Abstract:
A plurality of different adapters for a fiberoptic termination inspection microscope which permits the microscope to be used with a plurality of cable connectors where each cable connector has one or more cable termini. The purpose of the microscope is to inspect a cable terminus to determine if such is clean and polished in order to insure low attenuation levels. If the cable terminus is dirty or scratched, the cable terminus can be replaced or repaired. An indicator can be used to disclose to the user exactly which cable terminus is being inspected.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The subject matter of this invention is concerned with an optical inspection device and specifically a microscope to be used for surface inspection of a terminus of a fiberoptic cable within a fiberoptic connector. 
     2) Description of the Prior Art 
     Fiberoptic cables are being used in greater frequency within the telecommunication industry. Fiberoptic cables take the form of an elongated glass core which is clad with an outer layer of material which comprises a light guiding and protective covering for the core. Not only is light usable within the optical fiber as a means of illumination, but the light being transmitted along an optical fiber is equivalent to an electrical signal passing down a wire. One of the advantages of an optical fiber is that it has a much greater information carrying capacity than an electrical wire. 
     Optical fibers normally cannot be in one continuous length in an installation. Different lengths of the fibers inherently have to be connected together when extending from point A to point B as this may amount to many miles. This connecting of the optical fibers is achieved by means of cable connectors or splices. It is the purpose of the cable connector to locate one terminus of an optical fiber directly adjacent a terminus of a second optical fiber in an in-line connecting arrangement with the light that is being conducted through one optical fiber to pass through into the second optical fiber with very low loss occurring. These optical fibers are quite small in diameter with generally an optical fiber being no more than a few thousandths in diameter. If a terminus of an optical fiber becomes scratched or dirty, the light transmission from the first cable to the second cable can be diminished substantially and become inoperative. Because of the diameter being so small, it only takes a minuscule spec of dust to destroy the effectiveness of the light transmission qualities of the connector. It is common that during the performing of maintenance on fiberoptic cables that the connectors are disconnected and prior to being reinstalled that a microscope is used to inspect the termini of the optical fibers to determine if such are adequately clean and polished for the transmission of light. Dirty ends can then be cleaned and if the ends are scratched, the connector is usually replaced. 
     There are a wide variety of different types of connectors for fiberoptic cables. There are connectors for single cables, and the connectors for single cables are constructed of various sizes. There are also connectors that have two in number of optical fibers. There are also connectors that have three, four, five thirty plus or other plurality in number of optical fibers. In the past, inspection microscopes have been designed to be usable with only a few different types of cable connectors. However, prior to the present invention, it has not been known to utilize an inspection microscope in conjunction with a wide range of different types of fiberoptic connectors. The adapter system may also include a LED indicator to inform the user exactly which fiberoptic end face is being inspected. This is especially helpful when using a connector that has an array of optical fibers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An adapter system which is designed in conjunction with an inspection microscope which facilitates inspection of the individual end faces of a fiberoptic connector, or an array, whether single channel or multi-channel. The adapter system includes a plurality of different adapters with each adapter being designed to be usable in conjunction with a particular type of cable connector. Each adapter of the adapter system is to be affixed in conjunction with a microscope in a particular position so as to utilize X-Y positioning within the microscope to center the image of the end of the optical fiber to achieve the visualization of such. Some adapters of the adapter system utilize a combination of X-Y and rotational positioning designed for a particular connector. Sliding or rotating of an adapter of the adapter system is to occur until the adapter becomes located in the desired position so as to expose the selected terminus face of the optical fiber for visual inspection. The adapter system of the present invention is constructed to include six different types of adapters which are to be connectable with most types of fiberoptic cable connectors so a single inspection microscope can be utilized with most types of fiberoptic cable connectors. 
     One of the objectives of the present invention is to construct an adapter which can permit an inspection microscope to be utilized with a series of different types of fiberoptic cable connectors. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of one type of inspection microscope which has been modified to be usable with the adapter system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the adapter system of the present invention which is to be usable in conjunction with a single cable connector; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the image that would be observable of the fiberoptic cable terminus within the fiberoptic cable connector using the configuration of adapter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view similar to FIG. 2 but of a second configuration of adapter that is to be used in conjunction with a single cable connector that has a ribbon array of multiple fibers therein; 
     FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but of a third configuration of adapter within the adapter assembly of the present invention that is to be usable in conjunction with two different types of cable connectors; 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with the adapter configuration being slid to a different position in conjunction with the mounting system of an inspection microscope; 
     FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but of a fourth configuration of adapter which utilizes two fiberoptic cable connectors mounted within a single connector; 
     FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is an end view of a fifth configuration of adapter of the adapter assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of the fifth configuration of adapter that is mounted within the mounting of an inspection microscope; 
     FIG. 16 is an end view of the cable connector which has five in number of termini mounted in conjunction with the connector; 
     FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but of a sixth configuration of adapter; 
     FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but of the sixth configuration of adapter; 
     FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16 but of an connector that has eight in number of separate optical cables mounted within the connector showing how the adapter can be utilized to view four in number of the termini of the cable connector; 
     FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  21 — 21  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 19 but where the adapter is positioned to view the remaining four in number of termini within the cable connector of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but showing which four in number of optical cables are to be visualized with the adapter in the position. of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  24 — 24  of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an LED indicator adapter system that is usable in conjunction with a connector that has an array of optical fibers; 
     FIG. 26 is an end view of the LED indicator adapter system of this invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  27 — 27  of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view  28 — 28  of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view  29 — 29  of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 26 but showing the adapter system in a different position to observe a different optical fiber terminus by the inspection microscope; 
     FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 but shows an adapter system for a fiberoptic connector for a much smaller number of optical fibers than were shown in FIG. 30; and 
     FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 but of a still different type of connector arrangement that still utilizes the LED indicator. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a microscope  30  which has a housing  32 . The housing  32  includes a pistol grip handle  34 . Mounted within the housing  32  is a knob  36  which is to be manually turned in order to adjust the focus of the image that is aligned with the visual inspection window  38 . Observing of the image is by means of the user placing his or her eye against eyepiece  40 . It is to be understood that within the microscope housing  32  there is mounted a battery source and a light source which is to illuminate the image. Activation of the light source is by means of depressing button  42 . 
     Mounted in conjunction with the visual inspection window  38  is a female adapter  44 . The female adapter  44  comprises a flat baseplate  46  which is fixedly mounted by screws  48  to the housing  32 . The baseplate  46  is basically of a rectangular configuration. Integrally formed at the opposite side peripheral edges of the baseplate  46  are parallel sidewalls  50  and  52 . The sidewall  50  includes an inwardly protruding flange  54  with sidewall  52  similarly including inwardly extending flange  56 . The flange  54  in conjunction with the baseplate  46  produces a groove  58 . Similarly, the flange  56  in conjunction with the baseplate  46  produces a groove  60 . Also located at the bottom end of the baseplate  46  and extending between the sidewalls  50  and  52  is an end wall  62 . Mounted within the baseplate  46  is a hole  64 . Centered within the hole  64  is the visual inspection window  38 . 
     Formed within the baseplate  46  and connecting with the groove  58  is a hole  66 . In a similar manner, mounted within the baseplate  46  and connecting with the groove  60  is a hole  68 . It is to be noted that the holes  66  and  68  are in transverse alignment. Generally, the holes  66  and  68  are aligned with the transverse diameter through the hole  64 . Within hole  66  is located a ball  70 . The outer portion of the hole  66  that connects with the groove  58  is narrowed slightly so that the ball  70  is not capable of falling free of the hole  66 . In a similar manner, a precisely identical ball  72  is mounted within the hole  68 . Outer portion of hole  68  is similarly narrowed to retain ball  72 . Connecting with the ball  70  is a coil spring  74  with the spring  74  being mounted within the hole  66 . A similar coil spring  76  is mounted within the hole  68  and connects with the ball  72 . Mounted within the hole  66  and connecting with the inner end of the coil spring  74  is a set screw  78 . A similar set screw  80  is mounted within the hole  68  and connects with the inner end of the spring  76 . 
     Each of the balls  70  and  72  are biased to a slightly outwardly protruding position from the surface of the baseplate  46 . The balls  70  and  72  produce, in part, a detent mechanism. The following discussion will result to a series of male adapters that are to be slidingly engaged with the grooves  58  and  60 . Each will have a male adapter plate which slides into the female adapter  44 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there is shown a first configuration of male adapter which has a substantially planer rectangularly shaped plate  82 . Plate  82  has a substantially center hole  84 . Also formed within the plate  82  is a hole  86  which is located directly adjacent the right side of the plate  82 . There is also a similar hole  88  located directly adjacent the left side of the plate  82 . Fixedly mounted within the center hole  84  is a fitting  90 . Fitting  90  includes a sleeve  92  which has an internal elongated chamber  94 . The fitting  90  also includes an enlarged chamber  96 . A passage  98  connects the enlarged chamber  96  to the elongated chamber  94 . 
     A fiberoptic terminus  100  has a forward end  102  which is to be snugly inserted within elongated chamber  94 . Centrally mounted within the forward end  102  is a fiberoptic cable end  104 . It is to be understood that this fiberoptic cable end  104  is hardly visible with the naked eye. Light from the microscope  30  represented by arrow  106 , is transmitted through the hole  64 , passage  98  and onto the forward end  102  illuminating the fiberoptic cable end  104 . This fiberoptic cable end  104  is magnified as much as four hundred times. It is desirable that the fiberoptic cable end  104  be centrally positioned within the field of view of the microscope  30 . In order to achieve this, the ball  70  is to rest within the hole  86  and the ball  72  is to rest within the hole  88  which produces a pair of detent mechanisms that correctly positions the plate  82  at the desired location within the grooves  58  and  60 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7 of the drawings, there is shown the second configuration of male adapter of this invention which is similar to the first configuration in that the second configuration also uses a plate  108 . Plate  108  has holes  86  and  88  which function as the detent positioning arrangement between the plate  108  and the baseplate  46 . The advantage of the second configuration of male adapter of this invention is that fiberoptic ribbon connector  101  is not mounted directly on the plate  108  but is mounted instead on member  110 . Ribbon connector  101  has a series of individual optical fibers, forming a ribbon  107 . Each individual optical fiber has an end  104 . Normally, there are at least four and frequently twelve or greater in number of the individual optical fibers. The member  110  is mounted to the plate  108  by means of a pair of fasteners  114 . Each fastener  114  passes through an oversized elongated hole  116  formed within the member  110 . A washer  118  is mounted about each fastener  114  and associated with each washer  118  is a leaf spring washer  120 . A threaded fastener  122  is mounted within plate  108  with the outer end of the fastener  122  being threadably received within the member  110 . Between the member  110  and the plate  108  and surrounding the threaded shaft of the fastener  122  is a coil spring  124 . 
     The advantage of the second configuration of male adapter of this invention is that once the adapter plate  108  is installed in its correct position within the grooves  58  and  60 , and the balls  70  and  72  engage respectively with their holes  86  and  88 , the user can adjust the position of the connector  101  by manually turning of fastener  122 . This will cause the member  110  to move longitudinally or vertically relative to the plate  108  with this movement being limited by the length of the holes  116 . Once a desired position is achieved and the fastener is released, the established position of the member  110  will remain. The whole purpose of this movement is to cause the end  104  to be moved within the field of view of the microscope  30  to precisely center the end  104  within the field of view. Threaded holes  126  and  128  are provided to facilitate connection to a ribbon connector mount  109 . Ribbon connector mount  109  can take any configuration of numerous connector configurations. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 8-11 of the drawings, there is shown the third configuration of male adapter of this invention which utilizes of a plate  130  which is to be slid within the grooves  58  and  60 . Plate  130  includes a pair of spaced-apart holes  132  and  134 . Mounted within the hole  132  is a fitting  136 . Similarly, a fitting  138  is mounted within the hole  134 . Fitting  138  is basically identical to fitting  90  where the forward end  102  of the connector  100  is mounted within elongated chamber  94  of the fitting  138 . It is to be noted that the plate  130  also includes a detent mechanism which includes holes  86  and  88  which are in alignment with the fitting  138 . The holes  86  and  88  function in the same manner as was previously described. 
     The fitting  136  includes a sleeve  140  which is substantially smaller in diameter than the sleeve  92 . The sleeve  140  fits over the forward end  142  of a different type of fiberoptic terminus  144 . Located in transverse alignment with the fitting  136  and formed within the plate  130  are holes  146  and  148 . The holes  146  and  148  function as a detent mechanism in the same manner as holes  86  and  88 . 
