Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-15
2001-07-31
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
C385S053000, C385S059000, C385S089000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267514
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of fiber optic connectors and, particularly, to a system for interconnecting a pair of individual fiber optic connectors, along with a method of fabricating the connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic devices use single or multiple strands of fibers each having an inner circular glass core coated with a circumferential cladding having a different index of refraction. Light is transmitted along the core and reflected from the interface between the core and cladding. Such devices can be used as transmission lines for transmitting information bearing light energy. A transmission line can be formed from a single fiber or it can include a plurality of fibers bundled together. Additionally, several transmission lines can be arranged in parallel for the simultaneous transmission of information along each of the separate lines.
Originally, fiber optic systems utilized simplex interconnection systems with single connector plugs terminating single fiber optic cables. In a simplex system, either transmission or reception of information can take place at one time. Consequently, simplex systems are limited in the amount of information that they can transmit and receive during a given period of time.
To increase the amount of information that can be communicated over fiber optic systems, multi-channel systems were developed. Such multi-channel systems include, for example, duplex connector plugs and cables which are capable of simultaneous transmission and reception. Thus, using a duplex system enables information to be transmitted at a much higher rate.
In order to manage the duplex connector plugs and cables, structures have been designed for interconnecting two fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side relationship forming a duplex connector. For instance, adapter structures have been designed to provide a pair of side-by-side through receptacles for receiving the pair of fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side arrangement. Not only do such duplex adapters increase costs by requiring an additional, somewhat bulky component, but it also is difficult to maintain proper axial alignment which is necessary for optimum signal transmission. Misalignment in such duplex connectors or adapters are caused by manufacturing inaccuracies or tolerances. Consequently, interconnection systems, adapters or the like have been designed for mounting a pair of fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side alignment with lateral floating therebetween generally perpendicular to their longitudinal axes in order to compensate for misalignment due to manufacturing tolerances and the like. These systems may be provided directly between the connector housings. The present invention is directed to providing improvements in such a floating system directly between a pair of side-by-side fiber optic connectors and which also eliminates separate floating mechanisms in interconnecting adapters or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system for maintaining a pair of fiber optic connectors in a side-by-side relation with float therebetween, along with a method of fabricating the connectors.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first connector housing is provided for receiving a first optical fiber plug and includes a first latch molded integrally with the first connector housing. A second connector housing is provided for receiving a second optical fiber plug. A latch member is permanently molded onto the second connector housing in loose engagement therewith. The latch member includes a second latch for interengagement with the first latch on the first connector housing to hold the connector housings in a side-by-side relationship with float therebetween.
Preferably, the first latch on the first connector housing and the second latch on the latch member are structured to provide a snap-latch means. As disclosed herein, the first latch comprises at least one locking flange and the second latch comprises at least one chamfered snap flange for snapping into locking engagement with the locking flange.
The second connector housing and the latch member each include at least one retention arm molded integrally therewith. The retention arms are permanently molded in loose interengagement with each other. The retention arm on the second connector housing is a hooked arm, and the retention arm on the latch member is a projecting arm extending beneath the hooked arm. The latch member is generally rectangular, and a pair of the interengaging retention arms are provided at each corner of the latch member, with the second latch being located intermediate opposite ends of the latch member.
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: 5293581 (1994-03-01), DiMarco
patent: 5325454 (1994-06-01), Rittle et al.
patent: 5343547 (1994-08-01), Palecek et al.
patent: 5386487 (1995-01-01), Briggs et al.
patent: 5475781 (1995-12-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5598495 (1997-01-01), Rittle et al.
Chen Wenzong
Ernst Scot A.
Grois Igor
Molex Incorporated
Palmer Phan T. H.
Tirva A. A.
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