are operably mounted. In one aspect, a fixture104is mounted to a front end of the base102that operates to secure the fiber carrier10to the fiber gripping tool100. A support plate106is also shown as being provided and mounted to the base102. The support plate106operates to provide a support surface for the fiber optic connectors12such that ferrules12aof the fiber optic connectors12are supported and such that the connectors12are blocked from being pulled in the pulling direction D1when the fiber gripping tool100is gripping and pulling the optical fibers14associated with the connectors12. Also mounted to the base102, and in overlapping fashion with the support plate106, is a bottom clamp part108. The bottom clamp part108and the support plate are bolded to the base102via fasteners112,114. Rotatably coupled to the bottom clamp part108is an upper clamp part116, which is connected via a pin120which enables the top clamp part116to rotate with respect to the bottom clamp part108about a pivot axis X defined by the pin120. The pin120, not illustrated atFIG. 8, is shown in an installed position atFIG. 3.

Pads110,118are respectively provided on the bottom and top clamp parts108,116such that the optical fibers14can be more effectively gripped between clamping surfaces110a,118aof the pads110,118during the clamping operation. The pads110,118can be formed from a polymeric material, such as a plastic-type material or a rubber-type material such that the pads110,118are flexible and resilient. In one aspect, the clamping surfaces110a,118aof the pads110,118extend between front edges110b,118b, rear edges110c,118c, and side edges110d,110e,118d,118e.

The fiber gripping tool100is also shown as being provided with a press bar122located above and in contact with the top clamp part116. The press bar122provides a surface against which a clamping assembly can operate. The clamping assembly can include a cam lever124operably connected to a post126, which is secured within a recess102ain the base102. When the cam lever124is operated into a locked position, the post126is placed in tension, which results in a closing force F being generated to cause the top and bottom clamp parts108,116to be compressed against each other such that the pads110,118grip the optical fibers extending therebetween. A keeper128can also be provided at the bottom side of the base102to maintain the t-shaped portion of the post126within the recess102aof the base102.

With reference toFIGS. 9-14, the support bar106is shown in further detail. As shown, the support bar106is a unitarily formed L-shaped body with a first portion106aand a second portion106bextending between a first end106cand a second end106d. In the orientation shown, the first portion106ais horizontal and resides beneath the bottom clamp part108, and the second portion106bis vertical and extends in front of the bottom clamp part108. The second portion106bdefines a front face106ewhich functions as a stop against the connectors12such that the connectors12are prevented from moving toward the bottom and top clamp parts108,116. The top edge106fof the second portion106bincludes a plurality of channels or recesses106fconfigured to receive and support a ferrule12aof the connector12. The second portion106bis also provided with a rear face106hand a ledge or shelf106iextending from the rear face106hproximate the top edge106f. In the configuration shown, the ferrules12ado not extend past the first rear face106hof the second portion106bleaving the optical fiber14exposed at the location of the rear face106hand the ledge or shelf106i. When using a manual cleaving tool200, the rear face106hand/or the ledge or shelf106iact as a guide when cleaving the optical fibers14. Accordingly, this feature can be characterized as a cleaving guide being provided on the support bar.

With reference toFIGS. 15 to 18, the bottom clamp block108is shown in further detail. As shown, the bottom clamp block108includes a main body108aextending between a front edge108b, a rear edge108c, and side edges108d,108e. In one aspect, the main body108adefines a hinge portion108fwith a pair of extensions108gdefining apertures108hfor receiving the pin120such that the top clamp block116can be rotatably connected to the bottom clamp block108. The main body108aalso defines a slot108ithrough which the post126can extend. The main body108afurther includes a plurality of apertures108qfor receiving the fasteners112,114such that the bottom clamp block108can be secured to the base102.

In one aspect, the bottom clamp block108includes a plurality of fiber grippers108j. As shown, each fiber gripper108jhas an end portion108kdefining a recess108mfor receiving one of the pads110. The recess108mand pads110are dimensioned such that the pads110fit within an inner perimeter defined by the recesses108mand such that the top surface110aof the pads110extends beyond the end portion108k. This configuration allows for the top surface110aof the pads110to define a resilient fiber clamping surface110aassociated with each of the fiber grippers108j. In one aspect, the end portions108kare supported by a pair of deflectable stand-off members108nwhich connect the main body108ato the end portions108k. In the example shown, the end portions108kand the stand-off members108nare integrally formed into the main body108a, however, these features of the fiber grippers108jcould be separately formed and later connected to the bottom clamp block108. In the example shown, the stand-off members108nextend at a non-orthogonal, oblique angle a1to a top surface108pof the bottom clamp block main body108a. Accordingly, the stand-off members108nare oriented at a non-orthogonal, oblique angle to the fiber clamping surface110adefined by the pad110received by the fiber grippers108j. As most easily seen atFIG. 16, the angle a1is between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees, and is preferably about 66 degrees.

With reference toFIGS. 19 to 22, the top clamp block116is shown in further detail. As shown, the top clamp block116includes a main body116aextending between a front edge116b, a rear edge116c, and side edges116d,116e. In one aspect, the main body116adefines a hinge portion116fwith a pair of extensions116gdefining apertures116hfor receiving the pin120such that the top clamp block116can be rotatably connected to the bottom clamp block108. The main body116aalso defines a slot116ithrough which the post126can extend.

In one aspect, the top clamp block116includes a plurality of fiber grippers116j. As shown, each fiber gripper116jhas an end portion116kdefining a recess116mfor receiving one of the pads118. The recess116mand pads118are dimensioned such that the pads118fit within an inner perimeter defined by the recesses116mand such that the top surface118aof the pads118extends beyond the end portion116k. This configuration allows for the top surface118aof the pads118to define a resilient fiber clamping surface118aassociated with each of the fiber grippers116j. In one aspect, the end portions116kare supported by a pair of deflectable stand-off members116nwhich connect the main body116ato the end portions116k. In the example shown, the end portions116kand the stand-off members116nare integrally formed into the main body116a, however, these features of the fiber grippers116jcould be separately formed and later connected to the top clamp block116. In the example shown, the stand-off members116nextend at a non-orthogonal, oblique angle a1to a bottom surface116pof the top clamp block main body116a. Accordingly, the stand-off members116nare oriented at a non-orthogonal, oblique angle to the fiber clamping surface118adefined by the pad118received by the fiber grippers116j. As most easily seen atFIG. 20, the angle a1is between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees, and is preferably about 66 degrees.

As most easily viewed atFIGS. 23 to 28, when the cam lever124is moved into the closed position, the top clamp block116is compressed against the bottom clamp block108and a closing force F is exerted onto the fiber grippers108j,116jsuch that the end members108k,116kare brought together, thereby compressing the pads110,118onto the optical fibers14. This closing force F is generally orthogonal to the fiber clamping surfaces110a,118a. As the stand-off members108n,116nare deflectable, the closing force F will cause the stand-off members108n,116nto deflect such that the end portions108k,116kand the pads110,118are displaced not only towards the surfaces108p,116pof the bottom and top clamp blocks108,116in a direction P towards the rear edges110cof the pads110and away from the ferrules12a. This motion generates a tensile force onto the optical fibers14which allows the fibers14to be cleaved with the cleaving tool with more consistent results. The process of placing the optical fibers under tension and then cleaving them can be characterized as including supporting the ends of optical connectors with a fiber gripping tool, placing the optical fibers extending from the optical connectors between a pair of fiber grippers, generating a closing force to cause the pair of fiber grippers to clamp the optical fiber and to pull the optical fibers in a direction away from the ferrules of the optical connectors, and cleaving the optical fiber with a cleaving tool proximate the optical connector.