Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-01-09
Sanghavi, Hemang (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
C385S055000, C385S072000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173099
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the art of interconnecting fiber optical ferrules. More specifically, this invention pertains to couplings that interface and interconnect fiber optical ferrules.
2. Discussion of the Background
The diverse growth of technology incorporating fiber optical communications has expanded the employment of fiber optical cables and transmission lines. In accordance with the expanded use of fiber optical technology, it is now established art to terminate fiber optical lines with ferrules containing one or more optical fibers. In turn, fiber optical lines may interconnect to one another by optically aligning opposing ferrules. However, ferrules require frequent maintenance, including polishing and cleaning, as the ferrule's ability to transmit data may be significantly hampered by slight imperfections that affect the optical fiber contained therein. In addition, fiber optical transmission lines must increasingly be interchangeably connected and disconnected to selectively interface computers and/or communication devices that utilize fiber optic technology.
The increased use of fiber optical technology in the described manner has necessitated the need for better management and organization of optical cables. To this end, the known art employs connector panels that retain couplings for releasably interfacing and optically interconnecting ferrules. Such connector panels may typically be found in connector cabinets that provide coverage and maintenance access to the fiber optical interconnections. In more complex systems, the connector cabinets may be housed within a telecommunication center that organizes multiple connector cabinets and related items.
This invention addresses several shortcomings that hinder efficient interconnectivity of fiber optical ferrules, as well as the organization and management of optical cables across connector panels. In particular, the known art provides couplings that secure to the connector panel through a washer and nut assembly. However, telecommunication centers now typically employ numerous fiber optical cables that interchangeably connect and disengage with one another. As such, connector panels must provide a greater number of coupling apertures for providing the couplings that interconnect the optical fibers.
In this context, the known art limits the proximity of the coupling apertures along the connector panels because the washer and nut assemblies are relatively spacious and require additional area on the connector panel. As a result, connector panels that interconnect
12
,
18
or more fiber optical connectors require substantial panel length and area, which in turn affect the overall size of the connector cabinet.
Still another problem associated with the prior art is that the cost of manufacturing is increased by the use of multiple components and metallic parts. Known couplings utilize metallic housings and threaded components for engaging connector panels and optical ferrules. Such components require precision dye cast molding and expensive materials. Most importantly, the congested and confined environment of connector panels impedes the assembling of prior art coupling to connector panels.
With these limitations in mind it is an object of this invention to provide a coupling for interconnecting fiber optical connectors, where the coupling may be retained in a coupling aperture without the need for washers and nuts.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a coupling that allows for coupling apertures to more compactly allocate along a connector panel.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a coupling that has a one-piece body, preferably molded from plastic.
And still another object of this invention is to provide a coupling that easily attaches to and releases from a connector panel, preferably by snapping into and out of the connector panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a basic embodiment, the snap-in coupling of this invention comprises a one-piece body adapted to be frictionally received by a coupling aperture on a connector panel or similar device. The one-piece body has a first and second opening that axially oppose one another, where the first and second opening are each adapted to receive a straight-tipped optical connector or ferrule. The first and second openings define a continuous chamber that extends therebetween. The embodiment further includes a first resilient arm that extends outward from the one-piece body, such that the one-piece body may be received by the coupling aperture when the resilient arm is biased inward. The coupling aperture may also include a radial extension from the one-piece body that limits axial movement when the coupling engages the coupling aperture. A portion of the chamber may also be adapted to receive an alignment sleeve for aligning a pair of opposing ferrules.
In another embodiment of the invention, a one-piece body is adapted to engage a coupling aperture of a connector panel or similar device. The one-piece body includes a first segment having a first chamber extending longitudinally therein from a first opening, wherein the first chamber is adapted to receive through the first opening an optical connector or ferrule. The one-piece body also includes a second segment that adjoins the first segment and has a second chamber extending longitudinally therein in alignment with the first chamber. The one-piece body also includes a third segment that is substantially identical to the first segment. The third segment has a third chamber extending longitudinally therein towards a second opening and in alignment with the first and second chamber. The third chamber is also adapted to receive through the second opening an optical connector or ferrule, wherein the second opening longitudinally opposes the first opening across the one-piece body. The one-piece body also includes a resilient arm that angularly extends outward from the one-piece body. The resilient arm may be biased towards the one-piece body to allow the coupling to be received and engaged by the coupling aperture. In this embodiment, the second chamber is also adapted to receive an alignment sleeve to optically interconnect opposing ferrules inserted therein from the first and second chamber.
Still further, the snap-in coupling of the invention may comprise a one-piece molded plastic body that is adapted to engage the aforementioned coupling aperture. The one-piece body has a first cylindrical segment that defines a first chamber extending longitudinally from a first opening. The first chamber is preferably adapted to retain a straight-tipped optical connector through the first opening. A second segment merges with the first cylindrical segment and defines a second chamber aligned with the first chamber. The one-piece body also includes a third cylindrical segment that is substantially identical to the first cylindrical segment, and includes a third chamber that extends longitudinally towards a second opening and aligns with the first and second chamber. As with the first chamber, the third chamber is preferably adapted to retain a straight-tipped style optical connector through the second opening, which longitudinally opposes the first opening across the one-piece body. A pair of resilient arms extend angularly outward from the second segment and diametrically oppose one another around the periphery of the one-piece body. The second segment is adapted to be frictionally received by a coupling aperture when the resilient arms are biased towards the one-piece body. The second chamber may also be adapted to receive an alignment sleeve that retains and interconnects ST style optical ferrules on opposing ends.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4798441 (1989-01-01), Clark
patent: 5076656 (1991-12-01), Briggs et al.
patent: 5121455 (1992-06-01), Palecek
patent: 5142597 (1992-08-01), Mulholland et al.
patent: 5317663 (1994-05-01), Beard et al.
patent: 5486124 (1996-01-01), Wandler
patent: 5506922 (1996-04-01), Grois et al.
patent: 5542015 (1996-07
Kiernicki Leopold
Schofield Philip W.
Kovach Karl D.
Newman David L.
Sanghavi Hemang
Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
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