Polishing bushing for polishing an optical fiber in an optical fiber connector

摘要

A polishing bushing 24 for polishing by hand an end face 26 of an optical fiber supported in an alignment ferrule 34 of an optical fiber connector 20. The polishing bushing 24 comprises a body portion having one or more openings 61 extending therethrough from a front surface 52 to a rear surface 53 thereof to permit visual monitoring of a polishing operation as it is being performed, and securing means 62 for securing an optical fiber connector 20 to the bushing 24 to permit the end face 26 of an optical fiber supported in an alignment ferrule 34 thereof to be polished. The bushing body portion 51 preferably comprises an annular outer ring portion 54 connected to a central hub portion 56 by a plurality of radially extending spoke portions 57 to provide a plurality of arcuate openings 61 between the spoke portions 57. The polishing bushing 24 of the invention is light in weight, comfortable to grip and use and permits a polishing operation to be carried out in an efficient, controlled manner.