     The advantage of the third configuration of adapter of this invention is that the plate  130  has two different fittings  136  and  138  mounted thereon as opposed to the single fitting  90  that is mounted on plate  82 . This means that plate  130  can connect with two different types of termini  100  and  144 . The light beam, depicted by arrow  106 , is used to illuminate the end  104  of connector  100  as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings and the plate  130  is mounted within the grooves  58  and  60  as shown in FIG. 10 with ball  72  connecting with hole  88  and ball  70  connecting with hole  86 . When it is desired to have the light illuminate the terminus  144  as shown in FIG. 9, the plate  130  is to be just slid within the grooves  58  and  60  until hole  148  connects with ball  72  and hole  146  connects with ball  70  which will align terminus  144  with the light beam depicted by arrow  106 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings, there is shown the fourth configuration of male adapter of this invention which utilizes a plate  150  which is basically similar to previously described plate  82 . The plate  150  has formed therein a pair of spaced-apart holes  152  and  154 . Mountable by screw fasteners  156  on the plate  150  is a single retainer housing  158  within which are mounted a pair of connectors  160  and  162 . Aligning sleeve  164  is to be centrally located within the hole  152 . Aligning sleeve  166  is to be centrally located within the hole  154 . 
     When the terminus  168  of the connector  162  is being observed, the hole  170  will connect with the ball  70  and hole  172  will connect with the ball  72 . In this position, the bottom edge  174  of the plate  150  is located as shown in solid lines in FIG.  12 . 
     In order to observe the terminus  176  of connector  160 , it is necessary to only slide the plate  150  in the grooves  58  and  60  until hole  178  connects with ball  72  and hole  180  connects with ball  70 . The bottom edge  174  of the plate  150  is now located at surface  175  as shown in FIG.  12 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 14-17 of the drawings, there is shown the fifth configuration of male adapter which includes a plate  184  which is, again, similar to plate  82 . The plate  184  includes an enlarged hole  186  which is located on the back side of an annular protrusion  188 . On the front side of annular protrusion  188  is a hole  190 . Rotatably mounted within the holes  186  and  190  is a fitting  192 . Fitting  192  includes a circular backplate  194  which is located within the hole  186 . A snap ring  196  is located against the annular protrusion  188 . An annular ridge  198  of the fitting  192  abuts against the snap ring  196 . The snap ring  196  and the annular ridge  198  are located within the hole  190 . As a result, the fitting  192  is freely rotatable relative to the plate  184 . 
     It is to be noted that mounted within the plate  184  is a detent ball  200 . The detent ball  200  is to be engagable with any one of five in number of holes  202  which are equiangularly spaced-apart and formed within the back plate  194 . When the fitting  192  is rotated within the plate  184  and when a ball  200  engages with a hole  202 , a particular position is then established of the fitting  192  relative to the plate  184 . It is to be understood that there is actually five in number of different positions because there are five in number of the holes  202 . 
     The fitting  192  is to matingly connect with a fiberoptic cable end connector  204 . The connector  204  is defined by an outer ring  206  which encompasses a center tube  208 . Mounted on the exterior surface of the center tube  208  is a rib  210 . Mounted within the center tube  208  is a housing  212 . Mounted within the housing  212  in a spaced-apart arrangement is a plurality of fiberoptic termini (not shown) each of which have a sleeve  214  which is mounted within a hole  216  formed within the housing  212 . The housing  212  is fixedly mounted by a fastener  218  to a base  220  which is included within the connector  204 . In another similar version there would not be used a housing  212 . 
     The rib  210  is to be located within the space  222  located between a pair of pins  224  and  226  which are mounted on the inside surface of the fitting  192 . Fitting  192  is located within the annular space  228  of the connector  204  which is located between the center tube  208  and the outer ring  206 . Center tube  208  forms a snug connection with the fitting  192  by means of O-ring seal  230 . When the rib  210  is located within the space  222  with the plate  194  in the position shown in FIG. 14, one of the holes  202  connect with the ball  200  and the light that is transmitted through in the direction of arrow  106  illuminates the terminus that is denoted with the letter “C” in FIG.  16 . Pivoting of the connector  204  and the fitting  192  seventy-two degrees in a clockwise direction, referring to FIG. 16, will result in the terminus denoted with the letter “D” then being aligned with the transmission of light of arrow  106 . Continued rotation of seventy-two degrees will align each terminus with the light being transmitted in the direction of arrow  106 . Therefore, it is to be understood that by pivoting of the fitting  192  into the increments of seventy-two degrees, each terminus will be capable of being observed by the light from the microscope  30 . It is to be understood that when the plate  184  is mounted in conjunction with the grooves  58  and  60  that hole  232  will connect with the ball  70  and hole  234  will connect with the ball  72  thereby defining the precise position of the plate  184  relative to the microscope  30 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 18-24, there is shown the sixth configuration of adapter assembly of this invention. The sixth configuration of adapter assembly is basically similar to the fifth configuration and like numerals have been utilized to refer to like parts. However, instead of plate  184  there is shown a plate  236  and instead of connector  204  there is shown a connector  238 . Again, like numerals that were used in conjunction with connector  204  have been used in conjunction with connector  238  to refer to like parts. However, the connector  238  has mounted within the housing  212  eight in number of fiberoptic termini  240  rather than the five in number that are shown in the connector  204 . It is to be noted that termini A, C, E and G are all on one circle  242 . Additionally, the termini B, D, F and H are on another circle  244 . Circle  242  is concentric with circle  244 . 
