Patent · US Expired

Alignment system for mating connectors

US6371657B1 · kind B1 · utility

31Cited by
8References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 1999
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/3898
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An alignment system is provided between a pair of connectors mateable in a given mating direction. A first connector includes a housing having an alignment projection on one side thereof. A second connector includes a housing having an alignment flange projecting forwardly thereof generally in said mating direction. The alignment flange is flared outwardly for engaging the housing of the first connector during mating and allowing a degree of misalignment between the connectors in an “X” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction. The alignment flange includes a slot for receiving the alignment projection of the first connector. The slot has a flared mouth allowing a degree of misaligned between the connectors in a “Y” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction and generally perpendicular to the “X” direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.