Connector block and method for simultaneously mating a plurality of optical fiber connector pairs
AssigneeSiecor Corporation
InventorsDavid L. Dean, Jr., James R. Merriken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector block and method are provided wherein a plurality of optical fiber connectors can be removably loaded in the block for the simultaneous mating of such optical fiber connectors. Springs are disposed behind the connectors and the block defines a shoulder surface against which the spring is abutted. The block further defines connector channels to fix the connectors relative to each other in a lateral direction yet allow the connectors to slide backward in the longitudinal direction to compress the spring. Two such blocks can be connected to each other for simultaneously mating and spring loading the plurality of connectors.
Claims16
A connector block assembly, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of connectors, each connector having a first end with an end face for mating against an end face of another connector and a second end where an optical fiber enters the connector, each connector having a longitudinal direction extending from the first end to the second end;
- (b) a plurality of springs, each spring having a first end disposed against the second end of a respective one of the plurality of connectors, and a second end opposite thereto, the spring having a direction of compression parallel with the longitudinal direction of the connectors;
- and
- (c) a block in which the plurality of connectors are removably mounted in parallel relation to each other with each end face of the plurality of connectors exposed and facing in the same direction and such that any individual connector can be removed from the block without disturbing the other connectors, the block defining a first shoulder surface against which each second end of the plurality of springs is abutted, the block configured to retain the plurality of connectors fixed relative to each other in a lateral direction while allowing linear movement of the plurality of connectors in the longitudinal direction against the plurality of springs and while allowing ready mounting and dismounting of connectors from the block.
A connector block configured for removably receiving a plurality of connectors each connector with a spring abutted behind it, the connector block comprising a block in which the plurality of connectors can be removably mounted in parallel relation to each other facing the same direction and such that any individual connector can be removed from the block without disturbing the other connectors, the block defining a first shoulder surface and a second shoulder surface spaced apart and facing each other to receive the spring and at least a portion of the connector therebetween such that the spring is under compression between the connector and the first shoulder surface, the block configured to retain the plurality of connectors fixed relative to each other in a lateral direction while allowing linear movement of the plurality of connectors in the longitudinal direction against the plurality of springs and while allowing ready mounting and dismounting of connectors from the block.
A method of simultaneously mating and spring loading a first plurality of connectors with a second plurality of connectors comprising the steps of:
- (a) disposing a spring behind each connector of the first and second plurality of connectors, the spring having a first end to be abutted against the connector and a second end opposite thereto;
- (b) removably placing the first plurality of connectors with springs together in a first block and placing the second plurality of connectors with springs together in a second block by abutting the second end of the springs against a first shoulder surface defined in the respective block such that any individual connector can be removed from its respective block without disturbing the other connectors in the block, first and second blocks configured to allow longitudinal movement of their respective plurality of connectors to compress the springs against the first shoulder surface;
- and
- (c) mating the first block to the second block to create a subunit and thereby operatively mating and spring loading the first plurality of connectors to the second plurality of connectors.
A method of simultaneously mating a first plurality of connectors to a second plurality of connectors and allowing access to individual mated connector pairs comprising the steps of:
- (a) removably placing the first and second plurality of connectors in a first and second block, respectively;
- (b) mating the first block to the second block to create a subunit and thereby operatively mating the first plurality of connectors to the second plurality of connectors;
- and
- (c) removing any mated connector pair from the subunit without disturbing the other mated connector pairs;
- and
- (d) removably placing a connector pair in the subunit in the place of the connector pair that was removed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.