Patent ID: 7192196

Claim:
A method of connecting optical fibers comprising: providing two optical fiber connection components, each comprising: a connection member having (i) one or more through-holes each for slidably guiding an optical fiber therethrough and (ii) guides each for slidably guiding a rodlike coupling member, said through-holes and said guides extending from one edge to another in a sliding direction; a turned square U-shaped plug having a bottom portion and two side portions, wherein the connection member is positioned between the two side portions, said bottom portion having (I) one or more through-holes or grooves each for inserting the optical fiber and (II) guide holes each for guiding the rodlike coupling member; rodlike coupling members inserted into the respective guides of the connection member through the respective guide holes of the turned square U-shaped plug; and an optical fiber or optical fibers each inserted into each through-hole of the connection member through each through-hole or groove of the turned square U-shaped plug, wherein an end of a cladding of the optical fiber is leveled with an edge of the connection member and the optical fiber is fixed to the turned square U-shaped plug; opposing and contacting the two optical fiber connection components facing the edge of each connection member to align the rodlike coupling members and the optical fiber(s) of the two optical fiber connection components, wherein the ends of the respective optical fibers are connected; and sliding the connection members together in the sliding direction toward one of the bottom of the turned square U-shaped plug along the rodlike coupling members guided by the guides so that the connected ends of the optical fibers are located inside the through-hole of one of the connection members.