Patent ID: 7325978

Claim:
An apparatus for coupling a plurality of optical fibers, comprising: a first registration insert and a second registration insert, each registration insert including a body having a coupling surface formed at an end thereof; a flange formed flush with the coupling surface, the flange including a plurality of projecting members distributed circumferentially about the body; a first alignment key receptacle disposed on the body; and a plurality of guides formed on an outer surface of the body, each guide adapted to receive an optical fiber with a terminal portion of the optical fiber positioned proximate the coupling surface; a first retention member and a second retention member disposed over the first and second registration inserts, respectively, the first and second retention members being coupleable to one another such that the coupling surfaces of the first and second registration inserts are engaged together and the plurality of guides of the first registration insert are approximately aligned with the plurality of guides of the second registration insert.