Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-04-17
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
C385S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217226
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to apparatus for coupling optical fibers. More particularly, the invention relates to a coupling panel adapted to support one or more optical fiber couplers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Often times it becomes necessary to arrange a plurality of optical fiber connectors in a coupling panel to facilitate multifiber connections. Typically, devices for holding connectors are mounted in the panel, but the connectors themselves are not connected to incoming or outgoing fiber paths until needed to provide service. Commonly used devices which are used to accommodate interconnections are generally referred to as adaptors or couplers.
In one such prior art arrangement, depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a generally elongated coupling panel
10
is used to facilitate optical fiber coupling. The coupling panel
10
is provided with a plurality of coupler openings
12
that are sized and configured to receive an optical fiber connector coupler
14
. As is known in the art, the couplers
14
are adapted to receive two optical fiber connectors
16
so that two optical fibers can be coupled therein in abutting relationship. By way of example, and as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the optical fiber connectors
16
can be configured as ST® connectors, ST being a registered trademark of the Lucent Technologies, Inc. The ST® connector is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,785, which was issued on Jun. 19, 1990, in the names of Mathis and Miller. As indicated in
FIG. 2
, the connector
16
includes a cylindrical ferrule
18
which encapsulates an end portion of an optical fiber
20
to be terminated. The ferrule
18
is shrouded by a cap
22
and is spring-loaded so as to be linearly displaceable relative to the cap. The cap
22
includes one or more latching slots
24
that are adapted to receive latching lugs
26
provided on the connector couplers
14
.
As depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, each connector coupler
14
is generally cylindrical in shape and includes first and second coupling ends
28
and
30
. Each of these ends
28
,
30
is sized and configured to accept a single optical fiber connector
16
. In particular, each end
28
,
30
is designed such that the cap
22
of the connector
16
fits over its associated coupling end with the latching lugs
26
disposed within the entrance of a latching slot
24
. Once in this position, the connector
16
can be fully attached to the coupler
14
by pushing the cap
22
forwardly and turning it clockwise until each latching lug
26
is securely held with a lock notch
32
formed in each latching slot
24
. Formed intermediate the two ends
28
,
30
of the connector coupler
14
is an annular flange or ring
34
. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, this annular ring
34
is defined by an annular outer periphery
36
and by first and second planar sides
38
and
40
. When the coupler
14
is disposed within one of the coupler openings
12
provided in the coupling panel
10
, the second planar side
40
of the coupler is placed in contact with the exterior surface of the coupling panel.
Also intermediate of the two ends
28
,
30
of the connector coupler
14
is a threaded section
42
. As depicted most clearly in
FIG. 2
, the threaded section
42
includes at least one flat portion
44
(
FIG. 1
) which aids the user in properly aligning the coupler
14
in the coupling panel
10
. Each coupler opening
12
therefore similarly is provided with flat portions
46
that are similarly sized and shaped as those of the couplers
14
. To secure the coupler
16
in place within the coupling panel
10
, a washer
48
and nut
50
typically are threaded onto the threaded section
42
so that, when the nut is fully tightened, the annular ring
34
comes into firm abutment with the coupling panel
10
.
Although functional in its present design, the panel system described above has some significant drawbacks. As a first matter, attachment of connector couplers to conventional coupling panels can be problematic and time consuming. Specifically, it is difficult to initially thread nuts onto the connector coupler when the coupler is disposed within a coupling panel. This is particularly true where the coupler openings formed in the coupling panel are closely spaced. Furthermore, a tool such as a wrench is required to fully tighten the nut in place on the coupler and to remove it once fully tightened. In addition to the attachment problems associated with conventional panel systems, the cost of such systems is unnecessarily high due to the need for the additional manufacture of the washers and nuts required to attach each connector coupler.
In view of the above, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a panel system that is adapted to accommodate conventional optical fiber connectors such as ST® connectors, which can be quickly and easily manipulated and which is inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupling panel for retaining one or more optical fiber couplers. The coupling panel comprises a substantially planar base portion having a front side and a rear side and a plurality of coupler openings that are provided in the base portion and which extend from the rear side to the front side. Each of the coupler openings is sized and configured to receive an optical fiber connector coupler therethrough. The coupling panel further comprises a plurality of coupler attachment mechanisms, one coupler attachment mechanism being positioned at each of the coupler openings. Each coupler attachment mechanism is sized and configured to releasably hold an optical fiber connector coupler.
In a preferred embodiment, each coupler attachment mechanism includes a pair of opposed latch arms which are adapted to grasp the connector coupler, and each latch arm typically extends outwardly from one side of the coupling panel and includes at least one latch hook that is adapted to retain the connector coupler. Normally, each latch arm further includes a finger tab that facilitates removal of the connector coupler from the coupler attachment mechanism.
The objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included therein with the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4934785 (1990-06-01), Mathis et al.
patent: 5274729 (1993-12-01), King et al.
patent: 5969294 (1999-10-01), Eberle et al.
patent: 6041155 (2000-03-01), Anderson et al.
Gibbs Gary F.
Gumpert, III Albert Allen
Stephenson Daniel Lee
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Palmer Phan T. H.
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