Optical fiber connector
AssigneeFiberon Technolgies, Inc.
InventorHsin Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A turning tool (12) is inserted into the forward end of an outer housing (26) and its turning tips (18) are moved into tip receiving openings (24) at the base of the flange (26). The turning too (12) is both pushed and rotated. The pushing moves the flange (46) back from the flange (24). The rotation rotates the inner housing (28), a ferrule (20) and an end portion of the cable, including an optical fiber (F) that is within the center line opening (78) in the ferrule (20). After the components have been rotated to provide a desired rotational position, the turning tool (12) is removed. Friction forces between the flange (46) and the flange (24) and between the cylindrical surface (48) and the cylindrical opening within the key ring (52) hold the components in the azimuthal position that was established.
Claims16
An optical fiber connector, comprising:
- a tubular outer housing;
- a tubular inner housing inside said outer housing;
- said tubular inner housing comprising a forwardly opening front socket and a rearwardly opening rear socket that is in axial alignment with the front socket;
- a tubular ferrule having a center opening sized to receive an optical fiber, a rear portion received within the front socket of the inner housing, and a front portion extending forwardly from the rear portion and the front socket;
- a key ring in the outer housing surrounding the front socket of the inner housing, said key ring being held against rotation relative to the outer housing;
- said key ring having a cylindrical inner surface;
- said front socket having a cylindrical outer surface;
- said cylindrical inner surface of the key ring and said cylindrical outer surface of the front socket being sized such that the cylindrical inner surface of the key ring frictionally engages the cylindrical outer surface on the front socket;
- and
- said inner housing and said ferrule being rotatable in position relative to the outer housing and the key ring when a rotational force is applied to them that is sufficient to overcome the friction between the cylindrical inner surface of the key ring and the cylindrical outer surface on the front socket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.