US6454463B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plug connector
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2000-10-30
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2020-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A plug connector ( 10 ) for light conductors comprises two connector parts ( 12, 14 ) which can be plugged together and locked to one another and of which at least one ( 12 ) is provided with at least one optical ferrule ( 16 ). The ferrule ( 16 ) which is associated with a first connector part ( 12 ) can be locked via a locking device ( 18 ) with the other connector part ( 14 ). The first connector part ( 12 ) comprises a base part ( 20 ) which accommodates the ferrule ( 16 ), a housing ( 22 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction ( 5 ) over a definite range relative to the base part ( 20 ) and a secondary locking element ( 24 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction (S) in each case over a definite range both relative to the base part ( 20 ) and relative to the housing ( 22 ), said secondary locking element ( 24 ) being resiliently supported at the base part ( 20 ) and being urged by the spring force into a forward securing position when viewed in the plugging direction (S) in which it secures the locking of the ferrule ( 16 ) when the connector parts ( 12, 14 ) are plugged together. The secondary locking element ( 24 ) can be first moved out of its securing position against the spring force during the plugging together of the two connector parts ( 12, 14 ) in order to enable a locking of the ferrule ( 16 ). It assumes its securing position again only after the completion of the locking. The secondary locking element ( 24 ) is movable out of its securing position during the separation of the two connector parts ( 12, 14 ) with a drawing back of the housing ( 22 ) relative to the base part ( 20 ) against the spring force in order to enable an unlocking of the ferrule ( 16 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Gerhard Halbach
- 👤 Martin Herlitz
- 👤 Peter Schekalla
- 👤 Kamil Uc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/3869; G02B6/381; G02B6/3818; G02B6/3821; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
357 words
Plug connector ( 10 ) for light conductors, comprising two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) which can be plugged together and locked to one another and of which at least one connector part ( 12 ) is provided with at least one optical ferrule ( 16 ), wherein a locking device ( 18 ) is provided, via which the ferrule ( 16 ) which is associated with a first connector part ( 12 ) can be locked with the other connector part ( 14 ); in that the first connector part ( 12 ) comprises a base part ( 20 ) which accommodates the ferrule ( 16 ), a housing ( 22 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction (S) over a definite range relative to the base part ( 20 ) and a locking element ( 24 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction (S) in each case over a definite range both relative to the base part ( 20 ) and relative to the housing ( 22 ) said locking element ( 24 ) being resiliently supported at the base part ( 20 ) and being urged by a spring force into a forward securing position when viewed in the plugging direction (S) in which it secures the locking of the ferrule ( 16 ) when the connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) are plugged together, with the locking element ( 24 ) first being moved out of its securing position against the spring force during the plugging together of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) in order to enable a locking of the ferrule ( 16 ), and assuming its securing position again only after the completion of the locking, and with the locking element ( 24 ) being movable out of its securing position during the separation of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) with a drawing back of the housing ( 22 ) relative to the base part ( 20 ) against the spring force in order to enable an unlocking of the ferrule ( 16 ).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
357 words
Plug connector ( 10 ) for light conductors, comprising two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) which can be plugged together and locked to one another and of which at least one connector part ( 12 ) is provided with at least one optical ferrule ( 16 ), wherein a locking device ( 18 ) is provided, via which the ferrule ( 16 ) which is associated with a first connector part ( 12 ) can be locked with the other connector part ( 14 ); in that the first connector part ( 12 ) comprises a base part ( 20 ) which accommodates the ferrule ( 16 ), a housing ( 22 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction (S) over a definite range relative to the base part ( 20 ) and a locking element ( 24 ) which is movable in the plugging or axial direction (S) in each case over a definite range both relative to the base part ( 20 ) and relative to the housing ( 22 ) said locking element ( 24 ) being resiliently supported at the base part ( 20 ) and being urged by a spring force into a forward securing position when viewed in the plugging direction (S) in which it secures the locking of the ferrule ( 16 ) when the connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) are plugged together, with the locking element ( 24 ) first being moved out of its securing position against the spring force during the plugging together of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) in order to enable a locking of the ferrule ( 16 ), and assuming its securing position again only after the completion of the locking, and with the locking element ( 24 ) being movable out of its securing position during the separation of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) with a drawing back of the housing ( 22 ) relative to the base part ( 20 ) against the spring force in order to enable an unlocking of the ferrule ( 16 ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 22 ) is coupled preferably via flexible latching elements ( 30 ) to the base part ( 20 ) in such a manner that the base part ( 20 ) can be moved together with the housing ( 22 ) during the plugging together of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) and, during the separation of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ), can first be moved back relative to the base part ( 20 ) over a definite range while taking along the locking element ( 24 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the locking element ( 24 ) is urged into its securing position through a compression spring ( 26 ) which is supported at the base part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the locking element ( 24 ) is formed by a preferably ring-shaped slider element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the locking device ( 18 ) comprises at least one resilient locking arm ( 18 ′, 18 ″) which is associated with the other connector part ( 14 ) and which in the course of a relative displacement between the ferrule ( 16 ) and the other connector part ( 14 ) is first deflectable against the spring force by the ferrule ( 16 ) and can then be brought into engagement with a locking surface ( 38 ) which is provided at the ferrule ( 16 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 5 , wherein at least two mutually oppositely lying locking arms ( 18 ′, 18 ″) are provided.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 5 or claim 6 , wherein the locking surface is formed by a groove ( 38 ) which is provided at the ferrule ( 16 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the groove is formed by a peripheral groove ( 38 ).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein during the plugging together of the two connector parts ( 12 , 14 ) the locking element ( 24 ) first comes to an abutmenet at the deflected locking arm ( 18 ′, 18 ″) and can thereby be moved out of its securing position, and then assumes its securing position again after a latching in of the locking arm ( 18 ′, 18 ″) into the locking surface ( 38 ) as a result of the spring force in order to hold the locking arm ( 18 ′, 18 ″) in engagement with the locking surface ( 38 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the locking element ( 24 ) is executed in ring shape and can be at least partly pushed over the locking arm after a latching in of the locking arm ( 18 ′, 18 ″) into the locking surface ( 38 ) as a result of the spring force.
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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) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |