US 12,078,844 B2
Optical fiber mass splice methods and assemblies
Ted Lichoulas, Simpsonville, SC (US); Chris Donaldson, Greenville, SC (US); and Bobby Branks, Fletcher, NC (US)
Assigned to AFL Telecommunications LLC, Duncan, SC (US)
Filed by AFL Telecommunications LLC, Duncan, SC (US)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/986,071.
Application 17/986,071 is a continuation of application No. 17/265,748, granted, now 11,614,586, previously published as PCT/US2019/046729, filed on Aug. 16, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/721,896, filed on Aug. 23, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0076590 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/255 (2006.01); G02B 6/25 (2006.01); G02B 6/36 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/2555 (2013.01) [G02B 6/25 (2013.01); G02B 6/2553 (2013.01); G02B 6/3616 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber setting fixture for optical fiber mass splicing, comprising:
a fiber alignment block, wherein a plurality of fiber grooves is defined in the fiber alignment block, wherein the plurality of fiber grooves extend at an angle between 15 degrees and 75 degrees to a plane defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;
a backstop at which an optical fiber may abut when inserted into one of said fiber grooves;
a fiber clamp mount movable relative to the fiber alignment block along at least one axis; and
a fiber clamp removably securable to the fiber clamp mount, the fiber clamp comprising a clamp body and fiber clamp grooves defined in the clamp body, wherein the fiber clamp grooves defined in the clamp body maintain a fiber pitch equal to a pitch of the plurality of fiber grooves in the fiber alignment block.