Plug part for an optical plug-and-socket connection

• US 6,561,699 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diamond SA
• Original Assignee: Diamond SA
• Inventors: De Marchi, Silverio
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Lynn D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US09/618,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 385/58, 439/353, 439/358, 439/352
• US Class Current: 385/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Abstract

For the pull-proof locking of a plug part (1) into a socket part there is provided a locking element (27) which on a rotational link (39) is pivotably fastened on a plug part and which is resiliently supported on the plug housing. The locking element is advantageously snapped onto the plug housing and is formed of a bending part of metal.

Claims

1. A plug part (1) for an optical plug-and-socket connection, said plug part comprising

a plug housing in which at least one plug pin (3) is held and

at least one resilient locking element (27) for the pull-proof locking of the plug part in a socket part (16) on reaching a final insert position, wherein

the locking element (27) is pivotably fastened on the plug part on a rotational link (39), and

the locking element (27) is a one-piece part comprising

a grip piece (45),

two roughly parallel arms (44) extending in respective substantially parallel planes from opposite sides of the grip piece, said arms having free ends on which there are arranged respective detent pawls (46), and

a spring section which is arranged on the grip piece and on which the locking element is resiliently supported on the plug housing (2).

2. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (27) is formed as a bent component of metal.

3. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the plug housing (2) comprises a pair of link cams (40) and the locking element (27) comprises a pair of corresponding recesses (41) into which the link cams engage.

4. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the spring section is designed as a leaf spring (42) whose one end (43) lies on the plug housing (2) and which biases the locking element (27) into a locking position.

5. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the detent pawls (46) are in the form of bends.

6. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the detent pawls (46) form ramps on which the arms (44) on inserting into a socket part (16) are pivotable against the spring force.

7. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the arms (44) on pivoting the locking element (27) against the spring bias at least partly sink into corresponding recesses (15) on the plug housing.

8. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (27) is linked on a cable-side end of the plug part.

9. A plug part according to claim 1, wherein movement of the locking element under the spring bias is limited by at least one abutment on the plug housing.

10. An optical plug-and-socket connection having

at least one plug part (1) according to claim 2 and

a socket part (16) comprising at least one socket (33) for accommodating the plug pin (3), wherein the locking element (27) on reaching the final insert position engages into at least one undercut (49) on the socket part.

11. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 10, wherein the socket part (16) comprises a surface section (50) which lies over an insert opening (47) and which with a surface section (45) on the locking element encloses an obtuse angle, wherein the two surface sections connect to one another essentially continuously.

12. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 10, wherein the each of said detent pawls has a ramp-like outer side which cooperates with the insert opening (47) on the socket part in a manner such that during insertion, the locking element is pivoted against the biasing force.

13. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 10, wherein the socket part is composed of two equal housing halves which between themselves accommodate the socket (33).

14. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 10, wherein at least one insert opening of the socket part is closed with a pivotable protective flap which is linked on by way of a pivot passing through the socket housing and the protective flap.

15. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 14, wherein the protective flap is biased by way of a spring which is seated on the pivot.

16. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 14, wherein the pivot comprises a circumferential groove, and the protective flap is provided with a spur which for the lateral fixation of the pivot engages into the groove.

17. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 14, wherein the protective flap is formed as a bent part of metal.

18. A plug-and-socket connection according to claim 14, further comprising on both sides of the insert two undercuts for the locking element in the form of cams, wherein the protective flap with a removed plug part bears on the cams.