Fiber optic plug connector and adapter therefor

• US 5,170,452 A
• Filed: 09/09/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Porta Systems Corp. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ott, Conrad
• Primary Examiner(s): FONT, FRANK G
• Application Number:
  US07/756,608
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 385/55, 385/56, 385/58, 385/60, 385/70, 385/72
• US Class Current: 385/60
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3837 forwarding or threading methods of light guides into apertures of ferrule centering means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3847 with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
• 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 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/38875 Protection from bending or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3891 Bayonet type

Abstract

A fiber optic plug connector for single fiber jacketed conductors and a corresponding jack type adapter supported in a bulkhead and adapted to receive a corresponding plug on an opposite side of the bulkhead in aligned relation. The plug connector incorporates means for maintaining both axial and rotational alignment of an engaged conductor with respect to a corresponding fiber container with which it is placed in abutted relation to assure maximum transmission therethrough. A novel adapter construction is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An improved optical plug connector comprising:

a first body element including a cylindrical sleeve having an enlarged first end, and a hollow axially aligned through bore;

a fiber engaging cylindrical ferrule supported in fixed relation within said bore;

a second body element including a main body member having an axially aligned through bore and a first end extension having an outer cylindrical surface of diameter corresponding to the diameter of said through bore in said first body element;

said first and second body elements being frictionally engaged by projecting said extension on said second body element into said bore in said first body element;

a bayonet type coupling sleeve surrounding said first body element in sliding relation, and a coil spring interconnecting said coupling sleeve and said first body element and maintained in at least partially compressed condition by the engagement of said first and second body elements;

said second body element having a second end having means thereon for selectively interconnecting with a fiber optic cable.

2. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1, said first end extension having annular ribs for facilitating the frictional engagement of said first and second body members, and providing superior mutual retention.

3. A plug adapter for use with fiber optic plug connectors, comprising:

a main body defining a through bore extending between first and second ends thereof, said ends each having bayonet lugs on the outer surface thereof for engaging said connectors;

said through bore including a centrally disposed portion thereof of lessor diameter than the end portions thereof;

an elongated adapter bushing frictionally retained within said centrally disposed portion of said bore, said bushing having an axially disposed bore therein and an outer ribbed surface forming interstices permitting airflow during temperature changes in ambient air to reduce the possibility of relative radial dimensional changes during use; and

a resiliently expandable alignment sleeve frictionally maintained within said centrally disposed bore, said sleeve defining a through passage for resiliently engaging a projecting fiber terminating ferrule on a plug connector.