Fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly

• US 6,899,467 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: McDonald, A. John, Tran, Hieu V., Melton, Stuart R., Luther, James P., Childers, Darrell R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ERIC K
• Application Number:
  US10/659,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20040047566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 385/72, 385/76, 385/78, 385/92
• US Class Current: 385/78
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• 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 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/545 Pulling eyes G02B6/475 takes precedence

Abstract

A relatively small fiber optic plug is provided to facilitate pulling of the fiber optic plug and an associated fiber optic cable through small passageways. The fiber optic plug may include a shroud that protects the fiber optic connector and that may further define at least one opening, and preferably a pair of openings. The openings are sized to receive portions of an adapter sleeve once the fiber optic plug is mated with a fiber optic receptacle. The fiber optic plug may also include a cap mounted upon and adapted to swivel relative to the remainder of the fiber optic plug to serve as a pulling grip during installation of the fiber optic cable. Further, the fiber optic plug may include a crimp band that is mechanically coupled to both the fiber optic cable and the plug body in order to isolate the fiber optic connector from torque otherwise created by forces to which the fiber optic cable is subjected.

Claims

1. A fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly comprising:

a fiber optic plug comprising;

a plug body having a shroud proximate one end thereof, the shroud defining at least one opening; and

a fiber optic connector disposed within the plug body and comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing; and

a fiber optic receptacle for mating with the fiber optic plug, the fiber optic receptacle comprising;

a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed ends; and

an adapter sleeve disposed within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing, the adapter sleeve defining a lengthwise extending passage for receiving a portion of the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug;

wherein the shroud and the adapter sleeve are sized such that portions of the adapter sleeve are disposed within the at least one opening defined by the shroud once the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug is inserted into the adapter sleeve; and

wherein a fiber optic cable is coupled to the fiber optic receptacle from the plug body through a crimp band, such that tension applied to the fiber optic cable is therefore diverted away from the fiber optic connector.

2. The fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug body extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end, the first end opposed to the second end, and the openings defined by the shroud extend lengthwise from at least a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the plug body.

3. The fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening defined by the shroud is a pair of openings aligned with one another.

4. A fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly comprising:

a fiber optic plug comprising;

a plug body having a shroud proximate one end thereof, the shroud defining at least one opening; and

a fiber optic connector disposed within the plug body and comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing; and

a fiber optic receptacle for mating with the fiber optic plug, the fiber optic receptacle comprising;

a receptacle housing defining an internal cavity opening through opposed ends; and

an adapter sleeve disposed within the internal cavity defined by the receptacle housing, the adapter sleeve defining a lengthwise extending passage for receiving a portion of the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug;

wherein the shroud and the adapter sleeve are sized such that portious of the adapter sleeve are disposed within the at least one opening defined by the shroud once the plug ferrule of the fiber optic plug is inserted into the adapter sleeve; and

wherein the plug body defines a longitudinal axis and further comprises;

a shaft proximate the shroud; and

a collar for engaging the fiber optic receptacle, the collar disposed upon the shaft such that travel of the collar in the lengthwise direction is limited while permitting rotation of the collar about the longitudinal axis relative to the shaft.

5. A fiber optic plug and receptacle assembly comprising:

a fiber optic receptacle; and

a fiber optic plug for mating with the fiber optic receptacle, the fiber optic plug comprising;

a fiber optic connector comprising a connector housing and a plug ferrule at least partially disposed within the connector housing and capable of being mounted upon an end portion of at least one optical fiber; and

a plug body extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end, the first end opposed from the second end, and having a shroud proximate the first end thereof, the shroud defining a pair of openings on opposite sides thereof, the openings extending lengthwise from at least a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the plug body;

wherein the lengthwise extending plug body defines a longitudinal axis and the plug body further comprises;

a shaft proximate the shroud; and

a collar for engaging the fiber optic receptacle, the collar disposed upon the shaft such that travel of the collar in the lengthwise direction is limited while permitting rotation of the collar about the longitudinal axis relative to the shaft.