One-piece SC adapter

• US 5,317,663 A
• Filed: 05/20/1993
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Conroy, James W., Beard, Michael S., Puetz, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US08/065,139
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 385/70-73
• US Class Current: 385/70
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Abstract

An adapter for holding two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment. The connectors include a generally cylindrical ferrule having an axial bore and a ferrule holder having means for retaining the ferrule and a raised ridge located on its outer surface. The connector further includes a grip housing having an axial bore in which the ferrule holder is located. The grip housing also includes a cut out through which the raised ridge of the ferrule holder is exposed. The adapter comprises a unitary main body having an axial bore connecting a first opening and a second opening. The axial cavity is sized to receive an inner housing. The inner housing has at least one retaining clip which is located exterior to an axial chamber within the inner housing. The retaining clip includes means to releasably lock the raised ridge of the ferrule holder in place when said connector is inserted into the axial cavity of the adapter.

Claims

1. An adapter for holding two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each of said connectors including a generally cylindrical ferrule having an axial bore, a ferrule holder having means for retaining said ferrule and having, an outer surface with at least one raised ridge located on said outer surface of said ferrule holder, said connector further including a grip housing having an axial bore, said ferrule holder being located within said axial bore of said grip housing,and said ferrule being located within said axial bore of said ferrule holder, said grip housing further having at least one cut-out, said raised ridge of said ferrule holder being exposed through said cut out;

said adapter comprising;

a) a unitary molded main body having an axial cavity, said axially cavity extending from a first opening to a second opening, with a first side-wall extending from said first to second opening, an inner housing sized to be received within said axial cavity, said inner housing having an axial chamber and at least one retaining clip located exterior to said chamber and said clip being generally parallel to said axial chamber, said clip having locking means for releasable locking onto said raised ridge of said ferrule holder, said main body further having an access opening formed through said first side-wall, wherein said ferrule is received within said chamber, and said clip is locked onto said ridge on said ferrule holder.

2. An adapter as in claim 1 further comprising a panel covering said access opening.

3. An adapter for holding two fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each of said connectors including a ferrule having an axial bore, a ferrule holder located concentrically about said ferrule, said ferrule holder further having an outer surface with at least two raised ridges located thereon, said connector further including a grip housing having an aperture, said ferrule holder being located within said grip housing so that said two raised ridges are exposed through said aperture, said adapter comprising:

a) an inner housing having an axial bore, and at least one locking arm; and

b) a unitary main body having an axial cavity between a first end opening and a second end opening, an access opening generally perpendicular to said axial cavity, means for locking said inner housing in said axial cavity wherein said connector can be inserted into one of said end openings and said locking arm will lock onto said raised ridges of said ferrule holder, and said inner housing will be received within said axial bore of said ferrule holder.