US5915058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic connector assembly
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1998-01-05
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Granted: 1999-06-22
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Expires: 2018-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector assembly is provided for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable. The assembly includes an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and a mounting post for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board. An inner housing insert is mounted within the rear end of the outer housing. The insert includes at least two interengageable parts. One of the insert parts includes a latch for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing. A ferrule terminates the optical fiber and is captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projects into the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Xavier Clairardin
- 👤 Michael Thomas Mayszak
- 👤 Richard F. Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3897; G02B6/3818; G02B6/3821; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable, comprising: an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and means for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board; an inner housing insert mounted within the rear end of the outer housing, the insert including at least two interengageable parts, one of the insert parts including latch means for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing; and a ferrule for terminating the at least one optical fiber, the ferrule being captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projecting into the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable, comprising: an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and means for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board; an inner housing insert mounted within the rear end of the outer housing, the insert including at least two interengageable parts, one of the insert parts including latch means for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing; and a ferrule for terminating the at least one optical fiber, the ferrule being captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projecting into the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said forward mating end of the outer housing comprises a receptacle for receiving the mating end of a complementary mating connector or other associated fiber optic transmission device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said ferrule projects into the receptacle at the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, including snap-latch means for holding the two insert parts interengaged without any other extraneous fastening means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a flexible latch arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said flexible latch arm includes a latch portion for snapping into an opening in the outer housing automatically in response to inserting the inner housing insert into the rear end of the outer housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for mounting the connector on the printed circuit board comprises at least one integral mounting post depending from the outer housing for insertion into a mounting hole in the board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, including a metal shell about at least the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
190 words
A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable, comprising: an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and at least one integral mounting post for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board, the forward mating end of the housing defining a receptacle for receiving the mating end of a complementary mating connector or other associated fiber optic transmission device; an inner housing insert mounted within the rear end of the outer housing, the insert including at least two interengageable parts held together by snap-latch means without any other extraneous fastening means, one of the insert parts including a flexible latch arm having a latch portion for snapping into an opening in the outer housing for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing automatically in response to inserting the inner housing insert into the rear end of the outer housing; and a ferrule for terminating the at least one optical fiber, the ferrule being captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projecting into the receptacle at the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
190 words
A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable, comprising: an outer housing having a forward mating end, a rear end and at least one integral mounting post for mounting the connector assembly on a printed circuit board, the forward mating end of the housing defining a receptacle for receiving the mating end of a complementary mating connector or other associated fiber optic transmission device; an inner housing insert mounted within the rear end of the outer housing, the insert including at least two interengageable parts held together by snap-latch means without any other extraneous fastening means, one of the insert parts including a flexible latch arm having a latch portion for snapping into an opening in the outer housing for securing the inner housing insert in the outer housing automatically in response to inserting the inner housing insert into the rear end of the outer housing; and a ferrule for terminating the at least one optical fiber, the ferrule being captured between the two interengageable insert parts and projecting into the receptacle at the forward mating end of the outer housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 9, including a metal shell about at least the forward mating end of the outer housing.
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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) | 2002-06-21 | 2002-12-21 | 2003-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-21 | 2006-12-21 | 2007-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-21 | 2010-12-21 | 2011-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |