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:
Jan. 06, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 19, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
Larry R. Cox, Austin, TX (US);
William J. Clatanoff, Austin, TX (US);
Harry A. Loder, Austin, TX (US);
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/36 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/36 ;
Abstract
The present invention pertains to a multi-fiber optic connector system. The system contains a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains (i) a first portion having at least one first cavity (ii) a second portion having at least one second cavity, a reference surface, and a first groove, and (iii) at least one alignment element disposed on the first groove. When an optical connector is slidably engaged into the first housing, the alignment element, having spring-like properties, contacts the optical connector and forces it against the reference surface.