Fiber optic connector and connector sleeve assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A connector and connector sleeve assembly comprising:
- (a) a connector sleeve with a first half and a second half and a ferrule alignment portion spanning from the first half to the second half, the first half configured to operatively connect and disconnect with a first fiber optic connector of a first design, the second half of the connector sleeve having a cylindrical sleeve portion defining a second receptacle; and
(b) a second connector having a second design that is different from the first design, the connector having an optical fiber ferrule portion with an end face and a body portion rearward of the end face of the ferrule, the body portion and the ferrule portion being fixed relative to each other, the body portion removably engaged with the sleeve portion of the second half such that the end face of the ferrule portion is disposed in the ferrule alignment portion of the connector sleeve and fixed relative to the connector sleeve, the body portion having an enlarged portion grippable by fingers such that the second connector is readily removable from the second receptacle without a tool.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a connector and connector sleeve assembly comprising a connector with reduced parts that is received in one side of the connector sleeve. The connector has a bayonet style protrusion that is received in a bayonet cut-out in the connector sleeve. The other side of the connector sleeve is configured to receive a standard connector design such as an SC connector or an ST type connector. The connector has an enlarged portion for being gripped by fingers such that the reduced part connector can be readily connected and disconnected from the connector sleeve in tight spaces.
276 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A connector and connector sleeve assembly comprising:
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(a) a connector sleeve with a first half and a second half and a ferrule alignment portion spanning from the first half to the second half, the first half configured to operatively connect and disconnect with a first fiber optic connector of a first design, the second half of the connector sleeve having a cylindrical sleeve portion defining a second receptacle; and (b) a second connector having a second design that is different from the first design, the connector having an optical fiber ferrule portion with an end face and a body portion rearward of the end face of the ferrule, the body portion and the ferrule portion being fixed relative to each other, the body portion removably engaged with the sleeve portion of the second half such that the end face of the ferrule portion is disposed in the ferrule alignment portion of the connector sleeve and fixed relative to the connector sleeve, the body portion having an enlarged portion grippable by fingers such that the second connector is readily removable from the second receptacle without a tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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a ferrule portion having an end face and defining a ferrule bore longitudinally therethrough to receive an optical fiber for termination at the end face; a body portion rearward of the end face of the ferrule and fixed to the ferrule portion, the body portion having an enlarged portion of a generally paddle shape to facilitate gripping of the enlarged portion by finger, the body portion defining an axial passageway therethrough that communicates with the ferrule bore to receive an optical fiber therethrough for insertion into the ferrule bore. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A connector and connector sleeve assembly comprising:
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(a) a connector sleeve with a first half and a second half and a ferrule alignment portion spanning from the first half to the second half, the first half configured to operatively connect and disconnect with a first fiber optic connector of a first design, the second half of the connector sleeve having a cylindrical sleeve portion defining a second receptacle, the sleeve portion defining a bayonet cut-out with at least an axially extending portion and a circumferentially extending portion; and (b) a second connector having a second design that is different from the first design, the connector having an optical fiber ferrule portion with an end face and a body portion rearward of the end face of the ferrule, the body portion and the ferrule portion being fixed relative to each other, the body portion removably engaged with the sleeve portion of the second half such that the end face of the ferrule portion is disposed in the ferrule alignment portion of the connector sleeve and fixed relative to the connector sleeve, the body portion having a bayonet protrusion extending radially outward for slideable engagement with the bayonet cut-out.
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24. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
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(a) a ferrule portion having an endface and defining a ferrule bore longitudinally therethrough to receive an optical fiber for termination at the end face; (b) a body portion rearward of the end face of the ferrule and fixed to the ferrule portion, the body portion defining an axial passageway therethrough for insertion into the ferrule bore, the body portion having a protrusion extending radially outward to cooperate and rotate in a bayonet cut-out defined in a connector sleeve.
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Specification