Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Wiping
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2001-04-03
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Wiping
C015S210100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209163
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of fiber optic connectors and, particularly, to a cleaner for cleaning a fiber optic connector such as cleaning the end of the ferrule of the connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic connectors of a wide variety of designs have been employed to terminate optical fiber cables and to facilitate connection of the cables to other cables or other optical fiber transmission devices. A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which mounts and positions an optical fiber or fibers within the connector. The ferrule may be fabricated of such material as ceramic or glass filled resin. A ferrule holder or other housing component of the connector embraces the ferrule and may be fabricated of such material as molded plastic. A spring may be disposed within the housing or ferrule holder such that the ferrule is yieldably biased forwardly for engaging another fiber-mounting ferrule of a mating connecting device.
Such fiber optic connectors typically are connected end-to-end. In other words, two opposite end surfaces of opposing ferrules are mated to directly connect opposing end surfaces of the optical fibers to each other. The connectors should provide excellent connection characteristics. However, major problems are encountered if the ferrule end surfaces become contaminated by dust, oil or other contaminants which will cause the connection characteristics to become markedly deteriorated.
In order to solve the contamination problems, cleaners have been provided to clean the ferrule end surfaces of fiber optic connectors. The cleaners typically include some form of soft cloth or paper which is moved over the ferrule end surfaces. The cloth or paper may be dampened with a cleaning solution such as ethanol. Fluorocarbon gas may also be used to remove excessive ethanol and any cloth or paper dust.
While cleaners of the character described above have proven effective for their intended purposes, they have limitations in that the fiber optic connectors typically are “brought to” the cleaner or there is easy access of the cleaner to the connectors. In other words, the connectors are easily moved to positions in engagement with the cleaner. Such cleaners may be awkward and difficult to use and, often, are not effective where there is limited access to the connectors, such as where the connectors are located in a remote or confined area. Still further, it is difficult, if not impossible, to use most existing cleaners on the ferrule end surfaces of connectors which are mounted in adapter assemblies. The connectors must be removed from the adapters in order to be cleaned. While there are some Q-Tip type of cleaning devices to clean ferrules of connectors located in an adapter, such cleaning is very dependent on the skill of the worker. This problem equally exists when a ferrule end surface is located inwardly or recessed within a mating end face of a connector. The present invention is directed to solving this myriad of interrelated problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention, is to provide a new and improved cleaner for fiber optic connectors, particularly a cleaner for cleaning the end of a ferrule of a fiber optic connector.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cleaner includes a housing having a mating portion for mating the cleaner with the fiber optic connector. A supply of a cleaning medium is mounted in the housing. An advancing mechanism is mounted on the housing for advancing the cleaning medium past the ferrule end of the fiber optic connector when the cleaner is mated with the connector.
As disclosed herein, the mating portion of the housing is formed by a nose for insertion into a mating receptacle of the connector. The nose includes an opening in a distal end thereof and past which the cleaning medium is advanced. A backing block is mounted in registry with the opening in the nose and over which the cleaning medium is advanced past the opening. Pivot means are provided for pivotally mounting the backing block whereby the backing block can pivot to accommodate varying angles of the end of the ferrule.
The cleaning medium is provided herein as a cleaning tape, such as a tape fabricated of a woven fabric. A supply reel is mounted on the housing for supplying the cleaning tape. A take-up reel is mounted on the housing for taking-up the cleaning tape from the supply reel. Gear means may interconnect the supply reel and the take-up reel for conjoint rotation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for rotating one of the reels to incrementally advance the cleaning tape. A pawl is provided for preventing reverse rotation of at least one of the reels.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2851008 (1958-09-01), Rochester
patent: 4428092 (1984-01-01), Lipari
patent: 5117528 (1992-06-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 5220703 (1993-06-01), Kanayama et al.
patent: 5768738 (1998-06-01), Lee
patent: 5863211 (1999-01-01), Sobotta et al.
patent: 5878458 (1999-03-01), Higginbotham
NTT International Product Specification for Optical Fiber Connector Cleaner. Date received Apr. 1995.
Clairadin Xavier
Grois Igor
Marrapode Thomas R.
Roth Richard F.
Sun Maurice X.
Molex Incorporated
Spisich Mark
Triva A. A.
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