Multiports and other devices having connection ports with securing features and methods of making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11886017-B2
Application number	US-202117388649-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2021
Priority date	Jun 28, 2017
Publication date	Jan 30, 2024
Grant date	Jan 30, 2024

Abstract

Devices such as multiports comprising connection ports with associated securing features and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a shell, at least one connection port, at least one securing feature passageway, and at least one securing feature. The at least one connection port is disposed on the multiport with the at least one connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport to a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway. The at least one securing feature is associated with the connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
a shell defining a width, a length and a height formed by a first portion and a second portion having a sealed seam for weatherproofing the shell, wherein the height is 30 millimeters or less, and the shell defines a volume of 800 cubic centimeters or less; and
a plurality of connection ports being a portion of the shell and arranged in a linear array, the plurality of connection ports each comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the shell into a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway, and the plurality of connection ports comprising a port width density of at least one connection port per each 20 millimeters of the width of the shell.

2. The multiport of claim 1 , further comprising at least one securing feature passageway that extends from the outer surface of the multiport to at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature passageway is arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the multiport; and
at least one securing feature associated with the at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway and translates for releasing or securing external fiber optic connectors.

3. The multiport of claim 2 , wherein the at least one securing feature translates within the at least one securing feature passageway.

4. The multiport of claim 2 , further comprising at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature.

5. The multiport of claim 4 , wherein the at least one securing feature is biased to a retain position.

6. The multiport of claim 2 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a bore that is aligned with the at least one of the connection port passageways and a locking feature disposed within the bore.

7. The multiport of claim 6 , wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge.

8. The multiport of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connection ports comprise a keying portion.

9. The multiport of claim 1 , further comprising an optical splitter disposed within the cavity.

10. The multiport of claim 1 , wherein the shell defines a volume of 400 cubic centimeters or less.

11. The multiport of claim 1 , wherein the multiport has a port width density of at least one connection port per 15 millimeters of width.

12. A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
a shell defining a width, a length and a height formed by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the height is 30 millimeters or less;
a plurality of connection ports being a portion of the shell, the plurality of connection ports each comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the shell into a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway, and the plurality of connection ports comprising a port width density of at least one connection port per each 20 millimeters of the width of the shell;
at least one securing feature passageway that extends from the outer surface of the shell to at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature passageway is arranged transversely to the connection port passageway;
at least one securing feature associated with the at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature translates within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.

13. The multiport of claim 12 , wherein the at least one securing feature is biased to a retain position by at least one securing feature resilient member.

14. The multiport of claim 12 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a bore that is aligned with the at least one of the connection port passageways and a locking feature disposed within the bore.

15. The multiport of claim 12 , wherein the shell defines a volume of 400 cubic centimeters or less.

16. The multiport of claim 12 , wherein the multiport has a port width density of at least one connection port per 15 millimeters of width.

17. The multiport of claim 12 , wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise a sealed seam for weatherproofing.

18. A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
a shell defining a width, a length and a height formed by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the shell defines a volume of 800 cubic centimeters or less;
a plurality of connection ports being a portion of the shell, the plurality of connection ports each comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the shell into a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway, and the plurality of connection ports comprising a port width density of at least one connection port per each 20 millimeters of the width of the shell;
at least one securing feature passageway that extends from the outer surface of the shell to at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature passageway is arranged transversely to the connection port passageway; and
at least one securing feature associated with the at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature translates within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway; and
at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing the at least one securing feature to a retain position.

19. The multiport of claim 18 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a bore and a locking feature disposed within the bore.

20. The multiport of claim 19 , the at least one securing feature comprises a locking member and an actuator.

21. The multiport of claim 18 , wherein the shell defines a volume of 400 cubic centimeters or less.

22. The multiport of claim 18 , wherein the multiport has a port width density of at least one connection port per 15 millimeters of width.

23. The multiport of claim 18 , wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise a sealed seam for weatherproofing.

24. A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
a shell defining a width, a length and a height formed by a first portion and a second portion;
a plurality of connection ports being a portion of the shell, the plurality of connection ports each comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the shell into a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway, and the plurality of connection ports comprising a port width density of at least one connection port per each 20 millimeters of the width of the shell;
at least one securing feature passageway extends from the outer surface of the shell to at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature passageway is arranged transversely to the connection port passageway;
at least one securing feature associated with the at least one of the connection port passageways, wherein the at least one securing feature translates and is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway; and
at least one sealing member disposed on the at least one securing feature adjacent to the respective connection port passageway when assembled.

25. The multiport of claim 24 , whe

Assignees

• Corning Res & Dev Corp

Inventors

• Dannoux Thierry Luc Alain
• Elkins Ii Robert Bruce
• Rosson Joel Christopher
• Wilcox Dayne
• Wimmer Michael
• Woody Shane C
• Zhang Zhiye

Classifications

• G02B6/3885

  Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448) · CPC title

• G02B6/3895

  identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64) · CPC title

• G02B6/3851

  Ferrules having keying or coding means · CPC title

• G02B6/3871

  Ferrule rotatable with respect to plug body, e.g. for setting rotational position (adjusting fibre within the ferrule, G02B6/3843); Fixation of ferrules after rotation · CPC title

• G02B6/3893

  Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on · CPC title