Electrical connectors – With sealing element or material for cooperation with...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-12
2001-10-23
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With sealing element or material for cooperation with...
C439S355000, C439S927000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305961
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of connector assemblies, such as fiber optic connector assemblies, electrical connector assemblies and the like, and particularly to an EMI gasket for such connector assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A connector assembly, such as a fiber optic connector assembly or an electrical connector assembly, typically includes a pair of mating connectors, such as plug and receptacle connectors sometimes called male and female connectors, or other types of mating devices which may include adapters for mounting connectors through a panel, backplane or the like. Regardless of the connector configuration, the connectors or connecting devices typically include some form of plug portion of one connector or connecting device inserted into a receptacle portion of a mating connector or connecting device. The plug portion and receptacle portion, therefore, define a connecting interface of the connector assembly.
A typical fiber optic connector, for instance, 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, and a ferrule holder or other housing component of the connector embraces the ferrule and may be fabricated of such material as plastic, cast metal or the like. 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. Therefore, the adapter and a mating connector may have a plug and receptacle-type interface as described above.
A problem with many connector assemblies is that there may be electromagnetic interference (EMI) leakage at the connecting interface between the plug portion and the receptacle portion of the connector assembly. In order to solve this problem, it has been known to provide EMI gaskets between the mating portions of the connector assembly to prevent the ingress and/or egress of electromagnetic interference. For instance, in circular connectors, a wave-like or sinuous circular gasket is installed around the circular plug portion which is inserted into the circular receptacle portion at the connecting interface of the circular connector. The gasket may be fabricated of conductive metal to prevent EMI leakage at the interface. However, such metal EMI gaskets cause problems when used with rectangular plug and receptacle portions of connector assemblies.
In particular, a rectangularly configured connector assembly typically includes a rectangular plug portion defined by opposite minor sides and opposite major sides. The rectangular plug portion is inserted into a generally rectangular receptacle which has corresponding opposite minor sides and opposite major sides. If an attempt is made to install a rectangular EMI gasket about the rectangular plug portion at the connecting interface, the lengths of the gasket along the major sides of the plug portion tend to bow outwardly thereof. The outwardly bowed gasket often interferes with proper mating of the connector assembly and the gasket, in fact, could be deformed if mating is forced. The present invention is directed to solving this problem by providing a unique EMI gasket for rectangularly configured connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved EMI gasket for connector assemblies.
Another object of the invention is to provide a connector assembly which includes the EMI gasket of the invention.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, an EMI gasket is provided for installing about a generally rectangular mating plug portion of a connector defined by opposite minor sides and opposite major sides. The EMI gasket is generally rectangular to define opposite minor sides and opposite major sides thereof corresponding to the minor and major sides, respectively, of the mating plug portion. The EMI gasket, in an unstressed condition, has a generally bow-tie configuration with the major sides thereof bowed inwardly. Therefore, the inwardly bowed major sides of the gasket are biased against the major sides of the mating plug portion when the gasket is installed thereof.
As disclosed herein, the EMI gasket is stamped of conductive sheet metal material. Preferably, the EMI gasket is stamped with a wave-spring or sinuous configuration circumferentially thereabout.
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: 4529257 (1985-07-01), Goodman et al.
patent: 4676575 (1987-06-01), Delinger et al.
patent: 4921437 (1990-05-01), Cooper et al.
patent: 4940420 (1990-07-01), Munie
patent: 4975065 (1990-12-01), Rosenberg et al.
patent: 5947776 (1999-09-01), Epe
patent: 5964621 (1999-10-01), Wolla
patent: 6166919 (2000-12-01), Nicolici et al.
Ernst Scot A.
Grois Igor
Szilagyi B. Daniel
Abrams Neil
Duverne J. F.
Molex Incorporated
Tirva A. A.
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