Interconnectable components employing a multi-positionable key

• US 5,167,542 A
• Filed: 08/07/1991
• Issued: 12/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Haitmanek, Louis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US07/741,698
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 439/354, 439/677, 439/678, 439/679, 439/680, 439/681, 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22
• US Class Current: 439/681
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector

Abstract

A keying arrangement for interconnectable components is disclosed. The keying arrangement is particularly useful for fiber optic connector assemblies having a receptacle connector with key projections integrally formed therewith in one of plural different key positions. These key positions may be dictated by an industry standard. A plug connector of the assembly includes a multi-positionable key element. The key element is positionable in plural different orientations to provide keyways which uniquely accommodate one of the plural different key positions of the receptacle connector. Rotative movement of the key element within the plug connector provides the plural different orientations and thereby the plural keyways.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for the transmission components comprising:

a first connector supporting a first transmission component;

said first connector, said key element including plural discrete keyways thereon, said key element being positionable on said first connector in different positions to render accessible only one of said plural keyways; and

a second connector supporting a second transmission component and matingly engageable with said first connector;

said second connector having a key projection positioned for unique reception in one of said keyways of said first connector.

2. A connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said first connector includes a cavity which insertably accommodates said key element in of any of said four different positions.

3. A connector assembly of claim 2 further including means for securing said key element in said cavity of said first connector.

4. A connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said first connector comprises a base, a cover and means for attaching said cover to said base.

5. A connector assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for attaching said cover to said base includes said means for securing said key element in said cavity.

6. A connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second transmission components are optical fibers.

7. A connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said key element includes a pair of opposed surfaces, each of said surfaces including at least one said keyway.

8. A connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said key element includes a threaded aperture through said opposed surfaces and wherein said assembly means includes a threaded fastener securable through said base and said cover to said key element through said aperture.

9. A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:

a first connector supporting a first optical fiber;

said first connector including a cavity and a key element in the shape of a polyhedron insertably accommodated in said cavity of said first connector in plural key element positions;

said key element including discrete keyways, one said keyway in each of said key element positions; and

a second connector supporting a second optical fiber and matingly engagable with said first connector, said second connector having a key projection positioned for unique reception in one of said keyways of said first connector.

10. A connector assembly in claim 9 wherein said key element includes at least two sides with at least one said keyway on each side thereof.

11. A connector assembly of claim 10 wherein said first connector includes a cover and a base secured together with a threaded fastener.

12. A connector assembly of claim 11 wherein said key element includes a threaded aperture for receipt of said threaded fastener.