Illuminated panel-mount connector receptacle

• US 7,708,586 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creganna Unlimited Company (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Feher, Michael S., Rohde, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gushi; Ross N
• Application Number:
  US12/360,523
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 439/490
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/746 using a screw ring

Abstract

An illuminated panel-mountable receptacle is disclosed. The receptacle body may be a translucent material and may be captivated to a panel by a front nut and a rear nut. A mounting nut is slotted so that the mounting nut may be threaded onto the rear portion of the receptacle body even when a cable has already been connected thereto. The mounting nut is configured to receive a light guide so that a source of illumination can be provided at a back portion of the receptacle and propagate through the receptacle so as to illuminate the receptacle when viewed by a user.

Claims

1. A device for installation in a panel, comprising:

a connection portion configured to have an interface with a mating detachable device, the connection portion adapted to be captivated to the panel, and further configured to terminate a cable at an end thereof that is opposite to the interface with the detachable mating device; and

a coupling adapted to receive a light guiding element and position a terminating end of the light guiding element to face a surface of the connection portion;

wherein the coupling is configured to be mounted to the connection portion when the connection portion has been mounted to the panel, without passing the cable through the coupling.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection portion has a body having a substantially circular cross section, the body being threaded along at least a portion of an exterior surface thereof.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the coupling has a channel formed therein, extending along a length thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a first nut, a second nut and the coupling are threaded so as to be complimentary to the connection portion.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the connection portion is captivated to the panel by the positioning the first nut and the second nut so that the panel is disposed therebetween when the first nut and the second nut are threaded onto the connection portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection portion is capable of transmitting light impinging on a first surface thereof, such that the light is viewable at a second surface of the connection portion, the second surface disposed on an opposite side of the panel from the coupling.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a light transmitting portion of the connection portion is a translucent material.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein a light transmitting portion of the connection portion is a transparent material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection portion has a color.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupling has a through-hole.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the through-hole is tapered so as to form an interference fit with the received light guiding element.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion is a receptacle suitable for receiving a plug.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plug is a male electrical connector.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is configured to mate with a plug.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is a fiber optic connector.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is configured to mate with a fiber optic connector.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light transmitting washer disposable between the surface of the connection portion and the coupling.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the light transmitting washer is affixed to the surface of the connection portion.

19. A mounting nut, comprising:

a body having a length;

a recess extending a first distance into the body along the length from a first surface thereof;

a slot formed along the length of the body, the slot extending a second distance into the body from a side surface thereof; and

a through hole, substantially perpendicular to a second surface of the body.

20. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the first distance is less than the length of the body.

21. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the recess is threaded along at least a portion of the first distance.

22. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the second distance is greater than half of a cross sectional dimension.

23. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the body has a substantially circular cross section transverse to the length thereof, and a flat portion is formed on the circular cross section along at least a part of the length of the body.

24. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the through-hole is tapered along a length thereof.

25. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the through-hole is sized and dimensioned to receive a light guide.

26. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the through-hole is sized and dimensioned to effect an interference fit with an insertable light guide.

27. The mounting nut of claim 19, wherein the through hole is a channel.

28. A method of illuminating a receptacle, the method comprising:

providing a panel-mountable receptacle; and

providing a mounting nut, attachable to the panel-mountable receptacle, the mounting nut being configured so as to permit attachment of the mounting nut to the panel-mountable receptacle after a cable has been installed to the panel-mountable receptacle, without threading the cable along an axis of the mounting nut,

wherein the mounting nut has a through-hole sized and dimensioned to accept a light guide.