High precision optical fiber connectors
First Claim
1. In a connector assembly for aligning each signal transmitting portion of a cable within a cavity of a housing and comprising:
- a signal transmitting cable encircled by a corresponding alignment ferrule;
a connector body, having a portion to which the cable is secured and a portion that encircles the alignment ferrule, said connector being movable into the cavity to align each alignment ferrule for receipt by an alignment receptor located within the housing;
a shroud, mounted to the connector body and adapted for movement between a first shroud position, where the shroud is disposed forwardly from the connector body and each alignment ferrule is covered, and a second shroud position, where the shroud is disposed rearwardly towards the connector body and each alignment ferrule is uncovered, the shroud having a recess to interchangeably accept one of a plurality of keying plugs;
a biasing member between the connector body and the shroud for biasing the shroud forwardly from the connector body;
a moveable latch within the connector body havinga first latch position, wherein said latch projects outwardly form the connector body to engage the shroud for resisting movement of the shroud between the fist shroud position and the second shroud position, anda second latch position wherein said latch is deflected inwardly towards the connector body, permitting relative movement of the shroud over the latch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A duplex fiber optic connector assembly enables mating the fibers of a first multifiber cable with like fibers of a second cable or cables with maximum axial alignment of the respective fiber paris. An interconnect member receives cable terminating connectors in opposite sides thereof. Each connector carries the fibers of a respective cable in individual ferrules, each ferrule having limited floating mount within the respective connector. The mating pairs of ferrules are received in opposite ends of receptor members each of which has an axially profiled bore adapted to receive the respective ferrules and a profiled outer surface which allows movement about the geometric center of the receptor so as to axially align the bores of the ferrules received therein. Connectors at each end of a predetermined length of fiber optic cable provide a fiber optic extension cord, analogous to the well-known electrical extension cord, for convenient and efficient interconnection between optical signal-using equipments. Small interconnect members receive the connectors of such fiber optic extension cords to allow even wider-ranging interconnections. Wall boxes containing such interconnect members, connected to permanently installed fiber optic cables conveying optical signals from a central optical signal source, allow a user to readily access optical signals by "plugging-in" a connector therein.
123 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a connector assembly for aligning each signal transmitting portion of a cable within a cavity of a housing and comprising:
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a signal transmitting cable encircled by a corresponding alignment ferrule; a connector body, having a portion to which the cable is secured and a portion that encircles the alignment ferrule, said connector being movable into the cavity to align each alignment ferrule for receipt by an alignment receptor located within the housing; a shroud, mounted to the connector body and adapted for movement between a first shroud position, where the shroud is disposed forwardly from the connector body and each alignment ferrule is covered, and a second shroud position, where the shroud is disposed rearwardly towards the connector body and each alignment ferrule is uncovered, the shroud having a recess to interchangeably accept one of a plurality of keying plugs; a biasing member between the connector body and the shroud for biasing the shroud forwardly from the connector body; a moveable latch within the connector body having a first latch position, wherein said latch projects outwardly form the connector body to engage the shroud for resisting movement of the shroud between the fist shroud position and the second shroud position, and a second latch position wherein said latch is deflected inwardly towards the connector body, permitting relative movement of the shroud over the latch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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8. In a connector assembly for aligning each signal transmitting portion of a cable within a cavity of a housing and comprising:
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a signal transmitting cable encircled by a corresponding alignment ferrule; a connector body, having a portion to which the cable is secured and a portion that encircles the alignment ferrule, said connector being movable into the cavity to align each alignment ferrule for receipt by an alignment receptor located within the housing; a shroud, mounted to the connector body movable between a first shroud position, where the shroud is disposed forwardly form the connector body and each alignment ferrule is covered, to a second shroud position, where the shroud is disposed rearwardly towards the connector body and each alignment ferrule is uncovered; a biasing member between the connector body and the shroud for biasing the shroud forwardly form the connector body; a moveable latch of unitary construction with the connector body, having a first latch position, wherein said latch projects outwardly form the connector body engage and resist movement of the shroud between the first shroud position and the second shroud position, and a second latch position wherein said latch is deflected inwardly towards the connector body, permitting relative movement of the shroud over the latch. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification