Multi-fiber optic connector
First Claim
1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
- a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body;
a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; and
a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening;
wherein the front end of the connector body is defined by a front end plate, wherein the front end plate defines a through-opening through which a portion of the multi-fiber ferrule extends.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The cable includes a jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile that defines a major axis and a minor axis. Strength components of the cable are anchored to the connector. The fiber optic connector includes a multi-fiber ferrule defining a major axis that is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the jacket and a minor axis that is generally perpendicular to the minor axis of the jacket. Certain types of connectors include a connector body defining a side opening that extends along a length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule configured for lateral insertion into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening.
181 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening; wherein the front end of the connector body is defined by a front end plate, wherein the front end plate defines a through-opening through which a portion of the multi-fiber ferrule extends. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening; wherein the rear end of the connector body is configured to receive and retain at least one strength member of a fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening; and a spring for biasing the multi-fiber ferrule in a forward direction, and wherein the cover includes a spring compression member that axially compresses the spring within the connector body when the cover is mounted to the connector body.
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40. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening; and a plurality of optical fibers having end portions secured within the multi-fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fibers are spliced to optical fibers of a fiber optic cable at a splice location, the splice location being positioned within the connector body. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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42. A fiber optic connector comprising:
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a connector body having a length that extends along an axis of the connector body, the connector body including front and rear ends separated by the length of the connector body, the connector body also defining a side opening that extends along the length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the side opening being arranged and configured for allowing the multi-fiber ferrule to be inserted laterally into the connector body through the side opening; a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening; a metal reinforcing sleeve that mounts over a rear portion of the connector body; an outermost sleeve that mounts over the metal reinforcing sleeve, the connector body and the outermost sleeve having a molded plastic construction; a front end piece that mounts at the front end of the connector body and connects to the outermost sleeve such that the outermost sleeve and the front end piece are secured in place relative to the connector body; and a fastener that mounts over the outermost sleeve for securing the fiber optic connector to a component selected from the group of; 1) another fiber optic connector; and 2) a fiber optic adapter; wherein the metal reinforcing sleeve includes a main sleeve body and a lip that projects radially outwardly from the main sleeve body, wherein the lip has a rearwardly facing surface, and wherein the outermost sleeve includes an internal shoulder having a forwardly facing surface that abuts the rearwardly facing surface of the lip to limit rearward movement of the reinforcing sleeve relative to the outermost sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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Specification