Indicating communications components via illumination

• US 9,784,927 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Lambourn, Stephen, Xu, Ai Ling, Cook, Alan, Standish, Ian Miles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Tina
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOONEY, MICHAEL P
• Application Number:
  US15/240,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20170045696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 385 70- 85, 385 88, 385 92, 385134-139, 385146-147, 385901, 362551, 362555, 439 761, 439278, 439470, 439490, 43962022, 29883, 340687, 34081542, 324537
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/241 Light guide terminations
• 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 6/3865 fabricated by using moulding techniques shaping techniques of plastic materials in general B29C; producing plastic optical fiber connectors B29D11/0075
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4201 Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/24 Assembling by moulding on contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/138 using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4922 with molding of insulation

Abstract

A connector plug arrangement (330, 600, 700) includes a connector body (334, 610, 720); and an indication component (335, 650, 750). The indication component (335, 650, 750) includes a first portion (337, 653, 751) that is disposed at a rear end of the connector body and a second portion (339, 654, 753) that extends outwardly from the first portion (337, 653, 751). The first portion (337, 653, 751) is configured to extend along a circumferential perimeter of the connector body (334, 610, 720). The second portion (339, 654, 753) is configured to extend along the longitudinal axis of the connector body (334, 610, 720).

Claims

1. A connector plug arrangement comprising:

a connector body that is configured to terminate a media segment, the connector body extending between a front and a rear, the connector body defining a pocket;

a storage device disposed within the pocket of the connector body; and

an indication component coupled to the connector body, the indication component being formed of a light transmissible material, the indication component having a first portion disposed at the rear of the connector body and a second portion extending across the pocket of the connector body to enclose the storage device within the pocket.

2. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the media segment includes an optical fiber.

3. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the media segment includes an electrical conductor.

4. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the indication component is molded to the connector body.

5. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least part of the indication component is configured to fit flush with an outer perimeter of the connector body.

6. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the indication component defines flat exterior surfaces that are illuminated when light is directed to the second portion of the indication component.

7. The connector plug arrangement of claim 6, wherein the flat exterior surfaces are illuminated when light is directed to any part of the indication component.

8. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the light transmissible material is tinted one or more colors, but sufficiently translucent to enable light to travel through the light transmissible material.

9. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the indication component defines a through-passage.

10. The connector plug arrangement of claim 9, wherein the connector body extends through the through-passage.

11. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second portion cantilevers outwardly from the first portion.

12. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the indication component extends axially into the pocket of the connector body.

13. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein a tab extends inwardly from the perimeter and into the pocket.

14. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a stop member disposed in the pocket to inhibit axial movement of the storage device relative to the pocket.

15. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the indication component includes a first section.

16. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the indication component is fabricated separately from the connector body;

and assembled to the connector body.

17. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a tube member extending into the connector body from the rear, the tube member being mounted over the media segment, the tube member also extending rearwardly from the rear of the connector body.

18. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief boot that abuts the indication component.

19. The connector plug arrangement of claim 1, wherein the storage device includes a wireless tag.

20. The connector plug arrangement of claim 19, wherein the storage device includes a Radio-Frequency Identification tag.