U.S. patent application number 17/472294 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-03 for fiber optic connector holder and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is CommScope Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to Kathleen M. Barnes, James W. Conroy, Joel B. Douglas, Marlon E. Holmquist, Trevor D. Smith, Thomas C. Tinucci, Cindy S. Walters.
Application Number | 20220066104 17/472294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220066104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Trevor D. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2022 |
FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR HOLDER AND METHOD
Abstract
A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening
for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector
holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust
cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an
optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and
releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber
optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted
within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter.
The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber
optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and
polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. An
optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber
optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a
polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
Inventors: |
Smith; Trevor D.; (Eden
Prairie, MN) ; Tinucci; Thomas C.; (Chaska, MN)
; Walters; Cindy S.; (Prior Lake, MN) ; Conroy;
James W.; (Prior Lake, MN) ; Douglas; Joel B.;
(Newton, IA) ; Barnes; Kathleen M.; (Santa Rosa,
CA) ; Holmquist; Marlon E.; (St. Peter, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CommScope Technologies LLC |
Hickory |
NC |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/472294 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16854996 |
Apr 22, 2020 |
11119285 |
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17472294 |
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16229937 |
Dec 21, 2018 |
10634860 |
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16854996 |
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15728067 |
Oct 9, 2017 |
10168491 |
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16229937 |
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15289330 |
Oct 10, 2016 |
9784928 |
|
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15728067 |
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14840986 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
9470851 |
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15289330 |
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14132282 |
Dec 18, 2013 |
9122019 |
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14840986 |
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13540258 |
Jul 2, 2012 |
8636421 |
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14132282 |
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13177108 |
Jul 6, 2011 |
8210756 |
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13540258 |
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12908271 |
Oct 20, 2010 |
7980768 |
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13177108 |
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12185504 |
Aug 4, 2008 |
7841775 |
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12908271 |
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11729425 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
7407330 |
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12185504 |
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10610325 |
Jun 30, 2003 |
7198409 |
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11729425 |
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International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An optical plug holder comprising: a body defining an interior
accessible through a single opening, the single opening being sized
to receive only a single optical plug connector, the body being
configured to hold the single optical plug connector while a dust
cap is mounted over a ferrule of the single optical plug
connector.
3. The optical plug holder of claim 2, wherein the body is
configured to snap-fit to a panel.
4. The optical plug holder of claim 3, wherein the body carries
oppositely facing latching springs to mount the body to the
panel.
5. The optical plug holder of claim 2, wherein the body includes
internal latch arms that snap-fit around the single optical plug
connector when the single optical plug connector is received at the
body.
6. The optical plug holder of claim 2, wherein the body is sized so
that a portion of the dust cap protrudes outwardly from the
body.
7. The optical plug holder of claim 6, wherein the portion of the
dust cap is the distal portion covering an end face of the
ferrule.
8. The optical plug holder of claim 2, wherein the body includes: a
main housing including a top, a bottom, a pair of opposing sides,
and an open end sized to receive the optical plug connector and the
dust cap; and an inner housing disposed within the main housing and
including a dust cap opening sized to receive the dust cap when the
optical plug connector is received in the open end of the main
housing.
9. The optical plug holder of claim 8, wherein the inner housing
includes at least one retaining clip which releasably latches onto
the optical plug connector and releasably holds the optical plug
connector within the open end of the main housing.
10. A fiber optic assembly comprising: a panel defining an opening;
and a fiber optic connector holder mounted within the opening, the
fiber optic connector holder defining a single opening sized to
receive only a single optical plug connector, wherein the fiber
optic connector holder is configured to retain the single optical
plug connector while a dust cap is mounted over an optical end face
of the single optical plug connector.
11. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder is one of a plurality of fiber optic connector
holders, and wherein each of the fiber optic connector holders is
independently mounted within the opening.
12. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the opening is
one of a plurality of openings defined in the panel, wherein the
fiber optic connector holder is one of a plurality of fiber optic
connector holders, and wherein each of the fiber optic connector
holders is independently mounted within a respective one of the
openings.
13. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder is configured to snap-fit to the panel at the
opening.
14. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder carries oppositely facing latching springs to
mount the fiber optic connector holder to the panel.
15. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder includes internal latch arms that snap-fit around
the single optical plug connector when the single optical plug
connector is received at the fiber optic connector holder.
16. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder is sized so that a portion of the dust cap
protrudes outwardly from the fiber optic connector holder.
17. The fiber optic assembly of claim 16, wherein the portion of
the dust cap is the distal portion covering an end face of the
ferrule.
18. The fiber optic assembly of claim 10, wherein the fiber optic
connector holder includes: a main housing including a top, a
bottom, a pair of opposing sides, and an open end sized to receive
the optical plug connector and the dust cap; and an inner housing
disposed within the main housing and including a dust cap opening
sized to receive the dust cap when the optical plug connector is
received in the open end of the main housing.
19. The fiber optic assembly of claim 18, wherein the inner housing
includes at least one retaining clip which releasably latches onto
the optical plug connector and releasably holds the optical plug
connector within the open end of the main housing.
20. A method of storing optical plug connectors comprising:
inserting a dust cap covered optical end face of one optical plug
connector into a cavity of a connector holder, wherein the
connector holder is sized to receive no more than the one optical
plug connector.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting a dust cap
covered optical end face of another optical plug connector into a
separate connector holder.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
16/854,996, filed Apr. 22, 2020, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 16/229,937, filed Dec. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,634,860, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
15/728,067, filed Oct. 9, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,168,491, which
is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/289,330, filed Oct.
10, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,784,928, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 14/840,986, filed Aug. 31, 2015, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,470,851, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
14/132,282, filed Dec. 18, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,122,019, which
is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/540,258, filed Jul. 2,
2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,421, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 13/177,108, filed Jul. 6, 2011, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,210,756, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/908,271, filed Oct. 20, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,768 which
is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/185,504, filed Aug. 4,
2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,775, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 11/729,425, filed Mar. 27, 2007, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,407,330, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/610,325, filed Jun. 30, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,409, which
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to holders for fiber
optic connectors and more specifically relates to holders for fiber
optic connectors which are protected by dust caps.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fiber optic connectors include a polished end face,
typically held by a ferrule, which permits positioning of the
optical fiber held by the connector to receive and transmit signals
another optical fiber or optical light source. It is desirable to
keep these polished end faces as free of contaminants as possible
to improve the transmission of light to and from the optical fiber
held by the connector. Such contaminants which might adversely
impact the transmission of light to and from the optical fiber
include but are not limited to dust and finger prints.
[0004] Dust caps may be provided for connectors to protect the
polished end face of the optical fiber. However, when such dust
caps are in place, the connector is not capable of being received
in known optical fiber adapters, such as those described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,317,663, and 6,347,888. The disclosures of these
patents are incorporated herein by reference. A connector may be
inserted into one of these known adapters for storage or pre-wiring
of a cross-connection point, an interconnection point or some other
type telecommunications switching or connection equipment with the
dust cap removed. While the adapters might provide some protection
from contaminants to a single connector inserted into an adapter,
these adapters are not as effective as a dust cap in protecting the
polished end face.
[0005] It is desirable to improve the known methods and apparatus
for protecting the polished end face of a fiber optic connector
within telecommunications equipment.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates to a fiber optic connector
holder sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic
adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a
fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule
and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to
be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder.
[0007] The present invention further relates to a system for
holding fiber optic connectors including a fiber optic connector
holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber
optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to
receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a
ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the
ferrule. The connector holder may be removed from the bulkhead and
a fiber optic adapter may be mounted within the same opening.
[0008] The present invention also relates to a method of holding an
optical fiber connector to a bulkhead, when the fiber optic
connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a
polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of
the invention and together with the detailed description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the
drawings is as follows:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a fiber optic
connector holder according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the fiber optic
connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of the fiber optic connector holder of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fiber optic connector holder
of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a first end view of the fiber optic connector
holder of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the fiber optic connector holder of
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a second opposite end view of the fiber optic
connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a first perspective view of system for holder a
fiber optic connector including the fiber optic connector holder of
FIG. 1 with a fiber optic connector inserted.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a second perspective view of the system for
holding a fiber optic connector of FIG. 8.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top view of the system for holding a fiber
optic connector of FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the system for holding a fiber
optic connector of FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an end view of the system for holding a fiber
optic connector of FIG. 8.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the system for holding
a fiber optic connector of FIG. 8, taken along line A-A in FIG.
11.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the system for
holding a fiber optic connector of FIG. 8.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the main housing of the
fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a first perspective view of an inner housing of
the fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a second perspective view of the inner housing of
FIG. 16.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a top view of the inner housing of FIG. 16.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a side view of the inner housing of FIG. 16.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a first end view of the inner housing of FIG.
16.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a second end view of the inner housing of FIG.
16.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a first perspective view of the cover of the
fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a second perspective view of the cover of FIG.
22.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 22.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 22.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 22.
[0036] FIG. 27 is a first end view of the cover of FIG. 22.
[0037] FIG. 28 is a second end view of the cover of FIG. 22.
[0038] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the clip of the fiber optic
connector holder of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 30 is an end view of the clip of FIG. 29.
[0040] FIG. 31 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 29.
[0041] FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 29.
[0042] FIG. 33 is a top view of the fiber optic connector holder of
FIG. 1 inserted within an opening in a bulkhead.
[0043] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a bulkhead including a
plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connector adapters
and the fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 1 inserted within one
of the openings.
[0044] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the dust cap of the fiber
optic connector of FIG. 14.
[0045] FIG. 36 is a side view of the dust cap of FIG. 35.
[0046] FIG. 37 is an end view of the dust cap of FIG. 35.
[0047] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the dust cap of FIG.
35.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of
the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar
parts.
[0049] Fiber optic cables may be terminated with fiber optic
connectors such as connector 100 shown in FIGS. 8 through 14,
below. Optical fiber within these cables may be terminated at a
polished end face held by a ferrule 102 in connector 100, as is
well known in the art and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,663,
incorporated herein by reference. These polished end faces and
ferrules 102 need to be stored and protected until needed for
connecting to other fiber optic cables or optical signal equipment.
The fiber optic connector 100 including a connector body 101
surrounding the ferrule 102 and a connector sleeve 103 mounted over
the connector body 101 (e.g., see FIG. 14).
[0050] Often a dust cap 104 may be placed about ferrule 102 and the
polished end face of the optical fiber to protect the polished end
face from contamination from dust, fingerprints or other items
which might degrade optical signal transmission. While it is known
to store these in known optical fiber adapters until the fiber
within the attached cable is needed to connect to another fiber
optic cable or optical signal equipment, such storage is less than
ideal as adapters do not seal the polished end face from
contamination as well as dust cap 104 securely fit and held about
ferrule 102 of connector 100. Known adapters do not permit
insertion of connector 100 which still has dust cap 104 in place
about ferrule 102 and the polished end face of the cable.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, connector holder 10 includes
a main housing 12 defining an interior cavity 14. An open end 18
permits insertion of a connector 100 into cavity 14 while an
opposite opening 16 permits dust cap 104 to protrude from connector
holder 10. A clip 20 is positioned about main housing 12 and
includes a pair of spring mounting clips 22. A pair of flanges 24
extends from opposing sides 26 of main housing 12 adjacent spring
clips 22. Clips 22 and flanges 24 cooperate to releasably mount
holder 10 to an opening in a bulkhead as is shown below.
[0052] Main housing 12 also includes a bottom 30 with a keyway 28
to receive a keyed extension of connector 100 to consistently
orient connector 100 for insertion into cavity 14. Opposite bottom
30 is an open top closed a cover 32. This is shown in more detail
in FIG. 12, below. FIGS. 3 through 7 provide additional views of
connector holder 10.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 13, connector holder 10 is
shown with connector 100 positioned within cavity 18. Dust cap 104
extends from opening 16 of connector holder 10 while connector 100
is inserted through open end 14. The fiber optic connector 100 is
stored in the connector holder 10 with a first portion of the
connector sleeve 103 positioned within the interior cavity 14 and a
second portion of the connector sleeve 103 projecting outwardly
from the front of the connector holder 10 (e.g., see FIG. 9).
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, connector holder 10
further includes an inner housing 34 with a pair of opposing
releasable catches 36 and an opening 38 sized to receive dust cap
104. Inner housing 34 is positioned within main housing 12 through
an open top 40 with opening 38 adjacent opening 16 and catches 36
adjacent open end 14. Cover 32 is then positioned within open top
40 and clip 20 placed about cover 32 and main housing 12. Cover 32
may be sealed within open top 40 by gluing, ultrasonic welding or a
variety of known fastening techniques. Connector 100 includes a
pair of opposing recesses 106 which receive catches 36 when
connector 100 is inserted within holder 10.
[0055] As shown, connector 100 and holder 10 are FC style.
Connector 100 and holder 10 may conform to other styles and formats
of electrical connectors and adapters without straying from the
spirit of the present invention.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 15, main housing 12 also includes a
slot 42 along both sides of cavity 14 to receiving and positioning
a flange of inner housing 34 within cavity 14. A recess 44 is
provided along sides 26 to receive clip 20. Open top 40 includes a
ledge 46 upon which cover 32 is positioned to close cavity 14. An
outer bulkhead 68 forms a portion of opening 16. An inner bulkhead
45 is positioned spaced apart from outer bulkhead 68 and these
bulkheads cooperate to define slot 42. Between bulkheads 45 and 68
is a positioning surface 43 defining the bottom of slot 42.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 16 to 21, inner housing 34 includes a
pair of clip arms 48 extending from a cross piece 50. Opening 38
for receiving dust cap 104 of connector 100 is in cross piece 50.
Catches 36 are at the end of clip arms 48 opposite cross piece 50.
Cross piece 50 includes a pair of flanges 52 which are received in
slots 42 in main housing 12. As shown in FIG. 18, catches 36
include a ramped portion 54 which is engaged by connector 100 as
connector 100 is inserted within cavity 14 through open end 18 of
connector holder 10. Clip arms 48 are deflected outward allowing
connector 100 to pass between catches 36. When connector 100 is
fully inserted within cavity 14 (as shown in FIG. 13) catches 36
are received within recesses 106 and a retaining surface 56 of each
catch 36 hold connector 100 within cavity 14.
[0058] Inner housing 34 is configured to permit insertion within
slots 42 of cavity 14 of main housing 12 in either of two
orientations. A pair of edges 66 of cross piece 50 properly
position inner housing within cavity 14 with regard to cover 32 and
main housing 12 so that opening 38 is aligned to receive dust cap
104.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 22 to 28, cover 32 includes a recess
58 for receiving clip 20 along an outer surface 68. Also in outer
surface 68 is a recess 72 for receiving indicia. Along an inner
surface 70 are formed a pair of edges 64 configured to be received
upon ledges 46 of main housing 12. Extending from inner surface 70
is an outer flange 60 which cooperates with bulkhead 68 within main
housing 12 to define opening 16. Also extending from inner surface
70 is a inner flange 62 which is spaced apart from outer flange 60
to form a slot 63. Slot 63 cooperates within slot 42 of main
housing 12 to receive flanges 52 of inner housing 34.
[0060] At the top of slot 63 is a positioning surface 61 which
cooperates with one of edges 66 of inner housing 34 to position
inner housing 34 within cavity 14 so that opening 38 of inner
housing 34 is aligned with opening 16. When assembled as connector
holder 10, positioning surface 43 of main housing 12 and
positioning surface 61 of cover 32 cooperate to engage both edges
66 of inner housing 34. Slot 42 of main housing 12 and slot 63 of
cover 32 cooperate to capture flanges 52 of inner housing 34.
Referring now to FIGS. 29 to 32, clip 20 includes a cross piece 74
and a pair of opposing sides 76. Spring clips 22 are formed in
sides 76. Sides 76 are received within recesses 44 of main housing
12 and cross piece 74 is received within recess 58 of cover 32. It
is anticipated that clip 20 will be made of a resilient deformable
metal to facilitate insertion and removal from an opening in a
bulkhead. Spring clips 22 each include an end 78 and a ramped
surface 80.
[0061] FIGS. 33 and 34 shows fiber optic connector holder 10
inserted within an opening 84 in a bulkhead 82. Bulkhead 82 may be
part of a piece of telecommunications switching equipment such as a
panel for making a plurality of connections between optical fiber
cables including a plurality of openings 84 for adapters, as shown
in FIG. 34. Alternatively, bulkhead 82 may include only a single
opening 84 where only a single fiber optic connector holder 10 is
needed.
[0062] Open end 18 of connector holder 10 is inserted through
opening 84 until a pair of sides 86 of opening 84 engage ramped
surfaces 80 of spring clips 22. Continued insertion of connector
holder 10 will cause bulkhead sides 86 to deflect spring clips 22
inward toward sides 26. Bulkhead sides 86 will eventually pass
beyond ends 78 of spring clips 22. Spring clips 22 will then spring
back as shown in FIG. 34, capturing bulkhead sides 86 between ends
78 and flanges 24. Connector holder 10 may be removed from opening
84 by compressing spring clips 22 and removing in a direction
opposite the insertion described above.
[0063] Alternatively, flanges 24 may be configured to include a
fastener opening so that connector holder 10 can be mounted within
opening 84 by removable fasteners.
[0064] It is anticipated that bulkhead should be interpreted
broadly enough to include a telecommunications installation where
openings 84 for mounting adapters and connector holders are
included into sliding adapter packs, such as described in
commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,444. The disclosure of this
patent is incorporated herein by reference. Bulkhead should also be
interpreted broadly enough to include a single opening in a wall or
panel, a face plate of a telecommunications module for
cross-connecting or interconnecting multiple optical fiber cables,
as well as other telecommunications installations where one or more
adapters may be mounted within an opening 84.
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 35 through 38, dust cap 104 includes
a central opening 108 to receive ferrule 102 when ferrule 102 is
inserted through open end 110. Opposite open end 110 is closed end
112 which includes knurling 114 to provide better grip for removing
dust cap 104. Central opening 108 fits about ferrule 102 to provide
a seal about ferrule 102 and to hold dust cap to connector 100. Due
to the reduction of air volume within central opening 108 when
ferrule 102 is inserted (see FIG. 13), one or more helix shaped
recesses 116 are provided within central opening 108 along inner
walls 118. Recesses 116 extend from adjacent closed end 112 to open
end 110. Recesses 116 are small enough prevent entry of unwanted
contaminants and still permit air displaced within central opening
108 to be expelled when ferrule 102 is inserted so that dust cap
104 may be fully seat to connector 100. Recesses 116 also allow air
to pass into central opening 108 when dust cap 104 is withdrawn
from ferrule 102. The shape of each recess 116 is also designed to
allow passage of air into and out of central opening 108 when dust
cap 104 is removed or placed on ferrule 102 while inhibiting the
passage of contaminants along the same path.
[0066] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *