US6206577B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic adapter shutter door assembly
Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
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Filing: 1999-02-04
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Granted: 2001-03-27
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Expires: 2019-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A new and unique connector adapter shutter door assembly retrofitable to many existing connector adapters or receptacles which becomes a part of the same by connectedly fitting or snapping into place. The shutter door assembly can be used as a safety device to prevent laser light from escaping when a connector is removed from an adapter or receptacle. Because of the ease with which the shutter door assembly can be retrofitted to existing adapters, it is possible to selectively install the shutter door assembly only when a safety hazard is present. Also the shutter door assembly can be used to shield a connector end to prevent foreign matter, such as dust and dirt, from entering the connector. The shutter door assembly is a molded one-piece structure and has inwardly hinged doors permitting one hand connector insertion and withdrawal. The streamline design of the shutter door assembly takes very little space when in use making it desirable for typical space constrained applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Hall, III
- 👤 Richard T. King
- 👤 Craig S. Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/42; G02B6/4296; G02B2006/4297; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/3849
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A shutter door housing assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter for receivably accepting a fiber optic connector providing an adapter and connector combination comprising: (a) a housing with means to connectedly fit to said adapter to provide a substantially enclosed area for receiving said connector; and (b) a pair of shutter doors, each said door being pivotally connected to an opposing side of said housing for receivably accepting said connector such that said doors are configured to overlap each other thereby deterring substantially all light therewithin from communicating outside said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A shutter door housing assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter for receivably accepting a fiber optic connector providing an adapter and connector combination comprising: (a) a housing with means to connectedly fit to said adapter to provide a substantially enclosed area for receiving said connector; and (b) a pair of shutter doors, each said door being pivotally connected to an opposing side of said housing for receivably accepting said connector such that said doors are configured to overlap each other thereby deterring substantially all light therewithin from communicating outside said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said doors remain entirely contained within said housing when said adapter is receiving said connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is a single molded part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said connector pushes said doors inwardly to said housing as said adapter is receiving said connector such that said doors require no space outside said housing to permit entry of said connector into said adapter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, each said shutter door being pivotally connected to an opposing side of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other and prevent light from escaping said housing and such that when a connector is received by said adapter, said doors fold into said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, each said shutter door being pivotally connected to an opposing side of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other and prevent light from escaping said housing and such that when a connector is received by said adapter, said doors fold into said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said assembly is a single molded part.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said assembly is made by injection molding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said connector pushes said folded doors inwardly to said housing as said adapter is receiving said connector such that said doors require no space outside said housing to permit entry of said connector into said adapter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors remain entirely contained within said housing when said adapter is receiving said connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors are made of molded plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors are made out of a molded metal material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors automatically block light from exiting said adapter when said connector is unplugged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors when in a closed position overlap to create a hazardous path to prevent light from escaping.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said housing has an outer surface having grips for aiding in removal of said assembly from said adapter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said housing has a keying means for aiding with alignment of said adapter and said connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein the face of said fiber carried by said connector is protected when placed into said adapter by said doors being angled inwardly such that said fiber face does not contact said doors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors are pivotally connected to said housing via a living hinge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said doors are pivotally connected to said housing via a leaf spring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, said shutter doors integrally formed with said housing on opposing sides of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other to prevent light from escaping said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, said shutter doors integrally formed with said housing on opposing sides of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other to prevent light from escaping said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, wherein said assembly is retrofittable to existing fiber optic adapters, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, said shutter doors integrally formed with said housing on opposing sides of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other to prevent light from escaping said housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
A shutter door assembly for a fiber optic connector adapter used to receive a fiber optic connector, wherein said assembly is retrofittable to existing fiber optic adapters, said assembly comprising: (a) a housing sized to connectedly fit over said adapter; (b) a pair of shutter doors, said shutter doors integrally formed with said housing on opposing sides of said housing such that when said housing is mated with said adapter, said doors overlap each other to prevent light from escaping said 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) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |