Activation tool for a fiber optic connector
AssigneePanduit Corp.
InventorsMatthew M. Wagner, Roger D. Segroves
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An activation tool used to terminate a pre-polished, no-crimp fiber optic connector. The tool holds and positions a suitable fiber optic connector, such as an ST-type Opti-Cam connector. A lever on the tool activates a connector cam mechanism to effectuate termination of the fiber. The tool includes a base that supports and locks axial and rotational movement of ferrule holder and backbone components of the connector while a rotatable cam activation tool handle engages with a cam of the connector to rotate the cam between a de-activated position and an activated or terminated position.
Claims14
A cam activation tool for terminating a fiber optic cable within a stub fiber connector assembly having a housing containing a ferrule holder with a keying structure externally exposed at a front of the connector housing, the ferrule holder containing a ferrule on which an optical fiber stub and field fiber can be terminated by actuation of a cam actuated clamping device, and a backbone, the cam activation tool comprising:
- a base portion having
- a first upstanding cradle member for supporting a front end of the fiber optic connector assembly and locking rotation of the ferrule holder;
- a second upstanding cradle member for supporting a rear end of the fiber optic connector assembly and locking rotation of the backbone;
- a retaining arm;
- and
- rotation stops that limit rotation of the cam activation tool handle assembly relative to the base to a predetermined angular range;
- and
- a cam activation tool handle assembly including
- an outer bearing surface that is rotatably supported by the retaining arm;
- a through hole sized to receive the optical fiber stub and an outer periphery of the cam therethrough;
- a cam interface that mates with a cam activation profile of the cam to lock movement of the cam with movement of the cam activation tool handle assembly when the cam is inserted into the through hole;
- and
- a grip portion that enables rotation of the cam activation tool handle assembly by a user between a first de-activated position in which the optical fiber stub and field fiber are not terminated by the stub fiber connector assembly and a second activated position in which the optical fiber stub and field fiber are terminated by actuation of the cam activated clamping device.
A cam activation tool for terminating a fiber optic cable within a stub fiber connector assembly having a housing containing a ferrule holder, cam actuated clamping device, and a backbone, the cam activation tool comprising:
- a base portion having
- a cradle for supporting the fiber optic connector assembly and comprising at least one backbone anti-rotation feature for restraining rotational movement of the backbone;
- a retaining arm that rotatably supports a cam activation tool handle between first and second angularly offset positions and restrains axial movement of the cam activation tool handle;
- and
- the cam activation tool handle assembly includes
- an outer bearing surface that is rotatably supported by the retaining arm;
- a through hole sized to receive the optical fiber stub and an outer periphery of the cam therethrough;
- a cam interface that mates with a cam activation profile of the cam to lock movement of the cam with movement of the cam activation tool handle assembly when the cam is inserted into the through hole to allow rotation of the cam relative to the ferrule holder and backbone;
- and
- a peripheral flange that interfaces with an alignment face of the retaining arm to restrain axial movement of the cam activation tool handle relative to the base portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.