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EP0408852A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fiber optic connector assembly and adapter for use therewith

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-12
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Abstract

Abstract A fiber optic connector assembly (51) wherein two individual fiber optic connectors (13, 15) are retained in a side-by-side arrangement which enables relative freedom of movement therebetween so as to facilitate positioning of the retained two (also called a duplex) within a common housing (17). Such movement accommodates for manufacturing tolerances within the housing and/or connectors, while still assuring successful insertion within the common housing. An adapter (10), having two clamping portions (21, 23) (one for each connector) interconnected by a resilient portion (43), assures this movement.

Inventors

  • 👤 John Jay Squires
  • 👤 Wai Mon Ma
  • 👤 Joseph Francis Basista

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 08:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3879; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3831; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3851; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 108 words
An adapter (10) for holding at least two individual fiber optic connectors (13, 15) of the push-pull variety in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to positioning said connectors within a corresponding connector housing (17), said adapter comprising: clamp members (21, 23), each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors; and resilient means (43) interconnecting said clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other to enable movable alignment therebetween prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitat­ing said positioning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 108 words
An adapter (10) for holding at least two individual fiber optic connectors (13, 15) of the push-pull variety in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to positioning said connectors within a corresponding connector housing (17), said adapter comprising: clamp members (21, 23), each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors; and resilient means (43) interconnecting said clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other to enable movable alignment therebetween prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitat­ing said positioning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The adapter according to claim 1 wherein each of said clamp members (21, 23) is of a substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The adapter according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each of said clamp members (21, 23) is adapted for clamping onto the outer surface of said respective one of said fiber optic connectors (13, 15).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The adapter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said clamp members and said interconnecting resilient means are of integral construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The adapter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said resilient means (43) interconnecting said first and second clamp members (21, 23) is of substantially S-shaped configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The adapter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said resilient means is of a thickness less than that of each of said clamp members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The adapter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said adapter is comprised of plastic material, preferably nylon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 65 words
A fiber optic connector assembly (51) comprising: a connector housing (17) defining at least a pair of chambers (53) therein; at least two, individual fiber optic connectors (13, 15) of the push-pull variety, each being positioned within a respective one of said chambers of said connector housing; and an adapter (10) for holding said fiber optic connectors according to any one of the preceding claims.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 57 words
The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the number of fiber optic connectors (13, 15) is four and the number of adapters (10) is two, each of said adapters holding a respective pair of two of said fibcr optic connectors, said connectors being positioned within said chambers (53) of said connector housing (17) in an opposing manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
The assembly according to claim 8 or 9 wherein each of said fiber optic connectors (13, 15) includes a ferrule (37) therein having an optical fiber (35) therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 44 words
The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said connector housing (17) further includes an alignment sleeve (63) therein, each of said ferrules (37) adapted for being inserted within said alignment sleeve when said fiber optic connector (13, 15) is positioned within said connector housing.

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