Multipurpose fiber-optic adapter and methods of manufacturing and using the same
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorBruce D. Powell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adapter for receiving an optical fiber connector, such as an SC connector, and methods of manufacturing and using the adapter. In one embodiment, the adapter includes: (1) a fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms, (2) a shell radially surrounding the fiber socket and (3) a release mechanism extending from without the shell to within the shell, coupled to the cantilevered retaining arms and configured to translate to change a separation of the cantilevered retaining arms.
Claims23
An adapter for receiving an optical fiber connector and comprising:
- a fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms;
- a shell radially surrounding said fiber socket;
- and
- a release mechanism extending from without said shell to within said shell, coupled to said cantilevered retaining arms and configured to translate to change a separation of said cantilevered retaining arms.
A method of using an adapter, comprising:
- inserting an optical fiber connector into a fiber socket of said adapter, said fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms configured to engage said optical fiber connector to retain said optical fiber connector in said fiber socket;
- and
- pressing a release mechanism of said adapter, said release mechanism extending from without a shell of said adapter that radially surrounds said receptacle to within said shell and coupled to said cantilevered retaining arms, said pressing causing said cantilevered retaining arms to separate and said cantilevered retaining arms to disengage from said optical fiber connector.
An adapter for receiving either an SC connector or a ruggedized SC connector having a mating flat, said adapter comprising:
- a fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms, said cantilevered retaining arms including cam arm retainers;
- a shell radially surrounding said fiber socket and including a mating flat;
- and
- a release mechanism extending from without said shell to within said shell and having cam arms having camming surfaces thereon, said camming surfaces configured to urge against said cam arm retainers to change a separation of said cantilevered retaining arms as said release mechanism translates.
A method of manufacturing an adapter for receiving an optical fiber connector, comprising:
- forming a fiber socket having cantilevered retaining arms;
- radially surrounding said fiber socket with a shell;
- and
- bringing a release mechanism into contact with said shell such that said release mechanism extends from without said shell to within said shell and couples to said cantilevered retaining arms, said release mechanism configured to translate to change a separation of said cantilevered retaining arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.