Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2001-10-02
Healy, Brian (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
C385S053000, C385S072000, C385S075000, C385S077000, C385S078000, C385S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296398
ABSTRACT:
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to connectors and adapters for optical fibers. More particularly, this invention pertains to such connectors and adapters which include end caps for covering an end of the connector or adapter when the connector is not inserted into a mating adapter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fiberoptic connectors historically presented exposed ends. Further, adapters which received such connectors presented exposed interior elements. The exposed ends and interior elements included the terminal ends of optical fibers. As a result, such terminal ends would be susceptible to impact damage or the like. Further, light transmitted through the optical fiber could inadvertently be directed into the eye of a technician or other person viewing the optical fiber or adapter.
The prior art has developed end cans for covering optical fibers when a connector is not in use. An example of such is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,487 to Marazzi et al dazed Sep. 20, 1994.
FIGS. 5 and 6
of the '487 patent illustrate two types of end caps which are pivoted to an open position as the end cap is placed within an adapter.
FIGS. 7 and 8
illustrate an embodiment where a end cap
6
is pivoted to an open position and then slid rearwardly to expose a ferrule
5
. An adapter for the connector is shown in FIG.
9
. The adapter includes both an external housing
16
and an internal housing
15
. The internal housing
15
includes a slot
30
which receives a pin
29
of the end cap
6
. The slot
30
causes both the pivoting and the sliding action of the end cap
6
as the connector is placed within the adapter. Furthermore, the adapter includes an internal door
32
(shown in
FIG. 10
) which covers internal ferrules
2
when a connector
1
is removed from the adapter. Upon placement of a connector
1
into the adapter, the end cap is pivoted and slid to an open position and the door is pivoted to an open position. Further examples of such structures are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,420,951 and 5,363,460. These patents show fiberoptic connectors to be joined in adapters. While not SC adapters, the adapters shown in these patents are sized to have cross-sectional profile (i.e., footprint) the same as so-called SC adapters. An SC adapter is shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,663.
SC adapters are standard industry adapters having a fixed external size and geometry. The structure of the aforementioned '951, '487 and '460 patents provide end caps and internal doors for the purpose of blocking light or protecting elements in connectors. However, the manner in which such functions are achieved restricts the density of fiberoptic connectors. Namely, in those patents, only single pairs of connectors may be optically coupled within a single adapter. Within the industry, it is desirable to provide up to two pairs of connectors being optically coupled in a single adapter. It is an object of the present invention to provide protective covering and doors for connectors and adapters in a structure that permits two connectors pairs to be coupled in an adapter having the same size as a standard size SC adapter.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly comprises a fiberoptic connector wits an optical fiber disposed within the connector housing. A cover is carried on the connector housing and pivots between an open and a closed position. In the closed position the cover closes an opening of the connector housing. In an open position, the cover exposes the opening. The connector housing includes a longitudinal guide aligned with a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. The cover further includes a cam pin receiving slot. The adapter includes an adapter housing sized to receive the connector housing. A fiber coupling mechanism is contained within the interior of the adapter to align with an optical fiber of a. inserted connector. The adapter housing further includes a longitudinal guide which cooperates with the longitudinal connector guide to direct the connector into axial alignment with the adapter fiber coupling Mechanism. The adapter housing further includes a cam pin disposed within the interior to be received within the cam pin receiving slot to urge the cover from a closed position to an open position as the connector housing is inserted into the adapter housing.
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Aug. 1996 issue ofLight Wavemagazine.
Advertisement from a magazine called FDDI Fiber Connector of Methode Electronics, Inc., Fiber Optics Division, 7444 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Page 54 ofFiberoptic Product News, Apr., 1996.
Research Disclosure No. 275, Mar. 1987, p. 124 entitled “Fiber Optic Connector with Built-in Shutter.”
ADC Telecommunications Inc.
Healy Brian
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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