Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-05
2003-10-21
Prasad, Chandrika (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
C439S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06634794
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to connectors and, more particularly, to a connector and receptacle assembly having flexible connectors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, optical interconnection devices, such as optical cross-connect units, contain an increasing number of optical connectors. Optical connector panels are being made to increase the overall number of optical connectors that can be mounted in a single fiber closure. As the optical connectors are placed closer together, it is becoming more difficult to manually manipulate an optical connector without adversely affecting the fibers of adjacent optical connectors. For example, the fibers of adjacent optical connectors are subject to over-bending, which can damage the adjacent optical connectors or otherwise deleteriously affect the operation of the adjacent optical connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a connector assembly comprising a panel having a plurality of apertures formed therein. Each aperture is adapted to accept a pivot member of a connector. A plurality of flexible members are proximate each aperture. In one embodiment, each plurality of flexible members is disposed around a respective aperture and each flexible member comprises a cylindrical beam extending from the panel and sloping inward toward the center of the respective aperture. For each aperture, the plurality of flexible members are configured to maintain a centering bias on a connector when such connector is supported in the respective aperture. In this manner, the present invention advantageously decreases the risk that when a connector is processed, the adjacent connectors will be damaged or otherwise deleteriously affected.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2519933 (1950-08-01), Rouault
patent: 2971178 (1961-02-01), Reesby
patent: 3915544 (1975-10-01), Yurtin
patent: 5390272 (1995-02-01), Repta et al.
patent: 5481634 (1996-01-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5719977 (1998-02-01), Lempert et al.
patent: 6024498 (2000-02-01), Carlisle et al.
patent: 6064195 (2000-05-01), Clayton et al.
patent: 6206581 (2001-03-01), Driscoll et al.
patent: 6259850 (2001-07-01), Crosby, Jr. et al.
patent: 6419399 (2002-07-01), Loder et al.
patent: 6511231 (2003-01-01), Lampert et al.
Daoud Bassel H.
Pawlenko Ivan
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Prasad Chandrika
LandOfFree
Optical fiber connector assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical fiber connector assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical fiber connector assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3165336