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:
Oct. 19, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2002
Scott A. Igl, St. Paul, MN (US);
Michael A. Meis, Stillwater, MN (US);
Gordon D. Henson, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Nicholas A. Lee, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D and protrudes from the mating surface a protrusion distance p , wherein p ≦2D . In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D ≦p ≦2D .