Patent ID: 9291781
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: G02B

Claim Text:
1. An MT ferrule adapter for converting an MT ferrule assembly into an MPO connector-type structure for inspection, wherein the MT ferrule assembly includes an MT ferrule and a fiber array wrapped in a protective cover, the MT ferrule has a front portion and a rear portion, and the rear portion is wider and thicker than the front portion, the MT ferrule adapter comprising: an upper jaw having a front portion and a rear portion; a lower jaw having a front portion and a rear portion; a shaft passing through the rear portion of the upper jaw and the rear portion of the lower jaw, such that the upper jaw and the lower jaw are rotatable relative to each other about the shaft between an open position, wherein the front portion of the upper jaw and the front portion of the lower jaw are spaced apart from each other, and a closed position, wherein the front portion of the upper jaw is adjacent or in contact with the front portion of the lower jaw, wherein an elongated open channel is disposed on an upper side of the lower jaw, the open channel comprising a rear recess with an open rear end, a rectangular front recess with an open front end, and a rectangular middle recess between the front recess and the rear recess, the middle recess being wider and deeper than the front recess; and an elongated open channel is disposed on a lower side of the upper jaw, the open channel comprising a rear recess with an open rear end, a front recess with an open front end, and a middle recess between the front recess and the rear recess; wherein when the upper jaw and the lower jaw are in the open position, an opening is formed between the rear portion of the upper jaw and the rear portion of the lower jaw, the opening being sufficiently large for an MT ferrule assembly to pass through in order for a lower portion of the front portion of the MT ferrule of the MT ferrule assembly to be set in the front recess of the lower jaw, a lower portion of the rear portion of the MT ferrule of the MT ferrule assembly to be set in the middle recess of the lower jaw, with a front surface thereof protruding in front of the front recess of the lower jaw; and when the upper jaw and the lower jaw are in the closed position, the front recess of the upper jaw and the front recess of the lower jaw together form a front locating space, the middle recess of the upper jaw and the middle recess of the lower jaw together form a middle locating space, and the rear recess of the upper jaw and the rear recess of the lower jaw together form a rear locating space, such that the front recess, the middle recess, or both of the upper jaw firmly press on a top surface of the MT ferrule of the MT ferrule assembly to fixedly hold the front portion of the MT ferrule in the front locating space and the rear portion of the MT ferrule in the middle locating space, with the front surface of the MT ferrule protruding in front of the front locating space.