Patent US6039758A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5138680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector with elastomeric centering and floating alignment feature
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1991-06-12
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2011-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug connector half (6) and a retention frame (48). The plug connector half (6) comprises a plug (8) having profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber, a transceiver adapter (10) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) through the cover (14) and extending forward axially (38) for aligning the plug (8) relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The retention frame (48) is mounted to the cover (14) and captivates the transceiver adapter (10) with play so as to permit free floating of the transceiver adapter (10) relative to the cover within the retention frame (48). The connector (7) is characterized by an elastomeric grommet body (64) interposed between the cover (14) and the captivated transceiver adapter (10). The body (64) substantially encompasses the outer perimeter of the adapter ( 10) and flexibly maintains the adapter (10) at a first specific orientation, but with reorientation capability, relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Briggs
- 👤 Bryan T. Edwards
- 👤 David D. Sonner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3897; G02B6/3869; G02B6/389; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/4292; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover to a transmitter and/or receiver device comprising: a plug connector half comprising; a plug having axial extending bore for receiving an optical fiber; a transceiver adapter adapted to axially receive said plug through said cover and extending axially forward for aligning said plug relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device; and retention frame mounted to said cover and captivating said transceiver adapter with play of said adapter within said frame so as to permit free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said retention frame; wherein the said connector further comprises an elastomeric grommet body interposed between said cover and said captivated transceiver adapter, the body encompassing the outer perimeter of the adapter and flexibly maintaining the adapter at a first specific orientation, but with reorientation capability, relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover to a transmitter and/or receiver device comprising: a plug connector half comprising; a plug having axial extending bore for receiving an optical fiber; a transceiver adapter adapted to axially receive said plug through said cover and extending axially forward for aligning said plug relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device; and retention frame mounted to said cover and captivating said transceiver adapter with play of said adapter within said frame so as to permit free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said retention frame; wherein the said connector further comprises an elastomeric grommet body interposed between said cover and said captivated transceiver adapter, the body encompassing the outer perimeter of the adapter and flexibly maintaining the adapter at a first specific orientation, but with reorientation capability, relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a panel having a window and a cover plate attached to said panel having window coextending with the said window of said panel, and wherein said transceiver adapter is aligned with and is fitted therethrough said coextensive windows, from one side of said cover to another side of said cover, so as to axially receive said plug through said panel and said cover plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said grommet body comprises an elastomeric frame interspaced between said cover plate and said captivated transceiver adapter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein said grommet body comprises an elastomeric frame rectangular in shape and having center window accommodating the adapter with said frame encompassing the outer perimeter of the said adapter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said grommet body is characterized by a plurality of perforations evenly spaced along the said frame of the body, with collapse of the perforations permitting relative adjustment of sections of the frame so as to permit free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said grommet body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The connector of claim 1, claim 3 or claim 5 wherein said transceiver adapter is an integral two-part structure comprising; a transceiver shroud adapted to axially receive said plug and extending forward axially for aligning said plug relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device; and latching beam mechanism having forward extending latching beams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein said latching beam mechanism comprises main body straddling said shroud and secured thereto and having latching beams extending therefrom and side extending flanges which define a gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector of claim 7 wherein each latching beam of said latching beam mechanism is a beam shaped body with forward beveled face and port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector of claim 8 further comprising clip connector half attached to and integral with said transmitter/receiver device and having aperture therein beveled to receive said latching beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The connector of claim 9 wherein each of said latching beams has beveled forward end for interacting with the said beveled aperture of said clip connector half to align said beams to said opening upon mating of said plug connector half to said clip connector half, and wherein each of said latching beams has port toward said forward end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
The connector of claim 10 wherein said clip connector half further comprises clip retention window coextensive to each of said aperture through port common to both said retention window and said aperture, and further comprises clip with dimple adapted to clip within said retention window with said dimple biased through said port in said window and into engagement with said latching beam through said port of said beam upon mating of said plug half connector to said clip connector half.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector of claim 11 wherein said transceiver shroud and said latching beam mechanism are secured together with inter-engaging means to form said integral two part structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector of claim 12 wherein said transceiver shroud and said latching beam mechanism is a molded integral structure characterized by a transceiver shroud portion and a latching beam mechanism portion.
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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) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |