Fiber Optic Connectors and Methods for Making the Same
First Claim
1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
- a ferrule;
a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature; and
a housing for receiving a portion of the ferrule holder, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fiber optic connectors and components for fiber optic connectors with improved side-loading performance are disclosed along with methods for making the same. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule and a ferrule holder where the ferrule holder may be disposed within a housing. The ferrule holder has a forward portion with a spherical feature for cooperating with the housing, thereby allowing relative movement therebetween. Specifically, the spherical feature of the ferrule holder permits rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibits the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing, thereby providing improved side-loading performance.
32 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule; a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature; and a housing for receiving a portion of the ferrule holder, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule; a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature and a keying feature; and a housing for receiving a portion of the ferrule holder, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit the longitudinal translation the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of making a fiber optic connector, comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing; providing a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature; and inserting the ferrule holder into the housing, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit longitudinal translation the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification