Precision optical fiber connector

Claim 1

An optical fiber coupling device comprising: a tubular housing; a plurality of like-sized cylindrical rods supported longitudinally within said housing and having adjacent circumferential surfaces providing an interstitial space between said rods to receive abutting ends of a pair of longitudinal optical fibers, said rods being conically tapered at opposite ends providing a smaller diameter at said rod ends, said housing having a cylindrical bore with an opening at one end and a tapered wall within the other end having a conical taper corresponding to said rods to engage said rod ends, said one end of said housing having an outer threaded peripheral surface, said other end having a central aperture to receive an optical fiber therethrough; means for expanding said interstitial space to permit insertion of said fibers; and means for compressing said rods about said fibers to axially align and secure said fibers within said interstitial space said compressing means including a compression ring having corresponding tapered inner walls engaging the ends of said rods at said opening, and a threaded cap adjustably secured on said threaded end of said housing over said compression ring to urge said ring against said rods and said rods around said fibers.