Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6808444
-
Patent Number
6,808,444
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 26, 200320 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 26, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Hail, III; Joseph J.
- McDonald; Shantese
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 451 292
- 451 364
- 451 365
- 451 379
- 451 397
- 451 398
- 451 909
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A polishing fixture is provided for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector. A holding plate has a receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector, with at least a portion of each of a first side and a second side of the connector exposed. A clamping arm is disposed for linear movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector, as well as for pivotal movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector. The clamping arm has first and second clamping portions for engaging the first and second sides, respectively, of the connector. An actuator mechanism is operatively associated with the clamping arm for moving the clamping arm linearly to bring the first clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the first side of the connector and then pivoting the clamping arm to bring the second clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the second side of the connector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of fiber optic connectors and, particularly, to a polishing fixture for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic connectors of a wide variety of designs have been employed to terminate optical fiber cables and to facilitate connection of the cables to other cables or other optical fiber transmission devices. A typical optic fiber connector includes a ferrule that mounts and centers an optical fiber or fibers within the connector. The ferrule may be fabricated of such material as ceramic. A ferrule holder or other housing component of the connector embraces the ferrule and may be fabricated of such material as molded plastic. A spring may be disposed within the housing or ferrule holder such that the ferrule is yieldably biased forwardly for engaging another fiber-mounting ferrule of a mating connecting device.
Before a fiber optic cable can be joined to the end of a like cable to create a continuous fiber optic cable assembly, it is necessary to polish the ends of the tiny optical fibers at a mating face of the ferrule. It is often necessary to polish these optic ends to a precise length which they project from the mating face of the ferrule.
Polishing machines are known for performing such polishing functions, and the machines typically include a polishing fixture for receiving and holding one or more ferrules having the fiber optic cables terminated thereto. The ferrule must be clamped rigidly in the fixture. Typically, the ferrules are clamped in at least two directions, such as mutually perpendicular “X” and “Y” directions. This requires multiple clamping assemblies on the fixture. For instance, one clamping assembly is used to clamp the ferrule in the “X” direction, and a second clamping assembly is used for clamping the ferrule in the “Y” direction. Each assembly includes a plurality of components, and the dual assemblies double the number of components required. In essence, such fixtures and clamping assemblies are complicated, expensive and not very cost efficient. The present invention is directed to providing a polishing fixture that uses a single clamping assembly for clamping a ferrule in two different directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved polishing fixture of the character described.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a polishing fixture is provided for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector. Note that discussions herein regarding fiber optic connectors also apply to multi-fiber optic connectors as well. The fixture includes a holding plate having a receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector, with at least a portion of each of a first side and a second side of the connector exposed. A clamping arm is disposed for generally linear movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector, as well as for pivotal movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector. The clamping arm has first and second clamping portions for engaging the first and second sides, respectively, of the connector. An actuator mechanism is operatively associated with the clamping arm for moving the clamping arm generally linearly to bring the first clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the first side of the connector and then pivoting the clamping arm to bring the second clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the second side of the connector.
According to one aspect of the invention, the holding plate is circular, with a circular peripheral edge. A plurality of the receptacles are arranged in an array angularly about at least a portion of the circular peripheral edge of the plate, in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of the clamping arms and actuator mechanisms. Each receptacle is open at a top surface of the holding plate to expose the first side of the connector, and at least a portion of the receptacle is open at a side thereof to expose the second side of the connector.
As disclosed herein, the first and second sides of the fiber optic connector are disposed generally perpendicular to each other, as in a typical ferrule of a fiber optic connector assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second clamping portions of the clamping arm comprise first and second surfaces generally perpendicular to each other. The clamping arm is generally L-shaped to define first and second, mutually perpendicular legs that form the first and second clamping portions of the clamping arm. The clamping arm is pivotally movable about a pivot point generally at a juncture of the perpendicular legs of the L-shaped clamping arm.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the actuator mechanism includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a fixed pivot on the holding plate. An opposite end of the actuating lever is pivotally connected to the clamping arm. A set screw is freely rotatable in a through hole in the actuating lever and is threadably engaged in a screw hole in the holding plate to move the actuating lever and effectively move the clamping arm. The set screw has an enlarged, manually graspable knob to facilitate manually rotating the screw. The receptacle in the holding plate defines an insertion axis of the connector, and an axis of the screw hole is at an acute angle to the insertion axis. The holding plate has a first clamping surface against which the connector is clamped by the first clamping portion of the clamping arm, and the holding plate has a second clamping surface at an angle to the first clamping surface and against which the actuating lever is clamped by the set screw.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of this invention that are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a polishing fixture incorporating the concepts of the invention, with the clamping assemblies in their open positions;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of one of the clamping assemblies;
FIG. 3
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 2
, but at a different angle;
FIG. 4
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 1
, but with a plurality of fiber optic connectors and terminated fiber optic cables loaded into the fixture;
FIGS. 5A and 5B
are enlarged perspective views, at different angles to each other and showing a portion of the polishing fixture with a plurality of the clamping assemblies in their open positions and the connectors and cables loaded in the fixture;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged vertical section taken generally along line
6
—
6
of
FIG. 5B
;
FIG. 7
is a fragmented perspective view, partially in section, showing several of the clamping assemblies in their closed (but not clamping) positions;
FIG. 8
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 6
, but with the clamping assembly in the position of
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 9
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 4
, but with the clamping assemblies in their clamping positions;
FIG. 10
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 5B
, but with the clamping assemblies in their clamping positions; and
FIG. 11
is a view similar to that of
FIGS. 6 and 8
, but with the clamping assembly in its clamping position.
DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to
FIG. 1
, the invention is embodied in a polishing fixture, generally designated
12
, for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable (not shown) terminated in a fiber optic connector, as will be seen hereinafter. Actually, polishing fixture
12
is provided for simultaneously polishing the optic ends of a plurality of fiber optic cables terminated in a plurality of fiber optic connectors.
As seen in
FIG. 1
, polishing fixture
12
includes a circular holding plate, generally designated
14
, having a top flat surface
14
a
, a bottom flat surface
14
b
and a flattened circular peripheral edge
14
c
. An upstanding mounting post
16
is fixed to the top of the holding plate. The mounting post is hollow, as at
16
a
, for mounting on the arm of a polishing machine above a rotatable polishing table (not shown). The mounting post is notched, as at
16
b
, at the top thereof for preventing fixture rotation. A large set screw
18
fixes the mounting post and, thereby, holding plate
14
to the arm of the polishing machine.
Still referring to
FIG. 1
, holding plate
14
includes a pair of arcuate arrays of receptacles
20
at diametrically opposite sides of the holding plate for receiving a plurality of fiber optic connectors, as will be seen hereinafter. A respective plurality of internally threaded through holes
22
are located outside the receptacles, for purposes to be described hereinafter. Numeral indicia
24
may be imprinted on top of the holding plate to identify the individual receptacles
20
. Finally, a plurality of clamping assemblies, generally designated
26
, are mounted at edge
14
c
of holding plate
14
generally in radial alignment with receptacles
20
and internally threaded through holes
22
. As can be seen by the numerical indicia
24
, there are six receptacles
20
in arcuate arrays at opposite sides of holding plate
14
, along with a corresponding six through holes
20
and a corresponding six clamping assemblies
26
all in radial alignment of the circular holding plate.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
in conjunction with
FIG. 1
, each clamping assembly
26
includes a pivot block
28
; an actuator mechanism, generally designated
30
, which includes an actuating lever
32
and a set screw
34
; and a clamping arm
36
. Actuating lever
32
is pivotally connected to pivot block
28
by a pivot pin
38
, and the actuating lever is pivotally connected to clamping arm
36
by a pivot pin
40
.
Keeping in mind that one clamping assembly
26
is provided in radial alignment with each receptacle
20
and the corresponding internally threaded through hole
22
,
FIG. 3
shows that pivot block
28
is fixed to a flattened portion
42
of peripheral edge
14
c
of holding plate
14
by a pair of externally threaded machine screws
44
. The screws extend through a pair of holes
46
in pivot block
28
and are securely threaded into a pair of internally threaded holes
48
in holding plate
14
. An elongated tongue
28
a
is integral with pivot block
28
and seats in a groove
50
at the edge of the holding plate to stabilize the pivot block. A pair of pivot ears
28
b
project upwardly from the pivot block and define a slot
28
c
therebetween. Finally, pivot ears
28
b
have through holes
28
d
for receiving pivot pin
38
.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
in conjunction with
FIG. 1
, actuating lever
32
of actuator mechanism
30
of clamping assembly
26
includes a front pivot boss
32
a
and a rear pivot boss
32
b
. The front pivot boss includes a generally horizontal through hole
32
c
, and rear pivot boss
32
b
includes a through hole
32
d
. A through hole
32
e
extends vertically through the actuating lever. Pivot boss
32
b
is positioned in slot
28
c
between ears
28
b
of pivot block
28
to align through hole
32
d
of the pivot boss with through holes
28
d
in pivot ears
28
b
for receiving pivot pin
38
. This provides a pivotal connection between actuating lever
32
and fixed pivot block
28
. Set screw
34
is freely rotatably positioned within through hole
32
e
of actuating lever
32
and has an externally threaded portion
34
a
for threading into one of the internally threaded holes
22
in holding plate
14
. The set screw has an enlarged, manually graspable knob
32
b
, which may be hexagon-shaped, to facilitate manual and/or torque-wrench rotation of the set screw.
Referring to
FIG. 6
in conjunction with
FIGS. 2 and 3
, clamping arm
36
is generally L-shaped to define first and second, mutually perpendicular legs
36
a
and
36
b
, respectively. Actually, first leg
36
a
is bifurcated as seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3
to define a slot
36
c
that receives pivot boss
32
a
of actuating lever
32
. Through hole
32
c
of the actuating lever becomes aligned with a pair of through holes
36
d
in bifurcated leg
36
a
for receiving pivot pin
40
to form a pivot connection between the actuating lever and clamping arm
36
. In essence, holes
36
d
in the clamping lever define a pivot point generally at the juncture between legs
36
a
and
36
b.
FIG. 6
shows that leg
36
a
has a clamping surface
54
and leg
36
b
has a. clamping surface
56
that is perpendicular to clamping surface
34
. As will be understood hereinafter, first and second legs
36
a
and
36
b
, respectively, form first and second clamping portions of clamping arm
36
.
FIG. 6
also shows that clamping arm
36
has a stop flange
58
that engages a stop flange
60
of pivot block
28
to define the extreme open position of the clamping arm.
FIGS. 4-6
show clamping assemblies
26
in their open position, and a plurality of fiber optic connectors, generally designated
62
, are positioned into receptacles
20
on insertion axes
64
. Connectors
62
shown herein are the ferrules described in the “Background”, above. The ferrules terminate fiber optic cables
66
. Each ferrule
62
includes a body portion
62
a
and an enlarged peripheral flange portion
62
b
. The peripheral flange portion defines a bottom peripheral surface
62
c
and a top peripheral surface
62
d
. Body portion
62
a
defines a mating surface
62
e
at which the optic ends of the tiny optical fibers (not shown) of cables
66
are exposed for polishing. When each ferrule
62
is inserted into one of the receptacles
20
, bottom peripheral flange
62
c
of peripheral flange portion
62
b
engages top surface
14
a
of holding plate
14
. Finally, as clearly seen in
FIGS. 5A
,
5
B and
6
, receptacles
20
are enlarged to define open areas
20
a
that will receive second legs or clamping portions
36
b
of clamping arms
36
as will be seen hereinafter.
