The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 10, 2001
Jerry Max Anderson, Austell, GA (US);
Steven Edward Sheldon, Norcross, GA (US);
Fitel USA Corp., Norcross, GA (US);
Abstract
A high density optical connecting block is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel and is constructed as an array of identical cells that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The connecting block has a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs - - into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities - each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug, (ii) a tubular boss for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall, and (iii) a retaining feature for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members - on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.