Fiber optic adapter module

• US 20060269206A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Zimmel, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,376,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

A fiber optic adapter assembly includes a plurality of adapters included in an integrally formed body. Each of the adapters may include a protective shutter mounted within one end. The adapter assembly may be configured to mount to a chassis and position the adapters for receiving fiber optic connectors of telecommunications modules mounted to the chassis.

Claims

1. A fiber optic adapter module comprising:

an integral body with a housing portion and a mounting portion;

the housing portion including a plurality of integrally formed adapters;

each adapter including an access opening, a front opening and a rear opening, the front and rear openings configured to receive and mate with fiber optic connectors and optically connect fiber optic connectors inserted into the front and rear openings;

inner housing components and a ferrule alignment sleeve for each adapter;

the access opening positioned between the front and rear openings and sized to permit the inner housing components and the ferrule alignment sleeve to be positioned within the adapter between the front and rear openings;

the mounting portion configured to mount the integral body within a chassis through a front opening of the chassis and position the housing portion adjacent one side of the chassis with adapters accessible through the front and a rear opening on the chassis.

2. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 1, wherein a panel is positioned within the access opening of each adapter and holds the inner housing components and ferrule alignment sleeve within the adapter.

3. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 1, wherein each adapter includes a movable shutter mounted within the front opening and blocking light from being transmitted from the rear opening through the front opening.

4. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 3, wherein each movable shutter is mounted within a slot adjacent the front opening of one of the adapters.

5. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 4, wherein the movable shutter is held within the slot by a tab of the shutter engaging a tab opening in the housing portion adjacent the slot.

6. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 1, wherein four adapters are included in the housing portion.

7. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion includes a flange extending opposite the housing portion, the flange including a releasable fastener for mounting the adapter module within the chassis.

8. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 7, wherein the releasable fastener is a thumbscrew captively held by the flange of the mounting portion.

9. A fiber optic adapter assembly comprising:

an integral body with a housing portion including a plurality of integrally formed adapters;

each adapter including an access opening, a front opening and a rear opening, the front and rear openings configured to receive and mate with fiber optic connectors and optically connect fiber optic connectors inserted into the front and rear openings;

inner housing components and a ferrule alignment sleeve for each adapter;

the access opening positioned between the front and rear openings and sized to permit the inner housing components and the ferrule alignment sleeve to be positioned within the adapter between the front and rear openings;

a panel positioned within the access opening of each adapter and holds the inner housing components and ferrule alignment sleeve within the adapter;

each adapter including a movable shutter mounted within the front opening and blocking light from being transmitted from the rear opening through the front opening.

10. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 9, wherein each movable shutter is mounted within a slot adjacent the front opening of one of the adapters.

11. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 10, wherein the movable shutter is held within the slot by a tab of the shutter engaging a tab opening in the housing portion adjacent the slot.

12. The fiber optic adapter module of claim 9, wherein four adapters are included in the housing portion.