Multiport assembly and associated components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021382238-A1
Application number	US-202117343577-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 9, 2021
Priority date	Jun 9, 2020
Publication date	Dec 9, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods of using a multiport assembly and associated components are disclosed. The multiport assembly can include a multiport device that communicatively couples multiple sets or pairs of connectors, such as optical connectors or electrical connectors, together. The multiport assembly can also include an auxiliary port device that couples to the multiport device to expand the capacity of the multiport assembly. Both the multiport and auxiliary port devices can be selectively configured to receive specific types of connectors by selectively coupling to different types of adapters, where the types of adapters correspond to the types of connectors. When coupled to the multiport or auxiliary port devices, the adapters facilitate the formation of the communication between its corresponding set of connectors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A port device for connecting to a connector having a movable latch yieldably biased in a latching position and movable to an unlatching position, the port device comprising:
a port housing including a port configured to receive and couple to the connector, the port including a latch retainer configured to be engaged by the latch of the connector to secure the connector to the port, the latch retainer being configured to engage and deflect the latch toward the unlatching position as the connector is inserted in an insertion direction into the port.

2 . The port device of claim 1 , wherein the latch retainer is disposed on an exterior of the port housing.

3 . The port device of claim 1 , wherein the latch retainer includes a deflection surface that slopes outward as it extends in the insertion direction, the deflection surface configured to engage and deflect the latch of the connector.

4 . The port device of claim 3 , wherein the latch retainer includes an end surface the is generally perpendicular to the insertion direction and is configured to engage the latch of the connector when the latch is in the latching position to secure the connector to the port.

5 . The port device of claim 1 , wherein the port housing defines a latch channel disposed on an exterior of the port housing, the latch channel sized and shaped to receive the latch and permit the latch to move therein, the latch retainer disposed in the latch channel.

6 . The port device of claim 1 , further comprising the connector.

7 . The port device of claim 1 , wherein the port housing is configured to defeat a latch mechanism associated with the connector.

8 . A connector for being plugged into a port of a port device, the connector comprising:
a ferrule assembly defining a connection end of the connector; and a port engagement portion spaced apart from the connection end of the connector along a longitudinal axis of the connector toward an opposite cable end of the connector, the port engagement portion including:
a port insert body sized and shaped for being received in the port of the port device when the connector is plugged into the port; and
a deflectable latch coupled to the port insert body and configured for latching engagement with the port device to releasably retain the connector in the port.

9 . The connector of claim 8 , wherein the latch includes a latch base attached to the port insert body and an overhang latch arm attached to the latch base, the overhang latch arm is spaced apart from the port insert body and configured for the latching engagement with the port device.

10 . The connector of claim 9 , wherein the overhang latch arm defines a slot sized and shaped to receive a portion of the port device for the latching engagement with the port device.

11 . The connector of claim 10 , wherein the overhang latch arm includes a sloped surface at a free end portion of the overhang latch arm, the sloped surface being configured to engage the port device to deflect the latch as the connector is plugged into the port.

12 . The connector of claim 8 , wherein the latch is deflectable between a latching position and an unlatching position.

13 . The connector of claim 8 , further comprising a rotational alignment key spaced apart from the connection end of the connector along the longitudinal axis toward the opposite cable end, the rotational alignment key being configured to engage the port to prevent rotation of the connector relative to the port when the connector is plugged into the port.

14 . The connector of claim 8 , further comprising a connector housing supporting the ferrule assembly, the port insert body extending circumferentially around the connector housing.

15 . The connector of claim 14 , wherein the port insert body is longitudinally slidable along the connector housing.

16 . The connector of claim 15 , the connector housing including a stop configured to engage the port insert body to limit the movement of the port insert body toward the connection end.

17 . The connector of claim 8 , further comprising a seal spaced apart from the connection end of the connector along the longitudinal axis toward the opposite cable end, the seal configured to engage the port of the port device to form a fluid-tight seal with the port device.

18 . The connector of claim 8 , further comprising a connector housing supporting the ferrule assembly, the port insert body of the port engagement portion configured to form a snap-fit connection with the connector housing to couple the port engagement portion to the connector housing.

Assignees

• Senko Advanced Components Inc

Inventors

• Newbury Paul
• Gniadek Jeffrey

Classifications

• G02B6/3897

  Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B6/3893

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

• G02B6/3825 Primary

  with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3831

  comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection (keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64) · CPC title

• G02B6/3816

  for use under water, high pressure connectors (provisionally see G02B6/4428) · CPC title