# US 10,120,140 B2 · Connector and duplex connector assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,140 B2 - Document ID: US10120140B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/798,229 - Filed: 2017-10-30 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-25 - Assignees: Fluke Corporation - Applicants: Fluke Corporation - Inventors: Seymour Goldstein; Ian Michael Davidson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120140B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on} - G02B 6/3821: {with axial spring biasing or loading means (G02B6/3847 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs} - G02B 6/3879: {Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs} - G02B 6/3885: {Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Connectors and a duplex clip for forming duplex connector assemblies are provided herein. The connector includes a rigid latch member for positive locking with another component, such as an adaptor. The duplex clip is configured to hold two connectors to form a duplex connector assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector, comprising: a housing having an outer surface and a cavity; a ferrule assembly located in the cavity of the housing; a rigid latch member having a first end removably and rotatably secured to the housing and a second end spaced apart from the housing, the latch member including engagement members configured to engage with another component when in an engagement position; a retainer spring having a first end abutting the housing and a second end abutting the latch member, the retainer spring configured to provide a force that pushes the second end of the latch member away from the housing; and a latch retainer configured to counteract the force provided by the retainer spring, wherein the retainer spring and the latch retainer together are configured to place the latch member in the engagement position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the housing includes a raised portion or a recess, and the first end of the retainer spring rests on the raised portion or in the recess. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connector of claim 2, wherein the latch member includes a recess or a raised portion, and the second end of the retainer spring is located in the recess or on the raised portion of the latch member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first end of the latch member is rotatably coupled to the housing by a housing hook having a recess that receives the first end of the housing, wherein the latch retainer is configured to maintain the first end of the latch member in the recess of the housing hook. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the first end of the latch member is rotatably coupled to the housing by a locking hinged joint. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the latch retainer has an upper portion that is curved and a surface of the upper portion of the latch retainer is parallel to a surface of the latch member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector of claim 6, wherein the latch retainer includes protrusions that extend below the housing, wherein the protrusions are configured to engage with a duplex clip to hold the connector in the duplex clip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the retainer spring is located next to the latch retainer, wherein the latch retainer includes a through opening that receives the latch member. ### Claim 9 A connector component, comprising: a housing including an opening configured to receive a ferrule assembly; a rigid latch member having a first end removably and rotatably engaged with the housing and a second end spaced apart from the housing, the latch member including engagement members configured engage with another component when in an engagement position; a retainer spring between the housing and the latch member, the retainer spring configured to provide a force that pushes the second end of the latch member away from the housing; and a latch retainer configured to counteract the force provided by the retainer spring, wherein the retainer spring and the latch retainer together are configured to place the latch member in the engagement position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connector component of claim 9, wherein a surface of the housing has a raised portion and a first end of the retainer spring surrounds the raised portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connector component of claim 10, wherein the latch member includes a recess and a second end of the retainer spring is located in the recess of the latch member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The connector component of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a housing hook, wherein the latch member is removably and rotatably engaged with the housing by a first end of the latching member being located in a recess of the housing hook. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The connector component of claim 9, wherein the latch retainer includes protrusions to engage with a duplex clip configured to hold the connector. ### Claim 14 A duplex connector assembly, comprising: a duplex clip including: first and second curved members that are coupled together by a bridge member; and first and second tabs extending from the first and second curved members; and wherein the first and second curved members are sized to receive and hold first and second connectors, respectively, the first and second connectors including first and second latch retainers, respectively, that include protrusions that engage with the first and second tabs of the duplex clip to hold the first and second connectors in position within the duplex clip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The duplex connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the protrusions of the latch retainer of the first connector abut opposing sides of the first tab and the protrusions of the latch retainer of the second connector abut opposing sides of the second tab. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The duplex connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second tabs are configured to: flex while the first and second connectors are being installed in the first and second curved members, and remain in natural positions, respectively, when the first and second connectors have been installed in the first and second curved members. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The duplex connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second tabs include recesses and the protrusions abut the opposing sides of the tabs at the recesses. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The duplex connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the first connector includes a first housing and a first latch member that is rigid and coupled to at a first end to the first housing, wherein the second connector includes a second housing and a second latch member that is rigid and coupled at a first end to the second housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The duplex connector assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second connectors include first and second retainer springs, respectively, configured to hold second ends of the first and second latch members away from the first and second housings, respectively. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The duplex connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second latch retainers and the first and second retainer springs are configured to hold the first and second latch members of the first and second connectors in an engagement position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is an optical connector configured to be coupled to an optical communication link.