US 8,939,655 B2 · Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, and fiber optic splitter modules incorporating interlocking key features

Abstract

Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic splitter modules and fiber optic connector systems including interlocking aligning features for fiber optic connector parking in fiber distribution hub networks are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a dust cap for mounting upon a ferrule of a fiber optic connector includes a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends. The sleeve defines a lengthwise extending bore that opens through the first end for receiving at least a portion of the ferrule. The dust cap further includes an aligning feature at the second end of the sleeve. The aligning feature includes a neck portion and an interlocking portion such that the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion. The aligning feature is configured to slidably engage with a slot of a parking clip.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims25

Dependent claims

A dust cap for mounting upon a ferrule of a fiber optic connector, the dust cap comprising:

a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, the sleeve defining a lengthwise extending bore that opens through the first end for receiving at least a portion of the ferrule;
and
an aligning feature at the second end of the sleeve, the aligning feature comprising a neck portion and an interlocking portion, wherein the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion such that the aligning feature is configured to slidably engage with a slot of a parking clip in a direction orthogonal to a lengthwise direction of the bore.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

a connector body comprising an optical coupling surface;
a ferrule disposed within the connector body and at least partially accessible at the optical coupling surface;
an optical fiber at least partially disposed within the ferrule;
and
a dust cap removably coupled to the ferrule, the dust cap comprising:
a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, the sleeve defining a lengthwise extending bore that opens through the first end for receiving at least a portion of the ferrule;
and
an aligning feature at the second end of the sleeve, the aligning feature comprising a neck portion and an interlocking portion, wherein the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion such that the aligning feature is configured to slidably engage with a slot of a parking clip in a direction orthogonal to a lengthwise direction of the bore.

5 more elements

A fiber optic splitter module assembly comprising:

a connector organizer component comprising:
connector support member;
plurality of connector retention members extending from the connector support member that are orthogonal with respect to the connector support member, wherein the plurality of connector retention members define a plurality of gaps;
a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending from a first surface of the connector support member and the second surface of the connector support member, respectively, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are orthogonal with respect to the connector support member, and a slot extends through at least a portion of a length of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
and
an ejector plate having a length, a first end, and a second end, wherein the ejector plate is positioned on the connector support member such that the first end is positioned through the slot of the first sidewall and the second end is positioned through the slot of the second sidewall;
and
an array of fiber optic connectors, each fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body comprising an optical coupling surface;
a ferrule disposed within the connector body and at least partially accessible at the optical coupling surface;
an optical fiber at least partially disposed within the ferrule;
and
a dust cap removably coupled to the ferrule, the dust cap comprising an aligning feature, the aligning feature comprising a neck portion and an interlocking portion, wherein the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion;
wherein at least a portion of the array of fiber optic connectors is supported by the connector support member, and the neck portion of each fiber optic connector is positioned within a respective gap of the plurality of gaps defined by the plurality of connector retention members.

11 more elements

A fiber optic connector system comprising:

a connector organizer component comprising:
connector support member;
a connecting face orthogonal with respect to the connector support member;
and
an ejector plate having a length, a first end, and a second end, wherein the ejector plate is positioned on the connector support member such that the first end extends beyond a first edge of the connector support member and the second end extends beyond a second edge of the connector support member;
an array of fiber optic connectors, each fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body comprising an optical coupling surface;
a ferrule disposed within the connector body and at least partially accessible at the optical coupling surface;
an optical fiber at least partially disposed within the ferrule;
and
a dust cap removably coupled to the ferrule, the dust cap comprising an aligning feature, the aligning feature comprising a neck portion and an interlocking portion, wherein the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion, and the dust cap of each fiber optic connector is slidably coupled to the connecting face of the connector organizer component;
and
a parking clip comprising a coupling face including an array of slots, each slot comprising a throat portion and a retention portion, wherein for the dust cap of each fiber optic connector:
the neck portion of the aligning feature is slidably positioned in the throat portion of the slot;
and
the interlocking portion of the aligning feature is slidably positioned in the retention portion of the slot.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,652 words

Summary1,350 words

#1. Field

#The present disclosure generally relates to optical fiber splitter modules and, more particularly, to dust caps, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic splitter module assemblies, and fiber optic connector systems for use in fiber hub distribution cabinets of a fiber optic communications network.

#2. Technical Background

Brief description of the drawings23 figures

#The components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

#FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary fiber optic splitter module assembly;

#FIG. 2 depicts a perspective, partially exploded view of an exemplary fiber optic connector and an exemplary dust cap;

Detailed description4,718 words

#Embodiments are directed to dust caps, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic splitter modules, and fiber optic connector systems for use in fiber distribution hub cabinets of a fiber optic communications network. Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure include a dust cap with a built-in aligning feature that allows the dust cap and its associated fiber optic connector to be parked or otherwise secured in a fiber distribution hub cabinet. The fiber distribution hub cabinet may include a parking clip or other structure that is configured to accept the aligning feature of the dust caps associated with the fiber optic connectors.

#More specifically, the embodiments described herein may facilitate easy parking of fiber optic connectors in a fiber distribution hub cabinet, while also simplifying the management of dust caps associated with the fiber optic connectors. In some embodiments, an array of fiber optic connectors are arranged and maintained in a connector organizer. Each fiber optic connector includes a dust cap having an aligning feature that is configured to engage with a corresponding slot of a parking clip within the fiber distribution hub cabinet. The connector organizer is configured to maintain the array of fiber optic connectors via the aligning feature of each dust cap until the array of fiber optic connector are later parked in the fiber distribution hub cabinet via the dust caps of the array of fiber optic connectors. A parking clip may include a coupling face that has an array of slots that are configured to slidably accept the aligning feature of the dust caps associated with the array of fiber optic connectors.

#To park the array of fiber optic connectors of the fiber optic splitter module assembly, the user may align the aligning features of the dust caps with the array of slots of the parking clip and apply a force to an ejector plate of the connector organizer to eject the array of fiber optic connectors from the connector organizer. The array of fiber optic connectors remains coupled to the parking clip via the engagement of the aligning feature of the dust caps within the array of slots of the parking clip. The connector organizer may then be discarded. The connector organizer is not connected to the parking clip at any time. The user may then pull on an individual fiber optic connector to remove it from the dust cap and the parking clip to then connect the individual fiber optic connector to the fiber optic communications network. The dust cap, because of the engagement of the aligning feature with the slot, remains in the parking clip and therefore does not get easily lost or damaged.

Facts

Application

13/537,796Filed 29 Jun 2012

Published

US 2014/0003772 A12 Jan 2014

Granted

27 Jan 2015

Term ends

31 Dec 2032

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 185 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

G02B 6/3849
With means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces: using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes
G02B 6/3898
Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs: tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or…
G02B 6/4452
Systems or boxes with surplus lengths: distribution frames
G02B 6/44528
Systems or boxes with surplus lengths: patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box

Timeline

29 Jun 2012Application filedUS 13/537,796
29 Jun 2012Assigned to Corning Cable Systems LLCassignment of assignor's interest
2 Jan 2014PublishedUS 2014/0003772 A1
27 Jan 2015GrantedUS 8,939,655 B2
23 Sep 2016Assigned to Corning Optical Communications LLCchange of name
22 Nov 2016Assigned to Ccs Technology, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
18 Aug 2017Assigned to Corning Optical Communications LLCmerger
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
31 Dec 2032Term endsEstimated, includes 185 days of adjustment

Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, and fiber optic splitter modules incorporating interlocking key features

Life of this patent

Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, and fiber optic splitter modules incorporating interlocking key features

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims25

Description6,652 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,652 words