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US 2026/0169231 A1Published application
Fiber optic connector conversion system
OwnerLillian C. KELLY, Yu LU +1inventors
InventorsLillian C. KELLY, Yu LU, Levi T. MERRICK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to enclosures, systems, methods, designs, and assemblies for converting (e.g., modifying, retrofitting, etc.) fiber optic connector cores to be compatible with different connector ports. The present disclosure also relates to connector configurations. The assembly relates to a cable assembly including a cable with an optical fiber and a connector core. The connector core may include a connector core housing, where the optical fiber passes through the connector core housing and is supported at the front end of the connector core housing.
Claims16
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:
- a cable with an optical fiber;
- a connector core including a connector core housing having a front end and a back end, wherein the optical fiber passes through the connector core housing and is supported at the front end of the connector core housing, the connector core also including a ferrule at the front end of the housing, the optical fiber being held in the ferrule;
- a stop on an exterior surface of the connector core housing;
- a converter housing having a front end and a back end, the front end being compatible with a port and the back end having a plurality of converter housing latches that can engage with a stop on the exterior surface of the connector core housing to limit movement of the connector core housing relative to the converter housing by engaging with the stop on the exterior surface of the connector core housing, the converter housing latches being ramped such that the converter housing latches can snap over the stop when the converter housing is installed on the connector core housing by inserting the connector housing in a rearward direction over the front end of the connector core housing;
- and
- a retainer having a retainer body with a latch containment structure and retainer latches that extend from the latch containment structure, the retainer being mounted on the converter housing and being configured to be carried with the converter housing when the converter housing is inserted over the front end of the connector core housing during installation, the retainer being positionable in a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the converter housing, the converter housing defining first and second axially spaced-apart catch receiving structures corresponding to the first and second axial positions, the first catch receiving structure being rearward with respect to the second catch receiving structure, wherein when the retainer is in the first axial position the latch containment structure is offset from the converter housing latches and catches of the retainer latches are engaged with the first catch receiving structure, and wherein when the retainer is in the second axial position the latch containment structure overlaps the converter housing latches to prevent the converter housing latches from flexing outwardly in a radial direction so that the converter housing is locked in place and the catches of the retainer latches are engaged with the second catch receiving structure.
3 more elements
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:
- a cable with an optical fiber;
- a connector core including a connector core housing having a front end and a back end, wherein the optical fiber passes through the connector core housing and is supported at the front end of the connector core housing, the connector core also including a ferrule at the front end of the housing, the optical fiber being held in the ferrule;
- a converter housing that mounts over the connector core, the converter housing having a front end and a back end, the front end being compatible with a port, wherein the converter housing includes a main longitudinal keying slot at an exterior of the converter housing that extends rearwardly from the front end of the converter housing, wherein a secondary longitudinal keying slot is defined fully through a bottom of the main longitudinal keying slot, and wherein a longitudinal key of the connector core fits in the secondary longitudinal keying slot.
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:
- a cable with an optical fiber;
- a fiber optic connector terminating the cable, the connector including a front end including a ferrule supporting the optical fiber, the connector including a connector housing defining an exterior longitudinal keying slot for receiving a key of a connector port, the fiber optic connector including a first exterior radial sealing member positioned rearward of the keying slot for forming a first radial seal within the connector port, the fiber optic connector also including a second exterior radial sealing member positioned rearwardly with respect to the first exterior radial sealing member for forming a second radial seal within the connector port, wherein the second radial sealing member is unitarily formed with a strain relief boot located at a rear of the connector for providing strain relief to the fiber optic cable.
A fiber optic system comprising:
- a cable with an optical fiber;
- a connector core including a connector core housing having a front end and a back end, wherein the optical fiber passes through the connector core housing and is supported at the front end of the connector core housing, the connector core also including a ferrule at the front end of the housing, the optical fiber being held in the ferrule;
- a stop on an exterior surface of the connector core housing;
- a component configured to couple with the connector core, the component including a plurality of component latches that can engage with a stop on the exterior surface of the connector core housing to limit movement of the connector core relative to the component by engaging with the stop on the exterior surface of the connector core housing, the component latches being ramped such that the component latches can snap over the stop when the connector core is inserted forwardly into the component;
- and
- a retainer having a retainer body with a latch containment structure and retainer latches that extend from the latch containment structure, the retainer being mounted on the component, the retainer being positionable in a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the component, the component defining first and second axially spaced-apart catch receiving structures corresponding to the first and second axial positions, the first catch receiving structure being rearward with respect to the second catch receiving structure, wherein when the retainer is in the first axial position the latch containment structure is offset from the component latches and catches of the retainer latches are engaged with the first catch receiving structure, and wherein when the retainer is in the second axial position the latch containment structure overlaps the component latches to prevent the component latches from flexing outwardly in a radial direction so that the component and the connector core are locked in place relative to each other and the catches of the retainer latches are engaged with the second catch receiving structure.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.