FIGS. 7 and 8
show actuating lever
32
and clamping arm
36
of one of the clamping assemblies
26
pivoted in the direction of arrow “A” about pivot pin
38
on pivot block
28
. In this intermediate or closed and non-clamping position, second leg or clamping portion
36
b
of clamping arm
36
has moved into open area
20
a
of receptacle
20
. First leg or clamping portion
36
a
of the clamping arm has moved to a position where clamping surface
54
has engaged the top peripheral surface
62
d
of ferrule
62
. Externally threaded portion
34
a
of set screw
34
now is aligned with internally threaded hole
22
in the holding plate. It can be seen in
FIG. 8
that axis
70
of hole
22
is at an acute angle relative to insertion axis
64
of ferrule
62
into receptacle
20
. Axis
70
is perpendicular to an angled surface
72
about the periphery of holding plate
14
. In essence, axis
70
of hole
22
is generally tangential to the pivot axis of pivot pin
38
so that set screw
34
can move axially and generally linearly notwithstanding the fact that actuating lever
32
actually moves pivotally about pivot pin
38
.
FIGS. 9-11
show actuating levers
32
and clamping arms
36
of clamping assemblies
26
pivoted about pivot pins
38
in the direction of arrow “B” (
FIG. 11
) to the full clamping positions of the assemblies. It can be seen best in
FIG. 11
that clamping surface
54
of first leg or clamping portion
36
a of clamping arm
36
still is in engagement with top peripheral surface
62
d
of peripheral flange portion
62
b
of ferrule
62
. However, clamping surface
56
of the second leg or clamping portion
36
d
of clamping arm
36
now has come into engagement with a side surface
74
of body portion
62
a
of the ferrule. It can be seen that surfaces
62
d
and
74
of the ferrule are generally perpendicular to each other as are surfaces
54
and
56
on clamping arm
36
. The assembly has been moved to this clamping position by manually rotating set screw
34
in the direction of arrow “C” to draw the set screw axially and linearly in the direction of arrow “D”, as externally threaded portion
34
a
of the set screw is threaded into internally threaded hole
22
of the holding plate. Angled surface
72
of the holding plate allows actuating lever
32
to move downwardly a sufficient degree.
As best seen in
FIG. 11
, during the final clamping action of clamping assembly
26
, surface
54
on clamping arm
36
acts as a fulcrum to draw surface
56
on the clamping arm in the direction of arrow “E” tightly against surface
74
of ferrule
62
. In essence, clamping arm
36
is moved generally linearly or tangentially about pivot pin
38
by tightening set screw
34
, while clamping arm
36
pivots about pivot pin
40
as surface
54
acts as a pivoting fulcrum to draw surface
56
against the ferrule. This multi-motion action on the clamping arm allows a single clamping assembly to clamp ferrule
62
in two mutually perpendicular directions, i.e., surfaces
54
and
56
of clamping arm
36
against surfaces
62
d
and
74
, respectively, of ferrule
62
.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
Claims
- 1. A polishing fixture for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector, comprising:a holding plate having a receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector with at least a portion of each of a first side and a second side of the connector exposed; a clamping arm disposed for generally linear movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector as well as for pivotal movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector, the clamping arm having first and second clamping portions for engaging said first and second sides, respectively, of the connector; and an actuator mechanism operatively associated with the clamping arm for moving the clamping arm generally linearly to bring the first clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the first side of the connector and then pivoting the clamping arm to bring the second clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the second side of the connector.
- 2. The polishing fixture of claim 1 wherein said holding plate is circular with a circular peripheral edge, and said receptacle is located adjacent the edge.
- 3. The polishing fixture of claim 2 wherein said receptacle is open at a top surface of the holding plate to exposed said first side of the connector, and at least a portion of the receptacle is opening at a side thereof to expose said second side of the connector.
- 4. The polishing fixture of claim 3, including a plurality of said receptacles in an array angularly about the circular peripheral edge of the holding plate, in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of said clamping arms and actuator mechanisms.
- 5. The polishing fixture of claim 1 wherein said receptacle is located adjacent an edge of the holding plate, the receptacle being open at a top surface of the holding plate to expose said first side of the connector, and at least a portion of the receptacle is open at a side thereof to expose said second side of the connector.
- 6. The polishing fixture of claim 5, including a plurality of said receptacles along the peripheral edge of the holding plate, in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of said clamping arms and actuating mechanisms.
- 7. The polishing fixture of claim 1 wherein the first and second sides of the fiber optic connector are disposed generally perpendicular to each other, and the first and second clamping portions of said clamping arm include first and second surfaces generally perpendicular to each other.
