US4867523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector including serpentine grooved member actuated by longitudinal forces
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1988-10-28
•
Granted: 1989-09-19
•
Expires: 2008-10-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an optical fiber connector useful for high density arrays. A rotating mechanism is employed around the fiber ferrule in combination with a spring so as to engage one or more tabs on the connector sleeve. The rotating mechanism includes a serpentine type groove configuration which captures the tabs when the ferrule is pushed into the sleeve and releases the tabs when a longitudinal force is again applied to the ferrule.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Scott, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3887; G02B6/389; G02B6/3891; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An optical fiber connector comprising; a ferrule adapted for insertion of at least one optical fiber therein, said ferrule having a forward end and a rearward end; a sleeve adapted to receive said ferrule therein at one end, the surface of the sleeve including at least one tab at each end; and a grooved member rotationally mounted with respect to said ferrule, said member including a serpentine groove with gaps such that a first longitudinal force to the ferrule results in a capture of the tab in the groove to secure the ferrule in the sleeve and a second longitudinal force to the ferrule results in a release of the tab from the groove to permit removal of the ferrule from the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An optical fiber connector comprising; a ferrule adapted for insertion of at least one optical fiber therein, said ferrule having a forward end and a rearward end; a sleeve adapted to receive said ferrule therein at one end, the surface of the sleeve including at least one tab at each end; and a grooved member rotationally mounted with respect to said ferrule, said member including a serpentine groove with gaps such that a first longitudinal force to the ferrule results in a capture of the tab in the groove to secure the ferrule in the sleeve and a second longitudinal force to the ferrule results in a release of the tab from the groove to permit removal of the ferrule from the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the grooved member is essentially cylindrical and the groove is formed on the outer surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the grooved member is essentially cylindrical and the groove is formed on the inner surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 1 further comprising a stop member mounted adjacent to said grooved member for stopping the rearward motion of the tab with respect to the grooved member in the gaps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the ferrule is mounted in an essentially cylindrical barrel member which includes a forward section including a relatively larger outer diameter portion and a rearward section including a relatively smaller outer diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein the grooved member is mounted around the smaller diameter section of the barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 5 further comprising a spring mounted on the smaller diameter section of the barrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 3 further comprising an essentially cylindrical housing, where the grooved member is mounted within the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein the sleeve includes a slit at the said one end, and the larger diameter section of the barrel includes a tab which is adapted for insertion in said slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes an end opposite to said one end for receiving another ferrule therein which is aligned with said ferrule.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3803409A
Cited
FR2291510A1
Cited
US4225214A
Cited
US4395089A
Cited
US4354731A
Cited
US4327964A
Cited
US4429938A
Cited
JPS59111119A
Cited
US4611887A
Cited
US4747658A
Cited
US4553814A
Cited
EP0156075A2
Cited
US4616900A
Cited
US4690495A
Cited
JPS61262709A
Cited
EP0205984A1
Cited
US4738508A
Cited
US4812009A
Cited
JPH06152608A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |