Hardened fiber optic connection system
First Claim
1. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
- a fiber optic adapter including a flexible retention latch having a first retaining surface, the fiber optic adapter also including first threads; and
a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including a latch catch having a second retaining surface that engages the first retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion of the fiber optic connector, the ferrule defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the fiber optic connector also including a threaded retention member including second threads that engage the first threads of the fiber optic adapter to secure the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter, the second retaining surface being oriented at a first oblique angle relative to the connector axis, the first oblique angle being oriented such that the second retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the connector axis as the second retaining surface extends along the connector axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, and the fiber optic connector not including a connector release sleeve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic connector and a fiber optic adapter are disclosed that are manually connectable and disconnectable with each other by a slideable latching means. The fiber optic connector includes an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion holds a ferrule and also directly engages a port on the fiber optic adapter. The plug portion includes a protrusion which also forms a latch catch. The port of the fiber optic adapter includes a flexible retention latch within a slot. The slot engages the protrusion and thus rotationally aligns the fiber optic connector and adapter. The flexible retention latch snaps into and out of the latch catch when the plug portion of the fiber optic connector is slid into and out of the port of the fiber optic adapter thus providing the slideable latching means. Angled retaining surfaces are provided on the retention latch and the latch catch that engage each other. Angles defining the angled retaining surfaces are chosen to provide desired holding and release characteristics. A sealing means and a threaded connection means are also provided between the fiber optic adapter and connector.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
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a fiber optic adapter including a flexible retention latch having a first retaining surface, the fiber optic adapter also including first threads; and a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including a latch catch having a second retaining surface that engages the first retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion of the fiber optic connector, the ferrule defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the fiber optic connector also including a threaded retention member including second threads that engage the first threads of the fiber optic adapter to secure the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter, the second retaining surface being oriented at a first oblique angle relative to the connector axis, the first oblique angle being oriented such that the second retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the connector axis as the second retaining surface extends along the connector axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, and the fiber optic connector not including a connector release sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
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a fiber optic adapter including a first port and a second port, the fiber optic adapter including at least one flexible retention latch having a retaining surface; and a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the first port of the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion and defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the plug portion including at least one latch catch having an angled retaining surface facing away from the connector axis, the angled retaining surface inclined at an acute angle from the connector axis, the plug portion being insertable into the first port of the fiber optic adapter along the connector axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, the angled retaining surface of the latch catch engaging the retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the first port of the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the first port of the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a spring positioned within the connector housing and biasing the ferrule in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector not including a connector release sleeve; and wherein the at least one flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter and the at least one latch catch of the fiber optic connector are configured to provide a connector retention force that exceeds a biasing force provided by the spring. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
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a fiber optic adapter including a port and a flexible retention latch having a retaining surface; and a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the port of the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion and defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the plug portion including a latch catch having an angled retaining surface facing away from the connector axis, the angled retaining surface inclined at an acute angle from the connector axis, the plug portion being insertable into the port of the fiber optic adapter along the connector axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, the angled retaining surface of the latch catch contacting the retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the port of the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the port of the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector not including a connector release sleeve; and wherein the flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter and the latch catch of the fiber optic connector are configured to provide a connector retention force in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector that resists removal of the fiber optic connector from the port of the fiber optic adapter. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification