Gender selectable fiber optic connector and associated fabrication method
US6149313A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3893
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A gender selectable fiber optic connector is provided which can be readily converted between male and female configurations following assembly and polishing of the connector. The gender selectable fiber optic connector includes a housing, a ferrule operably connected to the housing such that a forward portion of the ferrule extends beyond the housing, and a shroud adapted to be mounted upon the forward portion of the ferrule such that the forward portion of the ferrule extends through a passageway defined by the shroud. In order to alter the gender of the fiber optic connector, the shroud has both male and female configurations. In this regard, the male configuration of the shroud includes at least one guide pin extending lengthwise through the passageway defined by the shroud for engaging a lengthwise extending alignment groove defined by the ferrule in order to produce a male fiber optic connector. In contrast, the female configuration of the shroud is free of guide pins such that mounting the female configuration of the shroud upon the ferrule produces a female fiber optic connector. In addition to the gender selectable fiber optic connector and the associated shroud, a method o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.