Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-05-29
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240229
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of connector assembly such as fiber optic connector assemblies.
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 centers an optical fiber or fibers within the connector. The ferrule may be fabricated of such material as ceramic. 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.
A pair of fiber optic connectors or a connector and another optical fiber transmission device often are mated in an adapter which centers the fibers to provide low insertion losses. The adapter couples the connectors together so that their encapsulated fibers connect end-to-end. The adapter may be an in-line component, or the adapter can be designed for mounting in an opening in a panel, backplane, circuit board or the like. The adapter may be mounted on a printed circuit board such as a motherboard, and one of the connectors received by the adapter may be mounted to a daughterboard.
The present invention is directed to various improvements in such connector apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved connector assembly of the character described.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes an adapter mountable in an aperture in a panel. The adapter includes engagement means for restricting relative movement between the adapter and the panel. A fiber optic connector is insertable into the adapter in an insertion direction. Release means are provided on the fiber optic connector operatively associated with the engagement means to disengage the engagement means in response to inserting the connector into the adapter. Therefore, the restriction on relative movement between the adapter and the panel is removed when the connector is coupled to the adapter.
As disclosed herein, the engagement means is provided by at least one flexible latch arm on the adapter engageable with the panel at the aperture. The release means comprises a detent, such as an angled surface, on the fiber optic connector engageable with the flexible latch arm to move the latch arm out of engagement with the panel. The adapter includes a housing which is larger than the aperture in the panel and which is engageable with one side of the panel. The flexible latch arm is engageable with an opposite side of the panel. The housing has a first receptacle end adapted for receiving the fiber optic connector and a second receptacle end adapted for receiving an associated fiber optic transmission means. The housing is a two-part housing containing at least one shutter member therewithin.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5418875 (1995-05-01), Nakano et al.
patent: 5528711 (1996-06-01), Iwano et al.
patent: 5537501 (1996-07-01), Iwano et al.
patent: 5673346 (1997-09-01), Iwano et al.
patent: 196 19 374 (1997-08-01), None
Font Frank G.
Molex Incorporated
Stafira Michael P.
Tirva A. A.
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