Patent US5937121A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5937121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adapters for coupling optical fiber
Assignee: Siemon Co
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Filing: 1997-01-03
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Granted: 1999-08-10
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Expires: 2017-01-03
Abstract
Abstract Adapters for coupling optical fiber. A first adapter includes ports for receiving optical fiber fitted with a first interface connector. The adapter includes first interface ports mounted to a block. The block has an outer dimension corresponding to a panel cut-out for a second interface adapter. Mounting clips may be preformed in the block. A second adapter includes a duplex retention latch including a first retention latch for receiving and gripping a first optical fiber connector and a second retention latch for receiving and gripping a second optical fiber connector. The first and second retention latches are joined by a connecting member integral with the first retention latch and the second retention latch. A third embodiment includes mounting clips that extend through openings formed in the adapter body.
Inventors
- 👤 Conrad L. Ott
- 👤 Edward Volansky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:38
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/389; G02B6/3891; G02B6/3893
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body connected to said first adapter body, the second adapter body including: a block having an outer dimension corresponding to a panel cut-out for an interface adapter; and a first interface port, for receiving a second optical fiber fitted with an interface connector, mounted to said block, wherein said interface adapter is SC.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body connected to said first adapter body, the second adapter body including: a block having an outer dimension corresponding to a panel cut-out for an interface adapter; and a first interface port, for receiving a second optical fiber fitted with an interface connector, mounted to said block, wherein said interface adapter is SC.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a groove formed in said block for receiving a mounting clip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a mounting clip integral with said block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The adapter of claim 3 wherein said mounting clip is molded along with said block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 4 wherein said mounting clip comprises a resilient section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adapter of claim 5 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a retention section connected to said resilient section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The adapter of claim 4 wherein said mounting clip comprises a plurality of resilient sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The adapter of claim 7 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a retention section connected to each of said resilient sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body connected to said first adapter body, the second adapter body including: a block having an outer dimension corresponding to a panel cut-out for an interface adapter; and a first interface port, for receiving a second optical fiber fitted with an interface connector, mounted to said block, wherein said interface connector is ST and said interface adapter is SC.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body connected to said first adapter body, the second adapter body including: a block having an outer dimension corresponding to a panel cut-out for an interface adapter; and a first interface port, for receiving a second optical fiber fitted with an interface connector, mounted to said block, wherein said interface connector is ST and said interface adapter is SC.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including at least one first port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body including at least one second port for receiving an optical fiber; at least one mounting clip integral with said first adapter body, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including at least one first port for receiving an optical fiber; a second adapter body including at least one second port for receiving an optical fiber; at least one mounting clip integral with said first adapter body, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said mounting clip is molded along with said first adapter body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said mounting clip comprises a resilient section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adapter of claim 12 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a retention section connected to said resilient section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said mounting clip comprises a plurality of resilient sections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The adapter of claim 14 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a retention section connected to each of said resilient sections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said mounting clip includes a projection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter of claim 16 wherein said projection includes a tapered surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The adapter of claim 16 wherein said projection includes an arcuate surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said first adapter body includes a flange having an opening formed therein and said mounting clip extends through said opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The adapter of claim 10 wherein said mounting clip includes a first portion substantially perpendicular to a central axis of said port and a second portion substantially parallel to the central axis of said port.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber; a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber; a sleeve for aligning a ferrule in the first optical fiber with a ferrule in the second optical fiber; at least one sleeve retainer for positioning said sleeve relative to said first adapter body and said second adapter body; and at least one mounting clip integral with said sleeve retainer, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
118 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber; a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber; a sleeve for aligning a ferrule in the first optical fiber with a ferrule in the second optical fiber; at least one sleeve retainer for positioning said sleeve relative to said first adapter body and said second adapter body; and at least one mounting clip integral with said sleeve retainer, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The adapter of claim 21 wherein said sleeve retainer is positioned in said first adapter body and further comprising a second sleeve retainer positioned in said second adapter body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adapter of claim 21 wherein said first adapter body has a first opening formed therein and said second adapter body has a second opening formed therein and said mounting clip is positioned in said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adapter of claim 23 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a lip extending beyond said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The adapter of claim 23 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a projection that extends through one of said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 25 wherein said projection further comprises a tapered surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 25 wherein said projection further comprises an arcuate surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
106 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber, said first adapter including an opening formed therein; a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber, said second adapter including an opening formed therein; and a single mounting clip positioned within the opening in said first adapter body and the opening in the second adapter body, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
106 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber, said first adapter including an opening formed therein; a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber, said second adapter including an opening formed therein; and a single mounting clip positioned within the opening in said first adapter body and the opening in the second adapter body, said mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
The adapter of claim 28 wherein said first adapter body has a first opening formed therein and said second adapter body has a second opening formed therein and said mounting clip is positioned in said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adapter of claim 29 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a lip extending beyond said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The adapter of claim 29 wherein said mounting clip further comprises a projection that extends through one of said first opening and said second opening.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 31 wherein said projection further comprises a tapered surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adapter of claim 31 wherein said projection further comprises an arcuate surface.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of manufacturing an adapter for coupling optical fibers, the adapter including a first adapter body, a second adapter body and at least one sleeve retainer, the method comprising: assembling the sleeve retainer having an integral mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body and a first adapter body such that the mounting clip is positioned in an opening in the first adapter body; and joining the first adapter body to the second adapter body.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of manufacturing an adapter for coupling optical fibers, the adapter including a first adapter body, a second adapter body and at least one sleeve retainer, the method comprising: assembling the sleeve retainer having an integral mounting clip for securing one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body to a panel having a cut-out for receiving one of said first adapter body and said second adapter body and a first adapter body such that the mounting clip is positioned in an opening in the first adapter body; and joining the first adapter body to the second adapter body.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber and an energy director having a first raised portion substantially perpendicular to a second raised portion; and a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber and an opening for receiving said energy director.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber comprising: a first adapter body including a port for receiving a first optical fiber and an energy director having a first raised portion substantially perpendicular to a second raised portion; and a second adapter body including a port for receiving a second optical fiber and an opening for receiving said energy director.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
11 words
The adapter of claim 35 wherein said energy director is L-shaped.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
77 words
The adapter of claim 36 wherein: said first adapter body includes two first L-shaped energy directors and two first L-shaped openings adjacent to said two first L-shaped energy directors; said second adapter body includes two second L-shaped energy directors and two second L-shaped openings adjacent to said two L-shaped energy directors; and said two first L-shaped energy directors engage said two second L-shaped openings and said two second L-shaped energy directors engage said two first L-shaped openings.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
53 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber fitted with a connector, the adapter comprising: an adapter body having a port for receiving the connector, said port including a keyway for aligning the connector in said port, and a groove in the exterior of the adapter body for aligning the adapter body in a panel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
53 words
An adapter for coupling optical fiber fitted with a connector, the adapter comprising: an adapter body having a port for receiving the connector, said port including a keyway for aligning the connector in said port, and a groove in the exterior of the adapter body for aligning the adapter body in a panel.
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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) | 2002-08-09 | 2003-02-08 | 2003-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-09 | 2007-02-08 | 2007-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-09 | 2011-02-08 | 2011-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |