Fiber optic connector retainer

• US 5,214,735 A
• Filed: 04/06/1992
• Issued: 05/25/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Korkowski, Jeffrey L., Henneberger, Roy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Frank
• Application Number:
  US07/863,811
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.1, 385/53, 385/134, 385/136, 385/137, 385/147, 174/50
• US Class Current: 385/136
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence

Abstract

A retainer assembly is disclosed for a connector. The assembly includes a frame having a forward wall and a retainer to be received within an access opening in the forward wall. The retainer includes first and second fasteners. Each of the fasteners has forward and rear retaining surfaces spaced apart a thickness of the wall to receive an edge of the wall between the forward and rear retaining surfaces. The second fastener is resiliently displaceable between a fastening or rest position and a displaced position to permit the retainer to be easily inserted or removed from the frame.

Claims

1. A retainer assembly for a fiber optic connector, said

assembly comprising:

a frame having a wall with an access opening therethrough, said wall having a predetermined thickness;

a retainer having a receiving means for receiving and supporting a fiber optic connector;

a first releasable fastener connected to said retainer for fastening a first end of said retainer to said frame;

said first releasable fastener including a forward retaining surface and rear retaining surface apart a distance approximate to a said predetermined thickness;

a second releasable fastener connected to said retainer for fastening a second end of said retainer to said frame;

said second releasable fastener including a second forward retaining surface and a second rear retaining surface;

said second forward and rear retaining surfaces resiliently connected to said receiving means to be urged between a rest position and a displaced position;

said second forward and rear retaining surfaces spaced apart a distance approximate to a thickness of said wall for said wall to be received between said surfaces in said rest position and said wall to be free from said surfaces in said displaced position.

2. A retainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second releasable fasteners are disposed relative to said receiving means for said receiving means to have an axis disposed at a non-orthogonal angle to said wall when said first and second fasteners are connected to said frame.

3. A retainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first fastener includes a pivot surface in close proximity to said first surface for said retainer to pivot at said pivot surface.

4. A retainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second fastener has a cam surface sized to oppose said frame and urge said second fastener inwardly to the displaced position as said fastener is inserted into said access opening.

5. A retainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second fastener includes first and second resilient legs, a first leg secured to said receiving member and spaced relation thereto and a second leg extending from said first leg with said first and second surfaces carried on said second leg.

6. A retainer assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first forward and rear retaining surfaces are generally parallel and aligned with said second forward and rear retaining surfaces, respectively.