     Rotationally mounted within the plate  236  is a fitting  246  with fitting  246  being basically similar to fitting  192 . The only difference of fitting  246  is that within the back plate  248  there are located a series of evenly spaced-apart holes  250  which are equivalent to the holes  202  with the exception that the holes  250  are located forty-five degrees apart rather than seventy-two degrees apart. Also, the plate  236  not only includes holes  232  and  234 , but also includes holes  252  and  254 . With hole  232  connecting with ball  70  and hole  234  connecting with ball  72 , the termini that are located on circle  244  are capable of being aligned with the transmission of light which is represented by arrow  106 . Moving from terminus “B” to “D” requires the pivoting of the fitting  246  of ninety degrees so that a hole  250  will be skipped when moving from one hole  250  to another hole  250 . Then when moving from terminus “D” to “F” again requires a movement of ninety degrees, and so forth. When hole  254  connects with ball  70  and hole  252  connects with ball  72 , the termini “A”, “C”, “E” and “G” are capable of being positioned in alignment with the transmitted light denoted by arrow  106 . Again in moving between the termini “A”, “C”, “E” and “G”, the holes  250  that are spaced ninety degrees apart that were located between the previously discussed holes  250  will then be used as detents for establishing the position for each of the termini “A”, “C”, “E” and “G”. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 26-30 of the present application, there is shown a seventh configuration of adapter assembly of this invention. The microscope  30  still has a baseplate  256  which is basically similar to baseplate  46 . The only difference is baseplate  256  includes a hole  258  within which is located a coil spring  260 . The outer end of the coil spring  260  abuts against a translucent ball  262  which projects slightly past the flat surface  264  of the baseplate  256 . The hole  258  connects with a housing  265  which is mounted exteriorly of the rear surface  266  of the baseplate  256 . The housing  265  is mounted within a protective cover  290 . This protective cover  290  is fixedly mounted by screw fasteners  292  to the baseplate  256 . Within the housing  265  is to be located a LED (light emitting diode) which is not shown. The LED is electrically connected by wire  268  to a source of electricity which would be the battery contained within the microscope  30 . 
     The baseplate  256  has parallel sidewalls  270  and  272 . Sidewall  270  includes an inwardly projecting flange  274 . Sidewall  272  includes an inwardly projecting flange  276 . The flange  274  in conjunction with the flat surface  264  produces a groove  278 . Similarly, the flange  276  in conjunction with the flat surface  264  produces a groove  280 . Also located at the bottom end of the baseplate  256  and extending between the sidewalls  270  and  272  is an end wall  282 . Mounted within the baseplate  256  is a hole  284 . Centered within the hole  284  is to be the visual inspection window  38  of the microscope  30 . 
     Extending between the grooves  278  and  280  is an upper rail  286  and a lower rail  288 . The upper rail  286  is spaced from the lower rail  288 . The rails  286  and  288  are located parallel. The rails  286  and  288  are slidable within the grooves  278  and  280 . Mounted between the rails  286  and  288  is a rectangularly shaped adapter plate  294 . The adapter plate  294  is mounted within the enlarged opening  296  of a rectangularly shaped enclosing ring  298 . This ring  298  has holes  300  and  302  each of which includes a coil spring  304  and a ball  306 . The balls  306  protrude slightly from the peripheral surface of the ring  298 . The balls  306  rides against the lower rail  288 . The balls  306  functions to prevent rotation of the ring  298  between the rails  286  and  288  and permit low frictional sliding movement of the ring  298  relative to the rails  286  and  288 . It is to be noted that the rail  286  includes a coil spring  308  and a ball  310  mounted within a hole  312  formed within the upper lid  286 . In a similar manner, the lower rail  268  includes a hole  314  within which is mounted a coil spring  316  which connects with a ball  318 . The balls  310  and  318  function to prevent rotation of the rails  286  and  288  and freely slidable between the grooves  278  and  280 . The rails  286  and  288  are connected together to operate as a single unit. This connection is provided by a connecting ring  320 . The connecting ring  320  includes an enlarged center opening  322 . The connecting ring  320  is fixed to the rail  286  by three in number of screw fasteners  324 . In a similar manner, the connecting ring  320  is fixedly mounted by screw fasteners  326  to the lower rail  288 . Space within the baseplate  256  is provided for the connecting ring  320  by cutout area  328 . Movement of the adapter plate  294  relative to the baseplate  256  is to be accomplished in the direction of arrows  390  and  392 . 
