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:
Sep. 30, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 13, 2001
Harry Farrar, Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Kenneth K. Li, Arcadia, CA (US);
Cogent Light Technologies, Inc., Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a connector assembly comprising (1) a first adapter that releasably connects to light source and transmits optical energy received from the light source along a first optical waveguide; (2) a second adapter that releasably connects to first adapter to receive and transmit optical energy along a second optical waveguide; and (3) an output optical waveguide that receives the transmitted optical energy from the second waveguide and has a proximal connector adapted to fixedly engage the second adapter. In one embodiment, the proximal connector has a slot that allows for the insertion of a clip, and the second adapter has a detente that mechanically engages the clip when it is inserted into the slot in the proximal connector. In this way, the second adapter is fixedly coupled to the proximal connector but may also rotate in relation to the output connector. In one implementation, the groove in the adapter is angled so that an inserted clip presses against the angled surface, resulting in a force to urge and hold the second adapter into proper position for optical connection between the first optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide.