Optical fiber coupling

A coupling (20) for backplane connections of an optical fiber arrangement facilitates superbly alignment of optical fibers notwithstanding blind insertion of a portion of the arrangement. The coupling arrangement includes a housing (70) which has a first end portion (52) and a second end ' portion (49) and which is mounted in an opening of a panel (32) such that it floats and is capable of three dimensional adjustive movement to facilitate alignment of plugs which terminate optical fibers and which are inserted into opposite ends of a sleeve (84) disposed in the housing. A longitudinal movement of the coupling is facilitated by a compression spring (102) which is disposed about the housing between the backplane and a retaining member (104). Advantageously, the second end portion of the housing is tapered inwardly to cause the plug (80) of a card (40) which is inserted blindly into the second end portion of the housing to cam against the entrance of the housing to cause the coupling to be repositioned in the panel opening. A dimensional ratio of a portion of the housing between the tapered second end portion and the sleeve cooperates with substantially frictionless washers (103-103) which engage ends of the spring to cause any movement of the coupling as the plug is inserted into its second end portion to be substantially translatory thereby insuring end face contact of the plugs to obtain a low loss, low reflection connection.