Fiber optic connector and tool for assembling same
First Claim
1. In a fiber optic connector which includes a housing having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends, a rear end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a front end for having a mating fiber contact plug secured thereto in said passage, the fiber contact plug having a fiber-receiving passage coextensive with the passage in the housing, wherein the improvement comprises a retaining ring disposed in a transverse groove in the passage in the housing for abutment against the fiber contact plug near the front end thereof to secure the plug in the passage in the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic connector includes a housing having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends. A rear end is adapted for attaching a fiber optic cable therethrough. A front end is adapted for having a mating fiber contact plug secured thereto in the passage. The plug has a fiber-receiving passage coextensive with the passage in the housing. A retaining ring is disposed in a transverse groove in the passage in the housing for abutment against the fiber contact plug near the front end thereof to secure the plug in the passage in the housing. A tool is provided for assembling the fiber optic connector. The tool includes a head for receiving and holding the housing of the connector in position with the fiber contact plug and retaining ring insertable into the passage thereof. A pusher apparatus is mounted for movement relative to the head and is engageable with the retaining ring to push the retaining ring into the groove while the connector housing is held by the head of the tool.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. In a fiber optic connector which includes a housing having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends, a rear end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a front end for having a mating fiber contact plug secured thereto in said passage, the fiber contact plug having a fiber-receiving passage coextensive with the passage in the housing, wherein the improvement comprises a retaining ring disposed in a transverse groove in the passage in the housing for abutment against the fiber contact plug near the front end thereof to secure the plug in the passage in the housing.
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5. In a fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said retaining ring is generally C-shaped.
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7. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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one-piece housing having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends, a rear end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a front end; a mating fiber contact plug in the front end of the passage through the housing the plug having a fiber-receiving passage coextensive with the passage in the housing and including a mating ferrule secured in a recess in a front end of the plug, the ferrule projecting from the front end of the plug and having a fiber passage coextensive with the passage in the plug; a retaining ring disposed in a transverse groove in the passage in the housing for abutment against the fiber contact plug near the front end thereof to secure the plug in the passage in the housing, the retaining ring being radially resilient whereby the ring is resiliently contractable for insertion into the passage in the housing and resiliently expandable into said groove; and spring means operatively associated between the fiber contact plug and the housing to bias the plug forwardly against the retaining ring.
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8. A tool for assembling a fiber optic connector which includes a housing having a longitudinal passage with a mating fiber contact plug insertable into the passage and a retaining ring insertable into the passage behind the plug for engagement in a groove in the passage to secure the plug in the passage, comprising:
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a head for receiving and holding the housing of the connector in position with the fiber contact plug and retaining ring insertable into the passage of the housing; and a pusher apparatus mounted for movement relative to the head and engageable with the retaining ring to push the retaining ring into the groove while the connector housing is held by the head. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification