Multiport assembly and associated compone

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021382248-A1
Application number	US-202117343579-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 multiport device for connecting connectors of different types, each connector including a ferrule assembly, the multiport device comprising:
a port housing including a plurality of ports, each port configured to receive and couple to one of the connectors, the port housing including a plurality of identification insert mounts, each identification insert mount being disposed on an exterior of the port housing to align with and visually correspond to one of the plurality of ports; and a plurality of identification inserts, each identification insert including indicia identifying one type of the connector, each identification insert including an identification insert coupler configured to couple to one of the identification insert mounts corresponding to one of the plurality of ports to attach said identification insert to the port housing such that said identification insert provides a visual indication of the type of connector to be received by said one port of the plurality of ports.

2 . The multiport device of claim 1 , wherein the connectors are optical connectors and the indicia identifies a MPO-type optical connector, a SC-type optical connector, or a SN-type optical connector.

3 . The multiport device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of identification inserts includes a first sub-set of identification inserts and a second sub-set of identification inserts, wherein the indicia of each identification insert of the first sub-set of identification inserts identifies a first type of connector, and wherein the indicia of each identification insert of the second sub-set of identification inserts identifies a second type of connector.

4 . The multiport device of claim 1 , wherein the port housing is selectively configurable so that each port of the plurality of ports is configured to receive different types of the connector.

5 . The multiport device of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of adapters, each adapter corresponding to one type of the connectors, each adapter being selectively attachable to the port housing such that said adapter is associated with one of the plurality of ports and configures said one port to receive said one type of connector corresponding to said adapter.

6 . The multiport device of claim 4 , wherein each adapter is configured to receive one of a MPO connector, a SC connector, or a SN connector.

7 . The multiport device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of adapters includes a first sub-set of adapters and a second sub-set of adapters, wherein each adapter of the first sub-set of adapters is configured to receive a first type of connector, and wherein each adapter of the second sub-set of adapters is configured to receive a second type of connector.

8 . The multiport device of claim 1 , wherein the identification insert coupler of each identification insert is configured to form a snap-fit connection with said one of the identification insert mounts.

9 . The multiport device of claim 8 , wherein the identification insert coupler of each identification insert includes a resiliently deflectable latch leg.

10 . The multiport device of claim 9 , wherein the resiliently deflectable latch leg includes a detent.

11 . The multiport device of claim 10 , wherein each identification insert mount includes a recess sized and shaped to receive the detent of the deflectable latch leg of the identification insert coupler of each identification insert.

12 . The multiport device of claim 8 , wherein the identification insert coupler of each identification inset includes first and second resiliently deflectable latch legs.

13 . The multiport device of claim 1 , wherein each identification insert includes a cap, the indicia disposed on the cap and the identification insert coupler extending from the cap.

14 . The multiport device of claim 13 , wherein the cap defines a recess sized and shaped to receive an end of a tool to facilitate disconnecting the identification insert from said one of the identification insert mounts.

Assignees

• Senko Advanced Components Inc

Inventors

• Newbury Paul

Classifications

• G02B6/3897

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

• G02B6/3816

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

• G02B6/3878

  comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means · CPC title

• G02B6/3893

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