Connectors and adapters with auto-latching features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9500817-B2
Application number	US-201514745571-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Priority date	May 18, 2012
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

Fiber optic connectors and adapters may be automatically secured and released via a management system. Such automation may inhibit accidental and/or unauthorized insertion of fiber optic connectors into adapter ports. The automation also may inhibit accidental and/or unauthorized removal of the fiber optic connectors from the adapter ports.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A plug connector comprising:
a plug body; and
a latching arrangement including a latch arm pivotally coupled to the plug body, the latch arm being pivotal between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, the latching arrangement being positioned to hold the plug body within an adapter port when in the engaging position, the latching arrangement allowing removal of the plug body from the adapter port when in the non-engaging position, the latch arm being configured to be in the non-engaging position absent an external force.

2. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the plug body holds a ferrule that is configured to terminate at least one optical fiber.

3. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the plug body holds at least one electrical contact that is configured to terminate an electrical wire.

4. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm is formed from a magnetizable material.

5. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm has a length that is sufficiently short that the latch arm does not protrude from the adapter port when the plug body is plugged into the adapter port.

6. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm extends from a hinge pin that is configured to snap into a recessed channel defined in the plug body, the hinge pin being rotatable within the recessed channel.

7. The plug connector of claim 1 , wherein the latch arm is configured to rotate at least partially around a hinge pin that is configured to couple to the plug body.

8. The plug connector of claim 7 , wherein the latch arm extends from a hollow tube that is configured to rotatably mount over the hinge pin.

9. The plug connector of claim 7 , wherein the latch arm defines a folded region that is configured to rotatably mount over the hinge pin.

10. The plug connector of claim 1 , further comprising a storage device coupled to the plug body, the storage device including electronic memory on which physical layer information can be stored.

11. A plug connector comprising:
a plug body having an end face from which an end face of an optical fiber is accessible; and
a latching arrangement including a latch arm extending outwardly from one side of the plug body, the latch arm being configured to move between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, the latch arm being configured to be in the non-engaging position absent an external force, the latching arrangement being configured to latch and release the plug body from an adapter port, the latching arrangement being sufficiently short so that no part of the latching arrangement extends beyond the adapter port when the plug body is inserted within the adapter port.

12. The plug connector of claim 11 , wherein the plug body holds a ferrule that is configured to terminate the optical fiber.

13. The plug connector of claim 11 , wherein the latch arm extends from a hinge pin that is configured to snap into a recessed channel defined in the plug body, the hinge pin being rotatable within the recessed channel.

14. The plug connector of claim 11 , wherein the latch arm is configured to rotate at least partially around a hinge pin that is configured to couple to the plug body.

15. The plug connector of claim 14 , wherein the latch arm extends from a hollow tube that is configured to rotatably mount over the hinge pin.

16. The plug connector of claim 14 , wherein the latch arm defines a folded region that is configured to rotatably mount over the hinge pin.

17. The plug connector of claim 11 , further comprising a storage device coupled to the plug body, the storage device including electronic memory on which physical layer information can be stored.

18. The plug connector of claim 11 , wherein the latch arm is formed from a magnetizable material.

19. The plug connector of claim 11 , wherein the plug body includes a support structure that maintains the latch arm at a first distance away from the plug body when the latch arm is in the non-engaging position.

Assignees

• Adc Telecommunications Inc
• Tyco Electronics Corp
• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Coffey Joseph C
• Pepe Paul John
• Hammond Jr Bernard Harold

Classifications

• G02B6/3898

  Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping (tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B) · CPC title

• G02B6/3825

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

• G02B6/389 Primary

  characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type · CPC title

• G02B6/3893

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

• G02B6/3895 Primary

  identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64) · CPC title