US4953929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector assembly and adapter for use therewith
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-21
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Granted: 1990-09-04
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Expires: 2009-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector assembly wherein two individual fiber optic connectors 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. Such movement accommodates for manufacturing tolerances within the housing and/or connectors, while still assuring successful insertion within the common housing. An adapter, having two clamping portions (one for each connector) interconnected by a resilient portion, assures this movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F. Basista
- 👤 Wai M. Ma
- 👤 John J. Squires
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:18
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: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An adapter for holding two individual fiber optic connectors of the push-pull variety in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to positioning said connectors within a corresponding connector housing, said adapter comprising: first and second clamp members, each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors to hold said fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-by-side relationship; and resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other while holding said connectors in said substantially side-by-side relationship to enable movable alignment between said clamp members prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitating said positioning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An adapter for holding two individual fiber optic connectors of the push-pull variety in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to positioning said connectors within a corresponding connector housing, said adapter comprising: first and second clamp members, each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors to hold said fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-by-side relationship; and resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other while holding said connectors in said substantially side-by-side relationship to enable movable alignment between said clamp members prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitating said positioning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adapter according to claim 1 wherein each of said clamp members is of a substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The adapter according to claim 2 wherein each of said clamp members is adapted for clamping onto the outer surface of said respective one of said fiber optic connectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adapter according to claim 1 wherein said clamp members and said interconnecting resilient means are of integral construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adapter according to claim 4 wherein said adapter is comprised of plastic material
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter according to claim 5 wherein said plastic material is nylon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adapter according to claim 1 wherein said resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamp members is of substantially S-shaped configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adapter according to claim 7 wherein said resilient means is of a thickness less than that of each of said clamp members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adapter according to claim 8 wherein said adapter is comprised of plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter according to claim 9 wherein said plastic material is nylon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a connector housing defining a pair of chambers therein; at least two, individual fiber optic connectors of the push-pull variety, each being positioned within a respective one of said chambers of said connector housing; and an adapter for holding said fiber optic connectors in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to said positioning thereof within said connector housing, said adapter including first and second clamp members, each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors to hold said fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-be-side relationship, and resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other while holding said connectors in said substantially side-by side relationship to provide adjustable alignment between said clamp members prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitating said alignment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
164 words
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a connector housing defining a pair of chambers therein; at least two, individual fiber optic connectors of the push-pull variety, each being positioned within a respective one of said chambers of said connector housing; and an adapter for holding said fiber optic connectors in a predetermined manner of alignment prior to said positioning thereof within said connector housing, said adapter including first and second clamp members, each of said clamp members adapted for clamping onto a respective one of said fiber optic connectors to hold said fiber optic connectors in a substantially side-be-side relationship, and resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamp members and oriented substantially therebetween for enabling said clamp members to move in at least four different orientations relative to each other while holding said connectors in said substantially side-by side relationship to provide adjustable alignment between said clamp members prior to said positioning of said connectors within said connector housing, thereby facilitating said alignment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the number of fiber optic connectors is four and the number of adapters is two, each of said adapters holding a respective pair of two of said fiber optic connectors, said connectors being positioned within said chambers of said connector housing in an opposing manner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly according to claim 12 wherein each of said fiber optic connectors includes a ferrule therein having an optical fiber therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly according to claim 13 wherein said connector housing further includes an alignment sleeve therein, each of said ferrules adapted for being inserted within said alignment sleeve when said fiber optic connector is positioned within said connector housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein each of said clamp members is of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly according to claim 15 wherein each of said clamp members is adapted for clamping onto the outer surface of said respective one of said fiber optic connectors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said clamp members and said interconnecting resilient means are of integral construction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly according to claim 17 wherein said adapter and said connector housing are each comprised of a plastic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly according to claim 18 wherein said plastic material is nylon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said resilient means interconnecting said first and second clamping members is of a substantially S-shaped configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 20 wherein said resilient means is of a thickness less than that of each of said clamp members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly according to claim 21 wherein said adapter is comprised of a plastic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly according to claim 22 wherein said plastic material is nylon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-03 | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-03-05 | 1998-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-03 | 2002-03-05 | 2002-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |