The Whitaker Corporation

Amp LLC

Tyco Electronics Corporation

Bryan T Edwards

David Donald Erdman

Robert C Briggs

David D Sonner

Shelly Ann Buchter

Kevin T Monroe

Steven Lee Flickinger

Jeffrey A Zeiders

Robert N Weber

Michael Lawrence Gurreri

David Robert Baechtle

James David Kevern

Kenneth Cameron Hall

Eric James Hopkins

Robert L Mansberger, Ii

Craig Bryan Kegerise

Joseph L McKee

Soren Grinderslev

Randy Marshall Manning

Joseph L Kaminski, Iii

Rodney Evans Gallagher

Richard D Turgeon

John Nicholas Skitka

David L Stakem

Michael Charles Sponsel

A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

Connector and receptacle containing a physical security feature

A duplex fiber optic splice has a fiber-receiving element, two clamping elements covering opposite faces of the fiber-receiving element, and a spring element. A bearing key may be inserted into a bearing channel in the fiber-receiving element and rotated resulting in resilient disengagement of each of said clamping faces from said fiber-receiving element face. The resilient disengagement of the clamping elements are independent of each other. The splice assembly may be used alone or in conjunction with an array ferrule, pre-terminated with a fiber stub, and a housing to provide an adhesiveless field terminable connector.

Multiple fiber splice element and connector

A fiber optic splice assembly comprising: (a) a fiber-receiving element having opposite faces, first and second ends, and first and second sides, each the face having at least one elongate fiber channel and an elongate bearing channel, (b) two clamping elements, each the clamping element having a clamping face and an opposite spring face, first and second sides, the clamping elements covering at least a portion of each elongate fiber and bearing channel, and (c) a splice spring for imparting opposing normal forces on the spring faces of the clamping elements and along the first side of the fiber-receiving element, the spring permitting independent resilient disengagement of each the clamping faces from the fiber-receiving element face.

A novel forward-facing, aft-attached cantilever beam is provided as a latch for securing a fiber optic connector to a receptacle. The beam has engagement structure on its free end which attaches to the receptacle. The connector includes a plug housing formed from a member having a forward end and a rearward end and an axial passageway therethrough through which at least one optical fiber provided in the fiber optic cable extends. The forward end is inserted into the receptacle with the rearward end extending from the receptacle. The cantilevered beam has an end fixed to a rearward portion of the member and its free end extends forwardly toward the forward end of the member. To engage the connector with the receptacle, the free end of the cantilevered beam is biased toward the member and the member is slid into the receptacle. Once fully inserted, the engagement structure on the cantilevered beam engages retention structure in the receptacle. The connector can be released from engagement with the receptacle by biasing the cantilevered beam such that the engagement structure on the beam is released from the retention structure of the receptacle and thereafter pulling the connector out of the receptacle.

Plug housing with attached cantilevered latch for a fiber optic connector

A pin keeper for use in a transition between a multiple fiber ferrule holding at least two fibers and having a fiber to fiber spacing substantially equal to a first lateral dimension and a fiber optic body having a fiber to fiber spacing substantially equal to a second lateral dimension which is different from said first lateral dimension. The pin keeper is disposed between the ferrule and the fiber optic body. The fibers pass through the pin keeper, which splays the fibers from the first lateral dimension to the second lateral dimension.

Fiber splaying pin keeper for fiber optic connector

An overmolded alignment ferrule for a fiber optic device used to couple a plurality of optical fibers contained therein to an other fiber optic device. The overmolded alignment ferrule comprises a precision portion for aligning the optical fibers with the other fiber optic device, and an overmolded body portion extending rearward from the precision portion for incorporating the alignment ferrule into the fiber optic device. The precision portion may define a plurality of first guide pin channels for receiving guide pins and a plurality of first fiber channels for receiving the optical fibers. The overmolded body portion may define a plurality of second guide pin channels in communication with the first guide pin channels and at least two second fiber channels. Each second fiber channel is in communication with a respective one of the first fiber channels. In producing the precision portion, the first guide pin channels are desirably used as datum in defining with precision the first fiber channels.

Overmolded alignment ferrule

This invention is related to a fiber optic connector 10 including a precision ferrule 12 that is mounted in a machined tubular housing 40. An overmolded collar 70 secures the ferrule 12 to the housing 40 without the use of adhesives. Protruding lobes 26 on the ferrule 12 are received in a housing counterbore section 46 and the collar body 72 is molded around these lobes 26 to secure the ferrule against translation and rotation. The overmolded collar body 72 also engages a knurled surface 52 on the exterior of the tubular housing 40. The overmolded version of this connector 10 can be used with an epoxyless optical fiber termination. A press fit connector 110 is also disclosed.

Optical fiber ferrule

A tubular body for use with an optical fiber connector, and the connector using such a tubular body. The optical fiber connector includes a coupling nut, biasing means and a retaining ring which are axially arranged on the tubular body. The coupling nut and the biasing means are retained externally on the tubular body by the retaining ring with the coupling nut being movable along the outside surface of the body and axially displaced by the biasing means. The body includes a ring attachment portion on the outside surface thereof. The ring attachment portion includes an annular groove and an annular ridge which are formed on the outside surface thereof. The annular groove is sized and dimensioned for receiving a radially applied retaining ring. The outside diameter of the attachment portion on the outside surface of the body is sized and dimensioned for receiving an axially attached retaining ring.

Fiber optic connector

A fiber optic connector plug body (1) receives a ferrule (2) therewithin. The plug body (1) receives an internal body (5) in a snap fit to retain the ferrule (2) within the plug body (1). Two inwardly biased latch members (14) on the plug body (1) are received within a circumferential groove on the internal body. The resulting assembly is resistant to disassembly upon application of tensile and lateral forces to the internal body.

Captivated fiber optic connector

A fiber optic termination for incorporating within a fiber optic connector is capable of mechanical assembly which can preclude the use of adhesives for termination assembly. A metal plunger compresses a bullet having an aperture therethrough into a constriction causing the bullet to grip a fiber. A metal insert lines the interior of an alignment ferrule and engages the actuating plunger with an interference fit. The interference fit retains the plunger over time and over a broad operating temperature range. Dimples on the outer surface of the metal insert create pockets of engagement between the insert and the alignment ferrule that resist axial displacement of the insert relative to the alignment ferrule.

Metal insert and buffer retention plunger

An overmolded alignment ferrule for an optical fiber connector having a high precision preformed precision portion and a lower precision overmolded body portion, the precision portion including an anti-displacement feature and a anti-flexural feature for preventing flexural, rotational or torsional movement of the precision portion relative the body portion. The overmolded alignment ferrule being formed by overmolding the body portion about the precision portion generally surrounding and embedding the anti-displacement features and the anti-flexure features and extending rearward therefrom.

An elastic insert for receiving and securing an optical fiber within a passage of a housing, such as a ferrule of an fiber optic connector, when compacted therein by a plunger, the insert having deformable relief regions that are constructed to deform upon compaction so that the optical fiber is securely held by the insert, while controlling the forces exerted outwardly by the insert against the housing along the passage and a fiber optic connector for use with the insert.

Insert for positioning an optical fiber and an optical fiber connector

A scribe-and-break tool for fracturing the free end of an optical fiber that is especially suitable for hand-holdable configurations and field use which has an elongate body with a plunger that is interrelated to a blade for scribing the free end of an optical fiber retained in tension within a depressible head that extends outward from the body and is depressible inward to bring the free end of the optical fiber into contact with the blade, thereby scribing the free end of the fiber causing the free end to break off.

Scribe-and-break tool for optical fibers

A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug half connector (6) comprising a plug (8) and a transceiver adapter (10). The plug (8) has profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber. The transceiver adapter (10) is an integral two-part structure comprising a transceiver shroud (11) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) and extending axially (38) for aligning the plug (8) forward relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The adapter (10) further comprises a latching beam mechanism (12) having forward extending latching beams (13), the latching beam mechanism (12) characterized by a wedge shaped plug stop (64) along each of the extending latching beams (13).

Growing community of inventors

Camp Hill, PA, United States of America

Bryan T Edwards