Patent ID: 7153036

Claim:
An optical fibre connector receptacle for connecting to a connector plug having an optical fibre mounted within a projecting cylindrical ferrule, the connector receptacle comprising: a housing having a passageway therethrough, said passageway extending along a longitudinal axis, between a first entrance for receiving said projecting ferrule and a second entrance; a clamp seated within the passageway, extending along said longitudinal axis and presenting a clamping surface, radially inwards-directed around said longitudinal axis, wherein said clamping surface has (a) a first portion defining an opening to said clamp oriented towards said first entrance and being free for receiving said projecting cylindrical ferrule, and (b) a second portion towards said second entrance; and a hollow sleeve having a cylindrical outer surface and an axially-extending open channel that extends along said longitudinal axis to allow optical radiation to be transmitted through said open channel to/from said connector plug, wherein said second portion of said clamping surface grips said cylindrical outer surface of said hollow sleeve and thereby defines a diameter of said first portion of said clamping surface.