U.S. patent application number 11/467244 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for method and apparatus for sealing fiber optic connectors for industrial applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tyco Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to David Donald Erdman, Michael Lawrence Gurreri.
Application Number | 20080050070 11/467244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39113538 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080050070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gurreri; Michael Lawrence ;
et al. |
February 28, 2008 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS FOR
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Abstract
The invention is a protective enclosure that can be adapted for
use with different types of connectors, including LC type fiber
optic connectors. The protective enclosure includes a plug portion
and an adapter portion. The plug portion includes a plug housing
having an internal longitudinal bore adapted to accept a plug
connector of a connector type larger than an LC adapter, but
includes a clip to which one or two LC plug connectors can be
fixedly mounted that can optionally fixedly clip into the internal
bore of the housing so that an LC connector can be fixedly mounted
within the housing. The adapter portion includes an adapter housing
having an internal longitudinal bore adapted to accept an adapter
connector of a connector type larger than an LC adapter, but
including an optional sleeve that can fixedly snap into the
internal bore of the adapter housing and within which an LC adapter
connector can be fixedly mounted.
Inventors: |
Gurreri; Michael Lawrence;
(York, PA) ; Erdman; David Donald; (Hummelstown,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TYCO TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
4550 NEW LINDEN HILL ROAD, SUITE 140
WILMINGTON
DE
19808-2952
US
|
Assignee: |
Tyco Electronics
Corporation
Middletown
PA
|
Family ID: |
39113538 |
Appl. No.: |
11/467244 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3849 20130101;
G02B 6/3891 20130101; G02B 6/3893 20130101; G02B 6/3879
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/55 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38 |
Claims
1. A protective enclosure adaptable for use with different types of
connectors, including LC type fiber optic connectors, comprising: a
plug portion having at least; a plug housing having an internal
longitudinal bore between a forward end and a rearward end of said
housing and adapted to accept a plug connector of a connector type
larger than an LC adapter; a shell bearing a first coupling
mechanism; a clip to which at least one LC plug connector can be
fixedly mounted, said clip adapted to fixedly clip into said bore
of said plug housing; and an adapter portion having at least: an
adapter housing having an internal longitudinal bore between a
forward end and a rearward end of said housing adapted to accept an
adapter connector of a connector type larger than an LC adapter and
a second coupling mechanism for complementary mating with said
first coupling mechanism of said plug portion, whereby a pair of
complementary connectors within said protective enclosure can be
sealed therein; and a sleeve adapted to fixedly snap into the
internal bore of said adapter housing and having an internal bore
adapted to fixedly accept an LC adapter connector.
2. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said internal
longitudinal bore of said plug housing is adapted to accept an
RJ-45 plug connector and wherein said clip comprises: a saddle
assembly including first and second saddles, each saddle
dimensioned to accept therein an LC plug connector; and first and
second arms cantilevered from said saddle assembly, said first and
second arms bearing, respectively, first and second latches at
distal ends thereof.
3. The protective enclosure of claim 2 wherein said internal bore
of said plug housing includes an intermediate wall, said wall
defining a shoulder, and wherein said arms and latches of said clip
are dimensioned to engage said shoulder in order to block said clip
from being removed in a first direction from said bore.
4. The protective enclosure of claim 3 wherein said plug housing
has a forward open end and a rearward open end and wherein said
internal bore of said plug housing extends in a longitudinal
direction from said forward open end to said rearward open end, and
wherein said bore further includes two opposed, blind channels
running in the longitudinal direction and in communication with
said forward open end, said channels having a length in said
longitudinal dimension and a width transverse said longitudinal
dimension, each said channel including a rearward edge intermediate
said forward end and said intermediate wall, and said clip further
comprising two opposed ribs on said saddle assembly running in the
longitudinal direction having a width transverse said longitudinal
dimension approximately equal to said width of said channels of
said plug housing so as to fit snugly within said channel, each
said rib having a rearward end in said longitudinal dimension,
wherein said rearward ends are spaced from said latches in said
longitudinal dimension a distance approximately equal to a distance
between said shoulder of said intermediate wall and said rear edges
of said channels of said internal bore of said plug housing.
5. The protective enclosure of claim 3 wherein internal bore of
said plug housing comprises forward and rearward portions having
different dimensions, and said arms of said clip are formed of a
resilient material and wherein said arms are spaced apart from each
other such that, upon insertion of said clip into said plug housing
from said forward opening in said longitudinal direction, said
latches will engage said internal wall of said forward portion of
said internal bore of said plug housing causing said arms to flex
inwardly to permit said latches to slide into said bore and, upon
said latches passing said intermediate wall, said arms snapping
back to outwardly such that said latches catch on said shoulder of
said intermediate wall.
6. The protective enclosure of claim 4 wherein said saddles
comprise an intermediate wall extending transversely to said
longitudinal direction, first and second outer walls extending
parallel to said intermediate wall, first and second bottom walls
joining said first and second outer walls to said intermediate
wall, respectively, and first and second flanges extending from
said outer walls, respectively, opposite said bottom walls, whereby
said intermediate wall, said first outer wall, said first bottom
wall, and said first flange define said first saddle and said
intermediate wall, said second outer wall, said second bottom wall,
and said second flange define said second saddle.
7. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said first coupling
mechanism comprises at least one bayonet button disposed on an
inner surface of said shell and said second coupling mechanism
comprises at least one groove for accepting said button.
8. The protective enclosure of claim 7 wherein said plug housing
further comprises a radial flange extending radially outwardly from
said housing intermediate said forward and rearward ends and
wherein said enclosure further comprises an interfacial seal
dimensioned to be compressed between said radial flange and said
forward end of said adapter housing when said first and second
coupling mechanisms are joined.
9. The protective enclosure of claim 1 wherein said sleeve
comprises a forward end and a rearward end and a wall extending
between said forward end and said rearward end, said wall including
first and second opposed slots, each adapted to accept a protrusion
of an LC connector when inserted longitudinally in said bore of
said sleeve such that said LC connector becomes fixed within said
bore.
10. The protective enclosure of claim 9 wherein said adapter
housing includes first and second catches disposed in said internal
bore and adapted to engage a latches of an RJ-45 type adapter and
wherein said sleeve further comprises third and fourth opposed
slots adapted to accept said first and second catches in said
internal bore of said adapter housing when said sleeve is inserted
longitudinally in said bore such that said sleeve becomes fixed
within said bore.
11. A protective enclosure for an LC type fiber optic connector
comprising: a plug portion comprising at least; a plug housing
having a forward end and a rearward end and an internal
longitudinal bore between said forward and rearward ends, said bore
adapted to fixedly accept an RJ-45 plug connector therein, and
comprising an internal wall intermediate said forward and rearward
ends, said internal wall defining a shoulder for engaging a latch
of an RJ-45 plug connector, said plug housing further comprising at
least one blind channel in a wall of said bore, said blind channel
having a rearward edge; a clip comprising a saddle assembly having
first and second saddles, each saddle dimensioned to fixedly accept
an LC plug connector therein, said saddle assembly having outer
dimensions so as to fit snugly within said bore of said plug
housing, said clip further comprising first and second cantilevered
arms extending rearwardly from said saddles, each arm having a
proximal end adjacent said saddle assembly and a distal end and
bearing a latch at said distal end, said arms and latches
dimensioned so that said latches will engage said shoulder of said
intermediate wall so as to prevent said clip from being removed
forwardly from said plug housing, said clip further comprising at
least one rib dimensioned and positioned on said clip to snugly
engage said at least one channel of said plug housing when said
clip is inserted in said plug housing so as to prevent further
rearward travel of said clip into said plug housing when said
latches engage said shoulder of said intermediate wall of said plug
housing; a shell bearing a first coupling mechanism; and an adapter
portion comprising at least: an adapter housing having a forward
end and a rearward end and including an internal longitudinal bore
between said forward and rearward ends, said bore adapted to
fixedly accept an RJ-45 adapter connector therein and including
catches disposed in said bore adapted to mate with slots on an
RJ-45 adapter connector, and a second coupling mechanism for
complementary mating with said first coupling mechanism of said
plug portion, whereby a pair of complementary connectors within
said protective enclosure can be sealed therein; a sleeve having a
forward end and a rearward end and a wall extending between said
forward and rearward ends, and including an internal longitudinal
bore between said forward and rearward ends, an outer surface of
said wall dimensioned to fit snugly within said bore of said
adapter housing, and said bore of said sleeve dimensioned to snugly
accept an LC adapter connector therein.
12. The protective enclosure of claim 11 wherein said bore further
includes two opposed, blind channels running in the longitudinal
direction and in communication with said forward open end, said
channels having a length in said longitudinal dimension and a width
transverse said longitudinal dimension, each said channel including
a rearward edge intermediate said forward end and said intermediate
wall, and said clip further comprising two opposed ribs on said
saddle assembly running in the longitudinal direction having a
width transverse said longitudinal dimension approximately equal to
said width of said channels of said plug housing so as to fit
snugly within said channel, each said rib having a rearward end in
said longitudinal dimension, wherein said rearward ends are spaced
from said latches in said longitudinal dimension a distance equal
to a distance between said shoulder of said intermediate wall and
said rear edges of said channels of said internal bore of said plug
housing.