     Mounted within the enlarged opening  296  is the adapter plate  294 . Mounted at each corner of the adapter plate  294  is a manually turnable knob  330 . It is to be understood that there are four in number of the knobs  330 . Each knob  330  threadably connects with a threaded hole  331  formed in enclosing ring  298 . Tightening threading of each of the knobs  330  will result in securement of the adapter plate  294  to the connecting ring  298 . Loosening of the knobs  330  will result in the adapter plate  294  being disassembled from the enclosing ring  298 . This can permit reinstallation of a different configuration of adapter plate such as adapter plate  334  in FIG.  31  and adapter plate  336  in FIG.  32 . 
     The adapter plate  294  includes a fitting  338 . The fitting  338  includes an alignment pin  340 . A connector  342 , which is basically similar to connectors  204  and  238 , is to be mountable in conjunction with the fitting  338  with the alignment pin  340  functioning to permit only a single mounting position relative to the fitting  338 . The connector  342  has a specific pattern of holes  344  known as an arrangement. Mounted within each hole  344  is terminus  348 . Each terminus  348  has an optical fiber  346 . Light is to be emitted in the direction of arrow  350  from the microscope  30  through lens  352 . This light is conducted through the center of hole  284 . When a terminus  348  of an optical fiber  346  is aligned with arrow  350 , that terminus of that fiber is observable by the microscope  30 . As to which particular terminus  348  is being observed, the ball  262  will engage in a detent manner with a particular hole  354  formed within the adapter plate  294 . By referring to FIGS. 26 and 30, it can be seen that there are thirty-one in number of the holes  344 . The pattern and number of the holes  344  is reproduced by the holes  354  and is known as a replica. Therefore, as in FIG. 26, the arrow  350  is aligned with the center hole  344  of the holes  344 . The ball  262  will be engaged with the center hole  354 . Therefore, the user can observe the adapter plate  294  and by moving the adapter plate  294  horizontally and vertically can adjust the adapter plate  294  so that each and every fiberoptic terminus  348  can be aligned with arrow  350 . When a particular terminus  348  is aligned with the arrow  350 , the corresponding hole  354  will be connected with the ball.  262  which functions to lock slightly the position of the adapter plate  294  because of the engagement of the ball  262  with the particular hole  354 . When the user depresses button  42 , the translucent ball  262  will be illuminated and be readily observable by the user informing the user exactly which of the end faces  348  is in alignment with the arrow  350  and is being observed by the microscope  30 . Applying a slight physical pressure against the adapter plate  294  can unseat the ball  262  from the respective hole  354  permitting the ball  262  to engage with another one of the holes  354 . 
     As previously mentioned, the adapter plate  294  can be removed and a new adapter plate  334  installed in the same position with the ring  298 . The adapter plate  334  has a fitting which connects to a different type of connector  356  which is shown to have only four in number of optical fibers  358 . The same pattern of the optical fibers  358  is reproduced in the adapter plate  334  by holes  360 . When the ball  262  engages with a hole  360 , the corresponding optical fiber  358  will be aligned with the arrow  350 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 32, the adapter plate  336 , instead of having a single connector, such as connectors  342  and  356 , has four in number of separated apart connectors  362 ,  364 ,  366  and  368 . Connector  362  has a corresponding hole  370 . Connector  364  has a corresponding hole  372 . Connector  366  has a corresponding hole  374 . Connector  368  has a corresponding hole  376 . The ball  262  is shown engaging with hole  374  which means that the optical fiber terminus  378  of connector  366  is in alignment with arrow  350 . Optical fiber terminus  378  is what will be observed. Movement of the adapter plate  336  in direction of arrows  380  and  382  will permit adjusting of the adapter plate  336  to the different holes  370 ,  372  and  376  and hence observation of the terminus  384  of connector  362 , observation of the terminus  386  of connector  364  and observation of the terminus  388  of connector  368 .