Fiber Optic Guide Pin Changer and Field Tool with Adapter
AssigneeUS Conec Ltd.
InventorsCraig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.
Claims12
An adapter for a gender change operation of a fiber optic connector, comprising:
- a main body with a front end and a back end opposite to the front end;
- a first opening extending between the front end and the back end to receive the fiber optic connector through the back end;
- a pair of latches extending into the first opening to engage the fiber optic connector;
- and
- a first guide beam opening and a second guide beam opening on opposing sides of the first opening to receive guide beams of a pin exchange tool from the front end, the pin exchange tool configured to hold guide pins for the fiber optic connector during the gender change operation.
A field tool to change a gender of a fiber optic connector, comprising:
- a main body with an opening to receive an adapter;
- two handles movable about a common point towards each other;
- and
- a pair of plungers in relatively offset positions within the main body and each having a pin configured to engage a pin keeper in the fiber optic connector when the two handles are squeezed towards each other via corresponding offset openings in the fiber optic connector.
An adapter to be used in a gender change operation of a fiber optic connector, comprising:
- a main body with a front end and a back end opposite to the front end;
- a first opening extending between the front end and the back end to receive the fiber optic connector through the back end;
- and
- at least one guide opening adjacent the first opening to receive at least one guide beam of a pin exchange tool from the front end, the pin exchange tool configured to hold guide pins for the fiber optic connector during the gender change operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.