13. The protective enclosure of claim 12 wherein said saddles
comprise an intermediate wall extending transversely to said
longitudinal direction, first and second outer walls extending
parallel to said intermediate wall, first and second bottom walls
joining said first and second outer walls to said intermediate
wall, respectively, and first and second flanges extending from
said outer walls, respectively, opposite said bottom walls, whereby
said intermediate wall, said first outer wall, said first bottom
wall, and said first flange define said first saddle and said
intermediate wall, said second outer wall, said second bottom wall,
and said second flange define said second saddle.
14. The protective enclosure of claim 13 wherein said first
coupling mechanism comprises at least one bayonet button disposed
on an inner surface of said shell and said second coupling
mechanism comprises at least one groove for accepting said
button.
15. The protective enclosure of claim 14 wherein said plug housing
further comprises a radial flange extending radially outwardly from
said housing intermediate said forward and rearward ends and
wherein said enclosure further comprises an interfacial seal
dimensioned to be squeezed between said radial flange and said
forward end of said adapter housing when said first and second
coupling mechanisms are joined.
16. The protective enclosure of claim 15 wherein said wall of said
sleeve includes first and second opposed slots, each adapted to
accept a protrusion of an LC connector when inserted longitudinally
in said bore of said sleeve such that said LC connector becomes
fixed within said bore.
17. The protective enclosure of claim 16 wherein said adapter
housing includes first and second catches disposed in said internal
bore and adapted to engage latches of an RJ-45 type adapter and
wherein said sleeve further comprises third and fourth opposed
slots adapted to accept said first and second catches in said
internal bore of said adapter housing when said sleeve is inserted
longitudinally in said bore such that said sleeve becomes fixed
within said bore.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to fiber optic connectors. More
particularly, the invention pertains to a method and apparatus for
sealing fiber optic connectors to protect them from dust, moisture,
and other contaminants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Optical fibers are becoming increasingly more prevalent as a
medium for transmitting high bandwidth voice and data signals in
telecommunications systems. There are a number of different
standardized connectors in the fiber optic cable industry used for
interconnecting two fiber optic cables to each other or for
interconnecting a fiber optic cable to a piece of equipment. Some
of the more common standardized connectors are the LC, ST, SC, and
FC type connectors. Each of these types of connectors must meet
certain dimensional standards. Also, typically, any type of
connector system typically comprises two complementary connectors,
e.g., a plug (the male connector) and an adapter (the female
connector).
[0003] Unlike copper and other conductive media for transmitting
electrical signals, fiber optic cable connectors must be designed
so as to be extremely precise in terms of both aligning the optical
fibers that terminate in the each of the mating connectors with
each other and assuring that the ends of the fibers are clean and
have as low reflectivity as reasonably possible in order to assure
that the signals are effectively transferred from one fiber to the
next with minimal loss of signal strength and signal quality. The
connectors are made to precise tolerances and the process of
terminating an optical fiber to an optical fiber connector, which
process often is performed in the field, is laborious and
painstaking.
[0004] Such fiber optic connectors may be disposed in environments
that are harsh and in which dust, dirt, moisture, and/or other
contaminants are prone to enter the connection. Generally, the
aforementioned standardized connectors have fairly tight tolerances
and do not permit the ingress of dirt or moisture under mild
conditions, such as in homes and office buildings. However, in
factories, motor vehicles, and outdoor settings, such as cellular
antenna towers, in which moisture or dust may be significant,
standard fiber optic connectors may not be adequate to prevent the
ingress of dust or moisture into the connectors. When fiber optic
connectors are expected to be located in such harsh environments,
it is desirable to place a sealed housing around the connectors.
Accordingly, protective enclosures are commonly used to prevent
optical fiber connectors from contamination by dust, dirt,
moisture, and other contaminants. Such protective enclosures also
provide additional protection from mechanical damage as a result of
the ruggedized housing and strain relief of the protective
enclosure.
[0005] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,717 discloses one
exemplary protective enclosure for use with ST or SC type
connectors.
[0006] Generally, a protective enclosure comprises two
complementary mating halves just like the connectors themselves,
namely, a plug half and an adapter half. Each of the halves
typically mounts over the corresponding half of the connector and
comprises some structure and mechanism for sealing the two
connectors inside the structure with a relatively dirt and
watertight seal. The Siemon Company of Watertown, Conn., USA
manufacturers an industrial protective enclosure for a duplex LC
type fiber optic connector. The plug half of the protective
enclosure comprises an LC connector holder that includes two
saddles within each of which an LC connector is slid sideways
(i.e., transverse to the axial direction of the optical fibers). As
the plugs are slid sideways into the holder, the installer must
hold down the rear latches of the LC connectors so that they can
slide under a bar on the holder that contacts and defeats the rear
latches of the LC connectors, permanently holding them in an
inwardly flexed position. Then, while manually holding the duplex
LC connectors and LC connector holder together so that they do not
fall apart, the installer slides this assembly axially into the
plug protective housing while manually aligning the LC connector
holder for proper placement in the housing.
