Patent ID: 7438485

Claim:
An optical fiber loading device comprising: a loading stage, comprising: a first clamp block, fitted in a first opening defined in a first base portion, comprising first grooves adapted to position first optical fibers of a first optical fiber cable; a first clamp arranged to releasably contact the first clamp block to clamp the first optical fibers therebetween, wherein the first clamp block and first base portion are formed of two different materials; a second clamp block, fitted in a second opening defined in a second base portion formed of a material different from a material used to form the second clamp block, the second clamp block having second grooves adapted to position second optical fibers of a second optical fiber cable so that the second optical fibers are aligned respectively with the first optical fibers positioned in the first grooves; and a second clamp arranged to releaseably contact the second clamp block to clamp the second optical fibers therebetween; and a first holder adapted to hold the first optical fiber cable, and to move relative to the loading stage; wherein at least one of the first and the second optical fibers allows the first optical fibers and the second optical fibers respectively to meet each other; and wherein a single member comprises both a portion of the first clamp block and a portion of the second clamp block.