WO2009040565A1 - Protection of optical fibre connectors - Google Patents

Protection of optical fibre connectors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009040565A1
WO2009040565A1 PCT/GB2008/050788 GB2008050788W WO2009040565A1 WO 2009040565 A1 WO2009040565 A1 WO 2009040565A1 GB 2008050788 W GB2008050788 W GB 2008050788W WO 2009040565 A1 WO2009040565 A1 WO 2009040565A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector body
lever
latch lever
wall member
latch
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/050788
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dirk Kempeneers
Sandra Goossens
Johan Geens
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv
Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv, Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd filed Critical Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv
Publication of WO2009040565A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009040565A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
    • G02B6/3893—Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
    • G02B6/3849—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to devices for protection of cable or optical fibre connectors having a projecting latch member.
  • Figures IA, IB and 2 of the accompanying drawings show an optical fibre cable 100 with an optical connector 80 of known kind attached to the cable end, having the usual projecting latch member 70 for latching/releasing the connector into/from connections formed with co-operating connector components in use. It is often desirable to apply a protective rubber cap 90 over the connectorised cable end to exclude dust and moisture, as shown in Figures IA and IB.
  • a protective rubber cap 90 over the connectorised cable end to exclude dust and moisture, as shown in Figures IA and IB.
  • the present invention relates to a protective device for protecting a latch lever connected with a cable or optical fibre connector body, the latch lever having an attached end attached to the connector body and a free end projecting away from the connector body to leave a gap between the body and that part of the lever extending between the respective ends of the lever, wherein the protective device comprises a wall member, and attachment means for attaching the wall member to lie beside the lever between its aforesaid attached and free ends and closely adjacent to the connector body, the wall member being adapted to lie beside and bridge at least partly the said gap between the latch lever and the connector body when the device is secured thereto, in order to resist catching or snagging of the lever.
  • the device is shaped and dimensioned so that in use it does not project along the connector body beyond the free end of the lever. It is preferred that the said wall member is shaped and dimensioned to completely bridge the gap between the latch lever and the connector body at or near the free end of the latch lever when the device is secured thereto. The wall member can thus be arranged to resist catching or snagging of the lever.
  • the attachment means comprises an attachment member which projects from the wall member, and securing means for securing the attachment member to the latch lever with the wall member closely adjacent to the connector body. It is also preferred that the securing means comprises a snap-fit formation on the said attachment member which snaps onto the latch lever.
  • the device preferably also includes support means adapted to project between the latch lever and the connector body to limit movement of the protective device towards the point of connection of the latch lever to the connector body.
  • the support means comprises a support member projecting from the wall member separately from the said attachment member, which support member is adapted to fit under the latch lever, preferably at or near its point of connection to the connector body, when the said attachment member is secured to the latch lever.
  • Preferred devices according to this invention include those incorporating a dust cap positioned for fitting over the exposed end of the connector when the said attachment member of the device is secured to the latch lever. It is especially preferred that the dust cap is connected to the said wall member of the protective device by a flexible hinge.
  • the said attachment member and/or the said support means comprise substantially plate-like bodies projecting from, and preferably integral with, the said wall member. It will generally be preferred that the said attachment member is of thickness substantially matching the height of any upstanding projection from the free end of the latch lever and/or that the said support member is of thickness sufficient substantially to fill the space between the latch lever and the connector body immediately adjacent to the point of connection of the lever to the body.
  • Figure 1C shows the known connectorised cable 100 and a rubber dust cap 90, having a protective device 60 according to the invention fitted with its attachment member 30 secured to the latch lever of the connector,
  • FIGs 3 A and 3B show in more detail the protective device of Fig. 1C including the latch-protecting wall member 65, from which project the aforementioned plate-like attachment member 30 and support means 40, with a snap-fit securing means 50 projecting from the free end of the attachment member 30.
  • a dust cap 10 is attached to the wall member 65 of the device by flexible "living" hinge 20.
  • FIGs 4A and 4B illustrate in perspective and elevation respectively the application of the Fig. 3 device to a known connector 80.
  • the dust cap 10 is applied to the free end of the connector as shown in Fig. 4A, then the device is hingedly moved in the direction indicated by the dark curved arrow to slide the support member 40 under the latch lever 70 near its point of connection to the connector body, and to snap-fix the plate-like attachment member 30 across the latch lever by engaging the snap projection 50 with the edge of the lever, all as shown in Fig. 4B.
  • the thickness of protective member 30 substantially matches the height of the knob upstanding from the free end of latch lever 70.
  • the device according to the invention may be made using any convenient and suitable materials and methods, preferably by moulding of plastics materials to form the device a single monolithic piece.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

A protective device for protecting a latch lever connected with a cable or optical fibre connector body, the latch lever having an attached end attached to the connector body and a free end projecting away from the connector body to leave a gap between the body and that part of the lever extending between the respective ends of the lever, wherein the protective device comprises a wall member, and attachment means for attaching the wall member to lie beside the lever between its aforesaid attached and free ends and closely adjacent to the connector body, the wall member being adapted to lie beside and bridge at least partly the said gap between the latch lever and the connector body when the device is secured thereto, in order to resist catching or snagging of the lever.

Description

PROTECTION OF OPTICAL FIBRE CONNECTORS
This invention relates to devices for protection of cable or optical fibre connectors having a projecting latch member.
Figures IA, IB and 2 of the accompanying drawings show an optical fibre cable 100 with an optical connector 80 of known kind attached to the cable end, having the usual projecting latch member 70 for latching/releasing the connector into/from connections formed with co-operating connector components in use. It is often desirable to apply a protective rubber cap 90 over the connectorised cable end to exclude dust and moisture, as shown in Figures IA and IB. We have discovered that there is significant risk of damaging the latch member 70, for example by catching or snagging it and thus bending it to the excessively-projecting position shown in Figure 2, during removal of the rubber cap 90 to expose the connector 80 ready for use. Attempts have been made to prevent such snagging by providing anti-snag devices that stand in front of the free end of the latch member, but these can in some cases be bent out of position or otherwise displaced.
The present invention relates to a protective device for protecting a latch lever connected with a cable or optical fibre connector body, the latch lever having an attached end attached to the connector body and a free end projecting away from the connector body to leave a gap between the body and that part of the lever extending between the respective ends of the lever, wherein the protective device comprises a wall member, and attachment means for attaching the wall member to lie beside the lever between its aforesaid attached and free ends and closely adjacent to the connector body, the wall member being adapted to lie beside and bridge at least partly the said gap between the latch lever and the connector body when the device is secured thereto, in order to resist catching or snagging of the lever. Preferably, the device is shaped and dimensioned so that in use it does not project along the connector body beyond the free end of the lever. It is preferred that the said wall member is shaped and dimensioned to completely bridge the gap between the latch lever and the connector body at or near the free end of the latch lever when the device is secured thereto. The wall member can thus be arranged to resist catching or snagging of the lever.
Preferably, the attachment means comprises an attachment member which projects from the wall member, and securing means for securing the attachment member to the latch lever with the wall member closely adjacent to the connector body. It is also preferred that the securing means comprises a snap-fit formation on the said attachment member which snaps onto the latch lever.
The device preferably also includes support means adapted to project between the latch lever and the connector body to limit movement of the protective device towards the point of connection of the latch lever to the connector body. Preferably, the support means comprises a support member projecting from the wall member separately from the said attachment member, which support member is adapted to fit under the latch lever, preferably at or near its point of connection to the connector body, when the said attachment member is secured to the latch lever. Preferred devices according to this invention include those incorporating a dust cap positioned for fitting over the exposed end of the connector when the said attachment member of the device is secured to the latch lever. It is especially preferred that the dust cap is connected to the said wall member of the protective device by a flexible hinge. In advantageous forms of the invention, the said attachment member and/or the said support means comprise substantially plate-like bodies projecting from, and preferably integral with, the said wall member. It will generally be preferred that the said attachment member is of thickness substantially matching the height of any upstanding projection from the free end of the latch lever and/or that the said support member is of thickness sufficient substantially to fill the space between the latch lever and the connector body immediately adjacent to the point of connection of the lever to the body.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 1C, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings wherein:-
Figure 1C shows the known connectorised cable 100 and a rubber dust cap 90, having a protective device 60 according to the invention fitted with its attachment member 30 secured to the latch lever of the connector,
Figures 3 A and 3B show in more detail the protective device of Fig. 1C including the latch-protecting wall member 65, from which project the aforementioned plate-like attachment member 30 and support means 40, with a snap-fit securing means 50 projecting from the free end of the attachment member 30. A dust cap 10 is attached to the wall member 65 of the device by flexible "living" hinge 20.
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate in perspective and elevation respectively the application of the Fig. 3 device to a known connector 80. In this example, the dust cap 10 is applied to the free end of the connector as shown in Fig. 4A, then the device is hingedly moved in the direction indicated by the dark curved arrow to slide the support member 40 under the latch lever 70 near its point of connection to the connector body, and to snap-fix the plate-like attachment member 30 across the latch lever by engaging the snap projection 50 with the edge of the lever, all as shown in Fig. 4B. The thickness of protective member 30 substantially matches the height of the knob upstanding from the free end of latch lever 70.
The device according to the invention may be made using any convenient and suitable materials and methods, preferably by moulding of plastics materials to form the device a single monolithic piece.

Claims

Claims
1. A protective device for protecting a latch lever connected with a cable or optical fibre connector body, the latch lever having an attached end attached to the connector body and a free end projecting away from the connector body to leave a gap between the body and that part of the lever extending between the respective ends of the lever, wherein the protective device comprises a wall member, and attachment means for attaching the wall member to lie beside the lever between its aforesaid attached and free ends and closely adjacent to the connector body, the wall member being adapted to lie beside and bridge at least partly the said gap between the latch lever and the connector body when the device is secured thereto, in order to resist catching or snagging of the lever.
2. A device according to claim 1, which is shaped and dimensioned so that in use it does not project along the connector body beyond the free end of the lever.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said wall member is shaped and dimensioned to completely bridge the gap between the latch lever and the connector body at least at or near the free end of the latch lever when the device is secured to the connector.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises an attachment member which projects from the wall member, and securing means for securing the attachment member to the latch lever with the wall member closely adjacent to the connector body.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the securing means comprises a snap-fit formation on the said attachment member which snaps onto the latch lever.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, including support means adapted to project between the latch lever and the connector body, to limit movement of the protective device towards the point of connection of the latch lever to the connector body.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the support means comprises a support member projecting from the wall member separately from the said attachment member, which support member is adapted to fit under the latch lever at or near the said point of connection of the latch lever to the connector body.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the said support member is of thickness sufficient substantially to fill the space between the latch lever and the connector body immediately adjacent to the point of connection of the lever to the body.
9. A device according to any preceding claim incorporating a dust cap positioned for fitting over the exposed end of the connector when the said attachment member of the device is secured to the latch lever.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the dust cap is connected to the said wall member of the protective device by a flexible hinge.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the said attachment member and/or the said support means comprise substantially plate-like bodies projecting from, and preferably integral with, the said wall member.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the said attachment member is of thickness substantially matching the height of any upstanding projection from the free end of the latch lever.
PCT/GB2008/050788 2007-09-24 2008-09-05 Protection of optical fibre connectors WO2009040565A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0718587.9A GB0718587D0 (en) 2007-09-24 2007-09-24 Protection of optical fibre connectors
GB0718587.9 2007-09-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009040565A1 true WO2009040565A1 (en) 2009-04-02

Family

ID=38670402

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/050788 WO2009040565A1 (en) 2007-09-24 2008-09-05 Protection of optical fibre connectors

Country Status (5)

Country Link
AR (1) AR068453A1 (en)
CL (1) CL2008002800A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0718587D0 (en)
PE (1) PE20091132A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2009040565A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013173555A1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-11-21 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber optic connector with bonded cover
US9411110B2 (en) 2013-02-06 2016-08-09 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector cover and fiber optic assembly including same
USD800659S1 (en) 2015-06-05 2017-10-24 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector
USD800660S1 (en) 2015-06-05 2017-10-24 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector
US10557996B2 (en) 2015-09-28 2020-02-11 Commscope Technologies Llc End face protection tape for fiber optic connector; and methods

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62153807A (en) * 1985-12-26 1987-07-08 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Connector for optical fiber
GB2347282A (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-30 Whitaker Corp Connector assembly with latching system and terminal modules
EP1487065A1 (en) * 2003-06-11 2004-12-15 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector having an improved effect of preventing an unlocking lever from being damaged
US20060228938A1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2006-10-12 David Langolf Electrical connector with improved latch means
WO2008100864A1 (en) * 2007-02-15 2008-08-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Connector protective cover

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62153807A (en) * 1985-12-26 1987-07-08 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Connector for optical fiber
GB2347282A (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-30 Whitaker Corp Connector assembly with latching system and terminal modules
EP1487065A1 (en) * 2003-06-11 2004-12-15 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector having an improved effect of preventing an unlocking lever from being damaged
US20060228938A1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2006-10-12 David Langolf Electrical connector with improved latch means
WO2008100864A1 (en) * 2007-02-15 2008-08-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Connector protective cover

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013173555A1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-11-21 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber optic connector with bonded cover
US8998503B2 (en) 2012-05-16 2015-04-07 Corning Cable Systems Llc Fiber optic connector and bonded cover
US9207407B2 (en) 2012-05-16 2015-12-08 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector and bonded cover
US9411110B2 (en) 2013-02-06 2016-08-09 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector cover and fiber optic assembly including same
USD800659S1 (en) 2015-06-05 2017-10-24 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector
USD800660S1 (en) 2015-06-05 2017-10-24 Corning Optical Communications LLC Fiber optic connector
US10557996B2 (en) 2015-09-28 2020-02-11 Commscope Technologies Llc End face protection tape for fiber optic connector; and methods
US11029469B2 (en) 2015-09-28 2021-06-08 Commscope Technologies Llc End face protection tape for fiber optic connector; and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR068453A1 (en) 2009-11-18
PE20091132A1 (en) 2009-08-25
GB0718587D0 (en) 2007-10-31
CL2008002800A1 (en) 2009-09-04

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