[0007] With respect to the adapter half of the protective
enclosure, the LC adapter is slid axially into the adapter half of
the protective enclosure. The adapter half of the Siemon protective
enclosure includes grooves for matingly engaging the latches that
are on the side surfaces of LC adapters to lock the LC adapter
within the adapter housing portion of the protective enclosure.
[0008] The two housing halves of the protective enclosure mate with
each other via a conventional bayonet type mating, thereby sealing
the LC adapter and plug within the protective enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention is a protective enclosure that can be adapted
for use with different types of connectors, including LC type fiber
optic connectors. The protective enclosure includes a plug portion
and an adapter portion. The plug portion includes a plug housing
having an internal longitudinal bore adapted to accept a plug
connector of a connector type larger than an LC adapter, but
includes a clip to which one or two LC plug connectors can be
fixedly mounted that can optionally fixedly clip into the internal
bore of the housing so that an LC connector can be fixedly mounted
within the housing. The adapter portion includes an adapter housing
having an internal longitudinal bore adapted to accept an adapter
connector of a connector type larger than an LC adapter, but
including an optional sleeve that can fixedly snap into the
internal bore of the adapter housing and within which an LC adapter
connector can be fixedly mounted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the two halves of an LC
protective enclosure comprising a plug portion and mating adapter
portion in accordance of the principles of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an axially exploded perspective view of the
components of the plug half of the protective enclosure of FIG. 1
in accordance of the principles of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an axially exploded perspective view of the
components of the adapter half of the protective enclosure of FIG.
1 in accordance of the principles of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a more detailed perspective view of the universal
holder of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the universal holder of
FIG. 2 taken along line B-B in FIG. 4A.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a more detailed perspective view of the duplex
clip of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a more detailed perspective view of the LC
connector of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG.
3.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a more detailed perspective view of the adapter
sleeve of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a more detailed perspective view of the LC adapter
of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the manner of
insertion of the LC plug connector into the duplex clip of FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing to LC connectors
fixed within the duplex clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In order to reduce the number of components that must be
design and manufactured to provide dust and moisture protection for
the various types of connectors commonly used in telecommunications
and other fields, it would be desirable to provide a protective
enclosure that can be adapted for use with multiple types of
connectors with minimal componentry needed to adapt between usage
for the two or more different connector types. The present
invention provides a protective enclosure that can be used, with
minimal changes, to protect both RJ-45 type conductive connectors
and LC type fiber optic type connectors and that also can be used
in connection with both simplex and duplex LC connector.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, it shows the two halves 2 and 3 of an
LC style protective enclosure 1 constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
[0024] The figures in this application illustrate a duplex
embodiment of the invention. However, it will be readily apparent
to those of skill in the art that the invention also can be applied
to a simplex connector by eliminating one of the sets of
connectors.
[0025] The plug portion 2 of the protective enclosure 1 includes
two LC plug connectors 600 disposed within a universal holder 400.
The holder 400 is surrounded by a shell 300 which will mate in
bayonet style with the housing 700 of the adapter half 3 of the
protective enclosure 1. The universal holder 400 is adapted to
accommodate either an RJ-45 connector or one or two LC connectors,
as described in greater detail herein below. An interfacial seal
200 (obstructed in the view of FIG. 1, but which can be seen in
FIG. 2) is inserted over the forward end of the universal holder
400. It is essentially a flexible flat washer that will provide a
good moisture-proof seal when squeezed between the two halves 2 and
3 when they are joined. Note that the term "forward" refers to the
direction toward the interface of the two mating connector halves
and the term "rearward" refers to the direction away from the
interface of the two mating connector halves. Thus, when the two
connector halves are joined, the forward direction for the plug
half of the connector is the opposite direction of the forward
direction for the adapter half of the connector.
[0026] The adapter portion 3 comprises an LC duplex adapter 900
disposed in a housing 700 compliant with the ODVA specification,
where ODVA refers to the Open DeviceNet's Vendors Association. An
adapter sleeve 800 is disposed between the duplex LC adapter 900
and the housing 700. The adapter sleeve 800 permits the LC adapter
to fit snugly within the bore of the housing 700, the dimensions of
which are adapted to accept the larger RJ-45 adapter when being
used in connection with that type of connector.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the plug assembly 2 of FIG. 1.
