Fiber optic protective shutter

• US 7,315,682 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: En Lin, Samuel I., O'Riorden, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/508,446
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 385/139
• US Class Current: 385/139
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44

Abstract

A protection system for a fiber optic coupling having a first housing with a guide slot in a side wall includes a protective cap with a slot in a side wall and defining a passage for receiving the first housing whereby the protective cap slot aligns with the guide slot in the first housing and a protective shutter pivotally connected to the protective cap for covering a distal end and guide slot of the fiber optic coupling.

Claims

1. A protection system for a fiber optic coupling, the fiber optic coupling having a first housing with a guide slot in a side wall, the system comprising:

a protective cap including a slot in a side wall and defining a passage for receiving the first housing whereby the protective cap slot aligns with the guide slot in the first housing; and

a protective shutter pivotally connected to the protective cap, the protective shutter configured to cover a distal end of the first housing and the guide slot of the first housing.

2. The protection system of claim 1 wherein the protective shutter is configured to attenuate electromagnetic radiation in at least one of the near infrared range or the infrared range.

3. A protective shutter for a fiber optic coupler to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the coupler, the shutter comprising:

a protective cap configured to protect fibers in a fiber optic connection; and

a lid pivotally connected to the protective cap, wherein the lid includes a side cover transverse to the lid that is configured to cover a guide slot in the fiber optic coupler when closed.

4. The protection system of claim 3 wherein the protective shutter is configured to attenuate electromagnetic radiation in at least one of the near infrared range or the infrared range.