Optical connectors for a multiport assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022373744-A1
Application number	US-202217748218-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 19, 2022
Priority date	May 20, 2021
Publication date	Nov 24, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Connectors for a multiport assembly are disclosed. The multiport assembly can include a multiport device that communicatively couples multiple sets or pairs of connectors, such as optical connectors, together. The connectors include securing features to inhibit unintentional withdrawal of the connectors from the multiport device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An outdoor rated fiber optic connector for being plugged into a port of a multi-port device, the port defining a connector socket sized and shaped to receive the connector, the connector comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and an exterior surface; a first seal on the housing positioned for engaging the multi-port device in the port upon reception of the connector in the port; a ferrule assembly supported by the housing and defining a connection end of the connector; and a deflectable latch supported by the housing and arranged to be disposed in the connector socket when the connector is disposed in the port, the deflectable latch configured for latching engagement with the port device to releasably retain the connector in the port.

2 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a locking collar supported on the housing for movement with respect to the housing along the longitudinal axis, and a second seal carried by the locking collar and disposed for engaging the multi-port device in the port upon reception of the connector in the port.

3 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 2 , further comprising a third seal between the locking collar and the housing.

4 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a deflector supported by the housing and movable relative to the latch between a deflecting position and a non-deflecting position, wherein in the deflecting position the deflectable latch is in an unlatching position and wherein in the non-deflecting position the latch is not in the unlatching position, the deflectable latch not inhibiting the outdoor rated fiber optic connector from being disconnected from the port when in the unlatching position.

5 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 4 , wherein the housing defines a longitudinal axis of the outdoor rated fiber optic connector, the deflector movable along the longitudinal axis between the deflecting and non-deflecting positions.

6 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 4 , further comprising a deflector housing supported by and movable relative to the housing, the deflector housing including the deflector.

7 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the deflector housing defining an opening, the deflectable latch disposed in the opening.

8 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the deflector housing includes a securing latch configured for latching engagement with the port device to inhibit the deflector housing from moving relative to the housing when the outdoor rated fiber optic connector is in the port.

9 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 6 , further comprising a shroud coupled to and movable with the deflector housing, the shroud arranged to cover a portion of a fiber optic cable when the fiber optic cable is attached to the outdoor rated fiber optic connector.

10 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the deflectable latch includes a first detent and a second detent, the first and second detents each arranged for latching engagement with the port device to releasably retain the outdoor rated fiber optic connector in the port.

11 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a brace supported by the housing and movable relative to the deflectable latch between a bracing position and a non-bracing position, wherein in the bracing position the brace inhibits the deflectable latch from being deflected and wherein in the non-bracing position the brace does not inhibit the deflectable latch from being deflected.

12 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 11 , wherein the brace is disposed between the housing and the deflectable latch.

13 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 11 , further comprising a securing collar supported by and movable relative to the housing, the securing collar including the brace.

14 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 13 , further comprising a latch housing supported by the housing, the latch housing including the deflectable latch, the securing collar being movable relative to the latch housing.

15 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 14 , wherein the latch housing is movable relative to the housing.

16 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a latch housing supported by and movable relative to the housing, the latch housing including a housing stop arranged to engage the housing to limit the movement of the latch housing relative to the housing.

17 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 13 , further comprising a latch housing and a shroud releasably coupled to the latch housing, the latch housing and the shroud inhibiting user access to the securing collar when the shroud is coupled to the latch housing.

18 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 11 , wherein the brace is disposed on a lateral side of the deflectable latch.

19 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 18 , wherein the deflectable latch is a first deflectable latch, the outdoor rated fiber optic connector further comprising a second deflectable latch supported by the housing and arranged to be disposed in the connector socket when the outdoor rated fiber optic connector is disposed in the port, the second deflectable latch configured for latching engagement with the port device to releasably retain the outdoor rated fiber optic connector in the port, the brace disposed between the first and second deflectable latches when the brace is in the bracing position.

20 . The outdoor rated fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the brace pivots between the bracing position and the non-bracing position.

Assignees

• Senko Advanced Components Inc

Inventors

• Newbury Paul
• Kleckowski Ronald J

Classifications

• G02B6/3893

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

• G02B6/3879 Primary

  Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3831 Primary

  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