Reversible fiber optic connector

US8714835B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Panduit Corp. · US

Inventors

• Gregory L. Kuffel · Plainfield, US
• Samuel M. Marrs · Bradley, US
• Shaun P. Brouwer · Monee, US
• Robert T. Fitzpatrick · New Lenox, US
• Phillip J. Irwin · Mokena, US
• Matthew M. Wagner · Park Forest, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 26, 2013
• Grant date: May 6, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3898
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.