Dust cap for fiber optic cable or adapter
OwnerDan J. Neitge, Brad S. Morrowinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dust cap adapted to fit over a fiber optic adapter. The dust cap includes a dust cap body having a light-entering end and an opposite indicating end. The dust cap body is shaped such that the light-entering end has an interference fit with the fiber optic adapter. A first gap-creating projection extends from the light-entering end, and a second gap-creating projection extends from the light-entering end. The dust cap also includes a light pipe running along a longitudinal axis of the dust cap body from just beyond the light-entering end to just beyond the indicating end.
Claims16
A dust cap adapted to fit over a fiber optic adapter, the dust cap comprising:
- an elongate dust cap body having a light-entering end and an opposite indicating end, wherein the dust cap body is shaped such that the light-entering end is adapted to create an interference fit with the fiber optic adapter;
- at least one gap-creating projection extending from the light-entering end;
- and
- a light pipe running from about the light-entering end to about the indicating end, the light pipe comprising:
- a receiving extension located proximate the light-entering end;
- a displaying extension located proximate the indicating end;
- and
- a light pipe body running from the receiving extension to the displaying extension.
A method of identifying optical fibers along a fiber optic run, the fiber optic run including a first fiber optic cable operably coupled to a second fiber optic cable, the method comprising:
- fitting a dust cap over an optical fiber adapter of the first fiber optic cable, the dust cap comprising an illuminable indicating end and a light pipe running from about the light-entering end to about the indicating end, the light pipe comprising a receiving extension located proximate the light-entering end, a displaying extension located proximate the indicating end, and a light pipe body running from the receiving extension to the displaying extension;
- and
- emitting a beam of laser light into a terminus of the second fiber optic cable, thereby illuminating the indicating end of the dust cap at the first fiber optic cable so as to associate the first fiber optic cable with the second fiber optic cable.
A dust cap adapted to fit over a fiber optic adapter, the dust cap comprising:
- an elongate dust cap body having a light-entering end and an opposite indicating end, wherein the dust cap body is shaped such that the light-entering end is adapted to create an interference fit with the fiber optic adapter;
- at least one gap-creating projection extending from the light-entering end;
- and
- a light pipe running from about the light-entering end to about the indicating end, the light pipe comprising:
- a displaying extension located proximate the indicating end;
- and
- a light pipe body running from the light-entering end to the displaying extension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.