US5109453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber connector with latching beam mechanism
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1991-03-11
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Granted: 1992-04-28
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Expires: 2011-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cable through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug connector half (6) comprising a plug (3) and a transceiver adapter (10). The plug (8) has profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber. The transceiver adapted (10) is an integral two-part structure comprising a transceiver shroud (11) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) and extending axially (38) for forwardly aligning the plug (8) relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The adapter (10) further comprises a latching beam mechanism (12) having forward extending latching beams (13).
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan T. Edwards
- 👤 Steven L. Flickinger
- 👤 David D. Sonner
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Zeiders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3869; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/4292; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A connector for aligning optical fibers of a light transmitting fiber cable with ports of a transceiver, comprising: a plug connector half connected to a light transmitting cable having optical fibers, and a transceiver adapter comprising; a shroud adapted to receive the plug connector half and to align optical fibers of the plug connector half with ports of a transceiver, and a latching beam mechanism secured to the shroud, the latching beam mechanism comprising; elongated latching beams extending from the shroud, mounting means for mounting the latching beams to the shroud, and a connector half receiving ports of a transceiver, the connector half having beveled apertures adapted for receiving the forward ends of the latching beams to align optical fibers of a plug connector half received by the shroud with respective ports received by the connector half.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A connector for aligning optical fibers of a light transmitting fiber cable with ports of a transceiver, comprising: a plug connector half connected to a light transmitting cable having optical fibers, and a transceiver adapter comprising; a shroud adapted to receive the plug connector half and to align optical fibers of the plug connector half with ports of a transceiver, and a latching beam mechanism secured to the shroud, the latching beam mechanism comprising; elongated latching beams extending from the shroud, mounting means for mounting the latching beams to the shroud, and a connector half receiving ports of a transceiver, the connector half having beveled apertures adapted for receiving the forward ends of the latching beams to align optical fibers of a plug connector half received by the shroud with respective ports received by the connector half.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, and further comprising: the forward ends of the latching beams being beveled for alignment with the beveled apertures of the connector half.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, and further comprising: clips in respective apertures of the connector half engaging the forward ends of the latching beams received by the respective apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A connector as recited in claim 3, and further comprising: projecting dimples of the clips being biased toward the respective apertures of the connector half for receipt in respective ports in the latching beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, and further comprising: second mounting means for mounting the latching beam mechanism to a front panel, comprising; a retention frame secured to the front panel, the latching beam mechanism being supported by the retention frame for movement along the panel relative to a window through the front panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as recited in claim 5, and further comprising: a cover plate secured to the front panel encircling the window through the front panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as recited in claim 5, and further comprising: pedestals of the retention frame received in corresponding gaps of the latching beam mechanism, and the latching beam mechanism being moveable relative to the pedestals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as recited in claim 7, and further comprising: a main body of the latching beam mechanism secured to the shroud, and the gaps being disposed between spaced apart flanges of the main body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector as recited in claim 8, and further comprising: the main body straddling the shroud.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-28 | 1995-10-28 | 1996-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-10-28 | 2000-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-28 | 2003-10-28 | 2004-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |