Plug housing with attached cantilevered latch for a fiber optic connector
US6224268A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/38875
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A novel forward-facing, aft-attached cantilever beam is provided as a latch for securing a fiber optic connector to a receptacle. The beam has engagement structure on its free end which attaches to the receptacle. The connector includes a plug housing formed from a member having a forward end and a rearward end and an axial passageway therethrough through which at least one optical fiber provided in the fiber optic cable extends. The forward end is inserted into the receptacle with the rearward end extending from the receptacle. The cantilevered beam has an end fixed to a rearward portion of the member and its free end extends forwardly toward the forward end of the member. To engage the connector with the receptacle, the free end of the cantilevered beam is biased toward the member and the member is slid into the receptacle. Once fully inserted, the engagement structure on the cantilevered beam engages retention structure in the receptacle. The connector can be released from engagement with the receptacle by biasing the cantilevered beam such that the engagement structure on the beam is released from the retention structure of the receptacle and thereafter pulling the connector ou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.