Fiber optic connector housing

Claim 2

A fiber optic connector housing, comprising: at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing, capable of receiving a first plug frame including a first optical fiber- containing ferrule; at least a second individual fiber optic connector housing, capable of receiving a second plug frame including a second optical fiber-containing ferrule; and means, extending between said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings, for maintaining said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings in a substantially side-by-side relationship while permitting each of said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings to move in at least four different directions relative to the other individual fiber optic connector housing, characterized in that said at least first and second individual fiber optic connector housings and said means are of integral construction.

Claim 3

The fiber optic connector housing of claim 1, wherein said at least first and second individual fiber optic connector housings and said means are comprised of plastic material.

Claim 4

The fiber optic connector housing of claim 1, wherein said means includes at least one flexible, substantially S-shaped member extending from said first individual fiber optic connector housing to said second individual fiber optic connector housing.

Claim 5

The fiber optic connector housing of claim 1, wherein said means includes two flexible, substantially S-shaped members extending from said first individual fiber optic connector housing to said second individual fiber optic connector housing.

Claim 6

The fiber optic connector housing of claim 1, wherein said first individual fiber optic connector housing includes a first sidewall and said second individual fiber optic connector housing includes a second sidewall facing said first sidewall, said first sidewall including a first notch extending through the thickness, along the height and partially along the width, of said first sidewall and said second sidewall including a second notch extending through the thickness, along the height and partially along the width, of said second sidewall, said second notch facing said first notch.

Claim 7

A fiber optic connector assembly, comprising: at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing, containing a first plug frame including a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a second individual fiber optic connector housing, contain- ing a second plug frame including a second optical fiber-containing ferrule; means, extending between said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings, for maintaining said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings in a substantially side-by-side relation- ship while permitting each of said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings to move in at least four different directions relative to the other individual fiber optic connector housing, characterized in that said at least first and second individual fiber optic connector housings and said means are of integral construction.

Claim 8

A fiber optic connector assembly, comprising: at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing, containing a first plug frame including a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a second individual fiber optic connector housing, contain- ing a second plug frame including a second optical fiber-containing ferrule; means, extending between said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings, for maintaining said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings in a substantially side-by-side relation- ship while permitting each of said first and second individual fiber optic connector housings to move in at least four different directions relative to the other individual fiber optic connector housing, characterized in that said at least first and second individual fiber optic connector housings and said means are of integral construction.

Claim 9

A fiber optic receptacle, comprising: a receptacle housing, including a first end adapted to receive at least a first bore of a first optical subassembly and a second end adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore, Characterized In That said receptacle housing and said first pair of clips are of integral construction.

Claim 10

A fiber optic receptacle, comprising: a receptacle housing, including a first end adapted to receive at least a first bore of a first optical subassembly and a second end adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore, Characterized In That said receptacle housing and said first pair of clips are of integral construction.

Claim 11

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 7, wherein said first end includes first and second walls, integral with said receptacle housing and said first pair of clips, positioned, respectively, below and above said first pair of clips, said first wall including a first opening below said first pair of clips and said second wall including a second opening above said first pair of clips.

Claim 12

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 8, wherein each of said first and second openings and said first pair of clips extends longitudinally from said first end toward said second end, the longitudinal extent of said first and second openings being greater than the longitudinal extent of said first pair of clips.

Claim 13

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 9, wherein said second wall includes a first keyway, adapted to receive a first key of said first individual fiber optic connector housing, adjacent said second opening and longitudinally spaced from said first pair of clips.

Claim 14

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 8, wherein said first end is adapted to receive at least a second bore of a second optical subassembly and said second end is adapted to receive at least a second individual fiber optic connector housing containing a second plug frame which includes a second optical fiber-containing ferrule, and said fiber optic receptacle further comprises at least a second pair of clips extending from said first end, which second pair is adapted to engage said second individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said second ferrule with said second bore, and wherein said second pair of clips is integral with said receptacle housing, said first pair of clips and said first and second walls.

Claim 15

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 11, wherein said first and second walls are positioned, respectively, below and above said second pair of clips, said first wall including a third opening below said second pair of clips and said second wall including a fourth opening above said second pair of clips.

Claim 16

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 12, wherein each of said third and fourth openings and said second pair of clips extends longitudinally from said first end toward said second end, the longitudinal extent of said third and fourth openings being greater than the longitudinal extent of said second pair of clips.

Claim 17

The fiber optic receptacle of claim 13, wherein said second wall includes a second keyway, adapted to receive a second key of said second individual fiber optic connector housing, adjacent said fourth opening and longitudinally spaced from said second pair of clips.

Claim 18

A fiber optic receptacle, comprising: a receptacle housing including first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive at least a first bore of a first optical subassembly, said second end including first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel walls which, in part, define a channel adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore; a first shutter which is pivotably connected to said first wall adjacent said second end; and first spring means, contacting said first shutter and said first wall, for biasing said first shutter to a first position, transvers to said first wall, where said first shutter serves to block light emanating from said first bore, said first shutter also being pivotable to a second position, where it blocks relatively little light emanating from said first bore, characterized in that said first shutter includes first and second interconnected portions, said first portion being adapted for engagement by said first individual fiber optic connector housing and/or said first plug frame upon insertion of said first individual fiber optic connector housing into said channel, such engagement serving to pivot said first shutter to said second position, and said second portion being positioned behind said first portion and substantially aligned with said first ferrule when said first individual fiber optic connector housing is inserted into said channel, said second portion being sufficiently distant from said first portion so as to avoid contacting said first ferrule when said first individual fiber optic connector housing is inserted into said channel.

Claim 19

A fiber optic receptacle, comprising: a receptacle housing including first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive at least a first bore of a first optical subassembly, said second end including first and second spaced-apart, substantially parallel walls which, in part, define a channel adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore; a first shutter which is pivotably connected to said first wall adjacent said second end; and first spring means, contacting said first shutter and said first wall, for biasing said first shutter to a first position, transvers to said first wall, where said first shutter serves to block light emanating from said first bore, said first shutter also being pivotable to a second position, where it blocks relatively little light emanating from said first bore, characterized in that said first shutter includes first and second interconnected portions, said first portion being adapted for engagement by said first individual fiber optic connector housing and/or said first plug frame upon insertion of said first individual fiber optic connector housing into said channel, such engagement serving to pivot said first shutter to said second position, and said second portion being positioned behind said first portion and substantially aligned with said first ferrule when said first individual fiber optic connector housing is inserted into said channel, said second portion being sufficiently distant from said first portion so as to avoid contacting said first ferrule when said first individual fiber optic connector housing is inserted into said channel.

Claim 20

An optical assembly, comprising: a first housing which contains a substrate bearing semiconductor integrated circuit devices; a second housing, connected to said first housing and containing at least a first optical subassembly which is electrically connected to one or more of said semiconductor integrated circuit devices, said first optical subassembly including a first bore which protrudes from said second housing and is adapted to receive an optical fiber- containing ferrule; a receptacle housing, connected to said second housing, including first and second ends, which first end receives said first bore and which second end is adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; and at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore, Characterized In That said receptacle housing and said first pair of clips are of integral construction.

Claim 21

An optical assembly, comprising: a first housing which contains a substrate bearing semiconductor integrated circuit devices; a second housing, connected to said first housing and containing at least a first optical subassembly which is electrically connected to one or more of said semiconductor integrated circuit devices, said first optical subassembly including a first bore which protrudes from said second housing and is adapted to receive an optical fiber- containing ferrule; a receptacle housing, connected to said second housing, including first and second ends, which first end receives said first bore and which second end is adapted to receive at least a first individual fiber optic connector housing containing a first plug frame which includes a first optical fiber-containing ferrule; and at least a first pair of clips extending from said first end, which first pair is adapted to engage said first individual fiber optic connector housing and thereby align said first ferrule with said first bore, Characterized In That said receptacle housing and said first pair of clips are of integral construction.

Claim 24

The device of claim 17, further comprising: at least a second tube through which a fluid is to be injected, and at least a second fluid nozzle, connected to a front end of said second tube; at least a second plug frame which is adapted to receive, and which contains, said second tube and said second nozzle, the latter protruding through an opening in a front end of said second plug frame; at least a second fiber optic connector housing which contains said second plug frame, said second nozzle protruding through an opening in a front end of said second fiber optic connector housing; and means, extending between said first and second fiber optic connector housings, for maintaining said first and second fiber optic connector housings in a substantially side-by-side relationship while permitting each of said first and second fiber optic connector housings to move in at least four different directions relative to the other fiber optic connector housing.

Claim 25

The device of claim 18, wherein said at least first and second fiber optic connector housings and said means are of integral construction.

Claim 28

The device of claim 20, wherein said first rod includes an external shoulder encircling said first rod, said first plug frame includes a shoulder internal to said first plug frame, and said device further comprises a helical spring encircling said first rod, a first end of said helical spring contacting said internal shoulder of said first plug frame and a second end of said helical spring contacting said external shoulder of said first rod.

Claim 29

The device of claim 20, further comprising: at least a second rod, which is either hollow or solid; at least second brush means for brushing or wiping dirt from an optical surface, which is connected to a front end of said second rod; at least a second plug frame which is adapted to receive, and which contains, said second rod and said second brush means, the latter protruding through an opening in a front end of said second plug frame; at least a second fiber optic connector housing which contains said second plug frame, said second brush means protruding through an opening in a front end of said second fiber optic connector housing; and means, extending between said first and second fiber optic connector housings, for maintaining said first and second fiber optic connector housings in a substantially side-by-side relationship while permitting each of said first and second fiber optic connector housings to move in at least four different directions relative to the other fiber optic connector housing.

Claim 32

A shipping/storage plug for an optical assembly which includes at least a first optical subassembly, comprising: at least a first nipple, which is adapted for at least partial insertion into a bore of a first optical subassembly; at least a first plug frame, which is adapted to receive, and which contains, said first nipple; and at least a first fiber optic connector housing, which contains said first plug frame.

Claim 33

A shipping/storage plug for an optical assembly which includes at least a first optical subassembly, comprising: at least a first nipple, which is adapted for at least partial insertion into a bore of a first optical subassembly; at least a first plug frame, which is adapted to receive, and which contains, said first nipple; and at least a first fiber optic connector housing, which contains said first plug frame.