Patent ID: 7025239

Claim:
A device for cleaving optical fibers of at least first and second category fiber optic connectors where the first and second category fiber optic connectors have connector ferrules of different sizes and an optical fiber extending through the connector ferrule and beyond a connector ferrule distal end, comprising: a fiber cutting member configured to cleave the fiber; a housing with an internal chamber, the housing including a recess sized to receive the fiber cutting member therein; and first and second fiber alignment members removably and alternatively connectable to the housing, the first and second fiber alignment members each having first and second portions, the first portion spanning the housing recess and defining between the first portion and the housing a space having an outward opening and being accessible from exterior of the housing when the alignment member is disconnected from the housing, the space being sized to receive the fiber cutting member therein between the housing and the alignment member, the fiber cutting member being removably retained in the space by the first portion when the alignment member is connected to the housing, the fiber cutting member being removable from the space through the outward opening thereof when the alignment member is disconnected from the housing, the second portion of the first fiber alignment member having a connector ferrule mating member with a first size to mate with the connector ferrule of the first category of fiber optic connectors and the second portion of the second fiber alignment member having a connector ferrule mating member with a second size to mate with the connector ferrule of the second category of fiber optic connectors, the first and second sizes of the connector ferrule mating members of the first and second fiber alignment members being different, the connector ferrule mating members of the first and second fiber alignment members each having an opening therethrough which, when the corresponding first and second fiber alignment member is connected to the housing, extends between an exterior end opening exterior of the connector ferrule mating member and the housing, and an inward end communicating with the housing internal chamber, the opening of the connector ferrule mating member of the first fiber support member being sized to receive the connector ferrule of the first category of fiber optic connectors with the fiber thereof extending beyond the connector ferrule distal end passing through the inward end of the opening and into the housing internal chamber for cleaving by the fiber cutting member, and the opening of the connector ferrule mating member of the second fiber support member being sized to receive the connector ferrule of the second category of fiber optic connectors with the fiber thereof extending beyond the connector ferrule distal end passing through the inward end of the opening and into the housing internal chamber for cleaving by the fiber cutting member.