US5101463A — Push-pull optical fiber connector

Claim 1

Independent Claim 96 words

An optical fiber connector comprising: a hollow, generally cylindrical member having first and second ends; ferrule means for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule means being located within said cylindrical member proximate said first end; latch means for engaging one or more lugs on a receptacle, said latch means being attached to said cylindrical member proximate said first end; and housing means slidably attached to said cylindrical member, said housing means having ramp means for disengaging said latch means from the lugs as said housing means is moved toward said second end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 96 words

An optical fiber connector comprising: a hollow, generally cylindrical member having first and second ends; ferrule means for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule means being located within said cylindrical member proximate said first end; latch means for engaging one or more lugs on a receptacle, said latch means being attached to said cylindrical member proximate said first end; and housing means slidably attached to said cylindrical member, said housing means having ramp means for disengaging said latch means from the lugs as said housing means is moved toward said second end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises two generally parallel latch arms attached to and aligned with said cylindrical member, each of said latch arms having an aperture therein for receiving one of the lugs.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 1 wherein: said cylindrical member includes stud means for aligning said cylindrical member with a guide slot in the receptacle; and said ferrule means includes spline means for aligning said ferrule means with a guide slot in said cylindrical member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 1 further comprising means for clamping a strength member associated with the optical fiber to said second end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 1 further comprising means for allowing relative movement between said ferrule means and said cylindrical member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 57 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 1 wherein said housing means surrounds said cylindrical member and has one or more slots for accommodating said latch means, and further comprising leg members attached to said cylindrical member for aligning said cylindrical member inside said housing means and for providing resistance against lateral forces acting on the optical fiber.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 2 wherein said ramp means comprises a plurality of ramp surfaces attached to said housing means, each of said ramp surfaces being proximate to and generally facing a leading edge of one of said latch arms.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 4 further comprising bushing means located within said cylindrical member proximate said second end thereof for aligning the optical fiber with said ferrule means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 5 further comprising means for biasing said ferrule means away from said second end of said cylindrical member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 203 words

An article for connecting and disconnecting an optical fiber to a receptacle having a tubular end, the outer surface of the tubular end having two diametrically opposed, outwardly projecting bayonet lugs, the article comprising: a hollow, generally cylindrical backbone having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second ends; means for clamping a strength member of the optical fiber around a portion of said outer surface of said backbone proximate said second end thereof; ferrule means for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule means being located within said backbone proximate said first end thereof; two diametrically opposed, flexible latch arms attached to and integral with said backbone, and generally aligned with said backbone, each of said latch arms having an aperture therein for receiving one of the lugs, and extending toward said first end of said backbone; and a housing surrounding and slidably attached to said backbone, having a generally rectangular cross section and two slots in opposing walls of said housing, each of said slots being adjacent to and aligned with one of said latch arms, said housing further having ramp means for disengaging said latch arms from the lugs as said housing is moved toward said second end of said backbone.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 203 words

An article for connecting and disconnecting an optical fiber to a receptacle having a tubular end, the outer surface of the tubular end having two diametrically opposed, outwardly projecting bayonet lugs, the article comprising: a hollow, generally cylindrical backbone having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second ends; means for clamping a strength member of the optical fiber around a portion of said outer surface of said backbone proximate said second end thereof; ferrule means for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule means being located within said backbone proximate said first end thereof; two diametrically opposed, flexible latch arms attached to and integral with said backbone, and generally aligned with said backbone, each of said latch arms having an aperture therein for receiving one of the lugs, and extending toward said first end of said backbone; and a housing surrounding and slidably attached to said backbone, having a generally rectangular cross section and two slots in opposing walls of said housing, each of said slots being adjacent to and aligned with one of said latch arms, said housing further having ramp means for disengaging said latch arms from the lugs as said housing is moved toward said second end of said backbone.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

The article of claim 10 further comprising: stud means attached to said outer surface of said backbone for aligning said backbone with a guide slot on the tubular end of the receptacle; and spline means attached to said ferrule means for aligning said ferrule means with a guide slot in said backbone.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The article of claim 10 further comprising means for allowing relative movement between said ferrule means and said backbone.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 54 words

The article of claim 10 wherein: each of said latch arms has a leading edge and a beveled surface at said leading edge; and said ramp means comprises a plurality of ramp surfaces attached to said housing, each of said ramp surfaces being proximate to and generally parallel with one of said beveled surfaces.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 55 words

The article of claim 10 further comprising: leg means attached to said backbone for aligning said backbone inside said housing and for providing resistance against lateral forces acting on the optical fiber; and boot means attached to said housing for providing strain relief to the optical fiber and for facilitating sliding actuation of said housing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 45 words

The article of claim 12 further comprising: bushing means located within said backbone proximate said second end thereof for aligning the optical fiber with a passageway in said ferrule means; and means for biasing said ferrule means away from said second end of said backbone.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 110 words

An optical fiber connector comprising: a hollow backbone member having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second ends; means for clamping a strength member of the optical fiber around a portion of said outer surface of said backbone proximate said second end thereof; a ferrule for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule being located within said backbone proximate said first end thereof; means for allowing relative movement between said ferrule and said backbone; bushing means located within said backbone proximate said second end thereof for aligning the optical fiber with a passageway in said ferrule; and means for biasing said ferrule away from said second end of said backbone.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 110 words

An optical fiber connector comprising: a hollow backbone member having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second ends; means for clamping a strength member of the optical fiber around a portion of said outer surface of said backbone proximate said second end thereof; a ferrule for terminating the optical fiber, said ferrule being located within said backbone proximate said first end thereof; means for allowing relative movement between said ferrule and said backbone; bushing means located within said backbone proximate said second end thereof for aligning the optical fiber with a passageway in said ferrule; and means for biasing said ferrule away from said second end of said backbone.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 76 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 16 wherein: said inner surface of said backbone has an annular groove proximate said second end thereof; said bushing means comprises a bushing insert having an outer diameter which is approximately equal to the inner diameter of said backbone, said bushing insert being located within said backbone proximate said clamping means, and further having an annular ridge which fits into said annular groove in said inner surface of said backbone.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 128 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 16 wherein: said inner surface of said backbone proximate said first end thereof has formed thereon an annular shoulder; said means for allowing relative movement between said ferrule and said backbone comprises a ferrule holder having first and second ends and an enlarged portion near said first end, said ferrule being affixed to said first end of said ferrule holder, and said ferrule holder being slidably positioned in said first end of said backbone; and said biasing means comprises a helical spring having first and second ends, surrounding a portion of said ferrule holder, said first end of said spring abutting said enlarged portion of said ferrule holder, and said second end of said spring abutting said annular shoulder of said backbone.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 68 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 16 further comprising: latch means for engaging one or more lugs on a receptacle, said latch means being attached to said backbone proximate said first end thereof; and housing means slidably attached to said backbone, said housing means having ramp means for disengaging said latch means from the lugs as said housing means is moved toward said second end of said backbone.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 86 words

The optical fiber connector of claim 19 wherein: said latch means comprises two generally parallel latch arms attached to and aligned with said cylindrical member, each of said latch arms having an aperture therein for receiving one of the lugs; said housing means has two slots for accommodating said latch arms; and said ramp means comprises a plurality of ramp surfaces attached to said housing means, each of said ramp surfaces being proximate to and generally facing a leading edge of one of said latch arms.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-03-31	1995-09-30	1996-03-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-03-31	1999-09-30	2000-03-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-03-31	2003-09-30	2004-03-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Push-pull optical fiber connector

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag