Optical Fiber Connector with Changeable Gender
AssigneeSenko Advanced Components, Inc.
InventorsJimmy Chang, Kazu Takano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-fiber, fiber optic connector is interchangeable between a male connector and a female connector by including a pin retainer having a releasable retention device configured to lock the pins in place within the retainer. The retention device may be opened, for example, with a release tool, to free the retention pins for removal of the pins. A method for switching a connector between a male connector configuration and a female connector configuration may be possible as a result of the releasable retention configuration.
Claims8
A multi-fiber fiber optic connector interconvertible between a male connector and a female connector, the connector comprising:
- a ferrule comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers supported therein and terminating at a first end of the ferrule for alignment with optical fibers of an additional device;
- at least two spaced apart passages disposed along at least a portion of the ferrule and configured for receiving alignment pins therein;
- a pin retainer configured for releasably retaining the alignment pins in a the connector when the alignment pins are disposed in the passages;
- and
- a housing disposed around the pin retainer and at least a portion of the ferrule;
- wherein the pin retainer comprises a portion for engaging each alignment pin to retain the alignment pins in the connector for a male configuration, and the portion for engaging being selectively releasable from the alignment pins for removal of the alignment pins for a female configuration.
A pin retainer for a fiber optic connector, the pin retainer comprising:
- a body portion for being disposed with a ferrule in the connector;
- and
- at least one selectively displaceable locking member configured for locking an alignment pin with the body portion, wherein the selectively displaceable locking member has a first position for engaging an alignment pin to lock an alignment pin with the body portion, and a second position displaced from the first position for release of an alignment pin locked with the body portion.
A method for interconversion of a fiber optic connector between a male configuration comprising at least one alignment pin, and a female configuration comprising at least one passage for receiving an alignment pin, the connector comprising at least one selectively displaceable locking member for locking at least one alignment pin therein, and the method comprising:
- for converting a female configuration to a male configuration, slidably inserting at least one alignment pin into engagement with the selectively displaceable locking member to lock the alignment pin into the connector;
- and
- for converting a male configuration to a female configuration, releasing the selectively displaceable locking member from the alignment pin, and slidably removing the alignment pin from the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.