# US 2017/0285277 A1 · Optical Fiber Connector with Changeable Gender > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285277 A1 - Document ID: US20170285277A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/626,430 - Filed: 2017-06-19 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-29 - Assignees: Senko Advanced Components, Inc. - Applicants: Senko Advanced Components, Inc. - Inventors: Jimmy Chang; Kazu Takano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285277A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/3882: {using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends} - G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs} - G02B 6/3826: {characterised by form or shape} - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the housing and pin retainer are configured for interconversion of the connector between the male configuration and the female configuration without disassembly of one or both of the pin retainer and the housing from the connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein: the portion for engaging has a first position for engaging the alignment pin and a second position spaced from the alignment pin; the portion for engaging is movable from the first position to the second position under a force applied to the portion for engaging; and the portion for retaining is configured to be resiliently returnable from the second position to the first position upon removal of the applied force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a sidewall extending around the pin retainer and at least a portion of the ferrule, and the side wall comprises at least one opening therethrough to access the portion for engaging for application of the force to the portion for engaging to move the portion for engaging from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The connector of claim 4, wherein: the alignment pins comprise a first end for being inserted through the passage and into the pin retainer, and a notch disposed adjacent the first end; and the portion for engaging comprises a portion for being disposed in the notch to retain the alignment pin with the pin retainer. ### Claim 6 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pin retainer according to claim 6, wherein the selectively displaceable locking member is movable from the first position to the second position under a force applied to the selectively displaceable locking member, and the selectively displaceable locking member is resiliently returnable from the second position to the first position upon removal of the applied force. ### Claim 8 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.