Fiber optic connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022252795-A1
Application number	US-202017051146-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 26, 2020
Priority date	Oct 25, 2019
Publication date	Aug 11, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fiber optic connector kit includes a fiber optic connector, a plug frame, a first front body and a second front body. The fiber optic connector has a back body and a ferrule. The plug frame attaches to the back body of the fiber optic connector, and has a plug frame connector. The first and second front bodies matingly connect with first and a second types of fiber optic receptacles, respectively. The first front body includes a first front body connector that connects to the plug frame connector to connect the first front body to the plug frame. The second front body includes a second front body connector that connects to the plug frame connector to connect the second front body to the plug frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A fiber optic connector kit comprising:
a fiber optic connector having a back body and a ferrule supported by the back body and configured to form an optical connection; a plug frame configured to attach to the back body of the fiber optic connector, the plug frame having a plug frame connector thereon; a first front body configured for mating connection with a first type of fiber optic receptacle, the first front body including a first front body connector configured to connect to the plug frame connector to connect the first front body to the plug frame; and a second front body configured for mating connection with a second type of fiber optic receptacle, the first and second front bodies having different mating structure for connection to the first type of fiber optic receptacle and the second type of fiber optic receptacle, respectively, the second front body including a second front body connector configured for connection to the plug frame connector to connect the second front body to the plug frame.

2 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 1 further comprising:
a first outer shell configured to be received on the first front body for rotation relative to the first front body, the first outer shell having a first securing structure for mechanically securing the fiber optic connector to first type of fiber optic receptacle; and
a second outer shell configured to be received on the second front body for rotation relative to the second front body, the second outer shell having a second securing structure for mechanically securing the fiber optic connector to the second type of fiber optic receptacle.

3 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 1 , wherein the first front body connector and the second front body connector are substantially identical.

4 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 1 , wherein the plug frame connector includes a protrusion and wherein the first and second front body connectors each include a detent configured to engage the at least one protrusion to secure the first or second front body to the plug frame.

5 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 4 , wherein the detent forms a snap-fit connection with the protrusion.

6 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 5 , wherein the detent is resiliently deflectable.

7 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 1 , wherein the first front body connector and the second front body connector each comprise a bayonet flange.

8 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 4 , wherein the first and second front bodies each define a lead-in channel sized and shaped to receive the protrusion, the protrusion moving in the lead-in channel toward the detent when the first or second front body is being connected to the plug frame.

9 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 8 , wherein the first and second front bodies are each configured to be rotated relative to the plug frame to releasably connect the first or second front body connector to the plug frame connector.

10 . The fiber optic connector kit of claim 8 , wherein the first and second front bodies are each configured to be rotated relative to the plug frame to move the channel out of alignment with the protrusion and move the detent toward the protrusion.

11 . A plug frame for a fiber optic connector, the plug frame comprising:
a plug frame body configured to attach to the fiber optic connector, the plug frame body defining a ferrule lumen sized and shaped to receive a ferrule of the fiber optic connector when the plug frame body is attached to the fiber optic connector; at least one plug frame connector configured to form a connection with a front body to connect the front body to the plug frame.

12 . The plug frame of claim 11 , wherein the plug frame connector comprises a protrusion extending outward from the plug frame body.

13 . The plug frame of claim 12 , wherein the at least one plug frame connector includes two plug frame connectors.

14 . The plug frame of claim 13 , wherein the two plug frame connectors are disposed on opposite sides of the plug frame body.

15 . The plug frame of claim 14 , wherein each of the plug frame connectors comprises a protrusion.

16 . The plug frame of claim 11 , wherein the plug frame body includes a key configured to permit the front body to be connected to the plug frame only when the front body is in a particular orientation relative to the plug frame.

17 . The plug frame of claim 16 , wherein the key includes a generally planar surface.

Assignees

• Senko Advanced Components Inc

Inventors

• Newbury Paul

Classifications

• G02B6/3893

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

• G02B6/3894

  Screw-lock type · CPC title

• G02B6/3869 Primary

  Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3871 Primary

  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