Patent ID: 7121731

Claim:
A connector assembly for connecting optical fibers comprising: (a) a connector ( 10 ) comprising material having shape memory property, comprising a longitudinally extending body ( 16 ), said body ( 16 ) comprising a first end ( 18 ) and a second end ( 20 ), and said body( 16 ) having a conduit ( 22 ) extending from said first end ( 18 ) to said second end ( 20 ), and said body ( 16 ) comprising a plurality of finger ( 24 ) ( 26 ) projections that extend longitudinally at each of said first and second ends ( 18 ) ( 20 ); (b) a first collar ( 34 ) circumferentially coupled to said first end ( 18 ) of said connector ( 10 ) and a second collar ( 36 ) circumferentially coupled to said second end ( 20 ) of said connector ( 10 ); (c) a connector housing comprising four quarter portions ( 38 ), and defining a connector chamber for receiving said connector when coupled with said collars ( 34 ) ( 36 ), said quarter portions configured such that two of the quarter portions ( 38 ) when assembled comprise a first end ( 48 ) and other two of the quarter portions when assembled comprise a second end ( 50 ) of said connector housing and further configured to exert tractional force on said connector ( 10 ) when said connector ( 10 ) is positioned in the connector chamber, by axial rotation of said first end ( 48 ) relative to said second end ( 50 ) of said connector housing, each of said connector housing ends comprising an aperture and pass through conduit between said aperture and said connector chamber; and (d) a needle ( 54 ) capable of insertion through said aperture, pass through conduit and connector conduit, and capable of expansion of the radial diameter of said connector conduit when inserted there through.