US6508593B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal panel mount system for fiber optic connecting devices
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 2000-05-09
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Granted: 2003-01-21
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Expires: 2020-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A universal panel mount system is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel. A universal receptacle housing is mounted in the opening in the panel. A set of differently configured fiber optic adapters each is mountable in the universal receptacle housing. Each adapter includes coupling means for mating with one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilary Farnsworth
- 👤 Igor Grois
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Matasek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3847; G02B6/3849; G02B6/3897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a panel having an opening of a given configuration; a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; a first adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an MTP-type fiber optic connector; complementary interengaging latch means between the first adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the first adapter in the housing; a second adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an SC-type fiber optic connector; complementary interengaging latch means between the second adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the second adapter in the housing, wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the second adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the second adapters; a third adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an ST-type fiber optic connector; a complementary interengaging latch means between the third adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the third adapter in the housing; a fourth adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an FC-type fiber optic connector; and complementary interengaging latch means between the fourth adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the fourth adapter in the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a panel having an opening of a given configuration; a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; a first adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an MTP-type fiber optic connector; complementary interengaging latch means between the first adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the first adapter in the housing; a second adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an SC-type fiber optic connector; complementary interengaging latch means between the second adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the second adapter in the housing, wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the second adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the second adapters; a third adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an ST-type fiber optic connector; a complementary interengaging latch means between the third adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the third adapter in the housing; a fourth adapter mountable in the universal receptacle housing and including coupling means for mating with at least an FC-type fiber optic connector; and complementary interengaging latch means between the fourth adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the fourth adapter in the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 1 wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the first adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise a spring clip on the first adapter latchable in an opening in the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 1 , further including opposing abutment shoulders between the second adapter and the universal receptacle housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 1 wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the third adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the third adapter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 4 , further including opposing abutment shoulders between the third adapter and the universal receptacle housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 1 wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the fourth adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the fourth adapter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 6 , further including opposing abutment shoulders between the fourth adapter and the universal receptacle housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; at least first, second, third and fourth adapters interchangeably mounted in the universal receptacle housing and each adapter including coupling means different from the other adapters for mating with one of a plurality of different types of fiber optic connectors; and complementary interengaging latch means between each adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the respective adapter in the housing, wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between at least one of the second, third and fourth adapters and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the one adapter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; at least first, second, third and fourth adapters interchangeably mounted in the universal receptacle housing and each adapter including coupling means different from the other adapters for mating with one of a plurality of different types of fiber optic connectors; and complementary interengaging latch means between each adapter and the receptacle housing to hold the respective adapter in the housing, wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between at least one of the second, third and fourth adapters and the universal receptacle housing comprise at least one flexible latch arm on the receptacle housing engageable with a latch surface on the one adapter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 8 wherein said complementary interengaging latch means between the first adapter and the universal receptacle housing comprise a spring clip on the first adapter latchable in an opening in the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 8 further including opposing abutment shoulders between the receptacle housing and the at least one of the second, third and fourth adapters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; a set of different configured fiber optic adapters each being mountable in the universal receptacle housing, and each adapter including coupling means for mating with one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic connectors, and wherein said universal receptacle housing includes a flexible latch arm engageable with a latch surface on at least one of the adapters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
A universal panel mount system for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel, comprising: a universal receptacle housing for mounting in the opening in the panel; a set of different configured fiber optic adapters each being mountable in the universal receptacle housing, and each adapter including coupling means for mating with one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic connectors, and wherein said universal receptacle housing includes a flexible latch arm engageable with a latch surface on at least one of the adapters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 11 wherein said one of said adapters includes a spring clip latchable in an opening in the universal receptacle housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The universal panel mount system of claim 11 , including opposing abutment surfaces between the universal receptacle housing and the at least one adapter.
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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) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-07-22 | 2007-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-20 | 2010-07-22 | 2011-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-20 | 2014-07-22 | 2015-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |