Hardened Fiber Optic Connector Compatible with Hardened and Non-Hardened Fiber Optic Adapters
First Claim
1. A ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter each including at least one retention latch, the ruggedized fiber optic connector comprising:
- a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis;
a connector housing including a plug portion having an interface end sized to fit within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the ferrule being positioned at the interface end of the plug portion, the plug portion having a first catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a second catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and
a ruggedized retention member mounted on the connector housing, the ruggedized retention member engaging the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic connector is disclosed for use with both a hardened fiber optic adapter and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion includes first and second sets of retaining features for retaining the connector. The first and second retaining feature sets retain the connector within the hardened and unhardened adapters respectively. A threaded member can be included on the connector to threadingly engage and connect the connector to the hardened adapter. A sliding lock can be included on the connector to lock the connector to the non-hardened adapter when slid into a locking position. The sliding lock can be mounted to the threaded member. The sliding lock can include protrusions that engage and lock the non-hardened adapter when in the locking position thereby locking the non-hardened adapter to the connector. The sliding lock can include a positioning latch to maintain it in the locking position. The positioning latch can maintain the locking position by engaging the first set of retaining features on the plug portion.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter each including at least one retention latch, the ruggedized fiber optic connector comprising:
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a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis; a connector housing including a plug portion having an interface end sized to fit within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the ferrule being positioned at the interface end of the plug portion, the plug portion having a first catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a second catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and a ruggedized retention member mounted on the connector housing, the ruggedized retention member engaging the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A ruggedized fiber optic connector comprising:
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a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis; a connector housing having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, the distal end forming a plug portion at which the ferrule is located, the plug portion having a first side and an opposite second side, the plug portion also having a third side and an opposite fourth side, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides, the central longitudinal axis being positioned between the first and second sides and the central longitudinal axis also being positioned between the third and fourth sides, the connector housing including a first latch catch positioned at the first side, a second latch catch positioned at the second side, and a third latch catch positioned at the third side; and a threaded member positioned around the connector housing, the threaded member being rotatable relative to the connector housing about the central longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An optical fiber connection system comprising:
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a fiber optic adapter including a pair of flexible retention latches; a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including oppositely positioned latch catches that engage the flexible retention latches when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion of the fiber optic connector, the ferrule defining a central longitudinal axis; a locking member mounted on the connector housing, the locking member moveable relative to the connector housing between a first position and a second position, wherein when the locking member is in the first position locking portions of the locking member fit inside the fiber optic adapter to prevent the flexible retention latches from flexing to a release position, and wherein when the locking member is in the second position the locking portions of the locking member do not prevent the flexible retention latches from flexing to the release position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis; a connector housing having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, the distal end forming a plug portion at which the ferrule is located, the plug portion having a first side and an opposite second side, the plug portion also having a third side and an opposite fourth side, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides, the central longitudinal axis being positioned between the first and second sides and the central longitudinal axis also being positioned between the third and fourth sides, the connector housing including a first latch catch positioned at the first side and a second latch catch positioned at the second side; a threaded member positioned around the connector housing, the threaded member being rotatable relative to the connector housing about the central longitudinal axis; and a locking member for locking the plug portion within a fiber optic adapter, the locking member including a main body threadingly connected to the threaded member, the locking member also including two opposing locking portions that project distally outwardly from the main body of the locking member, wherein the locking member and the threaded member are slid together as a unit along the central longitudinal axis to move the locking member between a locking position and a non-locking position. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A fiber optic connectorization product line comprising:
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a ruggedized fiber optic adapter; a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and a first fiber optic connector that is compatible with both the ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter.
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Specification