FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
First Claim
1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
- a ferrule assembly having a ferrule extending along an longitudinal axis and a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends, the ferrule being configured to support at least one optical fiber, and the ferrule holder having an outer surface with a first keying feature; and
a housing in which the ferrule holder is received, the housing having an inner surface with a second keying feature that cooperates with the first keying feature to limit rotation of the ferrule holder about the longitudinal axis;
wherein the ferrule assembly is movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis between an unmated position and a mated position, the ferrule holder being closer to a front end of the housing in the unmated position than in the mated position; and
wherein a minimum clearance between the first keying feature and second keying feature is greater in the mated position than in the unmated position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule extending along a longitudinal axis and a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends. The ferrule holder has an outer surface with a first keying feature. The fiber optic connector also includes a housing in which the ferrule holder is received. The housing has an inner surface with a second keying feature that cooperates with the first keying feature to limit rotation of the ferrule holder about the longitudinal axis. The ferrule holder is movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis between an unmated position and a mated position. A minimum clearance between the first keying feature and second keying feature is greater in the mated position than in the unmated position.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule assembly having a ferrule extending along an longitudinal axis and a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends, the ferrule being configured to support at least one optical fiber, and the ferrule holder having an outer surface with a first keying feature; and a housing in which the ferrule holder is received, the housing having an inner surface with a second keying feature that cooperates with the first keying feature to limit rotation of the ferrule holder about the longitudinal axis; wherein the ferrule assembly is movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis between an unmated position and a mated position, the ferrule holder being closer to a front end of the housing in the unmated position than in the mated position; and wherein a minimum clearance between the first keying feature and second keying feature is greater in the mated position than in the unmated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule assembly having a ferrule extending along a longitudinal axis and a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends, the ferrule being configured to support at least one optical fiber, and the ferrule holder having an outer surface with a first keying feature; and a housing having a cavity in which the ferrule assembly is received, the ferrule assembly being movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis, and the housing having an inner surface with a second keying feature that cooperates with the first keying feature to limit rotation of the ferrule assembly about the longitudinal axis; wherein; the ferrule assembly is biased toward a forward position in the housing in which a portion of the ferrule holder abuts a portion of the housing to retain the ferrule assembly within the housing; the first keying feature comprises one of a key or a groove, and the second keying feature comprises the other of the key or the groove; and a minimum clearance between the key and the groove increases when the ferrule assembly moves in a rearward direction from the forward position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule assembly having a ferrule extending along a longitudinal axis and a ferrule holder from which the ferrule extends, the ferrule being configured to support at least one optical fiber, and the ferrule holder having an outer surface and two keys projecting radially outward from diametrically opposed locations on the outer surface; and a housing in which the ferrule holder is received, the housing having an inner surface with two grooves extending from a back end of the housing; wherein; the ferrule assembly is movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis between an unmated position and a mated position, the ferrule holder being closer to a front end of the housing in the unmated position than in the mated position; each key on the ferrule holder is received in a corresponding one of the grooves on the inner surface of the housing and cooperates with the corresponding groove to limit rotation of the ferrule holder about the longitudinal axis; and a minimum clearance between each key and the corresponding groove is greater in the mated position than in the unmated position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification