US5764834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibre connector latching mechanism
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1996-06-25
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2016-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical fibre connector is shown comprising a jack mounted to a mother board and a plug mounted to a daughter board. The plug has a slidable insert retained by thrust lances against a shoulder of the plug housing such that the insert can be inserted into a cavity of the jack. Latches of the jack serve to latch onto ribs of the plug insert so as to butt a ferrule of the plug against a ferrule of the jack resiliently together. Further insertion of the insert into the jack causes ribs to release the thrust lances of the plug insert such that the insert springs rearwards allowing the plug housing to slide forwards without spring resistance, enabling absorption of a certain tolerance in the spacing between the daughter board and the mother board.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonius Petrus Cornelius Maria Hultermans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/3821; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3897; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An optical fiber connector for mating with a lack comprising: a ferrule for supporting a optical fiber, a plug, and a housing, said plug further comprising a stop surface for engaging said housing, the jack further comprising an actuator member and said stop surface comprising a resilient member responsive to said actuating member to disengage said stop surface from said housing when said connector is mated to said jack, said housing having a cavity and receiving said plug in said cavity, said plug having an outer surface close to an inner surface of the cavity wherein the plug can slide axially guided in the cavity when said stop surface is disengaged, said housing having a bridge portion protruding into the cavity at the forward end, the bridge portion cooperable with a transverse rib of the plug to retain the plug from forward extraction from the cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical fiber connector for mating with a lack comprising: a ferrule for supporting a optical fiber, a plug, and a housing, said plug further comprising a stop surface for engaging said housing, the jack further comprising an actuator member and said stop surface comprising a resilient member responsive to said actuating member to disengage said stop surface from said housing when said connector is mated to said jack, said housing having a cavity and receiving said plug in said cavity, said plug having an outer surface close to an inner surface of the cavity wherein the plug can slide axially guided in the cavity when said stop surface is disengaged, said housing having a bridge portion protruding into the cavity at the forward end, the bridge portion cooperable with a transverse rib of the plug to retain the plug from forward extraction from the cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, the stop surface comprising resilient lances attached to the plug, said lances abutting a shoulder of the housing prior to mating of the jack and housing and disengagement of said stop surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as recited in claim 2, wherein said lances are integral with said plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector as recited in claim 2, wherein said lances comprise a separate clip attached to said plug insert.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector as recited in claim 2, wherein said lances project obliquely outwards into an opening of the plug housing and said actuator member has access thereto via said opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector as recited in claim 2, wherein said jack has ribs extending from a housing of said jack, said ribs having an inner surface that resiliently biases said lances inwardly during insertion of the connector into the jack that disengage the lances from said plug housing wherein the plug insert is free to slide axially with respect to said plug housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
An SC fiber optic connector assembly comprising a jack and a plug member which is receivable in said jack in optical engagement therewith, the plug including a plug insert which carries a fiber in spring loaded condition therein, and the plug insert being slidably receivable within a plug housing, the plug insert being axially moveable within said plug housing between a forward position provided by a first stop means and a rearward position provided by a second stop means, the fiber plug being characterized in that said second stop means are releasable to allow said plug insert to move axially within said plug housing to a position beyond said rearward position, thereby allowing said plug housing to move further forward without undue spring load on said assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An SC fiber optic connector assembly comprising a jack and a plug member which is receivable in said jack in optical engagement therewith, the plug including a plug insert which carries a fiber in spring loaded condition therein, and the plug insert being slidably receivable within a plug housing, the plug insert being axially moveable within said plug housing between a forward position provided by a first stop means and a rearward position provided by a second stop means, the fiber plug being characterized in that said second stop means are releasable to allow said plug insert to move axially within said plug housing to a position beyond said rearward position, thereby allowing said plug housing to move further forward without undue spring load on said assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The connector as recited in claim 7 characterized in that said second stop means are provided by a rearwardly extending resilient latch arm which abuts a forwardly facing latch face, the resilient latch arm being deflectable to a position clear from said face, to allow said plug housing to move further forward relative to said plug insert.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as recited in claim 7 characterized in that said latches are deflected by actuator members positioned adjacent to a front face of the jack member.
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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) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |