Patent ID: 6267513
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical connector comprising,a plug having a dielectric housing with a front end incorporating top, bottom and two opposed side walls,a receptacle adapted for mating with the plug, the receptacle having a dielectric housing including an opening defined by top, bottom and two opposed sidewalls for accommodating the front end of the plug, the receptacle having a resilient, cantilevered latch portion extending into the opening, the latch portion having a hook like projection formed on its free end for engaging a latching portion located on the plug to latch the plug and receptacle together,the receptacle side walls including two opposed openings located a predetermined distance inside the receptacle opening, which side wall openings allow the portions of the sidewalls preceding the side wall openings to expand when the front portion of the plug with at least one latch projection located on one of its side wall enters the receptacle opening thereby allowing the front end of the plug to continue to move inside the receptacle opening until the projection enters opening allowing the side walls to move back from their expanded position to their normal position securing the projection within the opening thereby providing a second latching arrangement for latching the plug and receptacle together,a cover slidably mounted on the plug housing, the cover having at least one actuating piece extending from one of its ends, the actuating piece having a trapezoidal projection formed on its free end, wherein the trapezoidal projection is also engaged by the hook like projection of the latch portion when the cover is in its most forward position, and wherein the movement of the cover backward disengages the projection from the latching portion, however the plug and receptacle are still latched together by the secondary latching arrangement.