Connector arrays

• US 6,343,950 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2000
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark E. Eginton, Steuer, Brian H.
• Original Assignee: Mark E. Eginton, Steuer, Brian H.
• Inventors: Steuer, Brian H., Eginton, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US09/511,828
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/701, 439/157, 439/292, 439/298, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6335 comprising a handle

Abstract

The present invention discloses an array of connectors more specifically an ergonomically beneficial apparatus is disclosed for holding a plurality of connectors, RJ45 or fiber optic connectors for example, sufficiently fixed relative to each other such that a technician can easily insert and/or remove the array from a piece of equipment being tested. The connectors may be held snugly or may be free floating.

Claims

1. A connector array comprising:

a base member retaining at least an N number of substantially identical connectors of the same gender, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2;

all of the N connectors having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to engage a matching connector of the opposite gender;

the base member also retaining an X number of clips, X being an integer less than N and including one;

wherein one of the X number of clips is a first clip and wherein one of the N connectors is a first connector, the first clip being associated with a first connector at the second end of the first connector.

2. A connector array according to claim 1, wherein the first clip is mounted as a cantilever with the attached end proximate the second end of the first connector and a free end proximate the first end of the first connector.

3. A connector array according to claim 1, wherein all of the N connectors are made of a non-metallic material and the X number of clips are made of a metallic material.

4. A connector array according to claim 1, wherein the first clip is bent towards the first connector.

5. A connector array according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is an electrical connector.

6. A connector array according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is an optical connector.

7. A connector array comprising:

a base member retaining at least an N number of substantially identical connectors of the same gender, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2;

all of the N connectors having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to engage a matching connector of the opposite gender;

the base member also retaining an X number of clips, X being an integer less than or equal to N and including zero;

wherein one of the X number of clips is a first clip and wherein one of the N connectors is a first connector, the first clip being associated with a first connector at the second end of the first connector.

8. A connector array according to claim 7, wherein the first clip is mounted as a cantilever with the attached end proximate the second end of the first connector and a free end proximate the first end of the first connector.

9. A connector array according to claim 7, wherein all of the N connectors are made of a non-metallic material and the X number of clips are made of a metallic material.

10. A connector array according to claim 7, wherein the first clip is bent towards the first connector.

11. A connector array according to claim 7, wherein the first connector is an electrical connector.

12. A connector array according to claim 7, wherein the first connector is an optical connector.