Two optical fiber cables will be terminated in the two LC
connectors 600. However, in order not to obfuscate the illustration
of the components of the plug assembly 2, the optical fiber cables
are not shown in FIG. 2. Rather, only eyelets 680 are shown
extending from the rear of the two LC plug connectors 600. However,
it should be understood that optical fiber cables will be
terminated to the plug connectors 600 in a conventional fashion and
the cable jackets and strength members will protrude from the rear
of the plug connector 2 and the cable will extend through all of
the other components and out of the back of the compression fitting
100.
[0028] The duplex clip 500 is the component that permits the LC
plug connectors 600 to be firmly attached within the universal
holder 400, the internal bore is dimensioned to also accept the
larger RJ-45 type plug connector. With specific reference to FIG.
5, which shows a more detailed view of the duplex clip 500, and
FIG. 6, which shows a more detailed view of the LC plug connector
600, the duplex clip 500 is made of a resilient material,
preferably plastic, and includes two saddles 515 defined by the
spaces between the middle longitudinal wall 518 and each of the two
outer walls 514 of the click. Each connector 600 snaps into one of
the saddles 515 of the duplex clip 500. Flanges 516 extend inwardly
from the tops of the outer walls 514. Each of the two saddles
essentially is defined by the space enclosed by the middle wall
518, bottom wall 520, outer wall 514, and inwardly extending flange
516 corresponding to each saddled 515.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, each connector 600 has a recess (or
groove) 647 near its rearward end. The groove is essentially
defined by ribs 621, 623, and 624 in the sides and top of the
connector 600. The connector also includes a rear latch arm 645 and
a forward latch arm 646 that overlap each other near their ends.
The overlapping ends of the latch arms 645, 646 not connected to
each other. The latch arms 645, 646 are flexible such that both
latches can be flexed toward the plug body. These latches 645, 646
are conventional and are commonly used to engage complementary
slots found in conventional LC adapters.
[0030] To assemble the LC connectors to the duplex clip 500, each
LC connector 600 is inserted from the top downwardly into its
respective saddle 515 in the duplex clip 500 with the recess 619 on
the connector 600 aligned with the saddled 515 of the clip 500, as
shown in FIG. 10A. As the connector 600 is being inserted, the
outer walls 514 of the clip 500 resiliently flex outwardly to
permit the connector 600 to be inserted into the saddle 515. When
the inwardly extending flanges of 516 clear the upper surface 622
of the groove 647 in the connector 600, the walls 514 snap back
inwardly, thereby trapping the LC connector 600 in the saddle as
shown in FIG. 10B. The ribs 621, 623 butt up against the forward
and rear edges 514 a, 514b of the outer walls 514, thereby fixing
the connector 600 in the duplex clip 500 in the axial direction.
The floor 520 and the inwardly extending flange 516 butt up against
the bottom and top surfaces 647, 622, respectively, of the
connector recess 619 to trap the connector 600 in the saddle 515 in
the vertical direction. (Note that all directions refer to the
specific orientations shown in the drawings, which are merely
exemplary). The middle and outer walls 531, 514, of course, trap
the connector in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the
connectors 600 will be fixedly attached to the clip 500.
[0031] The clip is dimensioned such that the centerline spacing of
two LC connectors disposed in the two saddles is equal to that of a
standard LC connector pair, which is nominally 6.25 mm. This allows
the two LC plug connectors 600 in the plug half 2 to mate
appropriately with a duplex LC adapter connector 900 on the adapter
half 3 of the connection.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 5, two cantilevered arms 510 extend
rearwardly in the longitudinal direction from the top and bottom,
respectively, of the middle wall 518. Each of the cantilever arms
510 has a latch 510a extending outwardly from its distal end 510d.
Each latch has a beveled rear edge 510b and a straight (vertical)
forward edge 510c. The arms have a central axial rib 512 in order
to increase their strength, and particularly their flex strength.
The proximal end 510e of the upper cantilever arm has a reduced
width (via radiused transition 510f) so as to provide clearance for
the insertion of the LC plug connectors 600 as described above in
connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0033] When the LC connectors 600 and clip 500 are assembled to
form the connector/duplex clip assembly 1000 shown in FIG. 10B,
that assembly can be inserted axially rearwardly into the bore 416
of the holder 400 as described more fully below.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are detailed
perspective and cross sectional views of the universal holder 400,
the universal holder 400 is generally cylindrical comprising a
front portion 414 and a rear portion 410. It also comprises an
intermediate flange 412 of larger outer diameter than the diameters
of the front and rear portions 414, 416. Furthermore, the internal
bore 416 is intersected by an intermediate wall 418 with a circular
opening 419. The portion of the internal bore 416 that is forward
of the intermediate wall 418 is generally rectangular and
dimensioned to accept a standard RJ-45 connector. The portion of
the internal bore that is a rearward of the intermediate wall 418
is generally circular. The rear portion of the internal bore may be
internally threaded so as to permit it to be screwed together with
the compression fitting 100, as described more fully below.
[0035] The front portion of the internal bore 416 includes two
blind channels 453, one on each of the side walls of the bore.
Channels 453 are in communication with the front surface 423 of the
universal holder and have a back edge 453a. The front portion of
the internal bore 416 further includes another channel 451 in the
top wall of the bore. Channel 451 is adapted to accept the top
latch found on a standard RJ-45 connector. Unlike channels 453,
this channel runs the full length from the front surface 415 to the
intermediate internal wall 418.
[0036] Now with reference to both FIGS. 4 and 5, when the
connector/duplex clip assembly 1000 is inserted into the universal
holder, the latch 510a at the end of the upper cantilever arm 510
slides within channel 451 in the top wall of the front end of the
bore 416. Likewise, the latch 510a at the end of the lower
cantilever arm 510 engages and slides along the floor 455 of the
bore 416. The arms 510 and latches 510a are sized and positioned so
that the spacing, a, between the latches 510a on the upper and
lower arms 510 is slightly greater than the distance, b (FIG. 4A),
between the top of channel 451 and the floor 455 of the bore 416.
Thus, when the assembly 1000 is slid into the bore 416 of the
universal holder 400. the beveled edges 510b of the latches meet
the surface of the bore 416 and cause the cantilever arms 510 to
flex inwardly as the latches 510a slide along the channel 451 and
floor 455. When the latches 510a clear the intermediate wall 418,
the resilient cantilever arms 510 will snap back outwardly so that
the vertical faces 510c of the latches 510a will catch on and butt
up against the forward side of the intermediate wall 418 of the
universal holder 400, preventing the assembly 1000 from sliding
back out in the forward direction (unless the cantilever arms 510
are intentionally flexed inwardly again).
[0037] Longitudinally directed ribs 535 on the outer surfaces of
the outer walls 514 of the duplex clip 500 are positioned so that
they engage the blind channels 453 on the inner side walls of the
universal holder 400. These channels 453 are of a width in the
vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension that is
essentially equal to the height of the blind channels 453 in the
plug housing so as to fit snugly therein in that transverse
direction. The channels 453 have a length so that the rear walls
453a of the channels 453 will butt up against the rear edges 535a
of the ribs 535 of the duplex clip 500 essentially at the same
instant that the latches 510a at the ends of the cantilever arms
510 clear the intermediate wall 418. In other words, the rear edges
of the ribs 535 are spaced from the latches 510a at the distal ends
of the arms 510 in the longitudinal dimension a distance
approximately equal to the distance between the shoulder of the
intermediate wall 418 in the plug housing and the rear walls 453a
of the blind channels 453. Accordingly, the combination of (1) the
butting of the rear walls 453a of channels 453 against the rear
edges 535a of ribs 535 and (2) the butting of the latches 510a
against the intermediate wall 429 will prevent movement of the
duplex clip/LC connector assembly (FIG. 10B) in the axial
direction.
[0038] The installer should bias or hold down the rear anti-snag
latch 645 of each LC connector as he or she is inserting the
assembly 1000 into the plug housing 400. Once the assembly 100 is
inserted within the housing 400, the rear anti-snag latches 645
will be biased by the internal bore of the holder, particularly, by
sizing the combined envelope height of the connector and clip
assembly 1000 to be larger than the internal bore of the holder.
The biasing of the rear latch 645 effectively defeats each front
retention latch 646 also. Thus, when the LC connector is disposed
within the plug housing, it will not serve a latching function with
respect to the adapter connector 900, but will continue to serve as
a polarization feature that prevents incorrect engagement of the
plug and adapter connectors.
[0039] The outer dimensions of the duplex clip 500 (i.e., (1) the
spacing between the outer walls 514, c, in the horizontal dimension
and (2) the spacing between the top surface 536 (and upper
cantilever arm 510) and bottom surface 537 (and lower cantilever
arm 510), d, are dimensioned to be slightly smaller than the
rectangular dimensions of the front end of the bore 416 in the
universal holder 400 so that the duplex clip/connector assembly
1000 fits relatively tightly in the bore 416 of the universal
holder 400. In other words, the clip 500 has the same outer
dimensions as an RJ-45 plug connector. Of course, as previously
noted, the latches 510a at the ends of the cantilever arms actually
extend beyond the dimensions of the bore 416 so that they will
cause the cantilever arms 510 to deflect inwardly as the clip 50 is
inserted into the bore 416 and so that the latches 510a will butt
up against the intermediate wall 429 when fully inserted, all as
described above.
