Fiber optic adapter, including hybrid connector system

• US 6,347,888 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Puetz, Curtis Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mooney, Michael P
• Application Number:
  US09/198,163
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53-60, 385/62, 385/70, 385/72, 385/73, 385/75-78, 385/81, 385/92
• US Class Current: 385/53
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3877 Split sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3891 Bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type

Abstract

A hybrid adapter permits connection of one type of connector, such as an SC-type, with a different type, such as an ST-type connector. An alternative adapter permits connection between an SC-type connector and an FC-type connector. A main body which holds the connectors in axial alignment includes a side opening. An inner housing is configured for mating with the different type connectors. The inner housing is inserted through the side opening, which is closed off by a cover. Various parts of the adapter are common between the two disclosed style adapters.

Claims

1. An adapter for holding first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, the first connector having a first connector portion, the second connector having a second connector portion different from the first connector portion, the adapter comprising:

a main body having an axial cavity extending between first and second ends, the main body having a side opening, the axial cavity defining first and second grooves extending transversely to the axial direction and communicating with the side opening;

a cover closing the side opening; and

an inner housing disposed within the main body, the inner housing including;

a first mating portion defining an SC mating portion positioned at the first end of the main body, the SC mating portion including a first cylindrical portion and a retaining clip, the first cylindrical portion and the retaining clip extending in the axial direction, the SC mating portion further including a first flange received by the first groove; and

a second mating portion positioned at the second end of the main body, the second portion including a different adapter configuration from the SC mating portion, the second mating portion including a second flange received by the second groove.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second mating portion defines an ST mating portion including a cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction and two outwardly projecting bayonets extending from the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion including an axially extending slot.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second mating portion defines an FC mating portion including an externally threaded cylindrical portion, extending in the axial direction, and an axially extending slot in the cylindrical portion.

4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the second flange includes a first flat segment, and an opposed second flat segment including a central projecting tab, extending transverse to the axial direction.

5. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the second flange includes a first flat segment, and an opposed second flat segment including a central projecting tab, extending transverse to the axial direction.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the inner housing includes a third mating portion including a second cylindrical portion, and a third flange, the second cylindrical portion extending in an opposite direction to the first cylindrical portion, the third flange positioned in the first groove adjacent to the first flange, and the inner housing including a split sleeve coaxially aligned and positioned within the first and second cylindrical portions.

7. An adapter for holding first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, the first connector defining an SC-type fiber optic connector, the second connector defining a different type of fiber optic connector to the SC-type connector, wherein the second connector is selected from the group consisting of an ST-type and an FC-type, the adapter comprising:

a main body having an axial cavity extending between first and second ends, the main body having a side opening, the axial cavity including a holding arrangement for slidably receiving an inner housing as the inner housing is inserted into the axial cavity through the side opening,

a cover closing the side opening; and

an inner housing mounted to the holding arrangement, the inner housing including;

a first mating portion defining an SC mating portion positioned at the first end of the main body, the SC mating portion including a first portion defining a ferrule receiving bore, and a retaining clip, the ferrule receiving bore arranged to receive the ferrule of the SC-type connector, the retaining clip engageable with an outer housing of the SC-type connector;

a second mating portion positioned at the second end of the main body, the second mating portion including a second portion defining a ferrule receiving bore, the ferrule receiving bore of the second portion coaxially aligned with the ferrule receiving bore of the first portion and arranged to receive the ferrule of the second connector, the second mating portion defining a cylindrical mating portion matable with a housing of the second connector.

8. A method of assembly of an adapter for use in holding first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, comprising the steps of:

providing a main body having an axial cavity extending between first and second ends, the main body having a side opening;

slidably inserting an inner housing through the side opening, the inner housing held by the main body from axial movement, the inner housing including first and second mating ends, the first mating end defining a first type of fiber optic connection portion for mating with the first fiber optic connector inserted into the first end of the main body, the first fiber optic connector defining a first type of fiber optic connector, the second mating end defining a second type of fiber optic connection portion for mating with the second fiber optic connector inserted into the second of the main body, the second fiber optic connector defining a second type of fiber optic connection portion different from the first type; and

mounting a cover to the main body to close the side opening.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first type of fiber optic connection portion defines an SC-type, and wherein the second type of fiber optic connection portion defines an ST-type.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first type of fiber optic connection portion defines an SC-type, and wherein the second type of fiber optic connection portion defines an FC-type.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

mounting a split sleeve between first and second mating portions;

mating a flange half of the first mating portion with a flange half of the second mating portion to form a first inner housing portion, the first inner housing portion having a flange;

axially mating a second inner housing portion to the first inner housing portion, the second inner housing portion having a flange, the mated first and second inner housing portions coaxially aligned, the first mating portion matable to the first type of connector, the second mating portion and the second inner housing portion matable to the second type of connector;

sliding the mated first and second inner housing portions through the side opening in the main body, wherein the flange of the first inner housing portion resides in a first groove of the main body, wherein the flange of the second inner housing portion resides in a second groove of the main body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flange of the second inner housing portion includes a tab, wherein the sliding step includes sliding the tab into a recess in the main body.

13. An adapter for use in holding first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, comprising:

a main body having an axial cavity extending between first and second ends, the main body having a side opening;

an inner housing received through the side opening, the inner housing held by the main body from axial movement, the inner housing including first and second mating ends, the first mating end defining a first type of fiber optic connection portion for mating with the first fiber optic connector inserted into the first end of the main body, the first fiber optic connector defining a first type of fiber optic connector, the second mating end defining a second type of fiber optic connection portion for mating with the second fiber optic connector inserted into the second of the main body, the second fiber optic connector defining a second type of fiber optic connection portion different from the first type; and

a cover mounted to the main body to close the side opening.

14. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the first type of fiber optic connection portion defines an SC-type, and wherein the second type of fiber optic connection portion defines an ST-type.

15. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the first type of fiber optic connection portion defines an SC-type, and wherein the second type of fiber optic connection portion defines an FC-type.

16. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the inner housing includes:

first and second mating portions each including a flange half;

a split sleeve between the first and second mating portions;

the flange half of the first mating portion and the flange half of the second mating portion mated to form a first inner housing portion, the first inner housing portion having a flange formed by the mated flange halves;

a second inner housing portion axially mated to the first inner housing portion, the second inner housing portion having a flange, the mated first and second inner housing portions coaxially aligned, the first mating portion matable to the first type of connector, the second mating portion and the second inner housing portion matable to the second type of connector;

wherein the mated first and second inner housing portions are received through the side opening in the main body, wherein the flange of the first inner housing portion resides in a first groove of the main body, wherein the flange of the second inner housing portion resides in a second groove of the main body.

17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the flange of the second inner housing portion includes a tab, wherein the tab is received in a recess in the main body.