Precision optical fiber clamp

Abstract

A fiber clamp (220) for clamping an optical fiber (16) includes a first clamp section (228) and a second clamp section (230) that flexibly urges the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). The second clamp section (230) can include a retainer housing (244) and a pair of spaced apart flexible members (246) that extend from the retainer housing (244). The flexible members (246) flexibly urge the optical fiber (16) against the first clamp section (228). A fastener assembly (232) can be used to urge the clamp sections (228) (230) directly together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified top plan view of a precision apparatus having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a fiber clamp having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the fiber clamp of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of the fiber clamp and a portion of an optical fiber assembly having features of the present invention and

FIG. 4 is simplified illustration of another embodiment of the fiber clamp and the optical fiber assembly;

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of still another embodiment of the fiber clamp and the optical fiber assembly having features of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is simplified illustration of yet another embodiment of the fiber clamp and the optical fiber assembly.

Claims

1. A fiber clamp for clamping an optical fiber assembly, the fiber clamp comprising: a first clamp section; anda second clamp section that flexibly urges the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

2. The fiber clamp of claim 1 wherein the second clamp section includes a section housing and a flexible member that extends from the section housing, the flexible member flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

3. The fiber clamp of claim 1 wherein the second clamp section includes a section housing and a plurality of spaced apart flexible members that extend from the section housing, the flexible members flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

4. The fiber clamp of claim 3 at least one of the flexible members includes a cantilevering elastic member.

5. The fiber clamp of claim 1 further comprising a fastener assembly that selectively urges the second clamp section against the first clamp section.

6. The fiber clamp of claim 1 wherein the first clamp section includes a groove for receiving a portion of the optical fiber.

7. The fiber clamp of claim 6 wherein the groove is somewhat vee shaped.

8. The fiber clamp of claim 1 wherein at least one of the clamp sections engages the optical fiber assembly at two spaced apart locations.

9. The fiber clamp of claim 1 wherein each of the clamp sections engages the optical fiber assembly at only two space apart locations.

10. A precision apparatus including an optical element, an optical fiber assembly, and the fiber clamp of claim 1 retaining the optical fiber.

11. A fiber clamp for clamping an optical fiber assembly, the fiber clamp comprising: a first clamp section;a second clamp section including a section housing and a pair of spaced apart flexible members that extend from the section housing, the flexible members flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section; anda fastener assembly that urges the second clamp section directly against the first clamp section.

12. The fiber clamp of claim 11 at least one of the flexible members includes a cantilevering elastic member.

13. The fiber clamp of claim 11 wherein at least one of the clamp sections engages the optical fiber assembly at two spaced apart locations.

14. The fiber clamp of claim 11 wherein each of the clamp sections engages the optical fiber assembly at only two space apart locations.

15. A precision apparatus including an optical element, an optical fiber assembly, and the fiber clamp of claim 11 retaining the optical fiber assembly.

16. A method for clamping an optical fiber assembly, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first clamp section; andflexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section with a second clamp section.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of flexibly urging includes the step of cantilevering a pair of spaced apart flexible members from a section housing, the flexible members flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of urging the second clamp section directly against the first clamp section.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of urging includes the step of engaging the optical fiber assembly at two spaced apart locations with at least one of the clamp sections.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of urging includes the step of engaging the optical fiber assembly at two spaced apart locations with each of the clamp sections.

21. A fiber clamp for clamping an optical fiber assembly, the fiber clamp comprising: a first clamp section and a second clamp section that cooperate to impart a plurality of spaced apart, substantially radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

22. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the clamp sections cooperate to impart at least three radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

23. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the clamp sections cooperate to impart at least four radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

24. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the radially directed forces are symmetrically oriented relative to the optical fiber assembly.

25. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the second clamp section includes a section housing and a flexible member that extends from the section housing, the flexible member flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

26. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the second clamp section includes a section housing and a plurality of spaced apart flexible members that extend from the section housing, the flexible members flexibly urging the optical fiber assembly against the first clamp section.

27. The fiber clamp of claim 21 wherein the first clamp section includes a groove for receiving a portion of the optical fiber assembly.

28. A method for clamping an optical fiber assembly, the method comprising the step of: imparting a plurality of spaced apart, substantially radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of imparting includes imparting at least three radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of imparting includes imparting at least four radially directed forces on the optical fiber assembly.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of imparting includes symmetrically orienting the forces relative to the optical fiber assembly.