Connector and connector assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9448370-B2
Application number	US-201314379909-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2013
Priority date	Feb 20, 2012
Publication date	Sep 20, 2016
Grant date	Sep 20, 2016

Abstract

A connector for coupling with an adapter, comprising: at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter; at least one locking mechanism; and a boot movably engaged with the connector body. Each of the at least one locking mechanism comprising: a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body; at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter; and a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm. Wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction. When an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for coupling with an adapter, comprising:
at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;
at least one locking mechanism each comprising:
a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;
at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter;
a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and
a boot movably engaged with the connector body,
wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction,
when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked; and further comprising:
an automatic restoration mechanism configured to restore the boot to an initial position, approaching the connector body, after an external force exerted on the boot for moving it relative to the connector body disappears; and
an engagement device movably inserted into the boot, wherein a second end of the connector body opposite to the first end is inserted into the engagement device, and wherein the automatic restoration mechanism is mounted on the engagement device and generates elastic deform with a movement of the boot relative to the engagement device.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the automatic restoration mechanism comprises a spring configured to elastically deform with a movement of the boot relative to the connector body so as to produce a resilience force for restoring the boot to the initial position when the external force disappears.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein an elongated groove for receiving the spring therein is formed in an outside portion of the engagement device.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot in a snap-in manner.

5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein a first protuberance is provided on the second end of the driving arm, and
wherein a fixation portion for receiving the second end of the driving arm is provided on an outer portion of the boot and formed with a first elastic piece for fitting with the first protuberance.

6. The connector according to claim 5 , wherein a detachable cover is provided on the fixation portion and has a block arm extending downward and inserted into a front end of the spring received in the elongated groove of the engagement device so that the spring is abutted against the block arm.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector body comprises a connection portion extending from the second end of the connector body and inserted into the engagement device in a snap-in manner to prevent the connector body from being disengaged from the engagement device.

8. The connector according to claim 7 , wherein the connection portion is provided with a second protuberance radially extending outward,
wherein the engagement device is formed with a second elastic piece for fitting with the second protuberance, and
wherein the connector body and the engagement device are fixed together by a snap-in manner of the second protuberance and the second elastic piece.

9. The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding ring provided in the boot, a cable introduced in the boot passing through the holding ring,
wherein the engagement device comprises an extension portion, and the holding ring can be slid to the extension portion over the cable.

10. The connector according to claim 9 , wherein a receiving groove for receiving a bared fiber of the cable is formed in the extension portion.

11. The connector according to claim 10 , wherein a secondary ring is provided between the extension portion and the holding ring.

12. The connector according to claim 7 , wherein the connector comprises two connector bodies, and a holding bracket is provided to hold the two connector bodies side by side.

13. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is a fiber optic connector.

14. The connector according to claim 13 , wherein the connector is a LC type of fiber optic connector.

15. A connector assembly comprising:
a connector, comprising:
at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;
at least one locking mechanism each comprising:
a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;
at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter;
a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and
a boot movably engaged with the connector body;
wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction;
when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked; and further comprising:
an automatic restoration mechanism configured to restore the boot to an initial position, approaching the connector body, after an external force exerted on the boot for moving it relative to the connector body disappears; and
an engagement device movably inserted into the boot, wherein a second end of the connector body opposite to the first end is inserted into the engagement device, and wherein the automatic restoration mechanism is mounted on the engagement device and generates elastic deform with a movement of the boot relative to the engagement device; and
an adapter, comprising:
at least two chambers in pairs formed in both ends of the adapter, respectively, and configured to receive the inserted connector bodies therein, respectively;
at least two locking grooves formed in inner walls of the chambers, respectively, and configured to fit with the locking protrusions of the connector; and
at least one splicing portion each disposed between a pair of chambers for coupling with an ferrule of the connector body inserted into the chambers.

16. A connector assembly comprising:
a connector, comprising:
at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;
at least one locking mechanism each comprising:
a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;
at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter,
a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and
a boot movably engaged with the connector body;
wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction;
when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so

Assignees

• Tyco Electronics Shanghai Co Ltd
• Tyco Electronics Corp
• Commscope Technologies Llc
• Adc Telecommunications (Shanghai) Distrib Co Ltd

Inventors

• Xue Hawk
• Grinderslev Soren
• Tong Zhaoyang
• Liu Lily

Classifications

• H01R24/64

  for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45 · CPC title

• H01R13/633

  for disengagement only {(in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132)} · CPC title

• H01R13/6272

  comprising a single latching arm · CPC title

• G02B6/3893 Primary

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

• G02B6/3825

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