US5329604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber coupling device and optoelectronic system utilizing same
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1993-02-11
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2013-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An optoelectronic system including an optoelectronic assembly for receiving and/or transmitting optical data signals, optic means for being optically coupled to the optoelectronic assembly, and an optical fiber coupling device for coupling the optic means and at least one of the optoelectronic devices which form part of the assembly. The coupling device includes a housing for being positioned adjacent the assembly relative to the optoelectronic device and, significantly, latching means movably positioned within the housing for initially engaging the optoelectronic device and thereafter for engaging the incoming optic means (e.g., optical fiber connector) when the optic means is positioned within the coupling device's housing. Keying and shutter means are also provided as part of the coupling device.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark F. Baldwin
- 👤 David B. Howe
- 👤 Thomas B. Kellerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/3849; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/4292; G02B6/4296; G02B2006/4297; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/3831; G02B6/3897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An optical fiber coupling device for coupling optic means and at least one optoelectronic device of an optoelectronic assembly, said coupling device comprising: a housing adapted for being located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly relative to said optoelectronic device, said housing defining at least one chamber therein adapted for having said optic means positioned therein; and latching means movably positioned within said housing relative to said chamber, said latching means adapted for initially engaging said optoelectronic device to thereby assume a relatively fixed position within said housing, said latching means thereafter adapted for engaging said optic means to retain said optic means within said chamber in optical alignment with said optoelectronic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical fiber coupling device for coupling optic means and at least one optoelectronic device of an optoelectronic assembly, said coupling device comprising: a housing adapted for being located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly relative to said optoelectronic device, said housing defining at least one chamber therein adapted for having said optic means positioned therein; and latching means movably positioned within said housing relative to said chamber, said latching means adapted for initially engaging said optoelectronic device to thereby assume a relatively fixed position within said housing, said latching means thereafter adapted for engaging said optic means to retain said optic means within said chamber in optical alignment with said optoelectronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupling device of claim I further including means for securing said housing to a printed circuit board such that said housing will be located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly, said means for securing comprising at least one retention screw adapted for passing through said printed circuit board to engage said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coupling device of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a hole therein, said retention screw projecting within said hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coupling device of claim 1 wherein said latching means includes a pair of protruding latch arms, each of said arms adapted for latching onto a respective side of said optic means to provide said retention thereof within said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling device of claim 4 wherein said latching means includes a base portion and said housing includes a slot therein, said base portion movably positioned within said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coupling device of claim 5 wherein said base portion of said latching means includes an opening therein, said opening adapted for receiving an end of said optoelectronic device therein during said engaging of said device by said latching means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling device of claim 1 further including keying means positioned within said housing adjacent said chamber for allowing said optic means to be positioned within said chamber and for preventing other optic means from being so positioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling device of claim 7 wherein said keying means comprises a key member and said housing includes an aperture therein, said key member being positioned within said aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling device of claim I further including shutter means within said chamber for blocking the optical output from said optoelectronic device from passing from said coupling device when said optic means is not positioned within said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupling device of claim 9 wherein said shutter means comprises a spring for being positioned within or secured to said housing and at least one movable shutter member, said spring biasing said shutter member to a position whereby said shutter member will block said optical output from said optoelectronic device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
An optoelectronic system for use in an information handling system, said optoelectronic system comprising: an optoelectronic assembly for receiving and/or transmitting optical data signals; optic means for being optically coupled to said optoelectronic assembly for having said optical data signals pass therethrough; and an optical fiber coupling device for coupling said optic means and at least one optoelectronic device of said optoelectronic assembly, said coupling device including a housing adapted for being located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly relative to said optoelectronic device, said housing defining at least one chamber therein adapted for having said optic means positioned therein, and latching means movably positioned within said housing relative to said chamber, said latching means adapted for initially engaging said optoelectronic device to thereby assume a relatively fixed position within said housing, said latching means thereafter adapted for engaging said optic means to retain said optic means within said chamber in optical alignment with said optoelectronic device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
An optoelectronic system for use in an information handling system, said optoelectronic system comprising: an optoelectronic assembly for receiving and/or transmitting optical data signals; optic means for being optically coupled to said optoelectronic assembly for having said optical data signals pass therethrough; and an optical fiber coupling device for coupling said optic means and at least one optoelectronic device of said optoelectronic assembly, said coupling device including a housing adapted for being located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly relative to said optoelectronic device, said housing defining at least one chamber therein adapted for having said optic means positioned therein, and latching means movably positioned within said housing relative to said chamber, said latching means adapted for initially engaging said optoelectronic device to thereby assume a relatively fixed position within said housing, said latching means thereafter adapted for engaging said optic means to retain said optic means within said chamber in optical alignment with said optoelectronic device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 wherein said optoelectronic assembly includes a pair of said optoelectronic devices spacedly positioned therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 12 wherein a first of said optoelectronic devices is adapted for receiving electrical data signals and for converting said received electrical data signals to optical data signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 13 wherein a second of said optoelectronic devices is adapted for receiving optical data signals and for converting said received optical data signals to electrical data signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 further including an electrical circuit member, said optoelectronic assembly being electrically coupled to said electrical circuit member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 wherein said optic means comprises a duplex optical connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 wherein said optic means comprises a pair of optical connectors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 further including means for securing said housing to a printed circuit board such that said housing will be located adjacent said optoelectronic assembly, said means for securing comprising at least one retention screw adapted for passing through said printed circuit board to engage said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 18 wherein said housing includes a hole therein, said retention screw projecting within said hole.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 wherein said latching means includes a pair of protruding latch arms, each of said arms adapted for latching onto a respective side of said optic means to provide said retention thereof within said chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 20 wherein said latching means includes a base portion and said housing includes a slot therein, said base portion movably positioned within said slot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 further including keying means positioned within said housing adjacent said chamber for allowing said optic means to be positioned within said chamber and for preventing other optic means from being so positioned.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 22 wherein said keying means comprises a key member and said housing includes an aperture therein, said key member being positioned within said aperture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 11 further including shutter means within said chamber for blocking the optical output from said optoelectronic device from passing from said coupling device when said optic means is not positioned within said chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The optoelectronic system of claim 24 wherein said shutter means comprises a spring for being positioned within or secured to said housing and at least one movable shutter member, said spring biasing said shutter member to a position whereby said shutter member will block said optical output from said optoelectronic device.
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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) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |