Optical coupling
First Claim
1. A hermaphroditic connector comprising a body member and an opening adapted for engaging another hermaphroditic connector, an optical radiation source mounted in the body member, said body member including a reflecting surface spaced from the optical radiation source for reflecting optical radiation substantially toward the opening, and including a beam stop for receiving reflected optical radiation from the reflecting surface when the connector is disengaged to another hermaphroditic connector, wherein said beam stop comprises a wall that encloses at least a portion of said opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical coupling prevents light from entering free space when disengaged. The optical coupling includes a receptacle and a connector plug. The receptacle has an opening and includes an optical radiation source, and a beam stop. The optical radiation engages the beam stop when the receptacle is disengaged from the connector plug. When the connector plug is engaged into the receptacle opening, optical radiation from the receptacle is emitted on the radiation receptor.
30 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A hermaphroditic connector comprising a body member and an opening adapted for engaging another hermaphroditic connector, an optical radiation source mounted in the body member, said body member including a reflecting surface spaced from the optical radiation source for reflecting optical radiation substantially toward the opening, and including a beam stop for receiving reflected optical radiation from the reflecting surface when the connector is disengaged to another hermaphroditic connector, wherein said beam stop comprises a wall that encloses at least a portion of said opening.
- 6. A hermaphroditic connector comprising a body member and an opening adapted for engaging another hermaphroditic connector, a support for mounting an optical radiation source in the body member, and said body member including a reflecting surface spaced from the optical radiation source for reflecting optical radiation substantially toward the opening, and including a beam stop for receiving reflected optical radiation from the reflecting surface when the connector is disengaged to another hermaphroditic connector, wherein said beam stop comprises a wall that encloses at least a portion of said opening.
- 10. A hermaphroditic connector comprising a body member and an opening adapted for engaging another hermaphroditic connector, a fiber mounted in the body member and adapted for carrying optical radiation, and said body member including a reflecting surface spaced from the fiber for reflecting optical radiation substantially toward the opening, and including a beam stop comprising a wall that encloses at least a portion of said opening for receiving reflected optical radiation from the reflecting surface when the connector is disengaged to another hermaphroditic connector.
Specification