[0040] Referring again to FIG. 2, the shell 300 and compression
fitting 100 may be of any conventional design. As illustrated, the
shell is generally cylindrical and comprises knurls 310 on its
outer surface to assist with gripping it and rotating it by hand.
It includes a coupling mechanism that will mate with a
complementary coupling mechanism on the adapter housing for sealing
the connector therein protected against dust, moisture and other
contaminants. In one exemplary embodiment, the two parts couple
with complementary bayonet style mechanisms. In such an embodiment,
one or more bayonet lock buttons 312 are formed on the inner
cylindrical surface 315 of the shell 300 for mating with the
corresponding grooves on the outer surface of the adapter housing
700 of the other half 3 of the protective enclosure 1 (as seen in
FIG. 3 to be discussed in more detail below). Alternate coupling
mechanisms are possible, including mating internal and external
threads, interference fits, snap ring fits, etc.
[0041] The front end of the shell 300 is open and the rear end
includes a wall (obstructed from view in the perspective view of
FIG. 2) having a circular opening for accepting the rear portion
410 of the universal holder 400 there through. The circular opening
is sized to be large enough to permit the rear portion 410 there
through, but small enough to prevent the intermediate flange 412 of
the universal holder 400 from passing there through. The rear end
410 of the universal holder 400 is internally threaded.
[0042] The compression fitting 100 comprises an externally threaded
front end 115 for fitting within and matingly engaging the
internally threaded rear portion 410 of the universal holder. It
also has a rear portion 111 for engaging a strain relief cap in any
reasonable manner. For instance, the rear portion 111 may be
threaded and/or tapered. Intermediate the front and rear portions
115, 111 is a flange 113. The flange has a diameter greater than
the diameter of the circular hole in the rear wall of the shell 300
so that the shell 300 cannot be moved beyond it.
[0043] When assembled the compression fitting 100 is screwed into
the universal holder 400. Thus, the shell 300 is loosely trapped
between the flange 412 of the universal holder 400 and the flange
113 of the compression fitting 100.
[0044] Typically, the compression fitting 100, shell 300, universal
holder 400, and interfacial seal 200 will be delivered to an
installer pre-assembled. The installer will simply need to run the
optical fiber cable(s) through the assembly, properly terminate the
cable(s) to the connector(s) 600, assemble the connectors to the
duplex clip 500 (as previously described in connection with FIGS.
10A and 10B), and slide the connector(s)/duplex clip assembly 1000
into the holder 400 to fully assemble the plug half 2 of the
protective enclosure 1. When sliding the assembly 1000 into the
universal holder 400, the installer should squeeze the latches 645,
647 of the plug 600 into the downwardly flexed position to permit
easy entry into the universal holder 400. Once inserted, the
latches will be maintained in the downwardly flexed position by the
walls of the bore 416 of the universal holder 400.
[0045] Turning now to the adapter half 3 of the protective
enclosure 1 shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the adapter assembly
includes a duplex LC adapter 900, an adapter sleeve 800, and an
adapter housing 700. The duplex LC adapter 900, adapter sleeve 800,
and adapter housing 700 typically would be formed of a polymeric
material. The polymeric adapter housing 700, sleeve 800, and LC
adapter 900 may be electroplated, vacuum metalized, or may include
fillers, such as graphite fiber, to provide suppression from EMI
emissions.
[0046] The outer surface of the housing 700 is generally
cylindrical with the rear portion thereof 720 bearing external
threads 716, the threads intersected by a flange 712. The threads
permit the adapter housing to be mounted to a bulkhead or panel
with a suitably sized and shaped opening by pressing the front or
rear edge of 712a or 712b of the flange 712 against the panel or
bulkhead and screwing a nut 798 over the front or rear threads to
press the panel or bulkhead between the respective edge of the
flange 712 and the surface of the nut 798. The threads 716 on both
sides of the flange 712 permits the adapter housing 700 to be
mounted with either the front edge 712a or the rear edge 712b
against the panel or bulkhead.
[0047] The front portion 711 of the adapter housing is not
threaded, but instead bears at least one bayonet coupling groove
743 open to the front surface 710 of the housing and terminating at
the opposite end of the groove in a button recess 743b. The bayonet
groove 743 accepts the bayonet button 312 on the shell 300 of the
plug half 2 of the protective enclosure. The adapter housing 700
includes an internal bore 718 that has a generally rectangular rear
opening (not seen) and a generally circular front opening. The
adapter housing 700 also is a multi-purpose housing that can be
used as a protective enclosure for RJ-45 connectors and which can
be adapted, in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, to work with LC adapter connectors also.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 8, the adapter sleeve 800 is designed
to mate an LC duplex adapter 900 to the adapter housing 700. The
adapter sleeve 800 is essentially rectangular, being sized and
shaped to be slightly smaller than the rectangular opening in the
rear of the adapter housing 700 so that it can be slid snugly into
the housing 700. It has a generally rectangular, uniform internal
bore 824 running all the way through from the rear face 822 to the
front face 823 of the sleeve 800. The internal bore 824 is slightly
larger than the outer dimensions of a standard LC duplex adapter
housing so that such an LC duplex adapter will slide snugly into
the adapter sleeve 800. The sleeve has a rear side slot 810 in each
side wall and a forward side slot 816 in each side wall. The
forward side slots 816 have a beveled lead in 813 extending from
the front surface 823 of the sleeve 800 to the front edge of the
slot.
[0049] The two rear slots 810 are designed to snugly mate with
protrusions 910 (FIG. 9) extending from the sides of the LC adapter
900. The dimensions of the inner bore 824 of the sleeve 800 are
dimensioned to be slightly larger than the outer dimensions of a
standard LC adapter, excluding the protrusions 910. The side walls
801 of the adapter sleeve 800 will flex outwardly to permit the
protrusions 910 on the LC adapter to enter the internal bore 824 of
the sleeve 800. When the protrusions 910 reach the slots 810, the
walls 801 will snap back inwardly, thereby trapping the protrusions
910 in the slots 810 and fixing the LC adapter 900 in the sleeve
800.
[0050] The sleeve 800 with the LC adapter 900 mounted therein as
just described is then inserted axially into the adapter housing
700 from the rear (i.e., in the forward direction). The housing 700
includes two internal catches 701 (one of them can be seen in FIG.
3) designed for mating with the slots found on standard RJ-45
adapters. As the sleeve 800 is advanced, these catches ride up over
the beveled lead ins 813 causing the sleeve to flex inwardly until
the catches 701 reach the slots 816, thereby permitting the wall of
the sleeve to snap back outwardly and trap the catches 701 in the
slots 810, thereby locking the sleeve 800 (bearing the LC adapter
900) within the housing 700. The outer dimensions of the sleeve are
selected so that the sleeve fits snugly within the rectangular bore
in the rear of the adapter housing 700.
[0051] To join the adapter half 3 to the plug half 2 of the
connector and seal the connection against dust, moisture and other
contaminants, the two halves 2, 3, are joined in standard bayonet
connection fashion. Specifically, the front ends of the two halves
2, 3 are brought together and twisted so that the bayonet button(s)
312 on the plug sleeve 312 can enter the bayonet groove(s) 743 in
the adapter housing and the two halves 2, 3 are rotated relative to
each other about a quarter turn so that the button 312 rides along
the groove 743. As the button 312 slides in the groove 743, it
draws the two halves 2, 3 axially toward each other until the
button reaches the button indent 743b. The groove 743 and button
312 are relatively positioned on their respective elements 700 and
300 such that, when the button reaches the indent, the front
surface 710 of the adapter housing 700 will squeeze the interfacial
seal 200 against the front edge of flange 412 of universal holder
400 enough to form a tight seal, but not compromise the integrity
of the interfacial seal 200. Also, when the button reaches the
indent 743b, the pressure against the resilient seal 200 will cause
the button to enter the indent, thereby providing some resistance
to rotation of the two halves in the reverse direction, whereby the
two halves might become inadvertently uncoupled.
[0052] While the invention has been described in connection with a
duplex connection, it should be apparent that the invention can
also be employed in connection with a simplex connector, for
instance, by simply providing only one plug connector 600 in the
assembly 1000.
[0053] The present invention provides a protective enclosure that
can readily be adapted for use with RJ-45 type copper connectors as
well as LC type optical fiber connectors. Particularly, we have
taken an adapter housing and a mounting member particularly
dimensioned for accepting RJ-45 connectors and adapted them for use
with LC connectors by the addition of one clip used in the plug
portion of the connector and one adapter sleeve used in the adapter
portion of the connector.
[0054] Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the
invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements
will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,
modifications, and improvements as are made obvious by this
disclosure are intended to be part of this description though not
expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description
is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is
limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents
thereto.
* * * * *