Connector for a single optical fiber

Claim 1

A connector for a single optical fiber, comprising two half-connectors adapted to receive respective end portions of two fibers to be connected, and assembly means for securing together with two half-connectors so as to maintain the connection, and wherein each half-connector comprises positioning means for the fiber end portion it receives in the form of three cylindrical rods maintained in side-by-side relationship so as to define between them a central channel into which said fiber end portion is inserted, substantially in contact with each rod in a contact area extending along a generatrix, the improvement wherein each of said rods is formed with two flats, said flats extending over a front half of each half-connector and on each side of the respective contact area so as to define, when said half connectors are joined, an assembly of six side by side rods alternating from said half-connectors forming a plug-and-socket type engagement between the half connectors, the respective fiber end being positioned substantially centrally of said assembly, and said connector further comprising, on the front half of each half-connector, at least one positioning ring surrounding said portions of all of said rods formed with said flats from both half-connectors, and applying radial force to all of said rod portions in common so as to retain said end portions of said fibers in position.