Patent ID: 6860646

Claim:
A clamping assembly for clamping fiber optic connectors having exposed ferrules containing optical fibers, the clamping assembly comprising: a clamping device defining a plurality of ferrule receiving openings, the clamping device including a plurality of movable portions with each of the moveable portions at least partially defining one of the ferrule receiving openings, the moveable portions being moveable between open positions in which the ferrule receiving openings are a first size and clamped positions in which the ferrule receiving openings are a second size that is smaller than the first size, the moveable portions being normally biased toward the clamped position; a set plate on which the clamping device is removably mounted, the set plate including one or more recess structures for receiving the optical fibers of the fiber optic connectors when the clamping device is mounted on the set plate, the set plate also including at least one alignment surface against which the ferrules of the fiber optic connectors rest when the clamping device is mounted on the set plate; and an actuator for moving the movable portions of the clamping device between the open and clamped positions, the actuator including a rotatable drive member with a plurality of posts, each post engaging a corresponding one of the moveable portions of the clamping device when the clamping device is mounted on the set plate.