- 8. The polishing fixture of claim 1 wherein said clamping arm is generally L-shaped to define first and second, mutually perpendicular legs that form the first and second clamping portions of the clamping arm.
- 9. The polishing fixture of claim 8 wherein said clamping arm is pivotally movable about a pivot point generally at a juncture of the perpendicular legs of the L-shaped clamping arm.
- 10. The polishing fixture of claim 1 wherein said actuator mechanism includes an actuating lever pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a fixed pivot on the holding plate.
- 11. The polishing fixture of claim 10 wherein an opposite end of said actuating lever is pivotally connected to said clamping arm.
- 12. The polishing fixture of claim 10, including a set screw freely rotatable in a through hole in the actuating lever and threadably engaged in a screw hole in the holding plate to move the actuating lever and effectively move the clamping arm.
- 13. The polishing fixture of claim 12 wherein said set screw has an enlarged, manually graspable knob to facilitate manually rotating the set screw.
- 14. The polishing fixture of claim 12 wherein the receptacle in said holding plate defines an insertion axis of the connector, and an axis of said screw hole is at an acute angle to said insertion axis.
- 15. The polishing fixture of claim 14 wherein said holding plate has a first clamping surface against which the connector is clamped by the first clamping portion of the clamping arm, the holding plate having a second clamping surface at an angle to the first clamping surface and against which said actuating lever is clamped by the set screw.
- 16. The polishing fixture of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector is a multi-fiber optic connector.
- 17. The polishing fixture of claim 12, wherein the set screw is configured to be rotated using a torque wrench.
- 18. A polishing fixture for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector that has first and second sides disposed generally perpendicular to each other, comprising:a holding plate having a receptacle located adjacent an edge of the plate for receiving the fiber optic connector, the receptacle being open at a top surface of the holding plate to expose said first side of the connector, and at least a portion of the receptacle being open at a side thereof to expose said second side of the connector; a generally L-shaped clamping arm disposed for generally linear movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector as well as for pivotal movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector, the L-shaped clamping arm defining first and second mutually perpendicular legs that form first and second clamping portions for engaging said first and second sides, respectively, of the connector, the clamping arm being pivotally movable about a pivot point generally at a juncture of the perpendicular legs; and an actuator mechanism including an actuating lever pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a fixed pivot on the holding plate, an opposite end of the actuating lever being pivotally connected to the clamping arm for moving the clamping arm generally linearly to bring the first clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the first side of the connector and then pivoting the clamping arm to bring the second clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the second side of the connector.
- 19. The polishing fixture of claim 18, including a plurality of said receptacles along the peripheral edge of the holding plate, in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of said clamping arms and actuator mechanisms.
- 20. The polishing fixture of claim 19 wherein said holding plate is circular with a circular peripheral edge, and including a plurality of said receptacles in an array angularly about the peripheral edge of the holding plate, in conjunction with a corresponding plurality of said clamping arms and actuating levers.
- 21. The polishing fixture of claim 18 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a set screw freely rotatable in a through hole in the actuating lever and threadably engaged in a screw hole in the holding plate to move the actuating lever and effectively move the clamping arm.
- 22. The polishing fixture of claim 21 wherein said set screw has an enlarged, manually graspable knob to facilitate manually rotating the set screw.
- 23. The polishing fixture of claim 21 wherein the receptacle in said holding plate defines an insertion axis of the connector, and an axis of said screw hole is at an acute angle to said insertion axis.
- 24. The polishing fixture of claim 23 wherein said holding plate has a first clamping surface against which the connector is clamped by the first clamping portion of the clamping arm, the holding plate having a second clamping surface at an angle to the first clamping surface and against which said actuating lever is clamped by the set screw.
- 25. The polishing fixture of claim 21 wherein said set screw is configured to be rotated using a torque wrench.
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Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5107627 |
Mock et al. |
Apr 1992 |
A |
5321917 |
Franklin et al. |
Jun 1994 |
A |
6718111 |
Suek et al. |
Apr 2004 |
B1 |