Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Responsive to torque on work
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-10-02
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Responsive to torque on work
C081S119000, C081S176100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295901
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for coupling a fiber optic connector. More specifically, the invention provides for easily coupling a fiber optic connector to an optical assembly and for decoupling the connector from the assembly.
Fiber optic connectors are well-known in the art and are utilized to mate a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber so that optical signals can be transmitted between the fibers. In particular applications, connectors are utilized in optical assemblies to connect the assembly to an external fiber. However, due to the physical configuration of the assemblies, access to the connector within the assembly may be severely limited. The limited space available in the assemblies can make it difficult for an individual to internally couple and decouple the connector to the assembly.
FIG. 1
illustrates a representative optical assembly
100
that includes a tray
102
that houses optical components on it. The tray is internally installed within a larger piece of optical equipment. Optical assembly
100
could be any of a variety of assemblies, e.g., an amplifier, repeater, laser pump source, etc., and the optical components installed on tray
102
could also be any of a variety of components. A face plate
104
is provided on optical assembly
100
and serves as the interface for access to the components within optical assembly
100
from a location external to the optical assembly when the assembly has been installed in the larger equipment. As can be seen in
FIG. 1
, connectors
110
and
120
are provided within optical assembly
100
at face plate
104
. Connector
110
is an input signal connector and connector
120
is an output signal connector. As can be understood, connectors external to face plate
104
would be connected to internal connectors
110
and
120
in order to input optical signals to optical assembly
100
and output optical signals from optical assembly
100
, respectively.
Connectors
110
and
120
are threadedly mounted to face plate
104
. Connector
110
includes a body portion
112
and a screw mount
114
and connector
120
includes a body portion
122
and screw mount
124
. Each screw mount is rotatably attached to its respective body portion and mates with a male-threaded mounting structure provided on face plate
104
, as is well-known in the art. In order to couple connectors
110
,
120
to face plate
104
, currently an operator must grasp the screw mount portion of the connectors in his/her fingers and screw the connector onto face plate
104
. As can be understood, this requirement to grasp and manually screw the connectors onto the face plate can present problems. Very little physical space is provided between each connector and face plate
104
. Thus, the connectors are difficult to grip and couple to the face plate.
It is not known to use wrenches known and designed for other purposes to couple and decouple the fiber optic connectors. Wrenches such as a “monkey wrench” are too large and bulky to be positioned within the constrained area of a fiber optic assembly and around a fiber optic connector. Also, known wrenches were not known to be utilized with fiber optic connectors because of an optical fiber's sensitive and relatively fragile structure.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and improved method for coupling fiber optic connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for coupling a fiber optic connector is provided. In one embodiment for a fiber optic connector wrench in accordance with the present invention, the fiber optic connector wrench includes an engagement portion and a handle member having a first portion with a first longitudinal axis and a second portion with a second longitudinal axis. The engagement portion is rigidly connected to the first portion. A collapsible joint joins the first portion to the second portion where the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis when a torque less than a predetermined value is applied to the collapsible joint and where the first longitudinal axis is offset from the second longitudinal axis when a torque greater than or equal to the predetermined value is applied to the collapsible joint.
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Advertising Materials, Tools Torque Wrenches, M/A-COM Inc.
Hail III Joseph J.
Thomas David B.
TyCom (US) Inc.
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